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Fringe 2008 Reviews (41)
Only the Brave
Daniel Sparrow and Patrick Gracey
Musical Theatre @ George Square
****
A touch of the West End comes to the Edinburgh Fringe!
With an ensemble of West End stars, a live orchestra of over thirty
and starring two television personalities, Only the Brave promises
a lot… and it delivers!
Set at the end of World War Two it tells the story of a group of friends
as they prepare to go to battle in France leaving their wives and girlfriends
at home to cope. This is all very depressing stuff but with fine acting
and some comedy moments it honestly makes gripping viewing.
Although the production has been heavily advertised with TV stars Keith
Jack (from BBC's Any Dream will Do) and Niamh Perry (from BBC's
I'd Do Anything) their parts seem to be shoehorned into the story
to pull in the audiences, which has worked. Although both give fine
performances Perry's acting isn't quite up to scratch with the rest
of the company and you were left not really caring about their characters.
The real stars of this production are Gerard Bentall and Cassidy Janson.
Bentall and Janson play the lead roles as the couple divided by war
and driven by passion.
Bentall gives a fine performance that sees his voice soar over the
music whilst Janson is stunning as Sarah Coombes and constantly gave
her all throughout the production, leaving the audience emotional at
her unforgettable performance.
Special mention must go to the female ensemble members in the 'Letter
Writers' scene. This scene showed true ensemble acting and showed the
real quality of a West End performance here at the Fringe.
Although the lighting board was not working and therefore the production
lacked any specials or projection, the company showed that all you need
is an interesting story and a great company.
Well worth a visit but lasting only 75 minutes: I was left wanting
more!
John Naples-Campbell
Anna the Slut and the (Almost)
Chosen One
By Andrew Hungerford
Hunger Warrior Theatre
C Soco
***
The Sumerian goddess of sex reincarnated in 21st century America, a
barman (sorry: bartender), a nerd and his (slightly weird) friend, a
jock and a female post-graduate comprise (with some shadow puppets)
the cast of this comedy, the first of a series which will reimagine
classic myths in a contemporary context.
The comedy is funny, if at times a little obvious, and the shadow puppets
a nice touch (although at the performance under review the cloth on
which they are projected collapsed at one stage - but, hey, this could
happen to anyone), but the narration of the Sumerian legend which begins
the play, read by the bartender and illustrated by the shadow puppets,
was too long and just a bit dull.
In fact, the whole script could do with being tightened up, being a
tad too wordy. But it is funny and the company play with energy and
enthusiasm.
Peter Lathan
The Margins
Slippery Rock Theatre
The Space @ Venue 45
*****
Slippery Rock Theatre company brings an intense production that will
keep you glued to the edge of your seat!
Set in an old abandoned house, six paranormal psychics try to connect
with the ghost of a maid from the late nineteenth century called Kate
but when they do, it does not actually go quite as planned.
Led by director Laura Smiley and with great writing from David Skelle,
this ensemble acting piece, from undergraduate actors, really created
an intense and scary atmosphere for an hour. Having been workshopped
by the company and then re-written by Skelle, the cast bring an originality
to each of their performances.
Matthew McNear is brilliant as the person bringing the others to the
house. He gives a mature performance that shows a real talent in his
craft.
The reaction from each of the actors to the action is quite real and
therefore makes the audience feel uneasy. Jackie's Freeman physical
acting is quite superb and adds an extra level to the this production.
If you are a fan of horror this is definitely worth a visit!
Great writing, great directing, great acting and holding on to the
edge of your seat! What a way to end your day!
John Naples-Campbell
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