Comedy review: Axis of Awesome

Published on Sunday 23 August 2009 20:12

AXIS OF AWESOME: INFINITY ROCK EXPLOSION **** GILDED BALLOON TEVIOT (VENUE 14)

THEY are back. Jordan, Benny and Lee have been rocking together, as I am sure you know, for 40 glorious years and this year they bring us their Infinity Rock Explosion. The excitement in the room was palpable as the three rock gods took to the stage.

Admittedly one is very short for a rock god, one came dressed as a cow and the third seems to think he looks like Jack Black (whatever could have given him that impression?). But together they are, as the name suggests, Awesome. Benny Davis on keyboards is a phenomenal talent, responsible for the masterpiece that is the show's finale, Four Chords, which gets better every time you hear it.

Having said that, we also get songs about sexual harassment, Batman, forbidden love, and one the guys wrote while on acid. Then there are the surprise songs, the singalong songs and a beautiful serenade translated into the language of love itself. The relationship between the three is as volatile as ever. Well, it would be after three rock gods spend 40 years on the road together, wouldn't it?

This show has no lows and many highs (although that might just have been the effect of the high-tech 3D glasses with which we are all equipped as we arrive), one of note being the rousing reality check that is What Would Jesus Do?

The comedy mix here is just about perfect – in the relationship between the three characters and in the way real musical talent underpins the fun.

The vocal harmonies this year seem more complex and better than ever, and the special effects take stagecraft to a place it has never been before. Get there quick. It might not stay.

• Until 31 August. Today 9:15pm.