Turning up to a Box Office and asking for "A Threesome" is always a great way to start the evening. Whoever named this show certainly knows how to make an audience member uncomfortable. Luckily, however, the man on the Box Office didn't even bat an eyelid; he'd heard it all before. So far I had avoided any excess awkwardness. This uneasiness was something I was going to have to get used to however. Although this production has the potential to make you feel awkward at the Box Office, it is in the theatre space itself that they show you what real awkward is.
The casual attitude towards audience interaction and lack of apparent script meant that there were times during the show where I'm not sure anyone knew what was going on.
This show, part of ‘Hovegrown’ (a mini festival, pre-Brighton Fringe), is advertised as "suitable for students, the middle aged and old age pensioners - and that’s just the cast" so it is a little difficult to know what to expect from this potentially far-reaching programme. If this is the marker for the future of contemporary revue, however, I don't hold out much hope. A show that was meant to start at 8pm limped into life around ten past when some noise was heard from the bar area. After some time deciding whether this was part of the show (as I suspect it may well have been) or just a domestic disturbance, on came Ken with a music hall song-and-dance number, and an audience-assisted British history poem. Next was some light opera from Debbie and then a touch of stand-up from Kate. A truly eclectic mix. Individually, these talents were all quite entertaining and had the audience been any larger than the six in attendance, there probably would have been more laughs to be had and a little less awkwardness. The casual attitude towards audience interaction and lack of apparent script meant that there were times during the show where I'm not sure anyone knew what was going on.
Apart from its disorganisation, the inexplicable decision that a 40 minute show needed an interval and the constant sound problems, it is the central lack of direction that was the biggest flaw. If this was simply a variety show presenting each of their talents, or a free scratch night to give you an idea of what may come in the future, it could have been a more agreeable performance. Yet it feels like the company didn't feel this would be enough and tried to be something a little difference. Instead however, what we get is a true mish-mash of stand-up, audience interaction, rap, spoon-playing, poem recital, opera and sketch-comedy that could quite honestly have been at the first rehearsal stage. Individually each performer has a commendable talent but why they were sharing the stage together in this shambolic set-up remains a mystery. The company believes this show caters for all audiences and so will be enjoyed by everybody. Unfortunately it's lack of direction and the feeling that you have wandered into a strange show-and-tell talents-workshop, makes this whole production a truly awkward experience.
