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Fringe 2007 Reviews (97)
The Father
SUDS
Roman Eagle Lodge
****
August Strindberg's psychological drama about the power struggle between
and an obsessive soldier and his manipulative spouse in a 19th century
household manages to walk the line between being an interesting look
at 19th century parental rights and a darkly bleak tragedy.
Coming from a company such as SUDS, and following their masterful performance
of Molière's The Hypochondriac last year, a high level
of professionalism was to be expected and, true to form, the company
were solid as ever, with a atmospherically lit stage and period props
in evidence but never detracting from the action. The acting was also
above the board, from Jeremy Pike's performance of the much maligned
Captain, through to Sanya John-Adybola's pensive doctor, the cast were
almost note perfect. Their attention to each mannerisim and expression
was of the highest calibre. Sadly the one bum note of the play came
in the performance of Joel Samuels' Pastor, whose weak delivery was
emphasised most in his inability to give any finality to the closing
lines. Which was a real pity in what was otherwise a solid and commanding
production.
Graeme Strachan
The Midnight Carousel
C Presents
C Cabaret
***
An evening of Burlesque and Cabaret in a real cabaret bar, rather than
simply providing a show in the style of an old cabaret club: this event
is the real thing. Hosted by a singing corseted Madame and with a relaxed
feel which left the audience at ease as the performers came by to entertain
them. With shows ranging from stand-up comedians to burlesque strip-shows
and singers of all kinds, the show entertains in the pleasant and welcoming
atmosphere.
The varied nature of the shows means that the quality can also vary
but overall this is a good time and the rare experience of being able
to enjoy cabaret in an actual cabaret club is one which quite appeals.
Graeme Strachan
The Shagaround
Odd Man Out
Zoo
**(*)
It's New Year's Eve, and a handful of friends are commiserating with
their recently dumped friend when G buts in and hauls her cheating boyfriend
into one of the stalls and locks him in. What follows is a humorous
exploration of the typical female attitudes to sex, relationships and
men.
The company do what they can with Maggie Neville's occasionally witty
play, but never manage to tease the material past the problems inherent
to it; the first half is still far better written, the moment of surprise
revelation still comes too late in the day to work properly and the
confrontations afterwards are still unconvincing. As such it comes across
as hopelessly superficial and is obviously trying to do something clever
but only succeeding in being ordinary.
Graeme Strachan
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