George Egg: Anarchist Cook
****
Fri 7 Jun, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
In 2015 George Egg found his way out of the garden shed and into the nation’s value hotels with the show Anarchist Cook. In his most recent Cardiff outing the culinary renegade returns to preparing a haute three-course meal in front of a live audience – using only the equipment found in a Travelodge or, if feeling flush, a Premier Inn. The aim of the show is, in the man’s own words, “To encourage divergent and lateral thinking.” It’s difficult not to feel encouraged as George even offers full recipes (complete with obscure cooking instructions) to viewers willing to part with a few pounds.
An astute performer with a strong ability to gauge an audience’s mood, George pressed hard where the laughs were plentiful and segued effectively where they were not. Recognising that his audience was largely made up of the middle classes, his supermarket jibes and soft politics seemed to resonate with the room.
The show contains a small audio/visual element, with a number of on-screen jokes and a short film providing relief for theatregoers with shorter attention spans, usually while Egg busies himself with the business of chopping, slicing and arranging various vegetables. These extras are shown on a large screen which forms the backdrop of the entire performance, and while the visuals are funny and well thought-out, one can’t help but wonder if the rest of the show would be better served by a small feed of the chef’s hands as he prepares the dishes, particularly for larger venues. The man himself expresses concern that he won’t be able to please die-hard comedy fans and cooking enthusiasts at the same time, and while he does an admirable job, the performance definitely leans more on comedy chops than gastronomic prowess.
Whether you’re a foodie in the mood for some laughs, or a comedy obsessive looking for something a little different, George Egg strikes the kind of balance that will keep you interested in either, and amused by both.
words John McLoughlin
George Egg is on tour throughout the year, with dates available here. Anarchist Cook was performed as part of the Go Faster Stripe Comedy Festival.
