WeekThree • 23.08.05
ThreeW
THEATRE
eeks
more theatre reviews too exclusive: alan says not much
A Boat’s Yer Whole World Brecht’s ‘The Wedding’ THE FIRST THING he says to of ‘The Brief ’ coming up in the be shows where ‘us off the telly’
Roundham Lock Theatre Pompalorum Jig
me when I stumble drunkenly up autumn, and also another series do a play, that’s not worth writing
“Back then, you used to take what life threw The tension of Brecht’s highly unusual
to Alan Davies is that he doesn’t of ‘QI’, hosted by Stephen Fry. I about”.
at you and come back fi ghting.” This is a wedding is brought out by a strong young
do interviews, apparently because am informed that “the rest of the
one-woman play based on a story about a cast. Photos of ancestors talk, the furniture
fi ctional boatwoman who worked and lived comes unstuck and invisible wine fl ows with
he hates talking about himself. So time is my own, to do what I like As I fi nish the interview, smiling
on the canals in the Midlands, but is based the music, dance and conversation. This
I was genuinely a little surprised with, in my private life”. So that’s awkwardly and desperate to
on the factual stories of many women like production is fast-paced and stylized, and
when he turned up the next day, me told then. leave him to the less stilted
her. We follow a touching performance of there is not a weak link in the Pompalorum minutes after coming offstage conversation of his friends, he
recollections of her life, through happiness, Jig Company from LAMDA. All play with
from sell-out show ‘The Odd I suggest that the reviews of leaves off with “and the hair
misfortune and the changes in the wider gusto, mastering northern accents in good
Couple’, in which he stars with his show have been a little less stays”. The fi rst, and only joke.
world after World War Two that caused this voices. Under the direction of Anthony
Bill Bailey and a host of other than kind, often focusing on
pocket of British history to be lost. Kate Biggs, they also form freeze-frame pictures,
comedians. the fact that his trademark curly Since he doesn’t read interviews,
Saffi n makes good use of a simple set, and include moments of mime and draw in the
though it takes a while to get going, this audience. Occasionally the pitch of this
hair is unsuited to his character’s and he won’t read this, I could
play is a good example of theatre showing production can be a bit relentlessly high, but
This, he assures me, will be a neurotic attitude. His response in fact say anything I like here. I
you worlds you might not have otherwise that really is splitting hairs. The show is good
one-off, his only interview at is one of unfeigned disgust. “I could tell you he’s going bald, is
discovered. [avs] value for money and quite possibly a chance the festival. He even suggests don’t really read them” he says. a drunk, tried to grope me in a
Sweet on the Grassmarket, 4-29 Aug, 2:00pm, £7.00 to spot some stars of the future. [cs2]
a title “Exclusive: Alan says not “They’re just rude. Ignorant pub toilet. But none of it’s true.
(£6.00), fpp 135. tw rating 3/5 Roman Eagle Lodge, 5-28 Aug, 3:00pm (4:00pm),
much”. I laugh, but I can tell and rude. And if they’re It may not have been the wittiest
£6.00 (£4.00), fpp 136. t
this is going to be a struggle so I complimentary, so what? The and most erudite interview
A Thousand Natural Shocks
w rating 3/5
start with an easy one: what does audience like the show. I said to ever conducted, but hopefully
The T.E.A.M.
Impending apocalypse is a frightening Martha Loves Michael
he most enjoy about coming to my girlfriend, ‘Should I cut my I haven’t made his opinion of
proposition, particularly in the hands of Ruffi an Productions
Edinburgh? Like many people, hair off?’ And she said ‘No’. So interviewers any worse.
earnest young theatrical types, but this Of all the shows I have seen to date, he’s here for the comedy and the that’s it.”
