RAPPORT FRINGE ... MARGINAAL VERSLAG ... FRINGE BERICHT
Reporting the fringe. Reviewing fringe theatre, film, art and performance in London and internationally credits
home
|
about
|
news
|
gossip
|
photographs
|
venues
|
brighton
|
dublin
|
edinburgh
|
film
|
features
|
interviews
|
awards
|
fashion
|
recipes
|
drinks Monday 2 February 09
|
newsletter
|
links
|
contact
Sketch Etc
Verdict: Funny sketch comedy
Sketch Etc is a fortnighty Monday comedy night at The Enterprise - opposite Chalk Farm tube station. Tonight's the first night at this new venue (previously it was at the - Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon), and it's planned to run indefinitely - certainly till 8 December 03. Kick-off's around 8 pm, format is two sets with an interval. It's character and sketch comedy rather than stand-up.
It's a lively night, in the traditional room over a pub, complete with apparently authentic sign saying 'toilet not working' (it's OK, there's one downstairs). Capacity's around 75 and tonight it's full to the door. The mood's intimate and friendly - not unlike a concert party at Gosford Park but without Ivor Novello - seating's round café tables with a bar in the corner. Sketch Etc is produced by Ross Bennett and Ed Weeks, who also acts in some of the sketches. We reviewed Ed Weeks in Cambridge Footlights 02 -
around half of tonight's performers are ex-Footlights.
Compere's the consistently delightful Ben Willbond, present tonight as Ed of Fulham, aka Ed Wellesley-Smith - Clapham Common touch-rugby player, room cheerleader (You're Shit! You Suck Cocks!), and public-school merchant banker (Coopers). Bliss. (for various reviews of Ben Willbond please use search box).
Reassurance - Marianne Levy's character's aching for a row, but partner John Finnemore isn't. Will harmony prevail? Austen's Women Lydia Aers and Beth Morrey restore to Jane Austen what bubbles under the surface of her lust-packed novels - pure filth (very funny). Sven Gali - masterful comedian Gareth Tunley creates the agent of our worst nightmares, discovering and signing up new talent - but 'Don't read the contract!'.
Country Cleaners - Beth Morrey's the petite, interbred sister (among other relationships) with Frog Stone's impishly naughty cleaner / madame, bent on hiring little sis out for sex. Mind Mystery Men - Dan March as drummer-up of business, and Barney Power as the world's worst psychic, entertainingly fouling up
a range of classic mind-reading tricks. Chaucerian Squire - LAPD-type cop boss Kieron Quirke imposes an unusual partner on unwilling cop Ed Weeks - meet Robin French, Chaucerian Squire, and damn those iambic pentameters.
Ron Butterworth - Nothing much happens in the reptile house, and John Finnemore's character Ron Butterworth
should know: he's been there 21 years. It all started as a summer job. tATu Lydia Aers & Frog Stone as two would-be lesbian schoolgirl Russian singers give the evening one of its highlights, a fabulous piece of farcical comedy with the single word that upends the whole sketch at the end. Highlight No 2 follows, with Zookeeper, an astoundingly filthy, tasteless and quite wonderful sketch - Robin French's zookeeper tells zoo boss Ed Weeks exactly how he keeps the animals docile.
The only stand-up of the night - Warren Lucas - is remarkably inept. But don't worry, it's Gareth Tunley pretending. Warren shares with us the inner turmoil of life in front of the mic. Highlight No 3's the
simply blissful The Morning After - Lydia Aers's character explores morning-after etiquette with date-rapist Ed Weeks. Wonderful. Donald Kite John Finnemore's gentle occulist seeks companionship with a new friend over the phone - funny, cleverly-written, and poignant. Charles & Eddie American soul-singers Robin French and Ed Weeks recall the glory-days of their double-act while landscape gardening in Northampton.
Hex and the City Lydia Aers, Beth Morrey, Frog Stone, as 3 witches with extended noses seeking sex ('It's
broom over groom / stick over prick any time') and warlock-love in America. Lots of good broomstick jokes in a polished and consistently witty script. Fabrice de Connard John Hopkins's glorious dirty Frenchy ('You have a beautiful smile, especially with those tits'), with unlimited enthusiasm for anal sex, thrills with dirty Polaroids and tender ballads of the heart.
Appearing tonight as The Magic Numbers, Romeo Stodart (Yamaha acoustic amplified guitar, lead vocals),
Angela Gannon (vocals), and Michele Stodart (vocals) delight. Songs tonight include The Mule; Which Way To Happy?;
The Devil; Try. Romeo Stodart writes the songs, and sings lead with a warm, strong, melifluous and compelling voice. The songs offer a sensitive and perceptive exploration of relationships, love, and its absence. Romeo Stodart's graceful and accurate finger-work brings out the subtlety of his musical scores, including some complex time-signatures. Angela Gannon's soft pastel-shades to her treble voice, and (Romeo's sister) Michele
Stodart's subtly counterpointing harmonies create a rich mix to the vocal arrangements.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Lydia Aers, John Finnemore, Robin French, John Hopkins, Marianne Levy, Dan March, Beth Morrey, Barney Power, Kieron Quirke, Frog Stone, Gareth Tunley, Ed Weeks, Ben Willbond. Band Credits: Romeo Stodart (guitar, lead vocals); vocals: Angela Gannon, Michele Stodart.
Company Credits: Technical manager - Ross Bennett. Producers - Ross Bennett, Ed Weeks.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 27 October 03 / The Enterprise
sites related to this review:
Gareth Tunley -
Fringe Report Awards 03
The Legendary Polowski
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2009
