Festival film see page 65 0 Festival art see page 72
COMEDY _ Spectacles, Bibles, Inflatable Bras *‘k‘k
Former Fringe First winner’s new one-woman show
Written and performed by Cecilia Delatori, a Fringe First winner last festival for Entertaining Richard Gere, this year's one-woman show is a bit more of a mouthful. Each word of the title refers to one of the three principle characters Delatori metamorphoses into, the most memorable of which is Francis Parkinson. A thespian and maestro of the visual phraseology of spectacle wielding, Parkinson is best known for her humiliating role as Boobs in the 70s sitcom Melons. Her acting lesson is in itself an acutely observed masterclass of comic theatre. Elsewhere, Delatori’s touch is less sure, symptomatic perhaps of going off in too many directions for an hour long show. Skilfully done though and very worthwhile. (Ross Holloway)
I Spectacles, Bibles, Inflatable Bras (Fringe) Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550, until 28 Aug (not 2 7) 2.35pm, £6 (£ 5).
THEATRE The Next Big Thing **
The traumas of a former child star
For every Drew Barrymore there's a gawky teenager who fails to make the transition from child star to fully fledged celebrity. Written, directed and starring Brett Sleigh, The Next Big Thing steps inside the world of a former sitcom star who failed to bring in the ratings once his voice broke and his balls dropped. Watching the annual TV awards from his Melbourne hotel, Mickey Miller awaits the appearance of the current flavour of the month. Is he bitter? Of course. Hence the absurd lengths he is prepared to go to to regain celebrity status. It’s a great idea but falls short. At best, it’s fun. At worst, it’s daft with some inconsistent performances. (Viv Franzmann)
I The Next Big Thing (Fringe) Pleasance (Venue 23) 556 6550, until 28 (not 22) 2pm, £7.50/£8. 50 (£6.50/£7. 50).
THEATRE Poisoning Pigeons In The Park ****
Tom Lehrer tribute
Former Harvard mathematician turned musical satirist, Tom Lehrer’s jolly tunes with their barbed lyrics won him a major cult following in the 605, a fact which is reflected by the age group of the audience. However, the group performing this selection of his best- loved pieces is made up of people who probably weren’t even born when Lehrer retired in 1972. They’ve captured Lehrer's sense of the absurd perfectly, enhancing the songs with their over-the-top dramatisation. If you're not familiar with Lehrer’s material, prepare to be shocked, possibly offended, but, most of all, thoroughly entertained. A fitting tribute to a forgotten genius. (Kirsty Knaggs)
I Poisoning Pigeons In The Park (Fringe) Gilded Balloon (Venue 38) 226 2 75 7, until 28 Aug, 7pm, £7 (£6).
THEATRE
Fly Me To The Moon in Love and laughs at relationship counselling
There’s a lot of comedy mileage to be had from the differences between men and women, but there’s often a danger of lapsing into cliches. Not so with this production, which handles the tOpic with originality. Tess and Mickey’s relationship is in trouble and, seeking help from a counsellor, they attempt to repair the damage. Unfortunately, the counsellor, who for the majority of the play appears only as a disembodied voice, has problems of his own. With the aid of a witty script and a few surprises, the nature of love is explored and, although the production isn't exactly dynamic, it's certainly entertaining. (Kirsty Knaggs)
I Fly Me To The Moon (Fringe) Cackophonics Productions, C (Venue 34) 255 5 705, until 28 Aug, 2.50pm, £5.50 (£4.50).
COMEDY
The Fluffy Brothers *** Sound effects fun from comedy duo
The Fluffy Brothers possess comic skills in abundance.The movement, delivery and interplay between them is supremely polished. Top that with a rare talent for vocal sound effects (they can aurally transport you from Brixton high street to a Shakespearean battlefield in an instant) and this should result in something exceptional. The problem is that a lot of their actual material is a touch
weak. It's too overtly scatological and self-
love obsessed
(they're in danger of
he...» IPIUVII
becoming the Sticky Brothers). Whereas this seamless flow of sketches sometimes fuses disparate elements into unexpected new forms, at others times it only reaches for the obvious. Loveable, uniquely talented, but not great - yet. (Ross Holloway)
I The Fluffy Brothers (Fringe) Gilded Balloon (Venue 38) 226 2 75 7, until 28 Aug (not 27) 2.30pm, £6 (£5).
THEATRE
Looking For Michael *‘k‘k Comic homage to Michael Ball Dominic Coleman is Leslie and Leslie loves Michael Ball (but not in a sexy way). A performer himself, Leslie is keen to point out the many parallels between his life and M’s (they both went to school) and in celebrating the mighty Ball, we are privy to Leslie’s thoughts and feelings about his own ’success'. Coleman is very funny as the manic but devoted Leslie and his script is sharp with flashes of brilliance. The tribute at the end is a scream (the boy can sing!) and makes you wonder why he didn't include some more show toons earlier. (Viv Franzmann)
I Looking For Michael (Fringe) Gilded Balloon, Gilded Balloon Theatre (Venue 36) 2262757, until 28 Aug, 7pm, £7 (£6).
THEATRE Interviews With The Rest Of The World *** Surreal interrogation of the job Interview Things that plague us in modern day life: waiting for a bus in the rain; computers crashing and wiping hours of work; going to the dentist for root surgery. But worst of all is attending the job interview. Days of steadily
building tension
as you
agonise over how best to present yourself. Be yourself or put on an act? Your self-worth rests in the employer's hands and you put your very soul on the line.
This is what the new production from last year's Fringe First winners, Glasgow's Theatre Works, interrogates. Surreal, often painful, occasionally funny and performed by a sharp ensemble cast. (Miles Fielder)
I Interviews With The Rest Of The World (Fringe) Hill Street Theatre (Venue 4 7) 226 6522, until 28 Aug, 7.25pm, £7 (£5).
THEATRE
All Words For Sex *** Sexual hang-ups stripped bare Beth, Paula, Imogen and Marion all go to therapy. And boy, do they do they need it. Imogen is the posh high-flier who shags her employees to feel in control. Marion is a nervy, church- going, twin-set wearing frump who reluctantly services her husband once a week as expected. Paula, the boob- tubed Scouser, hates prostitutes but gives blowjobs for E's (don’t we all?) And Beth has been raped. Written and performed by Jules Leyser, All Words For Sex is an intimate and revealing exploration of attitudes to sex. The setting is cliched, but the material is original and Leyser gives a good performance. (Viv Franzmann)
I All Words For Sex (Fringe) Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) 226 2428, until 28 Aug, 7. 75pm, £8.50/£9.50
(£7. 50/£8. 50).
Vocal high jinks from The Fluffy Brothers
mm:
17—24 Aug 2000 THE UST FESTIVAL GUIDE 29