Alec Snook is incredibly hyper aware. He shares that he is ‘decomposing’ because he has tinnitus, colour-blindness and is “like genetically-modified grapes: completely seedless.” Off top, he lets us know that “this is a show about loss in its different forms, largely because I keep losing pockets of the audience throughout the hour.” He is so hyper aware, he goes as far as having a ‘lull bell’ that he rings when a joke doesn’t land as well and encourages us to also get up and ring the bell if we feel necessary (though he does warn he will lash out if anyone approaches). This from a man who starts his show with an interpretative dance and bursts into song by way of seemless transitions.
Alec has made two ‘Funniest Jokes of the Fringe’ lists, which is a testament to some of the hidden gems that the Free Fringe helps unearth
Simply put, Alec’s show isn’t a typical ‘dead parent’ show; he actually describes his mum’s funeral as the second-best one he’s ever been to, so it’s not him excavating that for an hour. Instead, we get his whimsical takes on the truer aspects of his life coupled with absurdist left turns, made even funnier in his droll, Bristolian lilt.
Each line seems to have been painstakingly crafted, but unfortunately some quips (like “that one word would be ‘partially colour blind’”) don’t get the laughs they deserve from a midday crowd, who for some Decomposing, Live is their first show of the day.
Alec says he is socially awkward which comes across with some of his attempts at crowdwork, which also breaks us out of the stable loose cannon persona we are expected to buy into in order for the more offbeat jokes to work. A minor quibble for what is overall a great debut solo show.
At the time of writing, Alec has made two ‘Funniest Jokes of the Fringe’ lists, which is a testament to some of the hidden gems that the Free Fringe helps unearth. Alec may claim to be decomposing (live) but he takes us on a joyous ride while doing so.
