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Ross Noble: UnrealtimeDirectors: Ross Noble and Cal Barton Rating: M 15+ 93 mins (feature), 109 mins (extras) Stunt Baby Productions/ACMEC Records While the idea of watching a Ross Noble performance on DVD is appealing, there was no way he could capture the sheer bamboozle factor of actually being in the audience. Or was there? Noble and team have very cleverly made this far closer to experiencing the real thing than could have been imagined. And like most things he does, it's deceptively simple and somehow, makes sense. It's all in the presentation. Noble's 'Unrealtime' show from London's Garrick Theatre is the star of this double DVD set, but he's embellished it beautifully. Choose to watch the show with his commentary - as freewheeling as the show itself - and it adds an edge. But to really experience Noble, turn on the pop-up Trivia Facts. Triggered by the comedian's on-stage antics, they are as hilarious as they are nonsensical: try 'Swordfish have no concept of medieval warfare'. Combined with the actual show - and the commentary - the effect is nearly as head-spinning as being in the same room as the man. As seen at the Scott Theatre last year, 'Unrealtime' is a (typically) wonderfully random example of what earns Noble tags like "...most exciting comic at work today". He takes the stage with few concrete ideas, a quick wit and the ability to create universes from seemingly nothing. In just the first ten minutes voles, clown cars (Trivia Fact: 90% of them are made in Hull), arses, Aslan the Lion (King of Narnia) kickin' it on the decks and 'Les Miserables' will have all been and gone. And there's still 80 minutes to go. The second disc features another full performance, recorded three months earlier at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. While it doesn't have trivia facts, it does come with a commentary, so again it's effectively two shows in one. The setting is stunning, and gives Noble a chance to interact with the audience in a different manner - watch out for the flying brie - and to once again incorporate tramps as a recurring theme. The extra features are all diverting enough, and paying attention to the trivia facts (Brad Pitt once worked as a Chinese Elvis) will see you through the trivia quiz to unlock extra material on disc one. The other clips are all worth a look but vary in quality. Don't skip the warning at the start of the DVD though: this one is worth reading. Beautifully packaged in a deluxe cardboard case and loaded with some classic Noble moments, 'Unrealtime' is a stellar example of what a DVD should be. It's funny, it's clever and it's charming. It's Ross Noble showing us how it can be done, which is what he's been doing all along, really.  |
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