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Fringe 2009 Reviews (29)
The Virginia Monologues -
Why It's Great To Be Old
Virginia Ironside, directed by Nigel Planer
Gilded Balloon Teviot
***
With an aging population and a larger over sixties percentage than
under 16s, this show will certainly be a seller for Virginia Ironside.
With her honest, irreverant frank charm she speaks to a sold-out audience,
provoking laughter, recognition and a dry wit for all the spectators.
The accomplished journalist covers topics from gardening to sex, fashion
tips and nasal drips, all the way to grandchildren ('the reward you
get for not killing your children') and daily dozing. And all this with
beautiful humour and perfect poise, Ironside is not to be deterred,
even by her colostomy bag. Appealing to a specific niche in the Festival-going
audience leaves this piece with little to offer the younger viewer.
However for the 'silver surfers' (a term at which I'm sure Ironside
would cringe!), this is a five star show.
Sacha Voit
Crave
By Sarah Kane
Royal Holloway Theatre Company
C soco
**
Set in a restaurant, four tormented individuals express their dissillusion
with marriage, love and, ultimately, life. The bar tender endlessly
polishes his glass and yearns for a girl who only rejects him. An older
man and woman struggle to come to any conclusion over their relationship.
'Empty, sickened, white. Love me?'. Good old Sarah Kane never lets up
on the depressive, disillusionment pedal. Sadly the danger with Kane
is to present her work on a fairly monotonous tone of suicidal desperation,
and this production falls into that trap. While it is a confident and
well intended production, it fails to fully recognise Kane's subtlety
and spectrum.
Sach Voit
People
Pleasance
Pleasance Dome
**
Three singers, a pianist, a cellist and a bench present a revue of
twenty-two songs. Ranging in subject from Birds to girls' chat to the
traditional love songs there is little linkage - simply song after song.
There is no doubt that these three actors are accomplished performers
but this showcase of musical numbers does not compliment them. This
piece feels more like a rehearsal than a presentable show, and fails
to fully swell the heart. Hardcore fans of musicals can enjoy this selection,
but this is not one for the breezy festival goer.
Sach Voit
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