Brighton Fringe 2010
Low Down
‘ Bane : Part Two ‘ is a one man film noir and horror B movie parody heroically performed in the sweltering heat of Saturdays’ sudden heat wave at Three and Ten by Joe Bone;whose concentration never seemed to lapse for a moment of the 60 inventive minutes on stage, and beautifully accompanied by the very gifted guitarist Ben Roe.
Joe Bone takes us on an ever enthralling journey through the eyes of characters whose archetypes we all recognise through both gangster and fantasy American films of the 20th century,including a surreal and comic incorporation of one character who is contaminated by toxic waste with dark consequences.Joes’ vocal talent in particular shines in this piece,which could easily double up as a very good radio play.
Review
I faced this review with some apphrehension as previous notices were littered with glorious superlatives.What if I felt like the little boy accusing the King of nudism,only to find out I took the wrong glasses ? Fortunately,the show lived up to most of the ‘masterclass’ hyperbole with the exception of one particular area, in my view.
My only disappointment, and where I wanted to see the actor stretch out even more, was that his physical signatures for each character were not always as well defined and recognisable as his vocal ones,which as I have already mentioned,were superb.
I kept wanting to see disappearing from his person, an incongruent looking beard and coat – both of which seemed to hinder rather than help and see him utilise even more expressive body movement and use all the stage area – admittedly limited on this occasion in the cosiness of the Three and Ten.
A few concrete examples of this were that his golf swing was not a proper one (that darn coat in the way I swear it !) ; and gun wielding and sound effects were not as convincing as they could.Positive examples of how to perform more completely in this way are Bill Hicks ( r.i.p. Bill ) in ‘Revelations’ and the ever alive local Brighton performer Rachel Blackman both of whom utilise(d) body and voice seamlessly to create the very best out of their performances.So,in my opinion, not quite a masterclass yet . . . but probably one day.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed myself,as especially did the audience who made a huge racket with their applause at the end ; a highly recommended entertaining ‘must see’, by two very committed performers who, confidently and with great aplomb, deliver the goods in a very enjoyable and original piece of work.
