The Independent - Tuesday, August 6th, 2013
B-b-b-b-baconface. It’s hard not to think of Lady Gaga when you’re watching someone perform with raw meat draped over their head, albeit with a Mexican wrestling helmet as a protective layer in between.
The first thing you should know about Baconface – this burly, meaty veteran of the Canadian alternative comedy scene – is that the UK’s own Stewart Lee is ‘promoting’ him.
A fair amount of hype has gone into selling the legend that is Baconface, and he underlines his credentials today by telling us he has broken all North American records for show length by going over seven minutes. When he goes over 35 minutes he adds, “We’ve broken the Sarah Silverman barrier” in reference to the American’s infamously short UK debut. Yes, unsurprisingly, there are plenty of in-jokes about the industry in this ‘debut’ UK set.
With a voice growling and grouching like a mix of George Carlin, Sam Kinison and Rich Hall, Baconface writes the show as he goes along with improvised asides, but it’s hard to see a casual punter getting as much out of it, notwithstanding some nice standalone routines, including one which compares Neil Young to Bigfoot.
“I can’t believe that so many people are coming to see and unknown foreign act” Baconface says. The faithful will sizzle at this, others may be left a little cold.