Solo shows: The Haunted Moustache
In the storytelling tradition of Spalding Gray, Ken Campbell and Claire Dowie, David Bramwell’s Haunted Moustache recounts the fantastic but true tale of his surreal inheritance – a hundred-year old moustache in a box. The story begins in 1991 when, having been bequeathed this singular item by an eccentric aunt, Bramwell makes it his life mission to uncover the true identity of its former owner, leading him to seances, spiritual churches and (unwittingly) becoming the host of a modern-day freakshow. Things turn really odd however when he joins a weird cult, begins dabbling in Columbian hallucinogens and encounters former Dali model and moustachioed eccentric, Drako Zarhazar who appears to be mysteriously linked to his prize possession…
A mischievous performance that mixes bawdy humour with pathos; lecture-style slide-shows with theatre, The Haunted Moustache is at heart, a damned good story that explores the stranger side of life whilst remaining sympathetic to the people and experiences he encountered along the way.
The smash hit of Brighton Festival Fringe 2008 and 2009, The Haunted Moustache has played to busy houses around the South of England (including Bath, Oxford, Brighton, Southampton and London), receiving critical acclaim, two Fringe awards, a further two award nominations and a BBC Radio 3 commission for 2010.
“Bramwell’s search for the story behind his artefact takes the audience on a colourful tour around Britain that is never patronising or of guilty giving too much away. When narrating his wild experiences Bramwell has the control of a competent ringmaster. Quite excellent. A monologue that keeps you fascinated until the very end. Go and see the Haunted Moustache without further ado.”
“If William Burroughs had written The Da Vinci Code it would probably have ended up something like The Haunted Moustache. I’m not normally given to summing up the complexities and subtleties of a show in something as vulgar as a star-rating guide. However, if it helps to get some more bums on seats. 5 stars.”
“A touching two-acter that never loses momentum or interest. Intelligent, witty, literary and well observed, the time flew. This is a five star show to watch more than once.”