(Reviewed at Brighton Fringe 2007)

Based on 'real' people and 'real' events, Butch is a monologue, springled with familiar songs, and performed by the less-than-butch Menno. High camp and frivolity at its best.

It is an honest performance, although somewhat nervous at times. Whilst the substitution of well-known songs for lyrics such as Muscle Mary (Come To Me) and Something Stupid (I Love Your Handbag) are joyful and heartfelt, the challenge for Menno is to make the piece a complete whole. There are amusing and touching scenarious of sexual longings, but there is a lack of fluidity in the storytelling. Menno needs to judge his audience and aim for intimacy and involvement. Sometimes the links between the varied experiences fail to find the consistency of the piece - perhaps tighter direction will achieve this. And fierceness in editing - at times there is simply too much material for the audience to appreciate the point. Knob in B flat is hysterical.

Cast Credits: Written and performed by Menno Kuijper.

Company Credits: Director - Vanessa Dunley. Music - Elephant Shelf (www.elephantshelf.com), Tom Carradine. Additonal Production - Ex Animo. Company - Naked Angel Productions. http://www.myspace.com/mrmenno

END

(c) Mike Miller 2007

reviewed 16 May 2007 / Marlborough Theatre

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com