John Hegley’s latest show is well-observed, beautifully crafted performance poetry at its best. Hegley himself is entirely comfortable on stage, pointing out the ridiculous in the ordinary with a charming, self-effacing style. His performance is truly interactive, as the audience vote on everything from the accent he reads the poems in to the hat his [...]
Archive for August, 2003
Mitch Benn and the Distractions
Posted in August 19th, 2003
by Jennie Biggs in 2003
When you are asked not to sit in the front three rows you wonder why. Fortunately it’s not because we are going to get mauled or messy, it’s just that Benn’s brand of musical comedy requires a little distance to be enjoyed properly. While you may not get as ‘up close and personal’ as you [...]
Brendan Riley - Comedy Sushi
Posted in August 18th, 2003
by Daniel Kirby in 2003
From the outset, Brendan Riley goes to great lengths to make it clear that his show, Comedy Sushi, is ‘one big happy family’. It wasn’t necessary for you to grab that seat at the back: He’s not picking on anyone tonight. As a unit the crowd is encouraged to rehearse Brucey’s Bonus-style catchphrases for recurring [...]
Demitri Martin: If I
Posted in August 18th, 2003
by Becky Stone in 2003
Unusually for a stand up, Demitri Martin makes no effort to acknowledge the audience as he steps on stage. Instead he launches straight into a very scripted speech about how he was a bit of a freak in school.
At first, he seems very ‘American’ and full of the blandness that you associate with clean cut [...]
Fat
Posted in August 17th, 2003
by Emma Flatman in 2003
The flyer promises “Fat Today … Thin Tomorrow” and that “you’ll lose 5 pounds in 1 hour!” Tempted? Yep – most of us have already bought into the gym culture in search of the illusive ‘perfect physique’, and it is that quest which this play focuses on, while questioning the role the [...]
Little Shop Of Horrors
Posted in August 17th, 2003
by Brid-Aine Conway in 2003
This is a more than able production of this cult musical, with strong male and female vocals and performance. It’s difficult to go wrong with something as well known and loved as this show and it is carried off nicely here, the accents and costumes are terrific and the infamous plant itself is well presented. [...]
TalkSexShow
Posted in August 17th, 2003
by Brid-Aine Conway in 2003
Having heard a lot about this show, I did have certain expectations, but what I witnessed was not at all what I had expected. The show is a mockery of the modern ‘guru’ - someone supposed to be able to help change your life for the better. Here, we have our sex guru Paul, and [...]
Blowing It
Posted in August 17th, 2003
by Richard Biggs in 2003
It seems as though Guy Masterson can do no wrong this year and Blowing It is no exception. While this could be down to Masterson’s producing skill, a lot has to be said for Stephen Papps’ performance in this witty and well paced piece of theatre.
Set in the seedy underbelly of New Zealand’s crime world, [...]
A Line In The Sand
Posted in August 17th, 2003
by Richard Biggs in 2003
This Fringe seems to be a big year for Americans. Admittedly every year there is a large contingent from the US, but it seems that more American companies than ever before are waking up to their nation’s position in the world. While this can only be a good thing in more global terms, it doesn’t [...]
A Kind Of Alaska
Posted in August 17th, 2003
by Brid-Aine Conway in 2003
Harold Pinter’s play explores the first awakening of a woman (Deborah) suffering from a disease that caused her to be ‘asleep’ for 29 years. We are witness to her mind’s struggle to accept the changes wrought in both herself and the world around her and her doctor’s attempt to uncover any memory she may have [...]
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