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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
We Are SAD
Verdict: Murder mayhem farce in amdram land
London - Canal Café - Mar/Apr 03
SAD's a ripping yarn of death in the theatre by gifted writer and performer Andrea Donovan - half an hour of brisk, witty and engaging drama.
We're invited to audition for Smeaton Amateur Dramatic (SAD) Society's invigorating summer season. Beverley Atkins (Andrea Donovan) fairly gushes enthusiasm, but regular auditionee Helen Jeff is nowhere to be heard.
Step forward Michael Daglas (Jim Johnson). No not Michael Douglas: 'No sex addiction! Not Yet!', clean as apple pie and increasingly psychopathic. Which contrasts tautly with Beverly's splendidly anal brother Glen (Adam Riches).
Beverly and Michael Daglas suddenly get on all too well, and Glen's jealousy may not only be that of a jilted leading man. Is that incest blowing in the wind, or the aroma of the death-count that's diminishing every other amdram group within a hundred-mile radius? And whatever happened to Helen Jeff?
Any more risks revealing the sharp plot of this delightful play. It's a fine piece of writing, delivered with wit and precision by an enlightened and gifted cast. A real joy.
Andrea Donovan delights as the steely, manipulative heroine, whose heart leads her beyond the proper limits of caution. Her Beverly's impish, sexy - and quite considerably disturbed.
Jim Johnson delivers a stunning performance as handsome, deranged Michael Daglas. He creates a character believably good and shockingly evil, the slightest nuance of his gifted performance tipping the balance between the two.
Adam Riches portrays creepy brother Glen with wit, skill, and a fine imagination. His Glen's severely disturbed, yet the voice of soundest reason - a complex part Adam Riches clearly understands and is able to deliver with apparently effortless precision.
Writing's by Andrea Donovan, whose clever and well-constructed script provides a short, complete story (oozing with dramatic tension) rivetingly - and delightfully - told.
Credits: (alpha order): Andrea Donovan (Beverley Atkins), Jim Johnson (Michael Daglas), Adam Riches (Glen Atkins). Writer - Andrea Donovan. Company - Matt's Little Sister. Technicals, light and sound - Jacob Wiltshire.
END
John Park
reviewed 4 April 03 / Canal Café Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
