![](https://www.sardinesmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2526_1471702431.jpeg)
Show: The Vaudevillains
Society: Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Venue: Assembly George Square
Credits: Les Enfants Terribles
Type: Sardines
Author: Chris Abbott
Performance Date: 19/08/2016
The Vaudevillains
Chris Abbott | 20 Aug 2016 11:13am
Late night audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe arrive at venues like the beautiful spiegeltent at the Assembly George Square determined to have a good time, and for much of the time they did so as they watched the tale of period murder and mayhem that was The Vaudevillains, from the experienced and innovative Les Enfants Terribles, who have shown themselves as able to make theatre in the most surprising of spaces. The circular unraked spiegeltent was quite a challenge for this production, which seemed to cry out for an atmospheric old derelict theatre, of which there must surely be one or two in Edinburgh.
The tone of this well-performed piece of music theatre took some of the audience by surprise, perhaps expecting cabaret rather than theatre at this venue. Director James Seager ensured the pace was kept up and made as much use as he could of the limited playing space available.
Set and costumes were inventive but not very visible to parts of the auditorium. Some good performances helped to make the necessary connection with the audience including Will Arundell as a tortured and torturing knife thrower, with particuarly memorable work from the commanding presence of Oliver Lansley (also responsible for script and lyrics) as the Compere and as a manic (but very competent) ventriloquist, Anthony Spargo. The music of Thomas Gisby was a strong unifying factor and played with gusto by members of the cast.
- : admin
- : 19/08/2016