Party is a deft piece of political satire showing the inherant difficulties of democracy in a world populated by idiots.

The one-scene play is set at the meeting of a new, and as yet nameless, political party. The action opens with the five protagonists voting on “whether they are in favour of China”. It soon becomes clear that four of the party members know each other well – Jared is the self-appointed leader, Mel the group’s feminist femme fatale, Anna a wooly liberal who always gets the wrong end of the stick, and Jones who has an almost pathological need to be right. The fifth member, Duncan, is a newcomer and slightly confused by what exactly is expected of him.

As the quintet discuss their stance on a variety of subjects – terrorism, international policy, party colours, a name, sponsorship and, ultimately, the leadership of the party – the character’s personalities are slowly revealed. Intricate power-plays and romantic longings swiftly come into view only to scurry back to their dark hiding places moments later, tantalisingly never returned to. It soon becomes clear that Duncan only attended the meeting because he thought it was a birthday party being held in his honour. His outsider status means that he is easily able to prick pomposity and highlight the ridiculous. Much of the comedy originates from his stupidity making more sense than the others’ self-perceived intelligence. Duncan is the only one with a job and it it is swiftly made clear that the original quartet are the worst kind of young liberals, closetted by their parents’ money and not quite as ‘right-on’ as they claim to be. The money-shot comes in the form of one of politics’ most intriguing dances – the leadership contest - where the outcome seems to suit nobody until a final hilarious twist is revealed.

Jonny Sweet plays Jared as a smarmy political wannabe, full of fake empathy and empty rhetoric. Desperate to be the leader of the group, mainly on account of the meetings being held in his mother’s garden shed, he sees himself as the alpha male and drips insincerity but also insecurity. The voice Jonny Sweet utilises for Jared is a thing of wonder – a kind of melodic growl with elongated vowels.

Tim Key is resolutely deadpan as Duncan, painting him as an innocent wide-eyed child, unsure of anything other than the fact he would quite like some of the cake that he was promised. He is very much the heart of the play and, ultimately, is the only true winner at the close.

Tom Basden has the least to do out of the five actors but delivers a subtle performance filled with a thinly-disguised competitive edge. He seems to be loyal to Jared while also being desperate to beat him at every turn – seemingly based on a chimera of current cabinet ministers.

Anna Crilly fills Mel with indignant self righteousness as she desperately tries to say the right thing only to fall short on knowledge at every opportunity, her need to please leading to rising frustration throughout the play. Phoebe is the girl that all the guys want to see more of and Katy Wix fills the character with confidence and flirtiness. If anybody is the true leader of the group it is probably her and she exudes a slight superiority, certainly over Mel, for much of the play.

The writing, by Tom Basden, is razor-sharp with every word driving both the plot and the laughter to ever giddier heights. The dialogue snaps back and forth in a satisfying way throughout and is heavy in humour without feeling like the jokes have been wedged into the plot. Witty, relevant and genuinely funny throughout, the Party ticks all the right electorial boxes.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Cast Credits (alpha order): Tom Basden – Jones. Anna Crilly – Mel. Tim Key – Duncan. Jonny Sweet – Jared. Katy Wix – Phoebe.

Company Credits: Company Credits: Writer – Tom Basden. Director – Phil Breen. Company – The Invisible Dot.

END

(c) David Hepburn 2009

reviewed Sunday 30 August 09 / Assembly George Street, Edinburgh, UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com