Who is Jean? Go the Distance: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less sketch show and more comedy theatre, Who Is Jean present a surrealist tale about a running race where all manner of unusual events occur along the way. With an absurdest approach to comedy, laughs are attempted through the bizarre and spontaneous nature of their material. Unfortunately, many of their jokes fall flat as they seem to rely on the randomness of their content rather than its quality. As scenes are viewed with a mixture of confusion and bafflement, it is only during sparse moments that genuine laughs are found, more often than not as a result of a mistake or corpsing on the part of the cast. It remains clear that a lot of work is still needed.

The Banshee Labyrinth, 6 – 27 Aug (not 17, 24), 4.45pm (5.45pm), free non-ticketed, fpp165.

tw rating 2/5

This article was written for Three Weeks, but unfortunately was never published.

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The False Corpse: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WC’s strangely disturbing production is a bold attempt at considering the darker side of the life of a comedian contemplating self-destruction following a growing displeasure with his life and work. Dissecting the fundamentals of comedy, it aims to explore the root of what makes us laugh – which, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to work. It is important to point out that this is not the fault of the cast, whose impressive aptitude for acting is admirable given their relatively young age, but instead the fault of the script itself. Written by Emmerdale’s Shaun Prendergast, it strives for a pathos that it is never able to achieve; nonetheless, it’s an idea which – if better orchestrated – would make for a very astute production.

Sweet Grassmarket, 6 – 10 Aug, 12.50pm (1.50pm), £5.00 – £7.00, fpp261.

tw rating 2/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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The Attic: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capturing the essence of one of Britain’s greatest poetic minds, Andrew Floyd creates a performance that is as moving as it is witty, as poetic as it is informative, and as powerful as it is amusing. Based on the real life events of Alan Jackson who isolated himself from the world after questioning the meaning of the poetry he had written, The Attic outlines a rigorous period of self-enquiry. Brutal examination results in the confrontation of all manner of existential tribulations and self-discovery portrayed superbly by actor Andrew Floyd. Conveying the heart-wrenching struggle of inner turmoil through beautifully written language that covers a variety of narrative forms, the honesty of this production is the root of its brilliance.

Columcille Centre, 13 – 14 Aug, 2.30pm (3.45pm) and 6.00pm (7.15pm), £8.00 – £10.00, fpp239.

tw rating 4/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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The House of Yes: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arkle Theatre’s The House of Yes is dark comedy at its most sinister. When a harmless thanksgiving dinner amongst family takes an unexpected turn for the worse, it is not long before the quaint becomes the chaotic. Riddled with outlandish family secrets, revealed slowly throughout the course of the evening, it is an entertaining exploration into a family affected by the troubles of a daughter’s mental illness. With a striking performance from Lorraine McCann, whose transformation from caring daughter to jealous lover is superbly portrayed as a chilling descent into delirium, the play remains gripping until its end. Hindered only by American accents which clearly need more work, this is a comedic tale that is morbid yet clever.

The Royal Scots Club, 15 – 20 Aug, 8.30pm (10.00pm), £8.00 – £10.00, fpp269.

tw rating 4/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011

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Deemed Unsafe: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The début show from sketch company Heretical Productions illustrates a bold attempt at providing something new to the genre. Incredibly energetic, they combine original ideas with humour to create a show that is thoroughly entertaining for a fiver. Focusing largely on physical comedy, and with an innovative live score, it differs considerably from most other sketch shows in both form and delivery. Saying this, despite its fresh edge, it lacks the consistency needed to make it a really good show; various scenes come across as either overly long or simply not that funny. However, it’s clear that the troupe definitely have potential and, perhaps given a few more years, might go on to greater things.

theSpaces On North Bridge, 5 – 27 Aug (not 7, 14, 21), 3.35pm (4.25pm), £4.50 – £5.00, fpp65.

tw rating 3/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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Clare Plested: Vegas, Jesus and Me: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Known as one half of Fringe regulars Plested and Brown, Vegas, Jesus and Me marks the solo début from the Catholic Watford binge-drinker. Recounting stories from childhood leading up to her recent marriage with long-haired carpenter Jesus, Plested seeks to find out whether she has been a generally naughty or nice person. With an amiability that is immediately apparent, she comes across as the sort of person you would happily share a drink with; unfortunately, however, not the sort of person you would go and see perform a comedy show. Her memories are quaint and affable but lack genuine comedic brilliance. Perhaps better suited to an older audience, this is not laugh-out-loud funny but enjoyable nevertheless.

Underbelly, 4 – 28 Aug (not 15), 5.20pm (6.05pm), £8.00 – £10.00, fpp58.

tw rating 2/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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Macbeth: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite being advertised as a dance and physical theatre performance, Last Notion’s production comes across more as a piece of classical theatre with added extras. Featuring minimal props and costumes, the show is dependent on the cast creating engaging interpretations of Shakespearian prose; a task it is unable to achieve. With performers split between those that are overly melodramatic and those that massively lack confidence, it’s clear that a longer time spent working on the nuances of the script is needed. The elements of physical theatre seen principally in the portrayal of the three witches and the ghost of Banquo have reasonable potential, and it’s obvious that things would improve with a bit more work.

Greenside, 5 – 12 Aug, 2.50pm (4.05pm), £5.00 – £6.50, fpp173.

tw rating 2/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek – All New Show: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The highly praised trio return to the Fringe for an hour of brand new material delivered to sell-out audiences filled with expectation. However, they fail to satisfy the overarching hype that surrounds them. This is not to say that they aren’t good – they are clearly talented actors with an admirable knack for comedy, but it is debatable whether their increasing popularity can be justified. Much of their sketches, though entertaining, are not riotously funny, or else come across as rehashed versions of earlier superior comedians’ work, and so it is of no surprise that they are somewhat disappointing. Their material does, however, lack obscenity – an admirable trait which can’t go unnoticed, and makes it accessible for all members of the family.

Just The Tonic at The Caves, 4 – 28 Aug (not 17), 4.45pm (5.45pm), £8.50 – £12.00, fpp83.

tw rating 3/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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Another Macbeth: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite its relatively unappealing title, Flatpacktheatre produce a no frills production of Macbeth that aims to get at the heart of the tragedy of regicide and ambition. It’s led by the strange Weyward Sisters who take on the parts of the witches, spirits and lesser characters, bringing the piece together, and filling in the gaps of the protagonists. A relatively efficacious production, it is let down by a certain lack of engagement with the script from a few of the actors, whose grasp of the prose seems uncertain, making their performance seem jilted. This, combined with sluggish technical features, makes this a production that needs to refer back to the original more effectively if it is going to be successful.

Quaker Meeting House, 15 – 20 Aug, 2.15pm (3.45pm), £7.00 – £8.00, fpp238.

tw rating 3/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Wed Aug 31st 2011.

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Exsomnia: Fringe Review

November 21, 2011 Leave a comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using theatre as an outlet to explore the world of dreams is always a bold move, and one that is very difficult to do convincingly. Therefore, a play that tries to capture the terror experienced when one is unable to distinguish between reality and imagination would have to be done very well for it not to come across as ridiculous. Clearly influenced by the likes of Alfred Hitchock and David Lynch, Phonographic’s production attempts to create a nightmarish vision that is chilling to watch. Instead, they produce a painful hour of incoherent nonsense. With a grating soundtrack and unbelievably repetitive storyline, this is a production that fails on almost every turn. An admirable idea, but one which ultimately flounders.

C soco, 14 – 27 Aug, 12.00pm (12.55pm), £5.50 – £8.50, fpp260.

tw rating 1/5

Taken from Three Weeks, published online Tue Aug 30th 2011.

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