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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
NEWSREVUE
Verdict: Astonishing
NewsRevue parodies current affairs. It's written by a team of about 30 writers. There are four actors, and a musical director (pianist).
The performers (two men, two women), director and pianist change every 6 weeks. The material's updated progressively. The current team are: Gunnar Cauthery (the slim actor with reddish hair), James G Fain (the well-built chap with dark hair), Antonina Lewis (the taller gorgeous actress with light hair), Chloe Summerskill (the more petite gorgeous actress with dark hair). Musical Director / Pianist - Pete Smith (tonight), James Cleeve (latter part of this run). Technical Director - Ross McGivern, Merritt Horton. Director - Katy Bartrop.
NewsRevue can vary in élan from run to run, depending on that peculiar compound that comes from a cast matching itself internally, and its fusion with director, pianist, and technical manager. Sometimes it ticks over, sometimes it roars into life. Tonight's the latter.
It's the first night of a new cast, and they hit the ground running. An unfortunate analogy, as it's the phrase used by New Labour, when it assumed power. At least NewsRevue won't go to war against Iraq. Well, not without a mandate from the writers. And on tonight's showing, the writers have been busy with other things.
Top of the bill, a stunning highlight, is an absolutely filthy sketch about gay bishops in the Church of England. Bishops In The Night is a remarkable piece of writing - every line a diamond-cut gem. Gunnar Cauthery and James G Fain perform it in a showcase of perfect comedy acting. Brought the house down.
Its equal highlight is the wonderful ensemble closing number - Anything Goes. Antonina Lewis delivers a magnificent Rt Hon Mo Mowlam, Chloe Summerskill's divine as Cherie Blair, James G Fain, with baby, is Rt Hon Gordon Brown, Gunnar Cauthery is Prime Minister Blair. It's a parody of the slimy miasma New Labour's become, acted and sung to perfection - glorious singing in particular from Antonina Lewis and Chloe Summerskill.
Footballers who enjoy roasting don't escape one from writer Jon Kirk. He creates a fine sketch for the cast, ensemble, in One In A Bed. It features Antonina Lewis as a pert schoolmarm and Gunnar Cauthary, Chloe Summerskill, James G Fain, as her rather advanced though petite charges. Keeping on football, Jon Kirk also writes a pungent sketch Fernando (based on Abba's song) about F Rio's dope test. It's a fine opportunity for this magnificent team of actors to show how comedy's done. James G Fain's the lad in question, Gunnar Cauthary's an interviewer with highly unusual script; and the delightful singing voices of Chloe Summerskill and Antonina Lewis who form a Greek chorus of groupies.
Topics tonight include: liposuction, President Bush, EastEnders do Henry VIII, TUC Conference, Iain Duncan Smith, Alastair Campbell's departure - Lord of The Spins, British Athletes (fine ensemble number parodying Chariots of Fire), Big Brother, Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes Governor of California, Paul Daniels, David Blaine, Prince Harry's paternity, Dr Who, David Beckham's autobiography, reporters' redundant live tv appearances, Jennifer Lopez's buttocks to split, Michael Barrymore's pool fatality, Chris Eubank's 10 Downing Street protest, Frank Bruno's psychiatric difficulties, Nobel Peace Prize, anthropological study of the USA - Walking With Americans, Dominic Lawson's tv show re David Beckham, President Saddam Hussein's new record.
Chloe Summerskill's personal bests of the night include one of the star turns of the evening as Rt Hon Lady Thatcher digging up Dennis for a shag, in 'It's Me, Maggie', parody of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights. Antonina Lewis personal bests include being twice a perfectly glorious schoolteacher, once as above, the other reading David Beckham's autobiography.
Katy Bartrop is an extensively experienced actress, over a wide range of roles covering comedy, drama, film, tv and rock videos. Most relevantly here, she's a very funny comedy actress, and it's apparent in the way she directs this run of NewsRevue. A director with the gift of a clear eye for how jokes work, she makes each sketch an elegant and precise work of comedic art.
The aimable bear-like chap behind the piano's the stratospherically talented Pete Smith. Revue works if the music's good. If it isn't, it limps. No danger of that with a master at the keyboard. Pete Smith's music is always sheer joy to listen to, as the thousands who saw NewsRevue and Sam N Emma - to take at random two shows he MD'd at Edinburgh - will confirm. There's a craft to playing piano, and there's an art. Pete Smith's playing is art. It interleaves - apparently effortlessly - with the work of the actors, creating great theatre as well as musical delight.
Credits: Performers (alpha order): Gunnar Cauthery, James G Fain, Antonina Lewis, Chloe Summerskill.
Musical Director / Pianist - Pete Smith (tonight), James Cleeve (latter part of this run). Technical Director - Ross McGivern, Merritt Horton. Director - Katy Bartrop.
Producer - Emma Taylor.
Credits - Writers: NewsRevue writers credited tonight include (alpha order): Katy Bartrop, Martin Baum, Elizabeth Bower, Christopher Bryant, Gunnar Cauthery, Halli Cauthery, Noel Christopher, Sara Cogan, John Cowen, James G Fain, Marcus Garvey, Tracey Ingham, Paul Jones, Damian Kell, Jon Kirk, Antonina Lewis, Sean McSweeney, Paul Millard, Terry Newman, Simon Ounsworth, Ben Pheazey, John Random, Subvertigo, Chloe Summerskill, Lorna Watson, Ron Winkworth.
Credits - Company: The Bridge House - Manager - Francesca Fanizzi. Canal Café Theatre: Technical Manager - Ross McGivern, Merritt Horton. Assistant Producer - Louis Brownhill. Artistic Director - Emma Taylor.
END
John Park
reviewed Thursday 23 October / Canal Café Theatre
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 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
