Shhh! (A Wordless Comedy) is a family-friendly mime show that originated at the Lang Spot community arts centre in Ho Chi Minh City. It may be wordless, but it is certainly far from silent!

There is plenty of noise here: an astonishing collection of sound effects, animal noises, lip-syncing and even the burbling baby-talk the performers use to communicate with each other.

The opening is almost what you might expect, with two of the three performers attempting to coordinate their first entrance onto the stage through a traditional mixture of slapstick, pratfalls, and beautifully timed physical comedy. Then things take an unexpected turn as an extremely old lady hobbles her way around the stage with her Zimmer frame and puts in her false teeth!

From there, we are introduced to so many characters, both human and non-human, that it is almost impossible to keep track. There are dogs, a bicycle, a bus, a plane, and even an evil scientist. Quite a cast for a wordless show!

Along the way, we visit a school where a young girl daydreams her way through an exam, travelling into a wonderful succession of real and imagined scenarios. Here, we meet some truly unpleasant school pupils and a teacher who is positively terrifying. With mime and horseplay galore, these schoolroom antics are chaotic and enormously entertaining.

The virtually non-stop transformations are mind-boggling. The performers’ expressive faces and physicality are extraordinary, revealing an acute observation of human behaviour.

But it is the interplay between the three performers that really makes this show special. They feed off each other, bounce ideas between each other, and respond with such precision that the whole thing feels brilliantly choreographed while still retaining a sense of spontaneity.

The children sitting in front of me were in fits of laughter from the very beginning, and I could completely understand why. This is a real treat for audiences of all ages.

The finale brings everything to a wonderfully satisfying conclusion and explains the mysterious old lady from the beginning.

Shhh! proves that you really don’t need words to tell a wonderful story or create a room full of laughter. It is a hugely entertaining, inventive show from start to finish.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Five Stars

Playing at  Lounge at Gilded Balloon Teviot until 31^st August

Tickets and further information can be found following the link below

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/shhh-a-wordless-comedy

Cast

Nguyen Thanh Trang

David Patrick Delves

Matthew Ward