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Fringe 2011 Reviews (19)
The Oh Fuck Moment
By Hannah Jane Walker and Chris Thorpe
St George's West
***
We have all been there, that embarrassing moment when you make a mistake
that seems irretrievable. As Hannah Jane Walker and Chris Thorpe, the
creators of this intimate tea party point out, in many cases there will
be a way out - but not always.
This anti-theatrical experience takes place around an office table
and starts out very lightly, as the pair and also randomly chosen audience
members talk through their own Oh Fuck Moments.
These can be quite funny and throughout, the presenters show fine deadpan
expressions as they talk through some quite unbelievable mistakes.
After the comedy element, exemplified by Hannah Jane's accidental insult
of a horsey colleague, the chat turns considerably darker.
Actor Chris gets the horror stories, first on a personal level then
looking at a pilot who screwed up and a man fatally trying out a deviant
act with a hockey stick that left one visitor heading for the gents
at speed.
The hour-long performance finishes with a couple of summarising poems
penned by Hannah Jane Walker.
Philip Fisher
Scary Gorgeous
By Abbi Greenland and Helen Goalen
Rashdash
Bedlam Theatre
****
Scary Gorgeous features some great rock music presented live
on stage and stunning choreography delivered with energetic eroticism
by the co-writers.
Where it does not quite make the grade is in the dramaturgy, with a
tale of rock chicks that covers some inadequacies with soft porn tendencies.
Allowing for this, young audiences will love what is already proving
to be a hot ticket.
Helen is a manipulative 21 year old who is setting up a band (literally
played by Not Now Bernard, a talented 3-piece with bad hairstyles).
She enlists her pretty and rather more talented pal Abbi as a backing
singer but, given Miss Greenland's powerful, throaty voice, that was
never going to last.
The pair then get entangled in sex games and exhibitionist marketing,
as well as suffering from artistic differences regarding the future
of the band.
In parallel, we learn of the sex lives of a couple of ordinary teenagers,
Aiden (sympathetically played by Miss Greenland) and Sarah, who eventually
intersect with the wannabe rock stars.
It may not work that well theatrically but Scary Gorgeous is
a gas.
Philip Fisher
Alphonse
By Wajdi Mouawad
Richard Jordan Productions and Theatreturtle
Pleasance Courtyard
***
Wajdi Mouawad is an accomplished writer and especially performer. His
latest creation is a solo show about a young fantasist named Alphonse.
Alon Nashman puts his all into a meticulously created performance that
even features a shower of popcorn.
The story follows the eponymous hero after he wanders away from home,
causing panic and consternation. Nashman distinctively portrays his
family and friends, who together build up a portrait of a young dreamer.
They interact with his sympathetic pursuer, a Columbo-like cop called
Victor in a search for the wanderer.
At the other end, Alphonse and his imaginary friend/alter ego Jean
Paul René enter a foodie fantasy world that might owe something
to Roald Dahl.
The good news is that all live happily ever after.
Philip Fisher
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