Pretty Random

Rambling. Circuitous. Twisty and random. Eddie Izzard's damn-near-inimitable style of comedy has been called all this and more. He's known for donning fabulous makeup and frequently cross dressing. Also, he has famously admitted that he gets paid a pretty penny “for talking total bollocks.” But in the midst of all...

By Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik

June 12, 2008

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Rambling. Circuitous. Twisty and random. Eddie Izzard's damn-near-inimitable style of comedy has been called all this and more. He's known for donning fabulous makeup and frequently cross dressing. Also, he has famously admitted that he gets paid a pretty penny “for talking total bollocks.” But in the midst of all of that visually distracting, stream-of-consciousness, free association mumbo jumbo, Izzard delivers bon mots of wisdom amid the silliness. You just need to find them. Like, for example, his famous “Cake or Death?” bit, which begins as an explanation as to why the Church of England will never have fundamentalists, a la Islam, or Protestantism. “Church of England fundamentalism is impossible because you can't have, "You must have tea and cake with the vicar... or you die!" Tea and cake or death… anyone can answer that question! We're gonna run out of cake at this rate.”

Because of his distinctive delivery — complete with impersonations and multiple voices — Izzard’s jokes don’t translate well on paper, or when retold by enthusiastic fans. He’s got quite a bit in common with his comedic predecessors in that regard — Izzard comes from that classic Benny Hill and Monty Python school of British comedy, where absurdity rules the day. He’ll unleash volleys of wit and underlying wisdom at 8 p.m. at The Fillmore, 1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach. Tickets range from $40 to $60. Call or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Fri., June 13, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 14, 8 p.m., 2008

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