Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image
Scroll to top

Top

No Comments

Struts and Frets - One4Review

3 Stars

***

Struts and Frets is a humorous comedy written by nineteen year old Simon Barnes lampooning ‘serious’ theatre. Three actors, 2 female and 1 male, play around ten characters.

The linking character is Keith, a struggling and mediocre actor in his mid forties. He has had one success in his career when he was in his twenties in a film playing the romantic lead. He portrayed an upper class twit of a character. Early on, a scene from the film is played out. It gushes with sexual innuendos. Twenty years on, Keith has landed the part of Banquo in an ultra low budget version of Macbeth. Brian, the director is overwhelmingly hammy in his approach. The lead, the arrogant Gary, has even less talent than Keith but he is young, handsome and, most importantly, has appeared on TV.

Scenes vary from the manic and slapstick to the quiet in which small gestures provide the humour. They follow seamlessly to give the action continuity and the acting is skilled and assured. I am not sure if lovers of Shakespeare would approve of the mangling of his verse but the show has a certain appeal.

Reviewed by Ben

Venue; Venue Number                  Underbelly; V61

Dates                                                  5 to 29 August 2010 (not 17)

Times                                                 13.25 to 14.25

Fringe Programme Page Number: 127

Submit a Comment