Company: Early Doors Productions
Edinburgh Festival
The Space, Venue 39
23rd Aug
I've seen many a good show this week at the Edinburgh Fringe, one was by Early Doors Productions on Monday 19th Aug called 'Death, the Devil and the Fablemaker', a heart-warming tale of love, life and loss gaining 4 Stars.
They were not wrong!!
From the very first entrance of Laurie's expletive, followed by asking who had brought the inflatable male anatomy (yes) you were very aware that this was going to be a wild ride.
So. What is the story?
And yes, there is one! It's very loose and hidden among the smutty comments and questions about how often Barbara needed a poo, but nonetheless, it was what it needed to be for this comedy horror parody. We were even given clues as to when important things to note were being said as the actors would nicely pause and look straight into the audience, holding a comedic freeze-frame.
I guess every horror slasher film has a simple plot: A serial killer stalks his victims.
In this case, the serial killer was a sheep. Not a real sheep - although it wouldn't have surprised me if they had gone there! The sheep was a man wearing camouflage gear but with a genuinely creepy sheep's mask, much to the uncomfortability and nervous laughter of the audience.
The victims? It's Sally's bachelorette party and her friends have chosen the top of a mountain to go climbing/camping on. Why the top of a mountain? So they have no phone signal of course! Every horror film cliche was here. Going off alone, the no phone signal, a creepy mask, the phrase, 'did you hear something?' Even a revelation of who the killer is. It was immense fun, as well as, at times, actually quite touching.
The Helen and Barbara getting to know each other scene was really nice and unexpected.
Although most of the time the comedy was necessarily crude, there was also some clever dialogue. The choreography was excellent also - the two fight scenes were really well done using slow motion and full contact, especially the second which crossfaded the classic Destiny's Child's 'Survivor' into West Side Story. Hilariously bonkers! The confusion in this bit from the sheep was one of my highlights. Brilliant.
The audience went with every gag, with an occasional, 'I can't believe he said that!' Being echoed around the room.
Each performer acted their part very well, grabbing every laugh they could but also knowing when not to overshadow what else was happening.
It's a well-written, acted and directed piece of joy. A few times the projection needed to be louder and the pace needed picking up a few times, but otherwise, it was pretty faultless. Even the thank you's at the end which we as an audience would now have heard a hundred times from every show felt fresh with some nice levity.
Bringing two shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, both of this high quality is a true testament to Early Doors Productions.
Bachelorette Bash is so much fun, but be warned, leave your brain at the door, you won't need it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bachelorette Bash plays until August 24th at the Edinburgh Fringe https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bachelorette-bash
Post a Comment