2 Stars

**

When the audience walk into the auditorium, it is as if we are transported back to an American 1930’s film set. At the back is the Director shouting out instructions to a group of actors and technicians. The performers are wearing white make up to emphasise the black and white films of the period. Very quickly, we see that the approach is the ‘play within a play’ format. Thus the characters take on two roles, their acting roles and their off screen personalities.

Being a short play, the off screen personalities don’t go beyond being stereotypical such as the bossy Director, the aging actress with a drink problem and the bitchiness between the stars of the film.

The film sequences depict a formulaic romantic drama of boy meets girl; they break up and get together at the end. The play just drifts to an end when the day’s filming is completed and the performers leave the set. This is our cue to leave also and I detected a feeling of ‘Is that it?’ from members of the audience. It is a production that starts off with a clever idea but there is no real depth as it proceeds, although it is performed well enough.

Reviewed by Ben

C soco: 348

4 to 29 August 2011 (not 15)

19.30 – 20.20

Fringe Programme Page Number: 255