by Laura Ferguson
G+Force is a weird and wonderful amalgam of theatre lecture, anatomy lesson, storytelling, puns, metaphors, immersion, narration, nudity, tangents, improv, callbacks and above all comedy. Fenn’s every utterance is magically hilarious; he drips with humour, sometimes more literally than you would have believed. “You don’t have to improve yourself,” he says, his stance casual, like he’s waiting for the bus, his tone breezy with levity, “You just have to make it seem to other people you are trying to improve yourself.” Fenn made me laugh so much my breath fell out of my face. I’m not even sure that actually makes sense, but it is the best articulation I have.
Fenn is charming, good-natured and witty. His wit springs to life in so many ways that I am continuously surprised, like the inclusion of an audience plant joining us in watching the spectacle. An actual plant my pun-loving people: An actual, real-life plant.
The audience does play a part in helping the show achieve its wonder. Fenn ensures we’re always comfortable with his audience participation. He suggests rather than coerces. He respects our boundaries. In exchange, we give suggestions, we act out the part of glucose, we help derive meaning to his anecdotes. I’m leaning in, eyes locked on Fenn as he paces the stage, gesticulating passionately. His arms fly about his body as if trying to escape, even in Fenn’s static moments, you can see the energy thrumming through him. It’s not hard to see why he won Spirit of the Fringe in 2017. He is exactly what I love about Fringe and has embodied it again this year: off-beat, new and exciting.
G+Force is most certainly a force. Leaving, I want to twirl and sing in the crowded streets; I want to feel sand in my toes; I want to run and jump in a large puddle. I’m so glad G+Force was my first foray into this year’s Fringe: An utterly brilliant start to the festival.
George Fenn’s G+Force is on until Saturday the 3rd of March. Find tickets here.