Presented by Liebenspiel Presents
Review by Hunter King
Iron Belly at Underbelly, Cowgate
After a kind old woman (and DEFINITELY NOT a witch) sadly dies of natural causes after being plowed over by a car, Reverend Derek Gritt (Hudson Hughes), a washed up celebrity holy man comes to her small farm town to oversee her funeral. What could possibly go wrong? In the late night show Hudson Hughes: At Your Service both Gritt and the audience get more than they bargained for when a seemingly normal funeral service goes haywire.
Hughes’ character of Derek Gritt falls somewhere between a youth pastor clinging to his youth, a C-list celebrity clinging to his fame, and a classic sci-fi horror academic clinging to his over-enunciated diction. Hughes builds a character that is simultaneously fun to watch but also not particularly the hero of the story. In At Your Service the audience often has more fun making fun of Gritt, and roots for his downfall, which inevitably makes the show much funnier.
Hughes also incorporates extremely impressive technical elements into the show, including animatronics and technical gags that make the supernatural elements of the show feel more realistic, while he inevitably takes none of them very seriously. He also manages to use film in a clever and non-distracting way. By making the piece intermedial he is able to have elements of other characters having influence in the story, meanwhile he remains the only one onstage. This is clever as many one person shows can find moments where they lull, but the additional technical aspects make sure the show always feels exciting.
Another rare accomplishment that Hughes is able to manage in his show is that it never feels disjointed. Often one performer shows can have moments where it is clear the performer is switching beats, but Hughes’ show flows naturally, really feeling like the moments come naturally in a progression of a (admittedly very odd) night.
Hughes is a comedian to look out for. Completely committed to his craft, it is clear that he understands his type of comedy is meant to be ridiculous and is in on the joke, which he delivers with conviction and believability. The show is a blast and just may make you die of laughter (if you’re not blown into chunks by a car first).
You Might Die Laughing
Hudson Hughes: At Your Service runs at Venue 61, Iron Belly at Underbelly, Cowgate
at 23:10
Running time – Sixty minutes
Review by Hunter King (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Hunter is a 2024 Master’s graduate of the University of Edinburgh and current doctoral candidate with a thesis focused on experimental theatre in Edinburgh. He has been a theatre practitioner for over a decade having worked in many capacities including as a director, actor, stage manager, front of house manager, and technician as well as others. Prior to moving to Edinburgh, Hunter was a high school English teacher in the United States. His passion for the written word as well as his passion for live performance are what motivated him to become a writer for this publication.
