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Richard Herring: What is Love Anyway at the Komedia

By Michael Hootman
Feb 8, 2012 - 10:31:33 PM
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In his last show Herring used his sporting a Hitler moustache to explore, among other things, contemporary political apathy, racism, silent comedy all bound up with some Baby Maddie and cock jokes. With his latest show he sets himself a very hard task: to come up with an original take on the subject of love. And despite some very funny moments, the task proves to be unachievable. A show about growing a Hitler tache at the very least has originality on it side; there's very little in the current show which hasn't been at least pondered by most intelligent adults.

At the outset Herring proclaims he intends to destroy love – or at least the concept of romantic love and destiny. His point that people who enjoy scoffing at religion can sometime believe in the equally lunatic concept of the soulmate that they're mystically drawn towards is a good one. But then this is a show in which Herring can laugh at easy targets such as a New Ager who sees his spirit guide which, inevitably, is a Native American. But making a joke out of this inevitability is perhaps a cliche in itself. And part of comedy is taking an idea and running with it but a routine about building a Ferrero Rocher pyramid isn't really worth the effort Herring puts in.

In his blokey way Herring is quite an endearing performer, and a closing story about his grandmother is rather moving. By no means a misfire, What Is Love Anyway? is just a little below what he's capable of.


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