Is Being Roared at by a Near-Naked Hardman Really Considered Comedy?

Clowning often embodies vulnerability, while hyper-masculinity thrives on invulnerability. What transpires when these two seemingly opposing concepts merge? We’ve seen it before in Natalie Palamides’s “Nate,” where she transformed into a boisterous, beer-chugging character embroiled in awkward altercations, including sexual misadventures. Furiozo: Man Looking for Trouble echoes that dynamism, amassing praise at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe and again at Melbourne this spring. However, unlike Palamides, Furiozo is portrayed by an actual man, bringing a disconcerting edge to the performance.

Can fear and comedy coexist? Absolutely – anyone who has ever felt uneasy in the front row of a standup show can attest to that. In Furiozo’s case, portrayed by Piotr Sikora, this fear is amplified. The wordless narrative depicts a macho man spiraling out of control. Furiozo roars at the audience, wields a gun, and embarks on a chaotic cocaine binge, practically causing testosterone to fill the air.

But remember, this is the London clown festival – it can’t just be about terror. There must be moments of tenderness too. If you’re after an hour of pure comic machismo with minimal emotional depth, Adam Riches might be more your fare. Sikora, however, delves deeper. Despite fully committing to his near-naked, growling character, he periodically softens, transitioning into moments of clown-like gentleness. He might point a gun at you, only to then offer a hug. He’ll attempt to steal your handbag but seeks your permission first.

An especially notable moment of consent arises when Furiozo begins to make out with his mannequin sweetheart. He pauses to ask the audience if he should continue, seeking either a thumbs up or down. Unlike Nate, which wrestled with sexual ethics amid the #MeToo movement, Sikora appears to explore how romantic love could crack the tough exterior of an inveterate hard man. A recurring joke has him snarling at the audience whenever they “aww” at a tender moment, underscoring Furiozo’s inability to cope with vulnerability.

Is this inability Furiozo’s tragic flaw? His comedy show starts with clownish antics but slowly gravitates toward tragedy, symbolized by a barrage of party-popper bullets. Similar to Paulina Lenoir’s “Puella Eterna,” which I coincidentally watched before, “Man Looking for Trouble” shifts perspective in its final moments. It takes a step back to contemplate the generational cycles that condemn Furiozo junior to the same life as his delinquent father. This broader view enhances the show from good to exceptional, living up to its hype. It’s gearing up for another run at the Edinburgh Fringe – challenge it if you dare.

• Furiozo: Man Looking for Trouble is at Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh, 1-25 August.