RAPPORT FRINGE ... MARGINAAL VERSLAG ... FRINGE BERICHT
Reviewing fringe theatre, film, art and performance in London and internationally credits
home
|
about
|
news
|
gossip
|
venues
|
brighton
|
dublin
|
edinburgh
|
film
|
features
|
interviews
|
awards
|
fashion
|
recipes
|
drinks Monday 5 January 09
|
newsletter
|
links
|
contact
Your ideas on sponsorship? details
Sandals in the Bin -
(A)dult (B)oarding (C)entre
Verdict: Deft gung-ho satire
The Adult Boarding Centre is an hour of character comedy by the three actors comprising Sandals In The Bin.
The Centre locks up its students to improve them from being commoners - by the unorthodox 457 Step Ladder of Learning. It's run by tall and manly headmistress Bunny (Sophie Pelham), dressed in deerstalker, riding kit and black patent-leather boots, head of Pankhurst House.
Dali Lama House, where cross-cultural issues are treated with respect, is run by Bronwyn (Emma Bentley). Her mental equilibrium and calm acceptance is frequently blown by eruptions of aggression.
Alice (Rebecca Ridgeway), in Alice-band, longs to romp and play with the girls - be one of them. Her limitless gung-ho extremism often expands to megalomania.
A mysterious Russian Exchange Student (Emma Bentley) arrives, shrouded in a head-to-foot black leather coat - plainly up to no good. Despite Bunny's attempts to educate her ('Never address The Queen in a foreign accent'), the Russian's scheme is dastardly. The KGB, a furry Russian snake called Moosie, and world domination are quickly involved.
There are moles, hard-woman-soft-woman interrogations (subverted), endurance ordeals (who can stand on a chair for how long, and chair levitation), pain endurance, and all the other rituals of an English public-school education.
But will the girls pull it off? Of course they will - they're British. As even the Russian spy is forced to admit - 'I love British spunk'.
Adult Boarding Centre is a clever and funny satire of the gung-ho world of Biggles and Enid Blyton. It's a place where men are men, and women are men too; where girls look like girls and harbour dangerous psychoses. It's a satire of society's cul-de-sacs. PC in action, screening private thoughts to the contrary. And the small island's view of Jenny Foreigner.
The cast play many roles. There are Scousers Milly and Tilly (Sophie Pelham, Rebecca Ridgeway), up for ripping adventure and midnight feasts. Slow and manly 'George' Georgina (Sophie Pelham). Bed-wetter Alison Valerie Draper (Rebecca Ridgeway), a mass of neurosis, or, as Bunny puts it - wet. A middle-class political rapper (Sophie Pelham) and reformed street-gangster (Emma Bentley).
Bronwyn (Emma Bentley)'s class in cultural sensitivity is marred by slow Annalise (Sophie Pelham) - who she calls Anal-ise. The arrival of Rwanda (Rebecca Ridgeway), is a disappointment - she's white ('I was hoping for a coloured... I've been a victim of prejudice because I'm Welsh... Have you ever been raped by a white man?') It's a fabulous spoof of the hypocrisy underlining rugged (middle-class) Islington socialism.
Each of the actors sparkles, together they're electric. The show gathers pace. There's a gradual establishment of the dozen-or-so characters - each rounded out by a sequence of short comedy situations. Once this is done, the show moves quickly, and finishes with a flourish.
It's funny, sometimes in a quietly-chuckling way, sometimes by deft satire, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. And there's a charm to it, from the skilful ability of the actors to infect their characters with life.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Emma Bentley - Bronwyn. Sophie Pelham - Bunny. Rebecca Ridgeway - Alice. The cast play all additional roles.
Company Credits: Director - Emma Devereux. Producer - Nicola Burke. Company - Sandals in the Bin. Venue Credits tonight: Courtyard Theatre: Lighting Operator - Cath Moore. Sound Operator - Stephen Harvey-Johnson.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 26 July 04 / Courtyard Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
www.fringereport.com
