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Edinburgh Fringe 2010

The Friendship Experiment

Big Wow

Genre: Drama

Venue: Udderbelly, Cowgate

Festival:


Low Down

Two actors, a bare stage, one lighting state 22 characters and 70 minutes of total theatre magic.
 
The Friendship Experiment is the story of two friends reunited on a journey that turns itself inside out. It’s a soap opera inside an improv show inside a double act inside the story of a regained friendship told by two actors creating a show for the fringe in front of our eyes. 
 
2 actors, a bare stage, one lighting state 22 characters and 70 minutes of total theatre magic.
 
The Friendship Experiment is the story of two friends reunited on a journey that turns itself inside out. It’s a soap opera inside an improv show inside a double act inside the story of a regained friendship told by two actors creating a show for the fringe in front of our eyes.

Review

 
 
They had me hooked when they used the phrase ‘Theatrical Ponce’. From the moment the two actors stepped onto the stage the pace never lets up.  The show starts with the pair introducing themselves to the audience and setting us up for another interminable self – congratulatory improv show and then suddenly before you can get your bag its’ changed! The pacing and change is so fast and subtle that they’ve hooked you before you know it and the show stays that way, one step ahead of us the whole time.  
 
The minute you think you know what you’re watching it changes form in a flash. What seems to be a simple story of a rapprochement between two friends plays with our expectations and finds tender emotional honesty about the dynamics of male friendship. Acutely observed and winningly performed characterisations accompanied by masterful writing and subtle direction makes this an entertainment that will more than satisfy any audience with a modicum of intelligence.
 
Although there is no deep message behind it, other than the exploration of a friendship it does nevertheless provoke moments of reflection and has enough depth to satisfy those looking for more. In an age of endless sketch shows, improv shows and stand up it was a refreshing delight to find 2 actors with all those skills in abundance using them to create a piece of finely crafted total theatre. This is their third show now and Big Wow is a gem of theatre company whose popularity should grow and grow.
 
Great timing, great characterisations, the best ‘gag’ gag I’ve ever seen, this is a perfectly pitched piece of priceless performance. Efficiently directed with no frills, the duo charm us from their first entrance with their energy and panache.  It’s a great example of writer and actors working together to produce intelligent and witty theatre. Perhaps popular theatre does have a future.
 

  

Published