The Greatest Liar in All the World is also a great show

By B. Rawle

The Greatest Liar In All The World is a fantastical autobiography told by the Liar himself, who hijacks his own dwindling travelling show in order to confess the truth about his colourful life. Familia de la Noche create a dark sequel to the story of Pinocchio with their debut show, drawing beautifully on traditional stage tricks to draw the audience through a funny and moving story.

The show features an impressive checklist of cabaret and side-show quirks, with puppetry and shadow puppets, clowning, mask work, sleight-of-hand magic, and beautiful live music. Narrated by the Liar, who tells of his origins as a wooden boy, and of his destructive quest to find a mysterious and beloved blue-haired girl, the show whips along with pacy enthusiasm, pausing only to give appropriate space to moments of gentle and well-earned pathos.

One of the show’s many strengths is its eagerness to please and entertain; the shabby and beleaguered circus performers who help the Liar to play out his story are constantly in touch with the audience, laying themselves open to it with charming self-deprecation. They show a selfless and extremely endearing commitment to storytelling, working truly as an ensemble.

Conrad Sharp is appropriately convincing as the Liar, with a charming manner mediated by wide-eyed ingenuousness. Dott Cotton also stands out of this talented ensemble as a white-faced and shabby-top-hatted clown, and her silent, diminutive character is mesmerising. This show is a real Fringe gem; a celebration of traditional theatre styles that still somehow feels sharp and modern in our retrospective theatrical climate. Don’t expect to leave dry-eyed.

★★★★ #UNBORING

#reviews