Vitruvian Mango by Marcus Brigstocke
Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, 24 April 2025
Vitruvian Man drawn by Leonardo da Vinci was supposedly the ideally -proportioned man when considering the “arts and sciences,” in about 1487. We don’t know too much about da Vinci’s intentions. However, we do know a lot more about modern man, especially now Marcus Brigstocke has dissected his own conclusions for comedic purposes. The show Vitruvian Mango is the direct pun and result of Brigstocke’s exploration.
Dressed in a close-fitting cardigan and loose fitting slacks to cover his “Dad body,” the comedian looked every part of the 50-something male who had succumbed to inevitable comfy attire. Smart but casual. The evening’s humour was as familiar and comfortable as your favourite slippers.
Smart enough to know he needed to engage the audience from the outset Brigstocke revealed the startling statistic of the biggest killer of men aged between 25 and 40. This sober fact, the scale and magnitude of Healings Mill, made sure he had our attention.
Casually, the Radio 4 favourite weaved his show through the male perspective. Without the aid of a tool box the stand-up dismantled what it is like to be a male in modern society. Politics was put through a diagnostics test to reveal how most in the auditorium thought of modern politics. He offered a full-service focusing on bringing children up in 2025 to help those understand the role of men in the process. Laughs were part of the emissions test and they flowed freely. The subject of porn was placed on the hydraulic- ramp and lifted up to reveal the undercarriage of the supposed male preoccupation. The notion males don’t have it easy in life – he didn’t revel in victim hood – he just wanted to make you think about the idea of manliness…
Frank Skinner has asserted in the past, so many men grow beards to show a side of manliness that is still acceptable. The writer Nick Hornby believes men no longer have personalities and characters but hobbies and collections. Brigstocke claims he only feels manly when he lifts items down from shelves- his shorter wife is unable to reach.
The comedian was not backwards in coming forwards about his original ambition to become an actor. Sadly, as his friend informed him, “he was not a very good actor”. However, on the night, his impressions were impressive and the take on Rik Mayall was instantly recognisable; the accompanying anecdote was as heart-warming as it was funny. Moreover, the use of a microphone and a cable to mimic a male sperm was pregnant with…chuckles.
There were moments of true tenderness in the show that proved comedy is a vehicle for a range of emotions. The “5o-something” Roses theatre has been host to the whole spectrum of emotions over five decades. Indeed, my earliest memory is one of furtively and innocently holding hands with my first girlfriend nearly 44 years ago.
The moment Brigstocke articulated when he started as a stand-up provoked a genuine “Ahhhh” moment in our Roses Theatre. The gesture from his best friend ensured Marcus Brigstocke’s role in comedy was defined early on. Truly, the role of males in society is changing, evolving and being rebooted constantly. At times the changes appear to develop quicker than it takes a ripe mango to spoil. Thankfully, we have comedians like Marcus Brigstocke to find the humour in the apparent turmoil.
By: Swilgate Scuttler