FESTIVAL REVIEW
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY THEATRE COMPANY
TEL
presents
FAITH HEALER BY BRIAN FRIEL CLOUD NINE BY CARYL CHURCHILL FAUSTUS KELLY BY FLANN O'BRIEN
LIFE
12TH -
IN THE THEATRE BY DAVID MAME
27TH AUGUST (NOT SUN) ALSO
HAMISH WHIPS IT OUT
THE BEDLAM WORKSHOP
BLACK EY'D SUSAN
FOR FURTHER
(031)
A Fear of Falling (Mon . Wed . Fri) Who Will Dance with Julia? (Tue . Thu . Sat) by Mark Aldridge
MANDELA THEATRE.
4.15 pm, August 15th - September 3rd.
FREE !
INFORMATION CONTACT
WHAT NOW? THEATRE C0.
THE BEDLAM .THEATRE VENUE 49 225 9893 9.30AM
- 2.00AM
Presents
Venue 79.
" M 1% m m/
'I'hree late-night shows
L-.-” _ _ M-.- .__._.___ 12 The List 19- 25 August 1988
Arthur Smlth
FESTIVAL THEATRE
ARTHUR SMITH COMPERES HIMSELF
Although Arthur Smith tells a lot of rather crude jokes in the various personae that he adopts. they are never vulgar. Ile is a very funny man and it is easy to understand why he is so highly regarded by fellow comedians on the London cabaret circuit from which he hails.
lle rarely laughs at his audience and much prefers to cnmesh them in a conspiracy against. amongst others. skinheads and hecklers. A high point. and there are many. is w hen. duringonc of his many costume changes. he leaves the stage to a pair (1’ ) of invisible acrobats. Smith tells a sad tale of a recent artistic block which he attempted to end by visiting Ireland and having sex with the Blarney Stone. Apparently the attempt failed but he now has the wittiest penis in Iiuropcl
He shows another side of himself when he becomes Brian. the winsome poet. In this incarnation he comes over as a serious and sensitive individual and you are left unsure of who the real Arthur Smith is. (Steve Briggs) I ArthurSmith Comperes HIITISBII (iildcd Balloon (venue 3S) 22o2l5l.l7ntil 3 Sept. Spm. £4 (£3).
GLYNN WITH A WHY.
This is a gentle picture of Allan Pierce. a character whose vulnerabilities make him hysterical. touching and. ultimately. normal.
In a fast paced show involving a hiin speed car chase. a dream sequence starring Allan as his idol Barry Manilow. fantastic mime and card tricks. we meet sortie of the people who have made Allan suffer; Angie. his wife who has just kicked him out of their house to install a Swedish student and a doberman; the wickedly portrayed overbearing cliche. confused policeman; l’ate Biscuit. the children's television presenter who nationally
_ ; THE couca
berates 5 year old Allan for drawing himselfwith only four fingers. His odd parents. “is strange childhood.
Glynn Nicholas possesses a magically manoeuvrable face. a keen eye for character and an excellent one man show. (Linda Gibson)
I Glynn With A Why The Gilded Balloon Theatre (venue 38) 2262151. Until 3 Sept. 6pm. £4 (£3).
A BIT OF THE OTHER
A Bit ofthe Other is a bit ofa muddle. For the first part of the show. Caroline Bernstein races frantically in and out of wigs and teeth for impressions which include too many similar sounding foreign accents and a dreadful Thatcher skit. Later though. time is given to develop character monologues and the songs have amusing lyrics delivered in great belting style.
As a performer. (‘aroline Bernstein is charming and spontaneous. She made very funny use ofthe hazards of working in a tent during torrential rain. (This venue should carry a Warm (‘Iothing Warning.) More material from her own experience like the song about selling kitchen designs and less of the Nana Mouskouris would be better
entertainment. (Norma
Bordwell)
I A Bit of the Other (‘aroline Bernstein. The I’Icasance (venue 33) 556 6550. Until 3 Sept (not 25 Aug). 10.45pm. £3(£2).
HUNTER AND DOCHERTY IN
It's quite remarkable just how adaptable your average couch can be. In this case. the eponymous object acts as a basis for over an hour‘s fast paced comedy from ex-Bodgers. Hunter and I)ochcrty.
The duo's timing and ability to ad lib to advantage is evident. as is the comic talent which has served them well as script writers for Spitting Image and A [as Smith (Hallo/it's. From a basic course in fire safety to a marvellous introduction to the little known martial art of Waku Taki. they never allow the pace or the laughs to falter.
Their insight into current social 'types’ strikes an accurate note while their unorthodox solution to the problem of
il l l
football hooliganism is. no doubt. already on the Cabinet Agenda for the next parliamentary session. (Ron Aitken)
I Hunter and Docherty in the Couch. The l’leasancc (Venue 33). 55665.5(). 12—27 Aug (not Mons or 25).‘)pm. £4 (£3).
|IIIIIIIIIIII THEBOYS LOVETT
The Boys“ Lovett blends together two contrasting forms of comedy. Firstly. there is the subtle humour ofNorman Lovett. ranging from the ridiculous to the understated. Ilis completely deadpan style raises laughs from jokes that a standard comdeian would not pull off. He rests his act on being completely ‘normal‘. llis amateurish style (which is deliberate — he isanything but amateur) raises a sympathetic reaction from the audience.
The Vicious Boys on the other hand rely on slapstick. hilarity and cruelty to whom members of the audience. This year their act consists of a game show format which provides them with an ideal opportunity for humiliating. embarrassing and holding up to ridicule 8 members ofthe audience. Witty and hugely amusing.
Though the shows are very different. and likely to appeal to diffe rent audiences. the contrast of styles is refreshing. entertaining and sometimes invigorating. (Stewart Kirkpatrick)
I The Vicious Boys and Norman Lovettoiltled Balloon Theatre I Venue 38) 2202151. I'ntil 3 Sept. 9.30pm. £41123)
THE INSINUENDOS
Luckily humour is the Insinuendos' main weapon. The three men in the show. Brian Ross. Vaughan Williams and (iered l’. Windle are all powerful personalities who combine well together. ('aroline Ilumphries at the piano often seems like a school teacher barely in control of her unruly pupils. I7nfortunately . neither her voice nor her character are strong enough to compete with the men. It is a pity because she has done a fine job as mUsical director.
()vertly political shows tend to appeal most to those who share the same views and experiences.
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