|
|
|
|
|
|
Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
|
|
Fast food for thought
The Complete History of America (Abridged) Highbury Theatre Centre **** HIGHBURY head into their first production
of the 2014 with frenetic review show The Complete History of
America (Abridged). Written by Austin Tichnenor, Reed Martin, and Adam Long it’s a format that they have applied to the works of Shakespeare and the Bible, so taking on the relatively short history of the USA must have been an easy task. The original trio has changed in its contributing
writers over the years but the overall style has been described as `New
Vaudeville’ fusing elements of physical performance, witty fact and gag
based scripts that paraphrase their subjects in a rambling but connected
sketch style. All of the parts, which are many, fell to the
capable hands of Niko Adilypour as Reed, Elizabeth Knight as Austin and
Simon Baker as Adam. The range of characters, accents, speeches,
costume changes and comedy in the play, if it can be called that,
certainly gives an actor the chance to flex their performance range and
this trio never held back in their enthusiasm and energy. Niko was something of what might be called be the
straight man of the three, playing the part of Reed and confidently
delivered this complex and very wordy piece. It fell to Simon Baker as Adam to carry most of
the cross-dressing female characters and he did so in true Monty Python
style rather than Danny La Rue. Newcomer Elizabeth Knight showed the best
handling of accents in her gusty performance covering everything it
seemed from Texas to Russia and also showed she had a good singing voice
too at one point. It’s no surprise that the original writers were
invited to perform at the Edinburgh fringe as the work has a very
`student/footlights feel to it. Being the USA, the material feels at times a
little disinteresting, unless you happen to be versed in current affairs
and America politics, but in truth it’s not a exactly a history lesson.
There is no doubt that the Highbury team here proved they have a great
deal of skill and coordination and under the tight direction of Nigel
Higgs, brought this fast paced review to life, with great comic effect.
To 18-01 Jeff Grant |
|
|
|
