Chop! Review at the Dublin Fringe Festival

A man who loves chopping wood, a flying orange bird puppet and a tonne of blood lead to a side splitting and humorous production by Lords of Strut at the Dublin Fringe Festival.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: During this performance of Lords of Strut's show Chop!, I was chosen to be an active participant in the show as the Health and Safety Officer. I wanted to commend Cian Kinsella. He handled my appearance with great care which is really important when having someone on stage. At no point did I feel like the butt of the joke. Instead, I felt supported, involved, and genuinely part of the fun. This cameo did not affect my review of this performance.

At its core, Chop! is a wild collision of themes: a man gleefully chopping wood, an exploration of misogyny, sensitivities in relationships and the looming climate crisis. Kinsella somehow threads these together with humour, slapstick, and moments of absurdity. His energy never falters, bounding from one side of the stage to the other, axe in hand, chopping relentlessly. Athlough his performance is slightly caricatur-ish, it never becomes insensitive. He remains endearing, human, and easy to root for. From his first clumsy entrance in an ill-fitting costume, he signals to the audience that it’s safe to laugh, to let go, and to go along for the ride.

The show’s concept is joyfully unhinged, incorporating puppetry, blood, and surreal flourishes, but it’s grounded by a snappy script that keeps the momentum alive. Scenes never overstay their welcome, and the rhythm ensures we’re always leaning forward, waiting to see what could possibly come next.

Chop! is both playful and pointed, a high-energy satire that chops through big themes with wit, absurdity, and surprising heart. I look forward to seeing its next iteration, but maybe I'll stay in my seat next time!

Show Information

Show: Chop!

Date of Performance: 14th of September

Venue: Smock Alley Theatre

Disclaimer: I was invited to review this show on the 14th of September. My review was not influenced by this invitation!