By Ollie Wilson and Laura King
Stand-up great Phil Nichol reprised his 2006 Comedy Award-winning show The Naked Racist on its 20th Anniversary - to a capacity crowd and a tumultuous reception.
Following a bust-up with his then girlfriend, Nichol headed to Amsterdam alone to embark on a four-day drink and drugs binge - largely magic mushrooms - which turned bad and mad!
Inspired by the Doukhobors, who were peace-loving people from Russia who countered threats by getting naked and apologising regardless of who was in the wrong, his crazed adventure (hooking up with a crazed American ex-squaddie, fleeing a road traffic accident, arguing with an Armenian barman about war, experiencing a heavy metal band etc.), culminated in him dealing with a gang of skinheads, who believed he was gay at a LGBT Holocaust memorial, by removing his clothes, and chasing them. Only to find, in his drug-addled state, he was pursuing a couple of innocent black kids instead.
Nichol stripped entirely naked for half of the show as he delivered an anti-war message as apposite today as it was 20 years ago. He also persuaded his heavy metal band to do the same - and audience members to remove items clothing. How he does it, no one knows.
The Naked Racist is as much a masterpiece today as it was in 2006. It is insanely funny, daring and joyful. It is a wonderful, beautiful show about love and peace; a significant piece of work that will never be forgotten.
Star rating: *****
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