
Once upon a time when the world was not yet Disneyfied and, therefore, far less innocent, there lived a man called Hans Christian Anderson. Hans wrote tales for children in the 1800s. One of these was called The Red Shoes.

‘Dracula’ really belongs to another time and place. Its use of fog and lighting special effects and extended periods of silence and character close-ups were intended to instill terror in its 1931 audience.

The Blue Show didn’t come across as bent or twisted or especially rude to me; in fact this old perve was disappointed.

There should be more of this sort of thing – sharp, well-executed, intelligent and wide ranging satire. This show is an absolute winner with excellent performances and wit abounding.

The conversation starts coyly almost casually. Sharman and Malkovich sit and mirror each other in black leather chairs. Nearly mumbling into their hands as they both prop up their chins.


The sublime in Birbiglia comes from his ordinariness – his normalness, and for this normal person to encounter and handle the pain of everyday injustices, disappointments, embarrassments.