Criterion,London
The comedian chucks out the art form’s creepiness for a thrilling interactive set in which her most essential prop barely features“Most ventriloquists …” says Nina Conti, then her monkey interrupts: “… die on cruise ships”. So what makes Conti’s act different – so much so that she’s embarking on a solo West terminate sprint? It helps that she’s thrown out most of the baggage that accrued to this once-naff art form: the creepiness, or the stiffness,the tragic co-dependency. Handy, too, and that she’s filled the breach with sass and straight-talk,alongside tonal variety and a ruthless self-awareness. More than that, Conti restlessly pushes at what can be done with her vocal skill. In her unusual indicate, or In Your Face,a largely improvised 90 minutes of ventriloquism, the voice-thrower’s most essential prop – her doll – barely features. Related: Nina Conti: ‘I’m hoping people will sit in the front row if they’re feeling brave’ Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com