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Fringe 2009 Reviews (60)
Nun the Wiser
By Triona Adams
Gilded Balloon Teviot
****
Ten years ago, in her mid-20s, Triona Adams was a theatrical agent,
enjoying hobnobbing with actors and attending first nights.
For no obvious reason, she spent a weekend at a Benedictine convent
and within weeks, this wickedly witty lady was a postulant or trainee
nun.
With the assistance of Owen Lewis, she has put together the story of
a year spent with a group of nuns, average age 70 or more. Her comic
timing is never off and while the story sometimes stretches credulity,
by the end, her rapt audience has had "the nun experience"
and knows what the closeted life is like.
The characters are a real mix from a bombastic Mother Superior who
sounds like Donald Sinden, through a mix of ageing cripples and obsessives
to complete eccentrics.
By the end, you can fully understand why an older, wiser Miss Adams
gave up her prospective habit for the very different habits more common
in artistic circles. However the full house that the former nun deserves
each day will be grateful that she shared her year, as it makes for
fine theatre.
Philip Fisher
From Sixties To Sixties
Anna Hillis/PBH's Free Fringe
Jenny Ha's
*
Anna Hillis presents a small slice of life looking back at her sexual
self-discovery during the 1960's done with monologues and 60's songs.
Ms. Hillis has painted her face in an extreme of the make-up style
of the sixties (sort of, but has hair cut and red-dyed in a more contemporary
fashion). Her few props, the basic electric piano, and flagging voice
only reinforce the weakness of the production.
Had Ms. Hillis abandoned the "acting" for a simple talk-to-the-audience
style of presentation, this might have been more endearing and interesting,
even with the current material. The one real moment in the performance
was a break in her monologue to address an audience member about the
young girl that she had brought with her and the appropriateness of
the material.
This is a good idea which has not found fertile ground. Sadly, this
production needs a strong director's hand, a dramaturg and more self-reflective
material. No one gets out of their sexual discovery without scars. There
are so many cabaret/comedians out there, the competition will easily
bump this one off the radar.
Catherine Lamm
Marcus Brigstocke: God Collar
Off The Kerb Productions
Assembly @ Assembly Hall
*****
Marcus Brigstocke has a god shaped hole in his life. He's tried to
fill it with reading, with talking to people, with alcohol, with cake
and even with messing up the shoes at a mosque. He doesn't agree that
religion makes you special and he certainly doesn't enjoy Richard Dawkin's
smug tone.
With Brigstocke's brilliant style, this exceptional comedian presents
his impassioned arguments on religion with all the blistering wit you
would expect. Whether commenting on London buses, chastising i-phone
users or looking at life with his two young children, this is a sparkling
observation on his own state of belief and, ultimately, a reflection
of those around him as well. For all his caustic wit, Brigstocke's articulate
and insightful stand-up sends you away with more to think about than
just his award winning writing. See this now for exceptional, outstanding
and provocative comedy.
Sacha Voit
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