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Fringe 2009 Reviews (65)
A Life in Three Acts (Act
1)
By Bette Bourne and Mark Ravenhill
Traverse 2
***
Mark Ravenhill obviously both idolises and is amused by the transvestite
actor Bette Bourne. He therefore decided to interview him about his
life and then sold the result to Dominic Hill at the Traverse as a three-part
performance.
Part One saw Ravenhill in natty hat outshone by the glam BB, in a black
frock pepped up with gold, matching shoes with lowish heels and bouffant
hairdo.
The duo re-enact on stage the lengthy interview that took place at
Bourne's Notting Hill home, which makes for a rather odd theatrical
experience.
For the most part, the pair read the text of their own discussion from
scripts. This can seem like a bad excuse to fill a theatre.
However, the performance is redeemed by Bourne's wicked sense of humour,
impeccable comic timing and an aura.
Therefore, the audience was in stitches as they learned of a little
boy who liked wearing fancy drag, didn't like being beaten by his father,
worshipped his mother and by his early teens had discovered and delighted
in his (homo)sexuality.
By the end of Act 1, BB had become a successful actor, found love and
then gender politics and was all set for Act 2.
Philip Fisher
Cardenio
By Bernard Richards (after Shakespeare and Fletcher)
TACT (The Alternative Cambridge Theatre)
C cubed
**
A reworking of Shakespeare and Fletcher's lost play, Cardenio
tells the story of libertine Henriquez, his seduction of Violante and
subsequent rejection of her. When his lustful eyes fall on Leonora,
it's time for Violante to dress up as a boy, Leonora to get out a bottle
of poison and a group of ridiculous yokels to turn up, complete with
comedy 'Dorrrsette ackk-sents'.
Seven performers, some well-worn costumes and a small wooden cart may
present this Shakespeare Reworked in true wandering players style but
they lack the finesse. With a screeching widower Camille, a mad and,
of course, rocking spurned lover and an extremely petulant, disguised
priest, this turns into more of a pantomime than a measured production.
At one point Henriquez's soliloquy asks, 'Was it a rape, then?' and
one lady in the front row helpfully answered yes - I felt like I was
waiting for the 'she's behind you' moment to come. And it did.
Sadly a few of the actors also suffered from projection problems,
especially in the prologue, which is always a danger in C cubed with
the loud fans, a note the director has clearly forgotten to give to
his cast. While hardcore Shakespeare fans may have a curiosity to see
Cardenio, this production may provide others with solace that
the play was lost.
Sacha Voit
The Reduced Edinburgh Fringe
Impro Show
Scratch
Pleasance Courtyard
****
Five performers and a pianist provide a great antidote to too many
Fringe shows. Asked to tear out pages and circle a show of your choice
from your Fringe Guide before you go in, the audience donate the material
from which the performers will begin their improvisation.
Dusty, Mum and Me, The Rap Guide To Evolution, Watch
It, Cigarettes and Chocolate were just a few that came out
of the pot on the night I attended - and they brilliantly morphed into
the funniest shows you have never seen. Taking suggestions from the
audience, this expertly creative and playful company achieve a laugh
out loud moment every minute. A great way to see all the shows you missed
and all the shows you avoided - only far, far funnier.
Sacha Voit
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