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Fringe 2005 Reviews (28)
A Thousand National Shocks
By TEAM
C Central
*
This is one of those show that you either get or you don't. As one
of the characters says, "I am missing something big".
In theory, it is a reworking of Hamlet and its four characters
are named Hamlet, Ophelia, Laertes and Horatio. There, pretty much,
the connection stops.
In a loud hour, the four throw themselves around aided by multi-media
effects that include Dallas 1963 and Billy Joel. The story, such as
it is, relates to the relationships between Laertes and Ophelia and
Hamlet and Ophelia.
Along the way, we hear a lot about Ophelia's charitable instincts and
enjoy physical and vocal effects. There is also a great deal of shouting
seemingly about not very much.
Enough said.
Philip Fisher
Being Charlie Kaufman
By Joe Gordon
Sweet on the Grassmarket
*****
Shakespeare is supposed to be the master of the corpse-strewn stage
but even he didn't achieve a body count at the final curtain that represents
166% of the cast. Indeed, by the end of Being Charlie Kaufman
audience members might fear for their own safety.
Charlie Kaufman was the auteur who created the cult movies, Being
John Malkovich, Adaptation and Eternal Sunshine of the
Spotless Mind.
It was inevitable that somebody would try to out-Kaufman Kaufman and
hardly surprising that it would be a bunch of bright students who would
try. The surprise is that they do it so well.
Without wishing to be unkind, this is not a play to see in order to
witness sparkling acting; much of it is ordinary.
The ingenious writing, together with the energy and enthusiasm of the
company, are what will win over anyone who loves the master's movies.
The plot is not all that important. Broadly, a mad Englishman called
Moke Greenerby (Finnian Tweed) announces to an innocent American woman
(Julia Adams) that he has written CK's scripts marginally before the
writer. His only solution to incipient madness is to kill his rival.
Soon, he is invited into CK (Alex Delgado Hunter)'s apartment and over
tea, tells his story and draws a gun. Then the fun starts.
This must be the funniest short play on the Fringe and deserves to
win awards. Joe Gordon has a rich talent for comic writing that could
see him writing a Charlie Kaufman film before too long. Alternatively,
he might become an accountant.
Philip Fisher
The Drowning Point
By Nicholas Earls
C Central
****
A stand-out performance from Claire Porter ensures that this well-constructed
solo show is special.
Beth is a history teacher whose mind is disintegrating. The reason
is simple. Her husband Graham has drowned in a tragic boating accident
on a stormy night.
This would be bad enough for a fragile woman but the circumstances
are enough to push her over the edge. Graham was found naked with vivacious
Sandy and the tabloids got the story.
Beth rails against the unfairness of life and the "screaming stupidity"
of dying because you left the toilet valve open while you screwed your
wife's best friend.
The Drowning Point is well scripted and Nicholas Earls' use
of language is often memorable.
Under the direction of Scott Williams, which utilises physical acting
and some great video images, Miss Porter demands great sympathy for
an intelligent woman whose mind will not accept unpalatable facts. Her
energy and acting skill are equally impressive throughout an emotionally
packed 45 minutes.
Philip Fisher
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