one4review | On 25, Aug 2013

****

There is a beguiling charm about this parody of things Swedish in this detective comedy written and performed by Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding. There is one aspect of this production which makes it unique. Never have I seen so much use of wool used in a show before. It appears from the programme notes that knitters the length and breadth of the country have been busy at work to create a multitude of props and location scenes from huge quantities of the stuff. It truly does astonish the ingenuity applied.

As to the action, the plot has many twists and turns, and red herrings. It centres on a famous Swedish pop group, Fabba, no surprises as to the personalities of this foursome. Members of the group are being bumped off and there is a serial killer on the loose. Blended into the action, there is some film, audience participation and puppetry. The script is decidedly corny and, if you go along with this, it is an amusing and lively hour of entertainment.

The action is continuous and this helps to keep up the momentum. Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding are engaging performers who do build up a good rapport with the audience. As with a good crime story, there is the satisfaction at the end of the crimes being solved in a neat and logical way.

Reviewed by Ben

Assembly George Square; 3

1 to 25 August 2013 (not 12, 19)

16.20 – 17.20

Fringe Programme Page Number: 293