Gambit.

 The Britons Protection 17.7.2013

This elegantly scripted two-hander comes on as Chess; a Metaphor for Life.

We have an imagined rematch between Chess Grandmasters  Anatoly Karpov (an uptight Ben Rigby ) and Gary Kasparov (a sleek Nick Pearse) after twenty five years enforced separation .

Certainly, the Chess metaphor works on that level and the piece, as a whole, also works. It also works on a more basic level and that is the one that looks at the state of a relationship between two idealistic and driven men; one meta- physical, one methodical. Both of them have lived their lives in the global spotlight to varying degrees of success and now the empty Anatoly attempts  a reconciliation with the burned out idealist Gary.

This mixture is always potent and there are moments when this dexterous dialectic joust does give off sparks. Mark Reid’s script makes sure of that. It does, however, leave a question hanging ;  how do you reconcile two men who have fallen out? Sometimes it just will not happen but in the end there will always be, and maybe that is why we have, Chess.

Gambit runs from the 17th of July to the 20th shows at 1pm and 6pm

Dave Jones

Mind Bowling

For GM Fringe

The Ray Harryhausen Skeleton Orchestra. Town Hall Tavern. 26.7.13

Ok, what have I just seen?

The Ray Harryhausen Skeleton orchestra could be called a shambolic mess saved by a couple of sketches, but I think what I really saw was a work in progress. The RHSO is an ensemble of comic actors working with new and emerging comedy writers and should be treated accordingly.

There is a dark acid humour at work here and when it’s coherent it works in sketches like ‘Twix’ and, to lesser extent ‘Shopping spree’. Lighter moments come in the ‘Pound shop’ and the ‘Bee Keeper’ and the show is better for it. Then there is the silliness of the ‘Bankrobber’ and the ‘After all these years’. The running gag of the ‘Dark Warrior Call Centre’ is fine but probably only applicable if you work in a call centre or IT.

 These are comments more about the writers than the cast who cope manfully with the material. Jess Lee gives a great performance and Steve Cain is, er, unsettling as Lord Doorcrush  in the aforementioned ‘Dark warrior’. Howard Whittock shines throughout but especially in ‘The Unimpressed Astronaut’ which he also wrote.

So,a work in progress but one worth watching and sticking with as it may really come to something, it’s one for the adventurous mind. 

Norris and Parker . All Our Friends Are Dead. Lass O’Gowrie 20.7.13

 

Once again, the award winning Lass O’Gowrie is ahead of the game with another quality production. Norris and Parker are a dynamic duo who are probably more capable of teaming up with the Riddler and Penguin than thwarting their dastardly deeds.

Their thoroughly well-crafted show contains sketches which are crisp and knowing along with a full frontal delivery that makes sure you get the killer punch. As we get to know not only them but their frustrated accountant we find out how sharp they can be. Maybe some of those sweet asides are ad-libs, I don’t know, but either way it makes for great live comedy.

The Widows Choral Society sketch was especially delicious making me wonder where these two might have buried the bodies of their hapless spouses. With great singing throughout this bouncing knockabout show does not let up and woe be tired if you are sat at the front and shy.

What a tonic! Arch and knowing yet humble enough to be real. Good, Clean (not really) Fun as we used to say. Catch them when they are in your town and watch out Edinburgh, they gonna rip ya up, right?  

Ian Parker.Beer and Blues weekender, Band on The Wall. 20.7.13

 

As Ian Parker strolls on to the stage of the illustrious Band on the Wall there are probably 20 people in the audience which makes you wonder at the wisdom of putting a Blues gig on at 1.30pm in the afternoon. They have, however, put on a fine selection of Real ales.

Parker is undaunted by the poor turn out and kicks off with a set of diverse songs both covers and originals. His hard, percussive playing and strong vocals ensure an effective delivery. Add to this his liquid lead lines and the occasional, effective beat box deployment and there you have it.

Is he a Bluesman? I’m not sure. He is obviously indebted to Dylan and includes faithful covers of The Old Bugger’s back catalogue like ‘Watch Tower’, ‘I shall be released’ and ‘Lovesick’. He also has some useful tunes himself like ‘Gates of Hell’ and ‘Long Done Gone’. But I came to see a Bluesman and what I actually got was a singer/songwriter who was not shy in showing us his influences and what a great guitar player he is. Again.

The Real Ale was really flowing by now and the crowd had thickened out and Parker played up to that. Maybe he actually is a Bluesman and this was just a crowd pleasing professional show. I do not know. By the time he was closing his show with a slow, dramatic version of ‘ Hallelujah‘ I was in the bar feeling slightly colder than my excellent pint of Jennings Cocky Blonde.    

Dave Jones

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