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Fringe 2008 Reviews (93)
I Think You Stink
Bad Ash Productions
Bedlam Theatre
***
Harking back to the 50's B-movies and crafting a funny and entertaining
piece of musical fluff from the genre that time forgot, presented in
Hypnovision no less, or more precisely by two men wielding hand turned
swirly-patterned circles. Nick Helm and George Mitton's well crafted
songs are a bundle of fun, and while it's all wafer-thin and utterly
superficial entertainment, is that a bad thing?
The beauty of this show is the carefree fun and that it makes no attempt
to take itself seriously at all. The fact that the set is entirely pitch
black and lit with a solitary torchlight from the audience just adds
to it's charm and with musical numbers like 'The most popular Ghoul
in school' and a ballad about a mass-murdering Tesco manager, there
are more than enough laughs and enjoyment to make it worth a look.
Graeme Strachan
The Rape of Lucrece
By William Shakespeare
Thievish Dog
Baby Belly
****
In a solo performance of Shakespeare's narrative poem, actor Gerard
Logan offers a feverish trip into the tormented minds of both victim
and abuser. Chaste and beautiful wife Lucrece is visited by Tarquin
who desires her so strongly that although he fights against his base
impulses, finally breaks into her room and forces her to submit to him.
This tale of Ancient Rome is vividly brought to life by Logan with an
intense and unremitting clarity, brilliantly recounted and eloquently
spoken. Logan's aching Tarquin offers a fascinating portrayal of both
a pitiful and utterly reprehensible man. A captivating tale told by
a consummate storyteller, unmissable for all serious Shakespeare fans.
Cecily Boys
Dad's Money
Boss Hogg
Pleasance Dome
***(*)
Two men find themselves trapped in the flooding cellar of their father's
house. Played almost entirely for laughs, this black comedy takes a
fairly simple and predictable premise and then plays with the reactions
of the chalk and cheese brothers. Joe and Tom Napper meet up in the
cellar and almost immediately begin to bicker about old rivalries, toys
and, above all, where has their father's money gone? The best thing
about this piece was the chemistry between the two leads, as their comic
timing and casual glances belied a subtlety that made you believe they
could actually be brothers, separated by a lifetime of personality differences
and split-opinions.
Despite this, the play is slightly over-long, and does drag despite
the good dialogue and interplay. Still a highly worthwhile piece of
comedy for anyone who's ever fallen out with a sibling.
Graeme Strachan
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