Reviewing fringe theatre, film, art and performance in London and internationally credits
venues | awards | interviews | features | fashion | newsletter | recipes | news | gossip | home | about | dublin | edinburgh | links | contact | drinks Monday 2 June 08
DUBLIN ... Colman Higgins describes the scope and history of Dublin Gay Theatre Festival ... and reviews two of its shows ... Down Dangerous Passes Road ... Confessions of A Mormon Boy /// LONDON ... film on now ... La Question Humaine / Heartbeat Detector /// BRIGHTON ... It's on till 26 May and here's at least 20 Things you might want to know about Brighton Fringe /// PEOPLE ... Who was there at Fringe Report's First Monday 5 May - photographs & article /// CULTURE ... One Culture ... film screening 30 May booking now ... details
IF not COMediansVerdict: Laid-back comedy
Rob Alderson explains the show - 3 comics taking turns. He asks audience members, 'Where are you from?' and finds out a few interesting facts.
He launches into gags on subjects including crime, shark attacks, the inventor of bread, teaching - with a word or two to a teacher at one side of the stage - binge-drinking and over-heard train conversations.
He's likeable and good at working with the information he's gleaned, frequently bringing it back in.
Rob Alderson covers hay fever, the neighbourhood he's staying in, national identity and H from Steps, before a final reincorporation of his bread-maker gag.
He hands over to Nick Hodder, who covers a wide range of topics - banks and their policies, surveys and utilities companies.
He happily chats to the audience, discussing other Edinburgh shows with them and the lights in the room that appear to react to laughter levels.
Nick Hodder moves on to gags about his SatNav device, travelling faster than the speed of light, obese children, and touching his special place.
Other topics include being accused of rape, and nut allergies, before ending with a concern about TV ads and a reincorporation of his 'special place'.
Larger comic Tom Greeves is next up to the mike, comfortable, chatting to the audience - though they may not be after a gag about raping girls and eating them.
He jokes about baby massage and pretends to hypnotise a girl near the front. He talks about acting as if he's mental on buses to keep a seat to himself. Then he has to keep up the pretence when someone sits down 'to keep her faith in humanity'.
Other subjects include working as a temp and having to tell a new colleague bad news, putting off cold callers, and racism and hate crime.
He also discusses a political friend, who he debates with about the Pope having a drug habit and his embarrassment at ending up sounding like a Nazi.
Overall, there's some strong material with some dips in pace - not a bad thing in a laid-back, afternoon show. This is very much within the Free Fringe ethos of newer comics experimenting. They have fun and include the audience in the comedy.
Credits: Writers and Performers - Rob Alderson. Tom Greeves. Nick Hodder. Company - IF not COMedians. www.ifnotcomedians.com
END
(c) Gill Smith 2007
Reviewed Wednesday 8 August 2007 / The Ivanhoe
Subeditor - Peter Andrews
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008