exciting, vibrant and intelligent reworking of Martha Loves Michael leaves me feeling
beer. “It’s like a reunion party,” he Words: Gemma Scott
Hamlet counters any misconceptions that the most confl icted. On the one hand, the
says. “I see people that I wouldn’t With his
might otherwise spring to mind. Far from performances are remarkable. Each and
see all year otherwise. I see Bill show selling
being gimmicky to cast a female Hamlet, every one of these actors has managed to
quite a lot because we’re mates, out its entire
Jessica Almasy is an inspired choice as the delve into their characters with complete
tragic hero who conspicuously lacks balls sincerity. There is not one actor dragging
but the other guys in the play I run before
(metaphorically speaking), reducing the the cast down. On the other hand, the story
hardly ever see. People who aren’t the Fringe
verbally incontinent hero into a pitiful, is completely overly dramatic with plotlines
even in a show come up to visit, even started,
shambling wreck. The parallels between and characters that weigh the script down. which is great.” he questions
imaginary Denmark and current world events The ending is unsatisfying and rather baffl ing
the logic
is understated with unnerving effect, with to say the least. Overall, if you’re looking to
And what does he enjoy least? of it being
subtle references to the use of media in war, see some good acting, Martha Loves Michael
“Interviews”, he says, without reviewed at
and rock music in politics. Aspects of the is a must-see, but if you are looking for an
so much as a pause for breath.
physical performance need to be sharpened, engaging and well told story, stay at home.[fa]
all. I suggest
however, so as not to detract from an
Pleasance Courtyard, 4-29 Aug (not 15), 2:30pm
Ouch. that, just
otherwise powerful and thought-provoking
(3:40pm), prices vary, fpp 163 tw rating: 2/5 maybe,
piece of theatre. [jb] I continue with another seemingly possibly, the
C Venue, 3-29 Aug (not 14), 6:00pm (7:10 pm), Proof
innocent one: asking what he’s newspapers
£8.50 (£7.50), fpp 185. tw rating 4/5 Festival Theatre USA
been up to lately. He looks at me are looking
I have to hand it to them. American acting
suspiciously, however. “What for a famous
The Witching Hour: Late Night here at the Festival seems to be of an
do you mean recently? I can’t face to put
Ghost Stories
incredibly high standard and if I tried to
remember the last time I was on on the cover.
Panda
argue otherwise then I should have avoided
So the evening is well set in and you’ve had
this remarkable play. The script is beautiful,
telly.” This, of course, should “But that’s
enough of laugh-a -minute comedy, but still
never irrelevant or pretentious and features be an obvious cue for me to cut not what
have the energy to catch one more show, then
an utterly brilliant twist. Dara Goldman is
in and recite a list of his most the Fringe is
this may be the thing for you. With a daily
fantastic as Katherine, a daughter embittered
recent TV series. A cue which about,” he
changing line-up of top festival names, take
by the death of her genius father whom
I of course miss, busy as I am, argues. “Why bother coming to
the chance and you’ll probably pick a goodie
she has spent her young life caring for. The
frantically scrambling through my see us? There are lots of people The Odd Couple, Assembly
if my evening’s entertainment is anything to
supporting characters are so likeable and
notes for any insightful questions writing new shows, people Theatre and Marshall Cordell,
go by. Each night two guest speakers pull
execute the script with such conviction that
the audience in with their own choice of
I forgot I was watching theatre. This simple,
that will elicit more than a few who haven’t got a high profi le. Assembly@Assembly Hall, 7-29 (not
scary stuff and for all you TV comedy fans,
classic and uncomplicated theatre made more
non-committal words. He wearily Journalists should be trying to 15), 3:15pm (5:00pm), prices vary,
the ghost storytelling session is hosted by
of an impression on me than any of the new- tells me that he’s got a new series fi nd that out. There will always fpp 168.
