Review: Manbo at The Wardrobe Theatre Bristol
“That’s never happened before,” Manbo said as a volley of ball pool balls were launched at him from the auditorium of The Wardrobe Theatre last night. At this point, the show hadn’t even started. But the audience were more than ready for what would be Sam Dugmore’s first performance of Manbo in Bristol.
The high energy show pulled the audience into the action from the second the doors opened, earning the performer a well deserved standing ovation come the end.
Manbo is a parody mish mash of the Ranbo movies, along with every predictable, formulaic and much loved action movie from the early 80s onwards. At one point, we even had the famous ‘Get to the chopper’ line uttered by Schwarzenegger in Predator.
The prerequisite muscles, somewhat homoerotic vibes, ill-fated love story, shoot outs and helicopter attack – all the big set pieces and montage- were present and correct. Think of all the Rambos, almost any Schwarzenegger movie, the Die Hards, Air Force One, the White House Down type films, all the things Gerard Butler has ever Fallen over. Manbow is to action movies what Hot Fuzz is to cop movies. It’s not just parody, it’s also nostalgic, witty and terribly funny.
This show has been created by someone who properly loves and understands these kind of movies. All the observations which have made their way into the writing as well as Dugmore’s performance is why the show is so good. Added to this, he really knows how to play and work with an audience – pulling some highly impressive contributions from random members of the audience.
Despite enjoying a clean-living civvy life alongside his dog Fluffy, albeit with a hint of PTSD, Manbo is soon called back into action. He’s tasked with rescuing The Colonel, a former military comrade with whom he served in the past, from a compound on the American-Vietnam-Afghanistan border. With Russian baddies hiding out in the Vietnam jungle, gun-fighting, explosions, slow motion action and award-winning over acting, this show is an absolute blast.
From the off, audience members are the cast of background artists where we dive from grenades and overact to gunfire.
Audience members are also drawn on stage to become ‘Contact Woman’, Adrian and Boris – a Russian baddie. We also have another person at the ready with a leaf blower, providing the necessary wind in the hair for the big money action shots such as parachuting from a plane.
Sam Dugmore is a brilliant comedy and physical performer. Even the quieter moments filled with his vocal sound effects elicit big laughs
When the show simmers down at the end, then comes the question – how Manbo can be a better person? For this he refers to the audience, who give him answers ranging from fry-up breakfasts to Yoga and vitamins. Although it wasn’t entirely clear if that was Yoga and ketamine – in Bristol it could be either.
Ultimately In this show, Fluffy the dog is Manbo’s saviour, a character earning a tremendous round of applause despite existing only the audiences imagination.
Manbo is definitely one of the funnest nights out in the theatre this year. Even if you’ve never seen Rambo itself, this action parody mash up is hilarious and worth catching whilst it’s in Bristol.
Manbo is on at The Wardrobe Theatre until 29 April 2023
For more information or to book: https://thewardrobetheatre.com/whats-on/
Sam Dugmore on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dugmore.sam/
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