|
Fringe 2008 Reviews (97)
Forgotten
Fishamble: The New Play in Association with Pat Kinevane
Dance Base - National Centre for Dance
****
The first thing that will captivate you about Forgotten is the
wonderful space it is performed in. Fishamble use the central studio
at Dance Base on the Grassmarket which has an entirely glass roof leaving
the audience and performer in natural light throughout, with a fantastic
view of the castle. However this is not the picture that will engross
you for long as the single performer, Pat Kinevane, sweeps into the
space and fascinates from the start. Using Kabuki inspired dance to
move between four elderly characters Kinevane shows us Flor, Dora, Gustus
and Eucharia, all aged between 80 and 100 years old and living in separate
retirement homes. Flor spits and cleans the floor while complaining
of the dirty nurses; Dora loves her Saturdays out going round all the
make up counters and using the tester products for free; Gustus suffers
as his wayward daughter neglects him on his 94th birthday and the aristocratic
Eucharia remembers her past loves. Each one is 'feeling forgotten' although
they reminisce about their past and reflect on their present with both
charm and wicked humour that it is impossible not take Kinevane's performances
into your heart. Entering in a Kimono, which he takes off to reveal
ripped pyjama bottoms Kinevane ends the performance with a painted white
face and comments that the Japanese 'treat their elderly with the utmost
respect' unlike our Western society. Flor bitterly thinks about her
funeral and suspects that not only will there be crocodile tears being
shed but 'crocodile snot' too.
This is an engrossing show with perfectly embodied characters woven
into each other making a powerful comment on our attitude towards the
elderly here in Britain. Although at times some of Kinevane's biting
quips get lost on the audience because we are still laughing at his
last 'outrageous' comment and the character of Gustus lacks the vitality
of the female characters, this is an original and fascinating piece
of theatre. With such a unique setting and thought provoking subject
matter Kinevane's moving performance is not to be missed.
Cecily Boys
Eco-Friendly Jihad
Abie Phibin Bowman
Underbelly
**(*)
Last year, Abraham Bowman made some good comedy headway with his controversial
Jesus: The Guatanemo Years. Now back with Eco-Friendly Jihad
he's taking the moral stance with the destruction of the natural world
and tying that in with the concept of western capitalism. Sadly the
result is a hit and miss affair: while his comic asides are very funny
and his turn of phrase amusing, they remain just that, asides. The meat
of his stage-time is taken up with a long meandering and ultimately
ridiculous story of his attempted seduction of an Asian woman and the
relentless fact info-drops strewn throughout his material.
While the whole is a diverting and interesting experience, there is
a real lack of structure to the show and as a result makesit come across
as unfinished and unpolished.
Graeme Strachan
Office Party
Underbelly Productions and Assembly
Udderbelly's Pasture, Appleton Tower
**
You will either love or hate Office Party. It is a popular entertainment
for the reality TV, hen/stag party types who like their fun in short
spurts, liberally aided by alcohol.
On arrival the punters are allocated to groups: executives, accounts,
marketing etc. They are then separated and the execs get a stand-up
routine from American CEO and Meatloaf lookalike, Skip.
It quickly becomes apparent that these people specialise in humiliation
and coercion so if you prefer a quiet life, stay away.
Back together, the remainder of the two hour performance followed by
a disco consists of a series of cabaret acts, audience participation
and sing- and dance-alongs.
The general tone is sleazy, with no fewer than three strip sessions,
one featuring members of the public (or that is what they appeared to
be). There are also sub-5 minute sets from drag star Tina C. and the
almost Spanish and much more impressive Ursula Martinez.
The finest performances were probably both gymnastic and loosely connected
to the evening's theme, first as a cake stuffing contest led the one
female competitor to throw a wobbly and then descend from the ceiling
on a ribbon before providing a brief but delightful aerial display.
Then, towards the end, a female staff member had a tantrum and felt
obliged to pole dance with athletic grace.
Office Party will always do well with its mix of booze, cabaret
and group activity. It could be a great deal better but fans will believe
that they have had a great night out - once the hangover dissipates.
Philip Fisher
Next
page - - - Index
|
