Dave Simpson 

Otis Lee Crenshaw

Pleasance Cabaret *****
  
  


Despite snubs by successive Perrier panels, Rich Hall keeps on honing his alter ego. The murderous ol' singin' Tennessee jailbird has now spent another year in the penitentiary, and married and divorced his seventh wife called Brenda. The result is a "character" so outrageously realistic and funny that it's worth risking Riker's Island just to see it.

The beast has been slightly remodelled (that gravel voice is, implausibly, now rawer than a gargle with steel) but has thankfully not reformed. Out go fondly remembered ballads such as the prison-rape anthem He Almost Looks Like You to be replaced by a clutch of dangerous new songs. Women Call It Stalking ("It's just selective walking") has the audience in uproar.

Vitally, Hall is not playing safe. His rapid-fire wit is now so spontaneous that he should consider leaving his brain to science (they might not want his body); his songs - notably a stunning duet with Catherine Porter - could be number-one hits with a little... er... lyrical attention.

Hopefully, the Perrier panel will show more sympathy than the jury that put Crenshaw away.

Till August 28. Box office: 0131-556 6550.

 

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