American Vaudeville is a 2 man play set on the Vaudeville entertainment circuit of early 20th century America. Written and performed by Jon Morris and Scott Nankivel, it tells the story of a comedy duo, Chester and Plunkett, but charts the rise of Vaudeville through this.
Morris and Nankivel take on many roles throughout the play as they depict an entire vaudeville line-up, from dancing girls to “Chicken Man.” These performances are based on actual acts, taking the audience back to a more innocent era where cabaret, corny jokes and slapstick comedy were the popular entertainment of the masses. The duo are masters of visual comedy, reminiscent of silent film stars such as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin.
American Vaudeville was cleverly written to take the audience through a variety of locations, across several years. There was very little in the way of costumes or set, but strong performances from both actors kept the audience engaged.
If you enjoy visual comedy, or are interested in the history of vaudeville entertainment, this show is a must-see.
3/5
Anna Price
