What I liked
The energy and the commitment from the cast was faultless. A couple of minor wobbles aside towards the end of the show (second show syndrome?) the performers were uniformly full-on and a delight. The company itself should be lauded for choosing a play that sets itself apart from the more standard fare at a fringe festival. It’s not an easy piece (despite what the playwright’s detractors might have you believe), but the director and cast have combined neatly to thrust Adly Guirgis’ joyously twisted characters and over-the-top tale up close and personal (great choice for space).
What I didn't like
Constant fidgeting of fingers against ‘rope’ in the second half from a couple of performers was wholly unnecessary and actually highly distracting. Establishing you want to wriggle free is fine, but after a few minutes we honestly have got the message ;)
My overall impression
Deliciously dark fun, served with relish, youth and no small amount of conviction from all concerned. But, outside the glorious text and dynamic cast, the chief reason to catch this fringe offering is to tell your gandchildren that you once caught Liam Springthorpe before he hit the big time: inventive, unpredictable, impeccably timed and sizzling with all the hallmarks of a developing technique that promises very great things indeed from this charismatic young actor.
