Of all the things one expects to see when attending the Edinburgh Fringe, a public tying of the knot is likely to be towards the end of the list. Well, prepare for that to change; the solo debut from the highly talented Eleanor Colville offers just that, and much, much more.
Eleanor Colville is undoubtedly a comic to keep an eye on.
A graduate of the Cambridge Footlights International Tour show and current member of the Soho Theatre Young Company, Colville’s performance at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe is as infectious as it is funny. Bigamous is a high-energy comedy that uses a wedding as its focal point, but exactly whose wedding remains to be seen. A show that portrays all the hazards of romance and the human condition, it also allows the audience to recognise various societal facets of life we see day to day, without being judgemental or critical. This is an honest piece of theatre.
Colville emits contagious energy throughout, and each of the characters she plays is as likeable as the performer herself. On this journey of matrimony, the gathering is treated to musical comedy, an assortment of accents, audience participation, and just general fun. Colville falters at times with the accents - think dodgy quintessential French pronunciation - but this is acknowledged and embraced by the performer, and is used as part of the entertainment. The strength of the piece really stems from Colville herself; this is a performance that could so easily go wrong for an inferior talent, but the articulate and polished skills of the thespian ensure this isn’t the case.
Eleanor Colville is undoubtedly a comic to keep an eye on. Her positive energy, married with clear comedic talent and a willingness to be unique, leave the audience in no doubt that this is a match made in heaven. Catch her while you have the chance.
