Review

REVIEW: Will Penswick: Nørdic(k) – 4*

Radio Ha-Ha! talks Ha-Ha!

Written by Sarah Exton

Review date: 8th August 2019

Will Penswick is back at Edinburgh Fringe, except this time he’s put down his pen and taken up his badge; shifting from Poetry extraordinaire to Nordic Police Officer. 

More specifically, welcome Detective Pætur Pætursson all the way from the Faroe Islands. Set, quite appropriately, in one of the Cave Venues at Just the Tonic, we follow Detective Pætur Pætursson as he takes on Scandinavia’s most dangerous criminal, but he cannot do it alone.

Even though he’s having to compete with another comedian, who has chosen the same niche character to bring to the Fringe, Penswick has a unique take on this Nordic Noir twist, that only he can do. Choosing to take on a Scandi accent, runs the risk of unintentionally sounding like a member of the Muppets. However, instead of an over-the-top caricature voice for this brooding Detective, Penswick has more of a subtle take. Occasionally he does slip back into his native accent every now and then, but not enough to draw you away from the character and plot. The final act is a little messy, but this could have been affected by the final audience member, and their involvement with the plot twist.

Overall, I think this is a great second show from Will Penswick. His ability to put audience members at ease, who otherwise dread being brought on stage, is non-other. Everyone really embraced this whacky narrative, and it amounted to a wonderful show. Even when crowd members we’re trying to be smart and throw the show off, Penswick skilfully kept the audience on his side, and the show on track. 

It may not be flawless, but this performance should definitely be part of your Edinburgh Fringe experience. Get into your best Agatha Christie, Murder Mystery mindset; be willing to take part, and have a great time!

Catch Will’s show at Just the Tonic at the Caves (The Wee One), every day at 1:30PM. Grab your tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/will-penswick-nordic-k