no one is coming to save us, Pleasance Courtyard.
A group of friends gather together for an adventure in the forest – some know each other extremely well, some are on the sidelines of the group dynamic. They’re just ordinary young people with ordinary young people’s concerns, interests, and anxieties. Somewhere in the forest a moment of carelessness causes a small fire to take root… and it grows, and it grows. What at one point looks like a grey butterfly is revealed to be a piece of ash; and the fire has disastrous consequences for the group and for one particular individual. Pepperdine Scotland have produced this ambitious and highly relevant play by Lewis Hetherington that considers the problems of climate change and the lengths some people will go to in order to protest and do what they must do to save the planet. A cast of thirteen rise to the challenge of telling this wide-ranging story in a relatively small acting space. With so much content in the play, perhaps it spreads its story a little thin in places by trying to do too much; but its heart is very much in the right place and it’s an absorbing watch.
Lads of the Flies, The Space at Niddry Street.
Four young rugby club guys (well, three and Peter) go off on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in the wilds of Scotland and get separated from the rest of their group. Lewis is the team captain and assumes the boss role; his best friend Kieran is his number two. Misogynist Baxter is also a force to be reckoned with. And there’s Peter. This clever play presented by Student Theatre at Glasgow isn’t an adaptation of Lord of the Flies but does cast a nod in its direction, as there are battles for supremacy between the four boys, and also a sexual relationship develops between two of them. To make the gender stereotyping and internalised homophobia even clearer, the guys are all played by female-presenting actors – which brings its own level of hilarity to the proceedings. Extremely funny and very telling, this is a surprise gem of a production.
FUFC, TheSpace on The Mile.
A bad day in goal is one thing; a bad result from the cancer specialist is another. FUFC centres on a 53-year-old man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he talks about with his old mate. The most important message to take home from the production is that if you’re male, and over 50, get a PSA test. As a piece of theatre, I must confess it has a number of deficiencies; but that’s not really the point.
Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.
I’ve seen many a stand-up comedian, and plenty of sketch groups; but I don’t think I’ve ever come across a solo sketch show before. Thots and Prayers – the meaning is explained right at the beginning if you’re in any doubt – starts with Ajahnis sent to Gay Heaven but his entry is not guaranteed unless he can earn enough Homo Points to be admitted. God’s sense of humour is revealed when He requires Ajahnis to earn those extra points during a series of sketches, where he might increase – or accidentally decrease – his allocation of points. Many of the sketches are very funny indeed; a few don’t entirely land, primarily due to the largely British audience not recognising some of his references. Ajahnis is a naturally very funny person and exudes charisma and confidence. Very entertaining!
Dan Tiernan: Stomp, Monkey Barrel Comedy 1.
An hour in the company of Dan Tiernan is always explosively unpredictable. In his new show he takes on the challenges of Danger Can, the perils of Leeds Festival and ends up with a sensational magic trick. With loads of bright and inventive new material and a multiplicity of callbacks, Dan is on terrific form. You can expect a show crammed with laughter and fearless crowd work. Just don’t put your feet on his stage or talk during his act – it really isn’t worth it!
Reginald D Hunter: Fluffy Fluffy Beavers, Assembly George Square Studios.
Few comedians have the pure physical and vocal authority that Reginald D Hunter has on the stage. In this new show he gives us a few insights into how the lockdowns of a couple of years ago affected him, as well as a series of marvellous comic observations told in his inimitable style – and in a way that no one else simply can. Although he teases us with the possibility that we may be offended by what he says – it’s all done with heart and a great feel for the power of language. To be fair – Kardashians had better watch out. And why the title Fluffy Fluffy Beavers? If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.
It’s OK I Still Think You’re Great, TheSpace at Symposium Hall.
A domestic comedy/drama amongst some twentysomethings, Cambridge University’s Heart of Hearts Productions’ It’s OK, I Still Think You’re Great is, rather like the old Jona Lewie song, set in the kitchen at a party. Gin and Tibby used to share the flat but Gin moved out and Anika moved in. Now Gin is back to celebrate Tibby’s 25th. Initial resentments subside, and the play follows the three characters over a busy day and night, with friendships re-established, relationships ended and ambitions realised. To be fair, not much actually happens in this play – most of the action is offstage – but it nicely portrays the desires and anxieties of a group of young women who, in the words of the Fun Boy Three, are Having all the Fun.