22 August 2007

Murder and Marmalade

One last theatre review, of a show that isn't playing anymore, but was some of the best fun I've had at the Fringe. Originally published in ThreeWeeks.

Something strange is happening in a West Country tea shop, and a ramshackle crew of comic characters seem incapable of getting to the bottom of it. Produced by Fringe veterans SNUG, an 'integrated' theatre project, 'Murder And Marmalade' includes people with and without disabilities - this is theatre for the sheer adventure of it. A few strong voices keep the chorus on track, and a singing narrator keeps us abreast of the nearly-immaterial plot. Matthew Fairley overplays his boy detective character to hilarious effect, as do the cackling, morphine-swilling teashop ladies. No one is looking to launch their career, so all the players are relaxed and having fun on stage. It's contagious.

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