In celebration of the 90th anniversary on the birth of Michael Flanders, Tim FitzHigham and Duncan Walsh-Atkins return to the Fringe armed with suits, songs and plenty of style. In Flanders and Swann they bring back to life the comic styling of the duo whilst simultaneously adding their own dash of humour all for the cause of the perfect homage.
The show has a fairly basic structure with FitzHigham and Walsh-Atkins recreating the songs of Flanders and Swann whilst also adding in their slightly mad and off-kilter style of comedy and transitions which created the love many held for the original duo. However, what really makes the show are the performances that FitzHigham and Walsh-Atkins give, both as their characters on stage and also in their natural back and forth as a comedy duo. FitzHigham has an incredibly expressive manner which he flaunts to perfection in, amongst others, the classic song ‘Have Some Madeira M’Dear,’ a song about the merits of the drink with slightly lecherous connotations. He also ably navigates his way through the various tongue twisters that many Flanders and Swann songs possess. On the ‘pianoforte’ Walsh-Atkins’ neat and skilful playing provides the perfect accompaniment and juxtaposition to the Flanders and Swann lyrics and FitzHigham’s comedy.
This show captures the essence of what made Flanders and Swann so popular and serves to remind those who know Flanders and Swann of their skill and comedy whilst also introducing a new generation to a couple of the most celebrated comic songwriters of their generation.
