The young students of Ankle Productions have a mission statement in the program which says they want to appeal to those who favour content over style and want to laugh at uber-thesps along the way. In this play they also attack poncy North London Theatres.
Now, we all know that there is pretentiousness in the theatre, but it is the exception rather than the rule. Most professional actors, directors or writers, be they working in a North London theatre or not, work very hard for the best reasons (yep, preferring content over style!). The vast majority of them also know how to time a joke, pick up cues speedily, speak coherently, look comfortable rather than nervous, stand still when the mood requires it, maintain the same energy level as others on stage, not mistake playing with their long hair for establishing character, and comprehend that all comedy is based on a truthful premise. Unlike Ankle Productions.
The script (Ben Brafman and Dan Lerner), about a bunch of stereotypes doing Merchant of Venice in a poncy North London theatre has its moments. The dialogue is quirkily funny in places, especially when performed by Edward Hancock (Dave) and David Stephenson (Dan), the only real talent in the group. Indeed the evening starts well, but plummets as the plot stops making sense and director Charlie Brafmans use of only one entrance, through a curtain (even when the space offers alterantives) becomes less sure. There is also something odd about the plays basic message. Unless I missed something, the character of Magnus McCullaghs uber-thesp director is a raging, raving anti-semite, but his attitude goes virtually unchallenged, and in the end his production of The Merchant is lauded by the critics.
To be fair, the younger members of the audience (students themselves) seemed to enjoy bits of the show (especially a discussion about the best way to wipe an arse classy!) though everyone over thirty sat stony-faced. You may gather that I belong to the latter group, indeed twenty years ago I saw a play in Edinburgh performed by professionals about a bunch of talentless students doing a play. It would be a bit cruel to say that this is the complete reversal of that scenario, but if these guys are serious in their stated intent to become professionals they need some training. If not the cut-throat, demanding, hard-working, basically honest world they seem to think is so full of wankers will truly cast them aside.