“I’m Bill Hicks, and I’m dead now.”

There are so many levels that this show works on. The first is the surface layer where Chas Early is doing a rather impressive cover/tribute of the late Bill Hicks. Going ever so slightly deeper is the idea that Early is channelling the spirit of Hicks back down to let everyone know exactly what he thinks about the world today.

So yes, you can come in and finally see a comedian you never saw when he was alive. As exemplified by the four people in the audience who had seen him pre February 1994. And that there, that little throwaway line at the start of the show, sums up what Early and his writing partner Richard Hurst are actually wanting to talk about. The Cult of Bill.

What is it about Hicks that has made him more popular in death than in life? Why are his words still being read, his CD’s being sold, his act being quoted, and nothing has changed in the world? Are people not listening? And why is Dennis Leary now leeching off the New York Fire Department in the same way that Early/Hicks demonises him in his hour long show?

Throughout the show, which makes no use of existing Hicks material (apart from common Hicksian themes such as guns, politics, rock music and blowjobs saving the world from terrorism), it really does feel that you are watching Hicks. It takes a lot longer to be comfortable with the performance than if you were to see a regular stand-up, but you are going to be there, in the zone, wondering whether you should laugh at jokes about the Columbine Massacre or 9/11 Corporate branding

And then the last five minutes kicks in. If you’ve not worked out the Cult of Bill undercurrent, then Early (who’s own persona makes a little cameo appearance) pulls the rug out from under you, demanding that you look at yourself and ask why you’re at this tribute to a dead guy that nobody listened to until it was too late.

Or you can go along for the dick jokes.

Show: Bill Hicks - Slight Return.
Webpage: www.slightreturn.info.
Where: Pleasance.
When: 1545-1645, 8th to 29th August

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