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Fringe 2011 Reviews (25)
Anton's Uncles
Theatre Movement Bazaar
Bedlam Theatre
****
With dance, physical theatre, comedy, various singing styles and a
set beautifully manipulated by an athletic stage manager you would be
forgiven for wondering how this piece has any bearing on the original
Chekov classic Uncle Vanya. Yet it does. The women are removed
and we are left with a distilled version in which the men voice their
hopes, dreams, desires and dissatisfaction with life.
Cards are played, vodka is drunk, tea is taken and time passes in an
utterly engrossing way. The stamina of the cast is to be applauded and
whilst there is much comedy all the right shades of grey are also evident
in their interactions.
This is indeed Vanya remixed but could be a touch confusing
for anyone without an idea of the context.
Amy Yorston
The Fitzrovia Radio Hour
Fitzrovia Productions- Festival Highlights
Gilded Balloon Teviot
****
If you have a love of radio drama or old fashioned comedy then this
is a show for you. The company create - before your very eyes - not
one but four short radio melodramas swapping accents, hats and genders.
Set in a radio studio complete with 'on air' signage, this fast paced
performance contains as much verbal wit as dexterity.
The talented cast do not just provide the voices however; they also
provide all of the sound effects which are both ingenious, authentic
sounding and comical. Audience involvement is also encouraged with cue
boards held up for effects such as 'general hub bub.' Whilst hugely
entertaining the technical skills and timing involved in this show cannot
be underappreciated and it is the marriage of the two which makes it
such a rewarding experience.
Amy Yorston
Belt Up's Twenty Minutes to
Nine
Belt Up Theatre in association with Jethro Compton Ltd
C soco
***
Lucy Farrett shines in this one woman show in which the lines between
storytelling, theatre and audience interaction become blurred. Belt
Up are known for their love of faded glamour and feel of decay and nothing
comes across stronger in this piece than the march of time touching
all of the characters mentioned throughout the narrative.
It is however very static and whilst the cushions and old sofas add
to the atmosphere an hour on the floor was indeed rather uncomfortable
for a show needing such concentration.
There is much to be taken from the tangent-filled journey which has
both its comical and poignant moments, secrets are shared and opinions
gathered. The audience is invited partially into the world of a woman
for whom the clocks have stopped. I however kept waiting for a climax;
intrigue is a major part of the production but didn't satisfy me to
the very end.
Amy Yorston
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