10"/LATE
V THEATRE THE WALL '
Any fears about being subjected to an album-length cover version or the poor stage cousin of a wonderfully visual film are blown away by the opening chords of this ambitious and tightly directed rock musical. While the Pink Floyd album gave Roger Waters the chance to exorcise some childhood ghosts and Alan Parker‘s film dwelt on the neurosis of the rock star. CUADC‘s adaptation is the powerful evocation ofa schizophrenic nightmare. which builds on and illuminates many ofthe original‘s more difficult concepts.
On the down side. the leads do have a tendency to over-act. which isn't really necessary when the material itself is so emotionally raw. But good use of the chorus and strong. symbolic set design make this production more than ‘just for the fans' — it'sa damn good musical in its own right. And it also receives a special commendation for being the only show on the Fringe to avoid the temptation of the title and not jump on the new Europe bandwagon. (Alan Morrison)
IThB Wall (Fringe) Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club. Southside Community Centre (Venue 82) 667 7365. until 31 Aug(not Tue). 11.30pm. £605)
V COMEDY
CORKY AND THE JUICE PIGS
At first sight this Canadian trio appear to be trying far too hard to be the next Doug Anthony Allstars— three men. one on guitar, fast-and-furious singing accompanied by frenetic gestures and grotesque grimaces. The similarities remain fairly striking, and could eventually prove more of a burden than a blessing. but there is more to Corky and Co — rehearsed routines are supplemented by improvisation. one Juice Pig in particular taking off on adrenalin and audience reaction into flights of sheer silliness — hard to describe, much ofit consisting of contorted facial expressions and inarticulate noises. but it’s often very funny. Other memorable sequences include ‘I Used My Grandmother as a Skateboard‘ and a
FESTIVAL
‘You should seeeee what’s going on backthere. Sarah Brightman’s playing nude badminton with Terry Jacks, and the Temptations have tipped over the
bratwurst concession.‘
‘I told you not to mention that.’
‘lt’s about this time of night that I feel like shoving a wildebeeste under an April copy of the Daily Telegraph Court And Circular. Angie Dickinson’s on the vibes and Neil Tennant‘s in the decompression chamber. A martyr to
VIC REEVES AND 808 MORTIMER
his verrucasthat boy.’
You just couldn’t could you?’
‘Lager and mild's up threepence a litre and Squeeze are touring Siberia. Bring on the comedy Battenburgs!’
‘YOU JUST WOULD NOT LET IT LlE!!!’
‘Look at the quality of that sausage.’
Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer (Fringe), Gilded Balloon (Venue 38) 226 2151, i 2741 Aug, 10.45pm, £6.50 (25).
merciless demolition-job on Suzanne Vega. The threesome occasionally get too carried away with themselves. but usually their manic energy carries you along with them. (Sue Wilson)
I Corky and the Juice Pigs (Fringe) Gilded Balloon Theatre (Venue 38) 226 2151.until31 Aug. 11pm. £5 (£4).
V THEATRE SHELTER
Sirens wail and three women run in and out of the audience in panic. They get on the stage. ask ifthe shelter is sealed then take out their gas masks. And in that single moment you realise the entirely different cultural references drawn upon by Tel-Aviv‘s Tmu-Na Theatre.
Such cultural differences limit the appeal ofthis dance. music and dialogue piece. whose physical theatricality sometimes
works to great effect but is frequently constricted by the small stage space. Doubtless activities of great significance were occurring in the shelter. but being unable to hear most ofthe lines I wasn't too sure what. (Stephen Chester) I Shelter (Fringe) Tmu-Na Theatre. Celtic Lodge (Venue 6) 225 7097. 22. 24. 26. 28. 30 Aug, 12.15 am. £4.50 (£3.50).
V CABARET
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MORTGAGE SHOW
Apparently these people sold their house to finance their trip to Edinburgh. where they hope to be discovered. Kind of puts the dampers on the poor critic doesn't it? An audience of six isn‘t going to stump up much cash for mortgage repayments. but
Pat Wilson and Adrian Barnes rolled on like good troupers.