Ewen MacIntosh (Keith from The Offi ce).
age theatre genres bombarding the Fringe
The scene is also well set with nothing but
this year. [ek]
a haunted-house style archaic armchair and
Drummond Theatre, dates vary, 6:35pm (8:50pm),
Trad Night-Light Losing Unity
host of candles. Send yourself off into the
£8.00, fpp 173. tw rating 5/5
Galway Arts Festival Sinéad Rushe/Out of Inc New Era Theatre Company
night with a fright. [lw]
A wonderfully sentimental play that “I’m afraid of the audience...I’m You might not realise this delightful
Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 Aug, 11:00pm, £8:00-
Balagan
enters the dark world of an elderly afraid that they’re bored.” This show is on at the Fringe this year, it
£9:00(£6:50-£7:50), fpp 190. tw rating 3/5
Assembly Theatre and Marshall Cordell
father and his son who embark on a audience member was not bored, just was a late entry to the festival and
This electrifyingly talented collaboration of
challenging journey in order to extend utterly confused. This is, it seems, a missed out on a place in the offi cial
A Fan’s Club
musicians, singers, acrobats and clownesque
the family name. This powerful play play about fear. Camille and Sinéad guide. It is a bit of a fi nd, just off the
Minicab Productions
characters has revived the circus and brought
does not depend on a complex plot, list things that make them afraid beaten track of the wonderful world
If you like football then go and see this. It
it into the 21st century. In front of a
or an impressive set, but is beautifully - some everyday, some surreal and of Fringe publicity, but well worth
will appeal to those blokes who wouldn’t
transforming back-screen, this unique show
carried by its unique, edgy energy and unexplained, and repeatedly shout the visit. It is based around the true
be seen dead in a theatre as well as drama
submerges you into a dreamlike world, in
the powerful surges of emotion and for their mothers. It’s all beautifully story of the Mitford sisters during the
lovers of all persuasions. If you aren’t
which serenity shifts into silliness, skill into
history that swell from its characters. choreographed and these two women run up to World War Two, and is an
a footie fan then it may be best avoided
mockery. Balagan dispenses with tacky circus
Battling with the new morals of have obvious talent, and an impressive interesting tale about political tensions
although it is universally enjoyable viewing.
acts and twists the classic into something
modernity and desperately trying stage chemistry, but the whole thing is and family ties. The two female actors
There’s a ridiculously well known cast who
more beautiful, post-modern and surreal.
to hold on to the language of their just too abstract. I think this play had have a fascinating on-stage chemistry
expertly take us through the true story of the
Behold the rock-maiden bassist and the
youth a comical frustration is released potential, at times it seemed it would and perform with naturalism and quiet
formations of AFC Wimbledon and with
impish violinist as they sweep up the stage
through the performances. Strikingly all come together into something confi dence. It is one of the better
songs you can imagine being sung by Baddiel
into a frenzy before lulling it to sleep with the
raw acting and a compelling script profound, but then it changed course pieces of new writing around; Losing
and Skinner, it all works pretty well. With the
help of the enchanting voice of Momo. Stare
make this show a success, although it again leaving me wondering what the Unity was good if not spectacular. [nc]
Gods of Football watching over them all, it’s
open-mouthed, laugh and be blown away by
will be best appreciated by those who hell was going on. It’s like a mirage: C electric, 13-29 Aug, 11:45am (1:00pm),
nice to know that the power of the fans can
a performance so good that this clown-a-
can fi nd humour in the loss of old something very almost takes shape but £7.50 (£6.50), fpp n/a, tw rating 4/5
actually make a difference to the corporate
phobic gave it a standing ovation. [ek]
ways. [jmb] it is not quite there. [cs1]
mine fi eld that is sport today. [eb]
Assembly @ St George’s West, 3 – 29 Aug (not 15),
Assembly @ George Street, 9 – 29 Aug (not Roman Eagle Lodge, Aug 7-28 (not 9, 16,
15, 22), 15.35pm, prices vary, fpp185. tw
Roman Eagle Lodge, 5 - 28 Aug, 7:25pm (8:35pm),
22:30 (23:30), prices vary, fPp 132. tw rating 5/5
23), 11:30am, £5.00 (£3.50), fpp 167
rating 4/5
prices vary, fpp 147. tw rating 3/5
tw rating 2/5
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