Published: 20 May 2010
by DAMIAN O'LOUGHLIN

IF it was 10 years ago, Markus The Sadist would be a brilliant piece of social commentary as it satirises the fake US gangster rap phenomenon which swept the globe and negatively influenced UK youth culture.

But in 2010, when manufactured gangster rap is seen for the fallacy it is and bling rules the charts, this hip-hop musical comedy seems almost irrelevant.

The show follows the meteoric rise of Markus Wright from a battling Brixton MC with a quick wit to the heights of stardom as Markus The Sadist, complete with affected American accent and a fabricated history of gang violence.

It’s a tale which, while ringing true, has been told before, most effectively in the Chris Rock film CB4.

UK grime star Ashley “Bashy” Thomas is excellent as Markus, the shy but talented rapper who is seduced by promises of stardom and much-needed moolah from a slick A&R man (played by the even slicker Nolan Weekes). 

After selling out and becoming a global hit, Markus is used as a tool to sell the blinging trappings of wealth, including his own line of Super Sucky Sneakers. 

This is the last straw for Markus who rebels by starting a riot while on stage, ending up behind bars back in the UK.

Along the way we are treated to some great set pieces. 

Colleen Joseph’s sexualised dance routines rival that of Rosie Perez in the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing and Rob Broderick often threaten to the steal the show with his mastery of accents and comic timing.

However, all this is blighted by the predictable script, and made even worse by persistent sound problems.

The final Clockwork Orange-esque ending is satisfactory and visually arresting, but King’s Cross-based show creator Jonzi D, while producing a highly intelligent and admirable piece of work, has crammed too many of his great ideas into Markus The Sadist, and the result is entertaining but slightly clumsy.

Last chance to see! The last of five performances of Markus the Sadist will take place at the Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, WC1, tonight (May 20) at 8pm.

020 7388 8822