Brain Rinse - A radical approach to audience participation returns to Buxton

2018 Buxton Spirit of The Fringe Winner Returns

Last year’s Spirit of The Fringe winner returns and it’s bigger and better than ever. Extensively re worked after last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Brain Rinse is a madcap, bizarre comedy one-man sketch show with a cast of thousands. Performer Mike Raffone performs in this ultimate immersive show, which contains traces of audience participation – starring him, directed by you. There’s war, mountaineering, a sex cult where the members are not allowed to touch each other, and a spiritual journey to discover one’s ‘inner ninja’.

"a fantastic presence on stage and supreme ability to get the best out of us all” Buxton Festival Review

Globetrotting street performer Mike has spent the last few years developing indoor work, and Brain Rinse is the result. He is the sort of artist that relishes facing new challenges has always wanted to move his work into different areas like theatre. He has, however not forgotten his roots. The show retains all of the the energy edginess and unpredictability of his street comedy work, and this is what makes it unique. Many comedy shows have interactive elements, but this experienced and accomplished performer has decided to go the whole hog and perform not to, but with the audience.

“Now I know”, says Mike, “that asking the audience to do the entire show is a big ask, the trick is making the audience feel safe to let loose a bit, and join in without feeling they are doing it badly. It’s also important to me that the audience are not pressured or belittled. I really believe that, when done well, audience interaction can be entertaining, exhilarating and great fun.”

"top notch audience psychology" John Fleming

Raffone has 30+ years performing experience in street theatre, a regular in London's Covent Garden and with previous performances all over the world, including award-winning appearances at Glastonbury Festival. He took part in Performance Theatre Company's The Odyssey, which broke box office records at the Croydon Warehouse, and toured for 8 months with Alan Ayckbourn's Virtual Reality.

 

Title Brain Rinse

Writer/Performer Mike Raffone

Dates July 4th, 8:30pm July 7th - 8th, 5:30pm

Venue Underground at The Old Clubhouse

Tickets £8 (Full price), £6 (Concession)

Box Office underthefringe.com

Running Time: 55 mins

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