Up the Bunting at Bar Pop
I have never been to this location before for a fringe performance and was pleased that the venue was very good for this kind of fringe theatre performance. This was in the basement, completely insulated from external sounds, with well raked (fairly) comfortable seating for about 35. There were no pillars, good lighting and the air conditioning worked! Full marks to the team at Bar Pop.
The play itself had many good features. This two hander lasted about 45 minutes, during which one or the other actor was talking, and there was a lot of dialogue. The actors Stephen Donald and Hayley Cartwright, were very professional, never fluffing a line and emoting accurately within the limited scope of the characters they were playing.
The play itself was not really a comedy. There were some titters here and there from the audience, but no belly-laughs. It is however an interesting story of how two lost and lonely souls meet at a village fete and somehow provide each other with the courage they need. It is about the power of belief, however misplaced that belief, and thus holds a message of hope for us all. The ambiguous ending was excellent, enabling both the optimist and the pessimist to walk away satisfied.
Will Haven for Canal St Online
Published: 19-Jul-2018 (4984)
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