one4review | On 11, Aug 2024

Film Reads, like all the best shows, has a very simple idea that is just so perfect it sells itself. The Dreamgun team take a very well known film, rewrite the script to load it full of jokes and then actors (and occasional special guests) read the new, much quippier, scripts out, sight unseen. It combines the innate joys of parodying cultural icons, with the thrill of watching actors grapple with corpsing over silly lines or improvising mimes and accents to match the stage directions.

At our show the film undergoing the treatment was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I can’t say I have any real memory of the original film (minus how each child is systematically eliminated) but fortunately that wasn’t necessary. The languidly delivered stage directions, full of witty description and character, made sure I was never lost. And, even though they were discussing a well-worn cultural touchpoint, none of the jokes felt old or familiar. I’d love to go back and see their treatments of Star Wars, Dracula, Titanic and a bunch more.

The actors were all excellent and never on the backfoot, despite the unfamiliar material and seemed to be really enjoying themselves, which is such a plus for this type of show. The space is remarkably cosy, which is not something I was expecting. Perhaps it’s the comfortable venue and seeing all the cast seated on stage throughout, but it’s a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and everyone just seems to be there to have a laugh and have fun.

The only thing that prevents me from giving this show the full five stars is that I don’t think it’s necessarily for everyone – in fact I think it might have been specifically designed for me personally. A lot of the jokes are twisty verbal gags, puns, funny descriptions, sardonic observations and glib dialogue that someone who’s more into high-energy broad-strokes stand-ups and sitcoms might find a little too dry. And of course, not all of these – completely untested – jokes hit fully. But for me, a spoken word comedy nerd, Film Reads is not just my cup of tea, but my saucer, teapot and sugar bowl with biscuits.

If, like me, you enjoy your comedy silly, a little bit wordy and with lashings of pop culture, this is the show for you.

****1/2
Reviewed by Tom
Underbelly Bristo Square – Ermintrude
22.00 (1hr)
Until 26th Aug (not 12)