The Vaudevillains

2010

Not content with bringing two hit shows (‘The Terrible Infants’ and ‘Ernest and the Pale Moon’) back to the 2010 Fringe, Les Enfants Terribles theatre has also brought their newest production, The Vaudevillains, for a one night only performance – and it is spectacular.
As with previous productions, the show benefits greatly from the masterful words of Oliver Lansley, who this time joins forces with Tomas Gisby to create a tightly structured and wonderfully executed musical of corruption, murder and vaudeville.
In a night one will never forget, the audience is invited to The Empire music hall, where the murder of Charlie (Empire’s owner) is committed by one of his employees. We are then presented with the murderous back-stories of the various Empire acts, each outlining possible motives.
The Siamese Cerberus Sisters are wonderfully played by Catriona Mackenzie, Rachel Dawson and Jennifer O’Neill, in a role that sees them tied together throughout the whole show. Marcus Ellard effortlessly exudes Ray The Blade’s sadness, instantly making you feel for the character. Sue Appleby as The Great Mephisto and Anthony Spargo as Albert Frog are perfectly cast, intriguing us by hiding their true identities behind expressionless masks. Lansley is, as usual, majestic as The Compere. A master of comic timing and flawless delivery, Oliver Lansley seems to live and breathe the characters he performs, as if they were parts of himself. From time to time he also provides some hilarious, improvised nods to the audience.
Best of all, though, is a tour de force performance by Philip Oakland as Gaston Gasteau, the mime artist who (almost) doesn’t speak a word but whose facial expressions perfectly convey thought and emotion to an enchanted audience. His back-story segment – the highlight of a glorious show – is at the same time touching, riotous and beautiful.
The Vaudevillains is a superlative production from the best theatre group to ever grace the Edinburgh Fringe. Celebrating their tenth year, Les Enfants Terribles has surpassed its own excellent standards, making The Vaudevillains perfect in every possible way.

5/5