(4 / 5)

How could one say no to a show with the title of “Hot Knees”? Not me. I need to know what are “Hot Knees” and why!

In a little yurt in Edinburgh, we are squeezed in together in close quarters with Enrico Touché who is our performer, our tech and everything above and beyond. Hot Knees is a show about dreams; Enrico Touché (Simon Ambrose Brown) is a (almost) silent movie cabaret performer whose dream is to become the best in the business. But he is also interested in our dreams .. well, what he tells us are our dreams. In his subtle whisper and gentle audience interaction, he follows this with silly comedy that is simple but extremely effective.

Ambrose Brown manages to achieve all comedy with not only great skill but also with the support of small props; a tie that has a mind of its own, a bag of snack-a-jacks, a briefcase full of secrets but also light as it opens. There’s nothing flashy or in your face, no fireworks or crashing humour. Ambrose Brown keeps it simple and this makes us genuinely laugh with this, only showing how truly skilled he is with this and with no need to throw comedy in our face to make us laugh.

In our particular show, Ambose Brown faced a slightly unruly child and his approach and take on this particular disruption was so well done. He engaged and entertained but also knew when to not push further. This child was very protective of their father and again, he managed to know the right moments to take. All while completely in character, still funny and engaging and friendly.

There is a wistful and dreamy essence to this performance – yes it’s comical but talking about dreams which are almost pie in the sky somehow feel possible in the soothing whispers of Enrico Touché and we feel we can do anything with his guidance.

Enrico Touché: Hot Knees is not just a very funny show but is warm, touching and inspiring.