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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
One Lady Owner
Verdict: Mungo Mania
London - Hen & Chickens - 31 March 05 - 19:30 (20:30)
Whoops! Peter O'Toole's hilarious outburst on modern theatre (Guardian and Radio Times this week) lambasts its 'badly done shit' performed by 'smart-aleck twats'. Whatever would he think of this?
One Lady Owner is a clever, silly sketch comedy from a team including Nick 'Big Square Head' Swift. Written by Nick Swift and Andrew McCaldon, it's inspired by unlikely small ads spotted in nooks of the classifieds.
Nick Swift, a self-confessed addict of small ads (with an air of Martin Clunes) hosts and enacts life through various scenarios in a desperate attempt to look for both laughs and loves. It's often funny - and often not.
A slide-show of made-up adverts projected onto a screen is blighted by an enormous light that hinders vision. Alex Kirk, Alex McQueen, Nick Swift and Rosie Wilkinson enact comic encounters, romantic wrongdoings and strange misdemeanours, with boundless energy. The result is an episodic piece with little continuity and minimal sense of structure. Comedy is notoriously difficult to get right and this is in no way a failure. But it lacks the polished, slick nature of greats like Little Britain (the influence of which is evident).
The actors are obviously fully committed to bringing out the eccentricities and absurdities of the show's scenarios. But the whole hour is played in a declamatory, external, obvious manner, with points hammered home. This underestimates the audience, and some may be left bemused.
Nick Swift is central to the whole action - this becomes repetitive. It might be a useful decision by the company to get someone who is not in the process of writing and performing to direct. This could give a greater objectivity, a spectator's eye.
There are flares of genius - like the Wayne King and Mungo scenes - but sadly not many. It would be interesting if Alex McQueen’s characters and involvement were developed. Given his extraordinary talent, it seems a real shame he is only seen in Nick Swift’s shadow.
Credits: Cast: (in alpha order) Alex Kirk, Alex McQueen, Nick Swift, Rosie Wilkinson.
Cast Credits:
Company Credits: Writers - Nick Swift & Andrew McCaldon. Directors - Nick Swift & Andrew McCaldon. Technician - Joshua Topp. Company - It's Alright For Some. Venue: Managers: James Wren, Felicity Wren, Louie Bayliss.
END
(c) Mike Miller 2005
reviewed Thursday 31 March 05 / Hen & Chickens Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
