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NEWSREVUE
Verdict: Blissful news sketch comedy
Edinburgh - C Venues - August 03
21.45 - check details with venue
NewsRevue parodies current affairs. It's written by a team of about 30 writers. There are four actors, a musical director (pianist). This nightly Edinburgh Fringe show (the London show runs 4 nights a week through the year feeding from current news) looks back on the year, picking highlights of the news - its quirks and headlines. NewsRevue lampoons them equally, by sketches, song or one-line gags. It's a high energy, fast-paced show, unsuitable for children.
Edinburgh Cast: actors (alpha order): Elizabeth Bower, Marcus Garvey, Damian Kell, Lorna Watson. Musical Director (pianist) - Pete Smith. Director - Alex Dower.
This is a powerful show, a sharp take on the events of the last year, with strong individual and ensemble performances from exceptionally strong actors. Marcus Garvey (the powerfully-built taller chap) is a remarkable and gifted performer. His President Bush is alone worth the price of the ticket. Lorna Watson (the actress with the pretty curly hair) excels in each of her roles. Her Renee Zellweger sketch is particularly glorious.
Elizabeth Bower (the other gorgeous actress, with straight blonde hair) delights with each of her penetrating characterisations. Damian Kell (the slimmer of the two lads, with black hair), delivers a PM Blair of astounding perception - his song about that oleagenous man learning to feel is shockingly moving; his airline steward safety drill the highlight of the evening. A star rising - a remarkable performer.
This is a cast that's a delight to watch. Their sense of dance, glorious voices, their impeccable ensemble timing a fine integration of performers, director, and pianist.
Pianist Pete Smith's a graduate in harpsichord of the Royal Academy of Music. After years of major solo performances he turned his back on the classics. These days you'll find him on piano in the smoke-filled honky-tonks of London's fringe. Pete's highly sought-after for theatre and film: he's playing piano for 4 shows in Edinburgh. When you hear his glorious, lyrical piano (eg I Don't Like Mondeos), with its stunning timing, phrasing, soaring glissandos, and exact choice of arrangement, the why becomes clear. A pianist of profound sensitivity, able to enhance the depth of the comedy, and counterpoint the actors, with a gentle elegance.
Alex Dower is an experienced comedy and film director. The art and precision he brings to these two areas shows in the focus of tonight's show - it's a fine directorial achievement. Jacob Wiltshire designs the lights and sound, and almost didn't get to the fringe. Travelling from London to Edinburgh with Tigco's fine show Plat Du Jour (for which he's doing the technicals), he filled the (diesel) car with petrol. Yes, it's worrying in a technical director, but the lights and sound are excellent. (And they did get to Edinburgh, a couple of days later).
Those interested in seeing a whole lot more of NewsRevue's engagingly sexy producer, Emma Taylor, will do, in her very rude show Sam n Emma in Pop Tarts at The Pleasance.
Tonight's NewsRevue topics (which may vary on another night) include: Monarchy, Royal butler Burrell, bishop outing, Posh and Becks, President Bush's Address To The Nation, celebrity orgasms (human and canine), students who dance at Spearmint Rhino, tuition fees, inside PM Blair's insincere mind, Hong Kong flu, wanking with dinosaurs, Claire Short and Mo Mowlam break unexpected news to blind David Blunkett, Edwina Currie and John Major in Can't Control That Major, John (to Space Oddity by David Bowie), GNER, If I Was Israeli, gastronomic French revenge on US boycott, Mrs Thatcher, PM Blair and President Bush: 'I Can See Clearly Now Hussein Has Gone', non-flying Holby actress, JK Rowling v JRR Tolkein compered by Anne Robinson, David Beckham sings 'Boots Get In My Eye', insemination of Duchess of Wessex, (London Mayor Ken Livingstone sings) 'I don't like Mondeos', Steven Hawking's orgasm, invisible Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, airline steward's flight safety instructions, Michael Barrymore tribute: Fisting By The Pool, Chemical Ali, Renee Zellweger, PM Blair feels emotion, asylum seekers, Zoe Wannamaker's hair, gansta rap's effect on the middle class dinner party, Dr Shipman meets Michael Parkinson and sings, I Need A Euro.
NewsRevue Writers include (alpha order) - Geoff Aymer, Matt Bates, Martin Baum, Stephen Bessant, Marc Blakewill, Liz Bower, Chris Bryant, Andrew Byron, Julian Caddy, Simon Carter, The Cast, Chandrika Chevli, Noel Christopher, John Cowen, Dan Davies, Alex Dower, Andy Fleming, Marcus Garvey, Barry Grossman, Christopher Hale, James Harris, Tracy Ingham, Paul Jones, Rupert Keenlyside, Damian Kell, Carol Kentish, James Lamont, Darren Lee, Philip Lunn, Matt Malone, Josie Melia, Terry Franks Newman, Simon Ounsworth, Jason Peck, Ben Pheazey, Stuart Piper, Barney Power, John Random, Jeremy Rommer, Jason Smart, Alan Stafford, Colin Stutt, Mike Tier, Tanya Tier, Lorna Watson, Jake Wilson, Ron Winkworth.
Company Credits: Technical Designer - Jacob Wiltshire. Technical Operator: Edinburgh - C Venues Staff; London - Chris Martin. Producer - Emma Taylor.
END
John Park
reviewed Thursday 31 July 03 / Edinburgh C-Venues
Producer Emma Taylor tells us that NewsRevue always welcomes new writers - contact her on 020 7289 6056 or email
mail@newsrevue.com.
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
www.fringereport.com
