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Fringe 2008 Reviews (79)
Correspondence
By Claire MacDonald
Menagerie
Pleasance Courtyard
***
This allusive, elusive two-hander is a talking shop that, judging by
the text, seems keen to eschew action or plot development.
The goal might be to emulate the film director Jim Jarmusch and to
follow a journey, completely ignoring points of departure and arrival.
The two-hander sees a Man and a Woman (Stefanie Mueller and Jeremy
Killick) on a wonderful set designed by the former. This looks like
a Hopper painting featuring a park bench and the corner of what might
be a luxury property.
There, two writers discuss possible scenarios for their next work,
constantly referring to other writers and filmmakers whom they admire.
The central theme is a train journey, gradually fleshed out with gender
differences by the pair, who periodically hint at a love which might
be their own or a notion for their masterwork.
That is pretty much it.
Philip Fisher
Shakespeare Made Easy
By Melissa Scher and Michelle Lema
This Bridge Theatre
C Cubed
***
Shakespeare Made Easy is a perfect way of indoctrinating children
into the fun side of William Shakespeare and his works.
In less than three-quarters of an hour, an enthusiastic group of nine
young Americans whizz us through no fewer than seven works with examples
of Histories, Tragedies and Comedies, as well as a smidgeon of biography.
Most mini performances last for less than five minutes and, in Reduced
Shakespeare style, Henry V is restricted to (an elongated) 60
seconds.
The style is primarily panto, although the writers have taken some
trouble to keep the essence when condensing texts in their own words
with odd quotes from the originals.
There are lots of images to remember, including the whirlwind romance
and sad deaths of Romeo and Juliet, a trio of colour-coded witches in
Macbeth and both Hamlet and Ophelia kitted out in a beret and
cool shades.
All in all, Shakespeare Made Easy is great fun and will appeal
to all ages.
Philip Fisher
Vincent
By Leonard Nimoy
Guy Masterson Productions
Assembly @ George Street
*****
Vincent Van Gogh was one of the world's most famous artists and considered
by many to be mad, but was it madness or just loneliness? Vincent,
a play written by Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy, sets out to
shed some light on the life of this genius.
Set a week after the death of Vincent, his brother Theo has invited
guests to a private gathering in the hope he can reveal the truth about
the inner sadness and insecurity of his sibling. Armed with his letters
from Vincent, Theo hopes to set the record straight.
Nimoy has created a beautiful, sensitive and intense play from the
one thousand, six hundred and seventy pages of letters to Theo that
have survived. He has researched well and chosen the perfect moments
to bring to life in a terrific script.
Playing the roles of Theo and Vincent is Jim Jarret, an actor who had
my full attention from the moment he stepped onto the stage till the
moment he left. Jarret is simply unmissable, giving a touching and passionate
performance that I'm sure will not be topped at this year's festival.
Do not miss a chance to see Jarret's mesmerising performance and whether
you know everything or nothing of the great Vincent Van Gogh, I beg
you to go take in this great passionate theatrical experience!
Wayne Miller
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