Australian clown Conk, real name Connor Dariol, delivers exactly what his show's title promises: he sings the same song over and over again for a full 60 minutes. The performance, at Summerhall, Edinburgh, runs until 31 August and has become one of the most joyful hours at this year's fringe, according to a review.
Simplicity Over Subversion
Reviewer Brian Logan initially expected a twist, imagining the song would be reshaped into various comedic forms, as comedy trio Sheeps did in 2014 by repeating the same sketch. However, Conk keeps things ruthlessly simple, using the same backing track and minimal embellishment throughout. A large clock on an upstage screen marks the endurance required.
The song's identity is revealed with an aghast laugh from the audience as its opening chords play. The experience feels like an endurance test from the very first cycle, a reaction heightened by the memory of the US military's use of repetitive music during the "war on terror" as a form of torture.
Building to Ecstatic Communal Joy
Conk's near-relentless pep is a key element, along with his anxious glances at the clock. It is not until the fourth or fifth repetition that he modulates the lyrics, adding a funny spin on the singer's relationship to the story. In the second half, he cuts loose with wilder antics, including a sinister whisper and posing scantily-clad on a chair, but always tethered to the song's ridiculous truth.
By the end, the audience is fully involved, with the performance devolving into what the review calls "the most ecstatic communal experience" shared at this year's fringe. The review notes a Stockholm syndrome effect, as the show never coerces participation but draws everyone in.
