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Fringe 2009 Reviews (76)
The Picture Of Dorian Gray
Using the words of Oscar Wilde's text
clubWEST and Keith Drinkel
clubWEST@Grosvenor Hilton
*
This show should be removed from public display and locked in an abandoned
attic, never to see the light of day, so hideous is its appearance.
Having done that Oscar Wilde's superb novel will shine all the brighter.
For this play is everything Wilde's story is not: clumsy, unimaginative
and tedious.
Keith Dunkel might as well sit on stage actually reading from the book;
at least that way he'd be able to get all his lines right, rather than
fluffing, stuttering and generally laying Wilde's wit to waste.
A grotesque likeness of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, which is
impossible to like.
Seth Ewin
The Laughs and Loves of Henry
Blofeld
Festival Highlights
EICC
***
The Cricket Commentator of legend waxes lyrically over his life and
career. Covering some of the great moments in his career along with
a few funny stories from his childhood, building through to his first
jobs as a pundit and talking about his home life and ageing gracefully.
'Blowers' is, as ever, a skilled raconteur and, while there are quite
a few genuinely chucklingly funny moments, the show feels a tad on the
slight side, over almost before it begins with the surface scarcely
scratched. A good introduction to his talent but not the best of his
work.
Graeme Strachan
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
After Dark
Zoo Southside
****
It's helpful that this show's title really does tell you all you need
to know.
Done in the style of a corporate seminar on how to survive an attack
of the living dead, the show is presented by a be-suited self-help guru
with a Lloyd Grossman accent and a sly turn in sarcasm, aided by a survivalist,
a scientist, a martial artist and a guidance counsellor called Malcolm.
From the beginning they offer useful advice, even before the audience
are in the auditorium, encouraging them to ask questions and to offer
possible weapons, hiding places and survival tips throughout.
Out of the characters, Malcolm is easily the most amusing as the Blue
Peter styled counsellor, while the rest make up the real likely survivors.
They each play well to their strengths as they work through possible
situations. For fans of the genre there are a lot of in-jokes and references
and still the show has more than enough material to keep the average
punter entertained and amused. The cast are able and improvise brilliantly
even at the most bizarre suggestions and whilst there are a few moments
the concept feels stretched, the charismatic team keep the tone light
and fun.
Graeme Strachan
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