Following on from last years truly brilliant show Pierre Novellie had become one of the first names on the team sheet when it came to buying tickets for this years Fringe.

Even though he has been performing for years I felt that this would be the equivalent of his ‘tricky second album’ – thankfully this clown is far more Beastie Boys (Paul’s Boutique) than Bloc Party (A Weekend in the City).

Pierre’s show this year centred almost exclusively on politics, specifically his impressive understanding and knowledge of global political history as well as his utter disdain for the current situation in terms of parties, systems and high profile politicians.

This is a clown who fiercely believes in the idea of politics but is dumfounded by the current situation we find ourselves in. As someone partially bought up in South Africa he scoffs at what we call tricky race issues and knows first hand that change can be achieved.

This was a powerful and incredibly funny flow of material that I thought nothing could break… Until a woman in the front row did something that I personally have never seen before at a comedy gig.

The Pleasance Upstairs is a small venue with seating on 3 sides. I was on the far end of the right wing facing the left hand side of our clown for the evening and the people on the left wing. About half way through the show the woman on the front row directly opposite me decided to change her seating position. She placed her right foot on her left knee… Nothing unusual about that you might think, but this audience member was making an obvious attempt to flash our clown!

I did not know where to look, despite the obvious exhibitionism you feel like starring would be rude. I spent the rest of the show trying to focus solely on Pierre’s head. Now I cannot say for sure if our clown even noticed but what I will say is that he clearly addressed our wing and the seats in front almost exclusively for the rest of his performance. I am not sure if this is ‘a thing’ but it certainly ranks in my all-time weird list from the Fringe.

Pierre was fantastic, this was a political show but he wasn’t taking sides, he had no agenda – other than to chastise what global politics has become. This is a clown still on the rise and i would recommend anyone to go and see his show – unless you are so staunch in your politics beliefs that you get upset by things like facts… yes MAGA guys, that is definitely you.

Clown Stars: * * * * *

@Pleasance Upstairs, Edinburgh