They deliver a set of elegant satirical ditties covering everything from AIDS to passive smoking. unfortunately mostly of the clever-clever variety you might encounter on That’s Life or similar. Their one attempt to
i make concessions to an
Edinburgh audience was undermined by the fact that some cruel local had told them that Stirling was the centre ofScottish gentility. Bedsitland
_ beckons. (Tom Lappin)
' I The Incredible Shrinking . Mortgage Show (Fringe)
Pat Wilson and Adrian
Barnes. Tic Toc at Marcos
(Venue 98) 229 8830, until 3] Aug. 10.15pm.£5.50
5 (£4.50).
i v COMEDY
l
COMEDY IN TATTERS
What‘s all this then'.’ EMF blaringout and an
audience of blissed-out youth cults. Looks like we‘ve stumbled on trendy comedy. Chummy Geordie Ken Bell has about ten minutes of good material. Coupled with an engaging mannerthis allows him to get away with being on stage for halfan hour.
Noel James is infinitely better. controllinga raucous audience well and winning their eternal love with his dark surreal brand ofone-liner. This is a man who cart pause for a full minute. and have the crowd squealing in delight. Miles Crawford came on at the end as a sacrifice to the good-natured hecklers. His weak excuse for an act was rapidly disposed of by an infiniter wittier audience member.
. although he salvaged
some credibility with an
impressive display of pyrotechnic dancing. Phew. rock 'n‘ roll. (Tom Lappin)
I Comedy ln Tatters (Fringe). Tic Toe at Marcos (Venue 98) 229
? 8830.until31(“OI-3749).
Il.45pm.£5(£4).
‘ NICK REVELL : AND STU
They‘reapparentlymates.
WHO?
. these two. Even share a
flat. Scots will be familiar
with Mr Who? from his ‘ Funny Farm antics and
while his material fills a pleasant enough half hour. he seems completely incapable of adapting it to suit a particular audience. Revel] is an altogether different proposition. While Stu struggled to achieve any comeback. Nick established an instant rapport. To give an indication of his quality. he asked about ten people their names. occupations and their home towns (I know it sounds like Sinatra but what can you do?) These simple pieces
' of information gave him
enough material to joke his way through afull hour. and he clearly had much more in the bank. If theirs is a flat filled with laughter. I can‘t help thinking that it's Revell
who creates it. (Philip Parr)
I Nick Revell and Stu Who? (Fringe). Greyfriars Kirk (Venue 28) 225 3626. until 24.11.30pm.£6(£4).
V CABARET
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE WOMEN’S REVUE
With such a strong seam of
= cabaret’stand-upcomedy a onthe Fringe itis
surprising that student comedy survives at all.
especially when it is as
limp and tepid as this. Distinct possibilities
exist foranaIl-female revue. but not in this tired
old format. complete with its Tupperware party gags
1 andjibesat radical feminism.Somenice
surreal moments offered
the occasional respite. and 9 when given the right material the women work
well together and show
some real talent. Not
enough. however. to
salvage the evening. It might have worked at the
collegeChristmasBall.
VCABARET ;
but a Fringe audience will be looking for something a little more sophisticated. (Aaron Ilicklin)
I Oxford and Cambridge
Women’sRevuelFringc)
Tic Toe at Marco‘s (Venue 96'). 229 8830.
until3l aug(notTuc.29).
‘ llpm.£~1.50(£3.50).
3 V CABARET
oouo ANTHONY ALLSTARS
Beer cans. women. men. I Kurds. Iraqis. Dannii
Minogue. Kylie Minogue. Skippy (the bush kangaroo). Italians. Britains. French. Australians, Britains
again. Glasgow, Edinburgh. Britains
again. Middlescx Poly.
lager Iouts. Tim. Paul. Richard. The Sound of Music.numerous
members of the audience. the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ. Christian youth groups. Zen Buddhism. female hygiene adverts.
and. most ofall. the competition in the comedy
stakes at the Fringe. Fuck the lot ofthem saythe Doug Anthony's. And who is to disagree? (Philip Parr)
I Good and Evil (Fringe) The Doug Anthony Allstars. George Square Theatre (Venue 37) 667 3704. until 31 Aug(not 29). 10.15pm.£7(£6).
52 The List 23 — 29 August 1991