Author: Graham Wyles

A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS at Bath Theatre Royal

” . . . the whole play is unblushingly mined for laughs with characterization going little deeper than the epithetical names, some of which have been changed for a modern ear. The humour is as broad as a Carry On film and just about as subtle: where the one may have ‘Bigus Dickus’ the other has ‘Mr Littledick’ (né Shortrod Harebrain). . . Linda John-Pierre’s singing, whilst bringing a nice smoky atmosphere where required and Alice Power’s clever and adaptable set, complete with saucy street names, all add to the feel of a very slick and entertaining production of this little performed classic.”

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TWO PUNKS AND A TANDEM at the Wardrobe, Bristol

“If there’s one thing the Silly Boys (Seamas Carey and Callum Mitchell) are not short of it is courage. Another thing is abundant energy. Another thing is not taking themselves seriously. . . There is plenty of ‘Young Ones’ style anarchy and slapstick violence in this road trip story. That’s a seam of comedy which threads its way through the generations and still manages to look fresh whenever it raises its tousled head. . . “

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ABLUTIONS at the Bristol Old Vic Studio

“Any play about alcoholics is setting itself a challenge. Drunks in themselves are not particularly interesting. ‘Booze talking’ is usually dull. The interest lies in how they got there or how they got out of there or the truths told under the influence. This offering, based on the novel of the same name by Canadian author and Booker nominee, Patrick deWitt, takes none of these lines, opting instead for a ramble through a struggle with addiction . . . Bertrand Lesca’s direction manages to keep a grip on the episodic nature of the play and generates some kind of momentum towards what becomes clear quite early on as the inevitable outcome . . . “

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RADIANT VERMIN at the Tobacco Factory Brewery, Bristol

” . . . The acting is as sharp as the dialogue, with the two central characters, played with relish by a peart Gemma Whelan and Sean Michael Verey, being given enough fleshly form to avoid being mere ciphers for ideas. Their innocent depravity, unchecked since hatched in a loving and supportive relationship is a joy to see. The party scene with a streetfull. of guests is the work of half an hour packed into five minutes by two virtuoso performances. . . “

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ELIZABETH I: Virgin on the Ridiculous at The Tobacco Factory, Bristol

“The two work well together and it shows. As is often the case with such loosely tailored pieces there is much that is self-referential and lots of banter with the audience including a shameless plug for a touted CD. Director, Craig Edwards, has allowed the performers to do their own thing whilst making sure the comedy is not lost in self-indulgence. It’s a cracking recycling of all those little nuggets of Elizabethan history you learned at school.”

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