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Fringe 2009 Reviews (101)
2012
By Bill Aitchinson
Dance Base
****
Armed with only a soap box and a series of laminated picture cards,
in true Speaker's Corner style, Bill Aitchinson's deliciously lunatic
stage show 2012 has been pared down for both the free Forest
Fringe and as part of the British Arts Council Showcase. Stripped of
its hi-tech multimedia spectacle for the stage version, this is nonetheless
an irresistable hour-long outdoor romp through the most wildly conceived
and delusional of conspiracy theories. Aitchinson's fabulously intricate
cautionary tale claims, for example, that genetically mutated Siberian
psychic dogs are manipulating world leaders in order to engineer a cosmic
catastrophe which will bring about the total anihilation of the human
race at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. The earnest conviction
of Aitchinson's delivery is central to this show's appeal. Richly deserving
of a place in the Showcase, 2012 is so good, I really did buy
the T-shirt!
Allison Vale
Johnny's Midnight Goggles
By Matthew Sharp
Pleasance Courtyard
***
Matthew Sharp has almost all the ingredients here for a great piece
of theatre. He's crafted a beautifully imagined story, with an impressive
soundtrack, complimented by some breath-taking cello playing and his
intoxicating vocals. The whole falls just short of the mark, however:
at too many moments, the musical accompaniment dominates the storyline
and his many characterisations which make up this one man show, fall
a little out of focus. Nonetheless this is an entertaining, well-imagined
production running as part of this year's British Arts Council Showcase.
Allison Vale
Frozen
By Byrony Lavery
Squint Theatre Company
Sweet Grassmarket
*
Byrony Lavery's arresting story of the abduction and murder of a ten
year old child, which follows the stories of her mother and her abductor,
is presented here by a young company making its debut appearance. The
young cast of recent University of Reading graduates work hard to convey
the emotional complexities of their characters and, although there is
some talent worth nurturing here (most notably from Michael Muncer,
playing Ralph), the cast need far stronger direction and more mature
characterisation. The net effect is little more than a tolerable production,
carried by the strength of the text.
Allison Vale
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