Simon Donald is Completely Hatstand

In 1979, ‘comedian, comic magnate and media twat’ Simon Donald became one of the founding fathers of Viz, once the third most popular magazine in the country and the bastion of British bad taste. Here he brings a handful of his grotesque characters to life. From charming and subdued chats about the history of the comic, he transforms awkwardly and in full view of the audience into such creations as boneheaded Bingo or toff caricature Dominic Farquhar. The significance of his contribution to UK humour cannot be denied, but with Viz’s appeal decidedly on the way down, this comic-made-flesh feels dated and unsophisticated, even if Donald’s gormless market researcher squeezes great mileage out of vulgar Geordie dialect. Though never unwatchable, this is one for the fans only.