It was hard to know what I thought about this performance, a statement which may well be my worst criticism. Set in a Yorkshire Pub, Jim Cartwright’s light-hearted play links various characters within its setting – drunken boyfriends, nagging couples – all climaxing in dramatic confrontation. Though wrong to dismiss the production by virtue of the play – typical late 80s kitsch – it cannot be ignored. Similarly, the low budget and awkward space don’t help, but neither do they hinder anything specifically. Acting wasn’t much at fault, and the characters portrayed were funny in places. All of which adds up to a performance which was dry, non-offensive, and passionless; not bad, but hardly worth recommending. I want to be angered by a show’s stupidity, or enlightened by its ingenuity; here I was left without even a ‘bitter’ taste.
Three Weeks Review – Two
Two – Free
Act One/Laughing Horse Free Festival
It was hard to know what I thought about this performance, a statement which may well be my worst criticism. Set in a Yorkshire Pub, Jim Cartwright’s light-hearted play links various characters within its setting – drunken boyfriends, nagging couples – all climaxing in dramatic confrontation. Though wrong to dismiss the production by virtue of the play – typical late 80s kitsch – it cannot be ignored. Similarly, the low budget and awkward space don’t help, but neither do they hinder anything specifically. Acting wasn’t much at fault, and the characters portrayed were funny in places. All of which adds up to a performance which was dry, non-offensive, and passionless; not bad, but hardly worth recommending. I want to be angered by a show’s stupidity, or enlightened by its ingenuity; here I was left without even a ‘bitter’ taste.
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 18 – 25 Aug, , 12.40pm (1.25pm), free, fpp 239
tw rating: 2/5
published: Sep-2008