CIRCLE REVIEWS

(from Pat Garber)
I really liked Circle.  There were brilliant bits to it and EI looked fantastic.  Loved the opening and the behind the scenes stuff.  Saying that I don't think EI was having as much fun doing this as in his other videos.  He states in the beginning that he would slow down so people would understand his "British" accent.  One of the things I loved about his other videos is his mind on "speed", just going at it.  It was fun trying to keep up with him.  In Circle the pace was slower.  His movements were wonderfully fluid and his experience with acting clearing comes through.  His facial expressions were priceless.  In my humble opinion it seemed more of a struggle to get the pieces across at times.  The audience was good so that wasn't a problem.

The French gig part really impressed me.  How he could remain so cool trying to get across in another language is amazing and he should be very proud.  It takes guts to put yourself out there that way.

It'll be interesting getting other EI fans' reactions to Circle which of course is a must see for his fans.  After I watch it another twenty times I'll see if my perceptions are different.  I felt differently about DA after seeing it over and over, liked it more and more.  There is no doubt about it though, there is no one out there who can come close to EI's comedy brilliance for me at any rate.

(from BBC Comedy | thanks CJ)
DVD Review: Circle - Eddie Izzard Live at the Town Hall, New York
Watch a video clip. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Filmed in June 2000 Circle documents Eddie Izzard conquering America and winning over a usually hard to impress New York audience. The show includes works of genius such as the Death Star Canteen (Darth Vader's meal of choice is the penne arrabiata) and the Alternative Olympics (featuring the 100m under the influence of cannabis).

Naturally enough Izzard also tailors his act to take on American concerns. An incisive routine on the National Rifle Association is classic Izzard didactism. Yet sometimes it seems that he's tired of having to continually curb his expositions in order to keep the audience with him - an hilarious skit about Northen Ireland draws to a close with Izzard sighing "do you know there's other countries?"

Those more familiar with his shows may be disappointed by Izzard's concessions to his less worldly-wise audience. The changes in style forced upon him are restrictive and slow the pace of the show, for example the long explanation on the meaning of the phrase "the dog's bollocks" is likely to frustrate a British audience impatient for the real show to get on the road.

As a result this show does not reach the heady heights of his masterpiece Glorious.

SPECIAL FEATURES Dress To Circle (55 min) This edit of a Parisian gig is an impressive display of Izzard's bi-lingual skills (subtitles can be selected for those not so fluent). The show is a fascinating insight into the complexities of being funny in a foreign language - Izzard performs a sterling job but is stumped when the audience find his reference to "les vaches" unexpectedly hilarious. The show also includes the famous "le singe est sur la branche" routine. Audio Commentaries Both the Circle show and the Dress to Circle have illuminating audio commentaries. Izzard elaborates on his inspirations for various routines and the mechanics of stand-up. Circle Tour (20 min) This short documentary follows Izzard on his American tour and features performance clips, backstage interviews with his crew and gushings from his fans. Reviewed by Carly Dobson.

(from the BBC Collective)
The cross-dressing comedian does Manhattan.

Tips for the British gent trying to woo a savvy New York audience: speak posh, talk about “intellectual” things, turn up in stilettos. That’s just what Mr Izzard does and, from the word go, they’re in the palm of his camply poised hands.

Devotees of the tranny rambler might find a few of the gags sycophantic. Self-deprecating Britishness – “In the 19th century we hated the French, in the 20th the Germans, we’re moving alphabetically through the map of the world” - always goes down a treat. And there’s nothing like having a go at gun control and religious bigotry to warm those liberal Manhattan cockles.

But there’s enough here to remind us why we love the Lycra-clad king of the absurd. Rambling about god caning his newly sown weed on day 14 of the creation and claiming that Flipper was worried by “Mao Tse Tung taking over mainland China” definitely enter the big sequined box marked Classic Izzard.

(from Poule Roulante)

Circle DVD Reviewed

Thanks to Poule for sending along her review of Circle (and congrats for winning this copy!)...It doesn't get much funnier than this:

"The intro is sexydangerous with exciting pyrotechnics and Eddie leaves the dressing room wearing a dirty torn singlet in the manner of Bruce Willis. With a fabulous soundtrack (by Sarah Townsend) and visuals like that, you feel you simply must shag someone.

The stage is dressed with an enormous feather boa unlike the UK version which sported a massive purple rose which he descended in a long black leather skirt and kneehigh stilletto boots, combining the action/executive elements expertly. Unlike the UK version he doesn't (thankfully) spend the first half haranguing the audience asking them who they hate and then calling Maggie Thatcher a c*nt. (This was the tour which immediately followed *Lenny*. He didnt thank me for asking if he was *doing a Lenny Bruce*...).

The camera angles aren't terribly adventurous but they do give a wonderful view of his nosebleed-high stillettos, and the infamous Porno Pants. Loved the shiny top! And the makeup was gorgeous. For some reason his left hand was glued to his upper left thigh. Not so much gesticulating as before. Maybe more didactic than DA or Glorious. My fave bits are always when he has a chuckle to himself and his enormously infectious ear-to-ear orange peel smile breaks out uncontrolled, and this happens at least once. He seemed less playful and the Death Star Canteen (a work of genius) bit seemed almost rushed......but I loved watching it! Go out and buy it and buy the DVD, and the CD (?) and the audiocassette(?) and give it to all your friends to cheer them up, and someone will surely shag you. "

(from Maria K.)
After watching Circle for the third time...in a row...I just can't believe that we were there that night..in fact almost every night that week. I remember when the sound system crashed and the God Of Chaos almost took over but Eddie appeared to be so calm and was really having fun with the situation. So, when that part was included in the tape it was a definite bonus. I also saw myself in the audience - bonus #2. The show was well put together along with the extras. However, I remember a lot of the parts that weren't in the video and can only say that to see Eddie in person is "awesome". He is truly "brilliant" - a diamond of the finest cut with many facets.

(from Sarah Ure)
I loved the monkey sign langage sketch and monkies with a gun. The funniest part of the show was in the middle and near the end. The funniest sketches of the show was the Darth Vader Canteen, bastards and make up, americans, alternative olympics, monkies with guns, monkies and sign language, hate and Charlton Heston, the french show was brillant too. He wore high heels, leather trousers, and a blouse and necklace. The show was brilliant. I think this is Eddie's best show to date and should go on to win more comedy awards and emmy's. It deserves the UK dvd number one and dress to kill should get be the american DVD number one no contest. Circle is already a huge seller in the UK A certain top 3 which is brilliant. I give Circle 10 out of 10