Every Single Sound in the World is Natalie Patuzzo’s first solo performance. She’s at the King’s Arms in Salford for just two nights (3rd/4th July) as part of Manchester Fringe 2026.
The idea is inspired: an alien named Nute, from the planet Zaaaaaarb, comes to Earth to collect every sound in the world and take them back home to help generate energy. The implication, I suppose, is that this is rather cleaner than whatever methods the Zaaaaaarbarians currently employ. It’s an imaginative concept and, on various seats, audience members found numbered cards bearing sounds such as “Winter Murmurs”, which came into play later.
An announcement from another Zaaaaaarbarian introduced Nute’s mission before she entered, looking rather like My Favourite Martian in a striking silver space costume complete with antennae. Greeting the audience by waving her feet, she used a kind of ear trumpet to collect sounds before depositing them into a receptacle. From there, the audience participation began.
Assisted by an assortment of “Lost Property”, audience members were invited to recreate the sound written on their cards. Some embraced the challenge, while others dissolved into helpless laughter. There were some entertaining moments, including Nute missing her train back to Zaaaaaarb and the audience suggesting increasingly improbable alternatives. In the end, the final sound collected (a fart) provided the solution. Apparently, flatulence has interstellar propulsion properties, or perhaps it will drive the wind turbines.
It’s an engaging idea, and Patuzzo throws herself into the performance with boundless enthusiasm. For me, though, the concept never quite developed beyond its initial premise, and after the early laughs the humour became rather repetitive. Judging by the audience around me, others were enjoying themselves more than I was, so your appreciation might vary too.
After Manchester, the show moves on to Preston before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Paul Schofield for Canal Street Online.
We were able to use our Canal Street VIP cards at the bar too.