If pressed for a favourite painter, I feel most people I know would answer Vincent Van Gogh. His paintings are magnificent, and it is a marvel that he was dismissed in his time. We all cried when we saw the highly romanticised “Doctor Who” episode where he gets to see his work in the Musée d’Orsay. “The Van Gogh Shogh” looks at things a little differently.

Instead, we get a Vincent that is a little more rough around the edges: ear bandaged, filthy clothes, teeth as blackened as the bags under his eyes, and working as an Uber Eats delivery driver. He is delivering an order to a Van Gogh immersive experience when he makes the realisation that he is famous and decides to take this opportunity to teach four audience members how to paint.

Vincent recounts the pains and tragedies of his life, telling the stories of what sound like some pretty intense manic episodes, all for the benefit of his newfound students. You really get a sense of the troubled nature of Vincent, which almost makes you a little guilty for laughing at him, which you will, throughout the show. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, you’ll worry for Vincent’s sanity, and, heck, you might even get a free beer along the way! “The Van Gogh Shogh” requires its audience to be open to being a little bit silly, and if they are willing, the reward is so worth it!

I laughed harder than I have in a long time, I got to go on a date with a famous dead impressionist painter, and I even got to do a karaoke duet! The speed paintings done by the four audience members were not too shabby either! This is one of the weirdest shows you will see at Fringe, so grab a friend, leave your inhibitions at the door, and just enjoy the ride!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️