Pythonesque
Andy Jordan Productions 
Udderbelly's Pasture

Looking around at the audience before the show started, it looked like the majority of those present were not born when Graham Chapman died let alone when Monty Python was first broadcast. Such is the broad appeal of Python. After this thought, I was surprised to see that the play actually starts with the death of Chapman, who, arriving at the Pearly Gates, is met by a functionary who says he has to justify himself before he can be let in, taking us back to the origins of Monty P. The show goes on to take it all in, from John Cheese's, sorry, Cleese's interview for the the Cambridge Footlights, to the first meeting of the Oxford contingent and through the breakup, the films and finally, of course, the death of Chapman.

As the show gives a snapshot history of Monty Python, it basically consists of a series of sketches linked by the dead Chapman.  None of these sketches are direct renditions; instead, they are homages which take as their starting point instantly recognisable texts, so we get the Budgerigar sketch (in which the bird in question is most definitely not dead) and many others, all delivered in the style of Monty P. 

This show is a loving tribute to a group the writer and cast obviously care about very much. The performances are never less than superb and each Python is instantly recognisable due to wicked observation of their characteristics (stand up a Michael Palin who even whilst trying to poke people in the eyes with pencils and give vicious Chinese burns is still though of as nice and the funniest person Terry Gilliam has ever met). 

I cannot praise this show highly enough, I loved it right through to the finale, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police song (wonder what that was based on...?).

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Ruffled Umbrella Company 
The Space on the Mile @ Jury's Inn

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. It's a bit early in the Fringe for me to be picking the worst show I've seen this year, but I feel the rest of the shows will have lots to do to be worse than this. The USP of this production is that if you see it on two separate nights you get two shows, “Comedy one night, tragedy the next. Same text. Same cast. Different interpretations.” In other words, come and see this show twice. No thanks. We had no connection to any of the characters, courtesy of the lack of empathy of the actors, so we had no interest in what happened to them.  The dialogue was delivered in an attempt to try and say as little as possible with as many words as possible, each with the maximum number of syllables allowed by the European Union. And apparently the ending that Robert Louis Stevenson chose for his masterpiece was not good enough for the Ruffled Umbrella Company: they've changed it. This show is a world premiere; let's hope it's also the last night. The one good thing about the production is that it's only 45 minutes long.

Zombie Prom
The Spotlites Youth Theatre
Spotlites @ The Merchants Hall

This is a typical tale of Fifties high school America – boy meets girl, girl's parents object, boy commits suicide via toxic nuclear waste, boy returns as zombie and tries to win girl back and re-enter school. Oh, and it's a musical, Fifties style. What's not to love?

This is a youth theatre production, so of course the cast are all young, but as the show takes place in a high school that adds to the realism!. All parts are enthusiastically played; some better than others but with no performances that drag the show down. The songs are amusing and the show proceeds at a decent pace. The only criticism I would have is that the singers could do with mics – I'm sure if they continue in this field they will be able to belt the songs out and fill a typically-sized Fringe venue without artificial amplification, but they're not there yet. Don't let that put you off; just make sure you get a seat near the front.


How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
After Dark
Zoo Southside

Of all of the shows in the Fringe this year, this one is possibly unique: it may well be the only show that could save your life. Last year we did not have a zombie apocalypse. Neither did we have one the year before, or the year before that. And so on. Basically, we have never had a zombie apocalypse, so surely the odds on it happening are shortening, and when it comes you need to be prepared, don't you?

The show takes the form of a seminar with five experts – one each in science, survival, weapons, counselling and seminars. After a quick review of zombie recognition (shambling, moaning etc.) the floor is thrown open for questions. How should one deal with pets that have turned into zombies, for example (the advice is to kill the pets before this happens and eat them)? Each expert is given an opportunity to share their knowledge (not experience, obviously, because as previously noted we have not yet had a zombie apocalypse, but they have carried out extensive research – they've watched all the films). Of particular note are the defence tactics related to animals (à la Kung Fu movements named after animals). One or two rehearsed pieces show us the way, and then the audience suggest their own styles which the actors demonstrate – I was particularly impressed when they came up with a narwhal defence!

The show continues on in the same style, with presentations interspersed with Q & A, all hosted by zombie guru Dr Dale, familiar to anyone who has ever seen a seminar or self-help tape – earnest and besuited with a turtle-neck jumper and a mid-Atlantic accent. At the end of it, we had all completed our level 1 zombie survival training. I wonder if the day job will allow me to put that in my continuing professional development profile?

Zombie Improv at it's best.