one4review | On 21, Aug 2013

**

A mixture of styles, including puppetry, sketches, and dance are used in this production with motherhood as the central theme. Sisters Susan (Susan Swanton) and Isabel (Isabel Ford) make their first appearance as talking baby dolls in a humorous double act.

When the lights go up, we see a set littered with piles of objects which were found in their mother’s attic. Their mother has died and these objects spark off recollections of the significant events in their relationship with their mother and to each other as sisters. The mother is played alternately by the two performers, and portrays her in various moods and at different periods of her life. The intended humour in these quick-fire sketches tends to fall flat. There is a lack of precision in the timing and delivery in the key moments.

The comedy song and dance finale does close the show in an upbeat way. It is a play which promised much at the beginning but didn’t really deliver as it unfolded.

Reviewed by Ben

Gilded Balloon Teviot; 14

31 July to 26 August 2013

14.45 – 15.45

Fringe Programme Page Number: 304