'Will BF: The Last Gun' Review: ★★★★½

“In a world with only one gun, one man stands in the way of world peace. His name... Sketch Comedian Will BF, his weapon: being silly.”

The show begins asking someone from the audience to pop a VHS tape on. I was admittedly the person closest to it but I wouldn’t get up – I had no idea what would happen. Someone braver than me took the plunge and we were treated to a hilarious opening song that set the stage for an even funnier hour to come. Will BF, a 2023 Musical Comedy Awards finalist and a 2022 and 2023 Sketch Off finalist takes you on an off the wall odyssey.

A live retrospective documentary about a legendary film that no one seems to have heard of, The Last Gun is a mix of sketches, songs and vignettes. Featuring an array of hilarious characters in both real time and documentary form, snappy one-liners and all round heartwarming goofiness, Will’s show is a guaranteed fun time.

The show is packed full of sharp satire, reminiscent of Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, intersplicing the Western narrative with bizarrely believable behind-the-scenes snippets, exaggerated perfectly for comic effect. The execution is tight, and all is delivered with precision and perfect nonchalance. Combined with sock puppets and other unexpected gags, you’re never sure what you’ll be laughing or cheering at next, just that you’re not going to stop. The audience in the show I was at certainly never did.

The Last Gun embraces the fact that it’s nice to take an hour out of your day to just be silly, especially within the frantic time of Fringe. Even cheaper gags were redeemed by bigger payoffs and, with the next joke always just a second away, it’s hard not to be entertained. One or two jokes drag on for a second too long, but the fast pace and excellent execution of the show mean you’re already laughing at something else before the minute is up.

It’s engaging right up till the last second, the show never lags, new concepts are constantly introduced, and Will’s energy never lets up. A handful of props are deployed, but it is always Will who commands your attention. Sock puppets and horses aside it’s a one man show, and no two characters are the same. He’s with you with everything he’s got from beginning to end on the ridiculous journey to find The Last Gun.

Will BF: The Last Gun is running at Underbelly Bristo Square (Dexter) until 28 August. Get your tickets here!