Review: BORIS THE THIRD, Something For The Weekend - The Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Boris Johnson is a man who is guaranteed to split opinion, and you might think that after the events of ‘party gate’ and the resignation that a show all about this controversial prime minister may not be a popular choice for the Edinburgh Fringe, but with jokes that fall incredibly close to reality and hit the mark with those who have seen Johnson’s position as leader crumble over recent months, Adam Meggido’s Boris III wins over the crowds. 

With Mischief Theatre favourite Harry Kershaw starring as an eighteen-year old Boris, complete with dishevelled blonde wig, Boris III tells the story of what might have happened when the young man played the role of Richard III at Eton, not knowing his lines and causing drama backstage with his girlfriend Katie (Poppy Winter), her sister Agatha and a marine boyfriend. 

Whilst we can not say what really happened during that production, this clever and witty comedy imagines it all, with lines and references that anyone who has watched any of Johnson’s recent press conferences will recognise. Kershaw’s Boris is depicted as a clown, one who wishes to be King but a young man who cannot stay focused, be serious or control his urges. Kershaw commands the stage with ease, a fleeting glance to the audience enough to rouse laughter. 

Comedy is provided throughout by the cast, with Phoebe Ellabani’s student director Fran just wanting to please her family with her attempts, Lorna Lowe’s visiting industry professional Rhonda doing her best to assist with the show and Matt Cavendish (also well known to fans of Mischief) having the audience on his side as Boris’ best friend Nav from the start with his hilarious antics. 

With jokes written in such a way that momentarily borders reality, such as references to a party in the dorms that was completely against the rules but painted as a ‘homework gathering’, it’s important to approach Boris III with an open mind. It’s close to the mark at times, providing laugh out loud moments for those comfortable with laughing at things that have caused drama and political fallouts over recent months. 

Boris III sells itself as a satire and in a nutshell, that’s what it is. It exposes Boris, as a younger version of the man we know, as a person with dreams of leadership but one who lacks leadership skill, critiquing him in such a manner that it portrays his pitfalls as Prime Minister in his performance as Richard III.

There is a sense of ‘if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry’ within this production, taking the drama of ‘party gate’ and many press conferences of the last couple of years and flipping it, making fun of it and ultimately making fun of Johnson himself. From revealing things he promised he wouldn’t just because he thinks it’s funny or running away from his own mistakes, Meggido’s writing depicts Johnson as selfish and thinking himself to be above others, something that some may agree with and others may not. Whilst some language used is to be considered of the time (and could offend), it is delivered as a punchline to a joking school boy. This creates some elements of being uncomfortable, but this could be intentional, a little bit make of that what you will, letting the audience decide for themselves how to read it and posing the question of what could happen when supposed friends and/or political supporters stop finding Boris’ behaviour as funny.

Some of the jokes may not be to everyone’s taste, with sex, violence and sexual orientation often used as throw away punchlines but within all of that, there are moments of true wit that are able to be directly apply to recent situations and really question the differences in not only the overall behaviour of the characters, but the differing opinions of political sides.

Boris III is a cleverly written and well put together production that invites the audience to witness what could have happened, not only in that performance of Richard III known to have been disastrous, but also to see the foundations of a young man destined to lead the country in such a way that will go down in history. 

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rebecca Wallis

Boris III plays at Pleasance Courtyard until 29 September, with tickets available here.