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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Jack - A Lad's Tale
Verdict: Braying toff seeks come-uppance
London - February 04
'I like to fight at least twice a week. There's no better way to unwind on a Saturday than caving some tosser's face in.' With these words, and the startup of Ben Porter's emotive High-Noon-and-Spaghetti-Western music, eponymous Jack, A Lad's Tale sets off on his (brief) hubristic odyssey: 'Off to cause some mayhem now'.
Jack's a comedy Oxford toff, with boater and monocle, keen to fight girls and children, get rat-arsed, and bray. Enter Toby, equivalent toff, and the film's set for a classic western duel, but without the bravery. It's more backing-off than tooling-up as the lads engage mobile phones and distance to avoid combat. Was it, however, altogether wise of Jack to provoke that passing member of the working classes?
Jonny Wiggin's gifted work as stiff-but-quivering-upper-lip Jack is a fine piece of inspired character acting, aptly defining the type. Gwynfor Jones's laconic style (Gag, FR Awards 03 - Best Comedy Drama) is on excellent display with his cowardly Toby. Comedy actor (Fung Mu Meets The TV Detective) Mark Allen provides the DH Lawrence-style gritty man of reality.
It's a witty satire, shot on location in Oxford with a fine crisp finish to the photography, and edited with finesse. Likely to appeal particularly in university cities where town and gown aren't wed in bliss - to those on either side of the class-war barricades.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Mark Allen - Oik, Gwynfor Jones - Toby, Jonny Wiggin - Jack.
Company Credits: Mark Allen - Director, Co-Writer. Seb Barwell - Co-Writer, Assistant Director. Jonathan Jenkins - DOP, Editor, Sound. Ben Porter - Original Music. Company - Gentlemen With Relish. Contact tel 07721 092 900.
Thanks: Elaine Harris, Susie Healey, Will Church, Charlotte, Pete, Will, Andy Alexander, Charlie Healey, Tim Peart, Fay Porter, 1001 Bohemian Nights - Oxford. The Woodstock Arms - Oxford. SIXTV - Oxford. Thames Valley Police. The Random Spaniards.
END
John Park
reviewed 14 February 04 / London
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
