FESTIVAL REVIEW
CABARET
entertainment duo their work has gone through many changes. Where Fools Rush In marks perhaps the most dramatic change yet.
The humour is still largely visual. but its focus now is more on psychological than physical awkwardness. and the audience is encouraged to empathise to a far greater degree than in previous shows. Bernard Worsnip wants roses and romance. while his wife Sylvia fantasizes about dirty nappies. What exactly is going on in their lives remains ambiguous through most of the play. and even at the end it is not clear ifany lasting resolution has been reached. Although much less a slapstick affair than previous shows. and perhaps a little too slow in parts. Where Fools Rush In is still essential viewing for anyone who appreciates the sheer awkwardness of a Nickelodeon character. (Kasia Boddy)
I Where Fools Rush In Nickelodeon. Calton Studios (venue 71) 556 7066. Until 3 Sept. 5pm. £4.50 (£4)
CAMBRIDGE FOOTLIGHTS
The reputation ofthe Footlights is such that they have been guaranteed big audiences hoping to find the new Rowan Atkinson. Monty Python‘s or Pete and Dud. Usually the traditional revue has been a major disappointment.
However. this year's cast has some real talent. They have made some exceedingly funny jokes out of the standard fare of TV commercials. soaps. royalty and religion. The outstanding performer is Simon Munnery a deadpan comedian of the Norman Lovett school. His security guard act isa treat.
None ofthe sketches would have looked out of place in ‘Not The Nine O‘Clock News.‘ In other words the show is slick. a bit safe. but often very funny indeed. (Nick Dudley)
I Sheep Go Bare Cambridge Footlights. Heriot-Watt Theatre. 30 Grindlay Street (Venue 7) 229 3574. L'ntil 3 Sept.
I lprn. £4 (£3.50)
NEW PLAYS
INSIDE OUT: A ONE MAN APOCALYPSE.
Inside Out. a one man play lasting approximately forty minutes. is one ofthe shows rttnning at the New Voices of America venue in the Chaplaincy Centre.
anditsquintessentially
modern American origins are starkly evident to a foreign audience. Frank Fowler. who developed
the piece out of workshops ;
with director Milton Katselas. bares his soul. his paranoia and his Oedipal angsts with a dramatic intensity that is
E downright embarrassing
for a reserved British audience.
Frank shows us the all too familiar predicament ofthe higth strung. unemployed and unemployable American actor. struggling to come to terms with a demanding and competitive business.
: llisimmaturityand ' inabilitytoeope render all
attempts to get to auditions. rehearsals and read-throughs. futile. The character he portrays is not meant to be nice. He stomps around the stage throwing tantrums. talking to his socks and sucking at a large foam breast to signify his regression to foetal helplessness.
Ifthe orin way togct to Joe I’app at the I’ublicor to be the next Broadway Hamlet is through a lot of heart-ache and
FESTIVAL THEATRE
ego-bashing. it seems a better option to 'catch the rays in Mexico'. The show is an intense and brash exploration of one man‘s disintegration. and his unexpected strength to survive. (Nicola Robertson)
I Inside Out: A One Man Apocalypse Frank I‘ow ler. (.‘haplaincy (‘entre (venue 23).6671862.t7ntil3 Sept. llam. £3.
THE ADVENTURES OF AURORA
The Adventures of Aurora deals with questionable sanity. Aurora is a tramp. originally from Ireland. now living in the London L‘nderground. The journey that eventually leads her there isher reason for remaining. She is searching for Jane ~ in her past a vivid quest. in her present reality a v ague unrecognisablc spectre. Written and performed by Maggie Wade. the character of Aurora combines the pathos and the pride of an outsider. Beautifully . and at times poetically written. it isan interesting and exact rendering of someone you were always taught to
0 ft
DARKLY
Surreal. Savage. Funny!
disturbing strangeness
que DRttIx theatre co.
WALKING BACKWARDS THROUGH THE WOODS
THE ARTER THEATRE VENUE 101 AUGUST 29"3 SEPT Z'ISpm TICKETS {3°00 (£2) Tel 557-1785
or Fringe Box Office (cc only)
A Stylish blend ofcomcdy and genuinely
avoid. The prickly emotion of the young outcast Aurora as she fights to reclaim her childhood hold over Jane when the world of men and marriage threatens. is still familiar. The observations of the older. still fighting Aurora. are pointed. This show is a subtly amusing and moving tribute to Ms Wade. Well worth any effort involved to see it. (Linda (iibson)
I The Adventures otAurora The Arter Theatre. Until Aug 27th. IO. 10pm. £15002)
A FAIR SLAB OF CONCERN
The Irish. 'a nation of orators.‘ seem particularly suited to one man shows. It means that no one can interrupt them but themselves.
Mark Watter's play runs with a strange logic through sex and religion toJohn Wayne and Kierkegaard. It acknowledges the influence of Harm O'Brien and Beckett. both would be happy with the outcome.
Actor Marcus ()‘Tulrulsce develops an intimate relationship with
Gangsters (hi-tilist)
the audience. It is not only the charm he displays. but the tea he dispenses which createsthisatmosphere. It is a show which deserves a
bigger teapot. (Nick Dudley) I A Fair Stat) of Concern : Torn (‘urtain Theatre
(‘ompany . The Arter Theatre. Rifle Lodge (Venue ltll ). 557 I785. L'ntil 3 Sept. 4.05pm. £3 (£3)
UNEVEN DEVELOPMENTS
This production by Bulmershe Revival Theatre explores with considerable wit. seriousness andtheatrical flair the diverse contradictionsot 1980's cultural values. Armed. literally . with textbook Brechtian tactics. the young east trace the uneven development of Win. a kind of contemporary liverywoman. Sub-titled The Seven Deadly Sinsof I Scratch Theatre. the show follows her through family trauma. sexual exploitation and the corrupting yuppie ideals of the big. bad world with agreat deal ofenergy and versatility. Though a little
heav y -handed in its presentation of the pornographic sexism of the hard sell and of the morality of (‘ity economics. the material is generally manipulated for hard-hitting and resonant political effect. Music. songs. and inventive theatricality . including a stylised warm-up. make this a valuable show from an imaginative company justly renowned for their consistently high standards. (Simon Bay'ly') I Uneven Developments. Bulmershe Revival Theatre. Southside International ( Venue 82) Off.” 7365. L'ntil 27 Aug.
l l.15am.£2.50(£l.50).
— STATE or PLAY
Three men and one woman represent l'tterthwaitc (’ricket (‘lub in this slick piece of drama. Male egoand misogyny are at there most rampant as the players struggle through the cup tie. Meanwhile in the pavilion the w ivcs and girlfriends prepare the tea. In a clever piece of theatre the men become their lemale partners simply by donningan apron. Although set in Yorkshire. where cricket is almost a religion. much of the humour in this highly stylised drama will be recognisable to any weekendsportsman or his partner. (Nick Dudley l I State of Play Yorkshire Theatre ('ompany. I’Icasance ( Venue 33 ) 556 (65” Until 3 Sept. ppm. £.‘~.5Il(£3.5(|)
TORCH SONG TRILOGY
Harvey l‘iei’stein's intelligent. sensitive and extremely witty analysis and celebration of pre-Aids gay life hasat last reached Scotland. and those vv ho sat through the
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The List 26 Aug-- I Sept 198817