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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Table Manners
Verdict: Dull restaurant stories
Edinburgh 05 - Cafe Royal Fringe Theatre - 15:20 (1:00)
Klaus (Richard Ellis) is the Maitre D'. His restaurant is about to close. He reminisces in a dodgy deadpan German accent. It's so deadpan that it kills any potential comedy. He is not a great story-teller.
Bridgette (Naisha Upperton) explains the dos and don'ts of waitressing to Vicky (Katie Hartman). This newbie seems not to understand - and is clumsy, both physically and in her manner.
Domingo the Chef (Zeshan Ali), who thinks he is more intelligent than Klaus and better at customer service than Bridgette, discovers otherwise.
The characters have great potential as they interact. But the lack-lustre writing and one-dimensional presentation make for a show that is dull and predictable.
Everyone has insufficient vocal range, and there are too many 'funny' accents. Comic timing falters and fails. Customers (Alison Chapman, Patrick O'sullivan, Justin Gould) are built on the same sort of unconvincing material.
Then, unexpectedly, the production wakes up with a game-show sketch The Customer Is Right. It comes complete with phoney audience applause. Vicky, Domingo and dishwasher Miguael (Sergio Montesanz) answer silly questions about the catering industry.
Prizes and forfeits are the same - a bad back, a dysfunctional personality, low pay. The game-show is funny, but predictable.
Table Manners is not funny enough to be comedy. It is not clever enough to be satire, or interesting enough to capture the imagination. With better research, well-rounded characters, and writing that moved beyond the obvious, it could be a much better show. In its present form, it should be consigned to the scraps bin.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Zeshan Ali - Domingo the Chef. Alison Chapman - Jenny. Richard Ellis - Klaus. Justin Gould - Mr Grey/Juzy G. Katie Hartman - Vicky. Sergio Montesanz - Miguael. Patrick O'sullivan - Jim. Nashia Upperton - Bridgette.
Company Credits: Director - Elise Even Chiam. Writer - Nashia Upperton. Technical Manager - Leon Hanrahan. Company - Living Stone Media.
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2005
Reviewed 9 August 05 / Cafe Royal
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
