Our final instalment of Brighton Fringe reviews is all zombies, dictators and complicated identity crises. In a fun way.
Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario
The Warren, Tuesday 21st May 2013
The Zombie Institute For Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow presented a spoof lecture detailing how a zombie outbreak could potentially begin, along with the various measures we could take to try halt it. Whilst the zombie theme runs throughout this show, we are taught more about the differences between viruses and bacteria, given examples of how they are spread and basically reminded of a lot of things we should’ve remembered from school (including the correct method for washing your hands). Since this lecture is usually aimed at kids, it is essentially just a fun biology lesson with a bit of crowd participation and a few crude jokes thrown in for tonight’s more mature audience. This is hardly a must-see for genuine zombie buffs, but was good for a giggle and would be great if you’re looking to take your youngsters to something educational that they will also enjoy. (CB)
76 Million People And Me
Caroline Of Brunswick, Thursday 30th May 2013
Four dictators are sat on a rowing boat heading for hell, but something has gone awry in the casting department of this play-within-a-play. Chairman Mao is a Scotsman desperate to make himself look more Chinese with the help of some Sellotape which prompts Hitler, a blonde northern lass, to accuse him of being racist. Meanwhile, Pol Pot sulks in the corner while Stalin, also female, sings and swings her legs like a jolly schoolgirl. The director and writer also make an appearance on stage, only to find their attempts to control the characters rebuffed by the sheer scale of their infamy. The point is that certain dictators have been mythologised and demonised to the point of absurdity, while other equally evil despots have been allowed to slide into obscurity. It’s a fun conceit and there’s some neat tightly-scripted banter as the erstwhile tyrants struggle to work out why they’re here. But it’s a question the audience ponders too as the play meanders between comical quips and rather oblique moralising. (BB)
Ria Lina: It’s Not Easy Being Yellow
Caroline Of Brunswick, Thursday 30th May 2013
Ria Lina has a Filipino mother, a German dad, an American accent and an ongoing identity crisis. She’s also a comedian with an informal charm and a fine singing voice. Ukulele ditties are used to sum up portions of the routine, but it’s the anecdotes and patter that get the most laughs. A tour of national stereotypes might not be the most original way to structure a comedy show, but the negative reviews she incorporates into the routine demonstrates Lina’s self-aware take on these comedy tropes. She even goes so far as to perform a politically-correct version of an earlier song to prove the point that it isn’t very funny. Despite all this, there are still gags about Nazis and mail order brides – but there’s also great a skit on Asian women suddenly turning from cute sex kittens into wizened crones. The jokes are brazen, and the premise of the show doesn’t lead to much of a conclusion, but it’s funny throughout. (BB)
Gary Colman: ChUNT!
Hobgoblin, Sunday 2nd June 2013
As is standard, free Fringe shows in Brighton are usually an opportunity for lesser-known acts to preview and improve the show they plan to take to Edinburgh Fringe in August. Gary Colman is not a pint-sized American actor that died three years ago, but a stand-up comedian from Newcastle who is still very much alive even if his dreary outlook on growing old sometimes suggests he doesn’t feel like he is. It’s clear that this guy is very funny, and whilst the build-up in his stories have the audience howling with laughter, a few of them seem to lack the punchline you expect and the structure of the show itself could definitely do with some work. However, he is fully aware of this, stays cool and even shows us his notes that include gaps where he had expected everybody to laugh. A lot of potential for a great show here. (CB)
Words by Ben Bailey and Chris Biggs
Read more SOURCE Fringe reviews: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
