There is simply no justice on the Fringe. Amazing pieces of experimental theatre go unnoticed in squalid, out of the way venues, while celebrity acts are guaranteed sell-out runs for dross that even the most self-involved student company would shun. This obviously isn’t always the case but it certainly rings true for 4 Poofs and a Piano.
It’s not that their set isn’t original that irks, as any camp cabaret act is going to involve Bassey, Andrews and Madonna at some stage, but the clumsy, ham-fisted way they go about everything. Not only is everything terribly predictable and hackneyed, but the whole production lacks the finesse and polish that one would expect – clearly working for Auntie doesn’t instill any sense of pride these days.
It might be possible to overlook the clichéd musical numbers if their banter sparkled and zinged but, if anything, it’s worse than the songs and riddled with crass vulgarity. That may sound incredibly prudish but surely the whole point of double entendre is not to call a spade a spade and leave some imagination to your audience?
In short, 4 Poofs and a Piano isn’t even a case of style over substance and should simply be avoided.
2/5
Richard Biggs
