All comedy shows are unique, but some comedy shows are more unique than others. This is Steve has got to be one of the most unique acts out there. Comedian Cameron McLeod dons an orange beanie and takes up the alter-ego of Steve, an (almost) entirely mute performer, to deliver us this unexpected gem.

The sheer audacity required to commit oneself to perform an entire solo comedy show without words is worth commending on its own, but even more commendable is just how effective McLeod is able to make such a show. Given the whole ‘no talking’ gag, a large portion of This is Steve is dependent on audience participation.

To be honest, I have always looked at audience interaction in comedy to be something of a lost cause. Audience members are innately unpredictable and tend to be less funny than comedians. However I am pleased to say that McLeod, or rather Steve, has changed my mind. I think his mute delivery is actually an asset here; it prevents him becoming bogged down in dialogue with his less witty viewers and it lends all his interactions a certain strangeness. He then relies on his comedic sense and talent for physical expression to find humour in that strangeness and communicate it with the rest of the audience, and his talents don’t appear to fail him often.

The sections that don’t rely on audience interaction are pure, unadulterated physical comedy and the same talents serve him equally well there. The result is a consistent hour of comedy that I can promise you is unlike anything you have experienced before. 

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