EdFringe Review: Pierre Novellie: Must We?

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I’d never seen Pierre Novellie perform before now: this was a mistake. Within 15 minutes I was quite sure he would prove one of my favourite comedians. Hours later, that opinion hasn’t changed.

‘Must We’ is a gorgeous, gorgeous hour of eye-wateringly fabulous comedy. From the first words of an opening monologue on fairness, he is assured, slick, and downright funny. Fairness, expectations, and the non-exclusivity of madness and logic are the three pillars on which the show rests.

These he explores through a variety of lenses, including a thorough dissection of the comedian’s poisoned lot, the Cargo cults of Melanesia, and his experiences of life on the spectrum.

Novellie’s delivery is just terrific: his voice is a comedic weapon. Whether calmly explaining that only the unwell would pursue a career in comedy or the complete logic of pretending to be US soldiers to please the gods, he makes every syllable count. Novellie seeds each bit of shtick with little punchlines, red herrings to distract the audience before launching a bazooka of a payoff. It’s never clever for the sake of it, only ever to make the audience laugh – and they do.

It won’t be the first time, for example, you’ll hear a comedian gaze dubiously at the UK’s penchant for imperial measurement. However, where Novellie takes his ‘stones’ discourse is just brilliant. Haribo, yes the sweetie company, should be calling him up to pen their next advertising campaign.

‘Must We’ is ultimately the world through Pierre Novellie’s eyes. From an abusive relationship with Spotify, through a philosophical blunder with Dishwasher cleaning fluid, and a traumatic history of clothes shopping, Pierre takes the audience on quite the comedic trip. Who knew Rye bread could be so funny? Pierre Novellie did, and so will you once you see the show. This isn’t inspiration porn, however, it’s just his life.

I cannot recommend this show highly enough. When the serious subtheme of the show becomes clear in the closing section it’s completely consistent with the journey to that point. Even then, and quite fearlessly, Novellie insists on finding the laughs. The audience, initially hesitant to find matters of life and death funny is swiftly won over yet again. Pierre isn’t flippant, however, he’s just making a case through comedy: something he’s good at in the same way as Mr.Kipling claims to be at making cakes. (I find myself immediately keen to know Pierre’s opinion on said baked goods, take from that what you will.)

Anyway, that’s enough from me. If you like to laugh, think, and laugh some more, Pierre Novellie is a must-see at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

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