Linus Karp has an uncanny ability to tap into the cultural moment. Whether exploring the infamous Cats movie, Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski trial or an entirely fabricated retelling of Princess Diana’s life, the work of Awkward Prods has become synonymous with joyful absurdity, razor sharp humour and a gloriously camp theatrical style. With Linus Karp Was Hit With An Umbrella at Underbelly Bristo Square, the focus turns to something far more personal.
The incident at the centre of the show took place in 2024, when Karp was attacked while walking through Soho with now husband and creative collaborator Joseph Martin. Struck on the head with an umbrella by a man shouting homophobic abuse, it was a hate crime that could easily have had far more serious consequences. The attack and everything that followed form the basis of this deeply personal new work.
On a stage transformed into a brightly coloured version of Dean Street, Karp guides the audience through the events leading up to the assault, the attack itself and the aftermath. Encounters with police and hospital staff are recounted alongside the lingering emotional impact of being targeted simply for being visibly queer. The show also reflects on some of the more complicated feelings that emerged afterwards, including an unexpected degree of sympathy towards the attacker.
In lesser hands, this could easily become a difficult and heavy evening. Instead, it is tackled in the only way Awkward Prods really know how. Despite dealing with serious subject matter, the show remains packed with jokes, playful audience interaction and moments of complete silliness. The trademark style is still very much intact, allowing painful experiences to be explored without ever losing the sense of fun that has become a hallmark of the company’s work.
The balance is impressive. There are moments of genuine vulnerability, but equally moments of uproarious laughter. The show understands that comedy and trauma are not opposing forces and often uses one to illuminate the other. The result is a production that feels honest rather than overly earnest.
It differs in tone from previous Awkward Prods Fringe successes, but loses none of their theatrical inventiveness. More reflective, more personal and occasionally more challenging, Linus Karp Was Hit With An Umbrella remains an immensely entertaining hour while delivering a powerful reminder that hate crime remains an everyday reality for many queer people. Thought provoking, funny and unmistakably Karp, it is another distinctive Fringe success.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
