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Fringe 2009 Reviews (59)
Out Of Chaos
Temple Theatre
Underbelly
****
Six performers of different nationalities present interweaving and
competing stories - both of their own, and from the Greek myths. We
hear the story of a frustrated man on the tube, sibling rivalry and
throwing your sister's phone out the window, deeply hurting your mother
with a flippant comment, your dad drunk at a birthday party and being
kicked in a queue by a man for not understanding the English etiquette.
All along side stories of Zeus and his love affairs, Hera and her revenge
and Phaeton flying too close to the sun.
Temple Theatre frame these legendary tales next to our stories of
the every day and elevate them with their skillful storytelling. On
a bare stage and in their own clothes, this is both entertaining and
engaging: no-frills theatre showcasing the art of storytelling.
Sacha Voit
Faust In The Box
Bridge Markland and Scamp Theatre
Underbelly
**
One ghoulishly made up man, one large cardboard box, quite a few puppets,
a lighter and medley of pop songs. Bridge Markland becomes a one man
Faust, mouthing words to a sound track, looming over his tiny, children's
puppets and bringing out a Barbie doll to boot.
While this is indeed an 'innovative' presentation of a masterpiece,
with a 'spot the pop song' game all the way through it, this piece belongs
either as a living room, home-made puppet show, or a (shorter) whacky
cabaret act. With some amusing moments and an involved performance,
this is a curiosity rather than great theatre.
Sacha Voit
Double Art History
Gompertz & Head
Underbelly's Hullabaloo
****
Partnered up and walking in a crocodile, the audience became class
5C, having their last Art History lesson and just about to face exams.
However, as our normal teacher was off, a supply teacher arrives, asks
us all to put our names on badges and calls himself 'Sir'. He delivers
a rapid, mischievous, laugh-out-loud lecture on Modern Art with 5C answering
questions, becoming a camera, drawing rude pictures and eating sweets.
If only all teachers at my school had been like this, I would have
learnt so much more!
And learn we did, right along side thoroughly enjoying ourselves. This
is both educative and innovative and even asks the question where the
line is between teaching and performing. Will Gompertz (director of
the Tate Gallery) took a course in stand-up comedy and delivers this
show with great presence and brilliant timing. Whether you know nothing
about Modern Art or you've never spent a weekend away from the Tate,
this show is an absolute joy, for we all know something about being
inside a classroom. Just think what school would have been like if every
teacher was trained in stand up comedy - they could hold an audience
for more than just a double lesson and imagine how they'd deal with
the heckles!
Sacha Voit
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