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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Diet of Worms: Friends of the Puffincat
Verdict: Madcap sketch show
The show starts with We're the Friends of the Puffincat Anthem – a rousing chorus of lunacy from this five-strong Irish troupe. With a definite influence of Monty Python, the hour-long set is punctuated with songs, sketches, audience-participation and a cartoon presentation of the Adventures of Puffincat on the high seas with Russians sailors. The Puffincat is cross-breeding gone wrong: mother was a cat, father a puffin.
A punk band, with new member Rory (Rory Conolly), doesn't quite get the gist of what punk is about - with lyrics about not paying library -book fines, doing his washing at 60 degrees Celsius, and having his shoes on when bouncing on a bouncy castle. It's not exactly radical for a punk. The title of the song is Fuck the Rules.
There are some very funny moments such as the Puffincat's advice to a priest's dilemma about how his niece and nephew can get on in the world of show-business. That's by taking their show to a funeral, much to the consternation of the poor widower and his daughter. And Kate Nash's song about being a plaster (complete with a giant plaster headpiece) is very funny.
Audience participation is kept to the minimum, with one participant being left on stage holding a balloon. A race to get to the balloon from three members of the cast (Rory Conolly, Niall Gaffney, Shane Langan) is thwarted by Philippa Dunne by shooing them off stage (to say why would give the gag away).
There are definite similarities to the Michael Parkinson / Rod Hull / Emu (UK TV) interview in a sketch of a Russian chat-show host and the Puffincat, which crops up throughout the set. There are very funny moments, moments that are amusing, and some areas that fall flat. But overall it's an enjoyable romp.
Cast Credits: Rory Conolly. Philippa Dunne. Niall Gaffney. Shane Langan. Amy Stephenson.
Company Credits: Writers / Set Design / Costume / Music / Lyrics - Cast. Director / Producer / Lighting / Sound - Clare McQuaid. Puffincat Design – Philippa Dunne. Company – Diet of Worms. Website - www.dietofworms.net, www.bebo.com/dietofworms
END
(c) Lea Harris 2008
reviewed Wednesday 6 August 08 / Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012