Show: Double Feature
Society: Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Venue: Gilded Balloon at Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
Credits: Gilded Balloon presents... Theatre (comedy)
Type: Sardines
Author: Chris Abbott
Performance Date: 07/08/2017
Double Feature
Chris Abbott | 08 Aug 2017 09:31am
Most Edinburgh audiences are game and up for anything, but they don’t always know what they’re letting themselves in for. The vibe was very different at the new Rose Street Theatre venue before Double Feature, this year’s Fringe outing for local pantomime legends Grant Stott and Andy Gray. There was real excitement in the foyer and this was compounded by a buzz in the full house as the opening announcement served as warm-up.
The play that followed showed these two experienced performers are absolutely at the top of their game. Playing a couple of workmen engaged to clear an abandoned cinema, they fill their working time by exchanging memories of all the films they saw there – and which were seen by many of the audience too. Much of the delight of the play, written by Philip Differ, came through the comedy of recognition, but this was also a master class in timing by these two who, by now, can read each other’s minds and know exactly how to interact.
Part of the success of this duo is that they don’t fall into any easy slots – this is not a straight man/funny man duo and both are equally able to put over much more serious material; although this year’s play is perhaps nearer to their panto personas than has been the case in previous years. When they regress to the kids they once were, firing guns at each other and leaping around the stage, we not only believe in them, we share their memories.
Vastly adding to the experience is the accompanying of all these movie memories by suitable light and sound effects. The sound, in particular, is very cleverly used and perfectly timed – kudos to the person responsible, who is not named in the programme. Director Ryan Dewar, who has worked with these actors before, knows exactly how to get the best out of them and this deserves to be a sell-out show as it probably is already.
If you are a young comedian or actor at Edinburgh, go to Double Feature and watch and learn. If you’re nearer the age of the performers, just go to remember and laugh: this is a real Edinburgh Fringe event.
- : admin
- : 07/08/2017