The Cardboard Exotics are back at Fringe with a new offering from writer and cast member Ben Alborough. The team that brought 2017’s successful Cream Tea and Incest return with a similarly silly but satisfyingly superior Ricky Riddlegang and the Riddlegang. The plot, such as it is, sees a collection of keen Millennials roam the countryside solving mysteries, unmasking ghosts and saving the day. Disaster then strikes close to home as the eponymous hero is called to help out with a spook problem at his Uncle’s.
Millennials roam the countryside solving mysteries, unmasking ghosts and saving the day
Clearly, and acknowledged within the script, the spirit of Scooby-Doo and Mystery, Inc. runs deep within the veins of this fun show but there’s a smattering of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and indeed the entire 60s/70s Hanna-Barbera cartoons-based-on-earlier-sitcoms canon. The show is an essentially 3D version of a 2D concept with a deliberately 1D plot, and it executes its goals well.
The show has a number of excellent set pieces – the opening number is a strong start – which help to give an almost musical theatre structure to the play. The set and props are trademarks of the Cardboard Exotics and allow for some visual humour and properties-based tomfoolery. An organised, choreographed and generally well-directed play which wrings every ounce from the source material.
Each character basically boils down to a single character trait which the actors despatch with breezy élan. There was a standout performance from Tom Myles who had the benefit of multiple, scene-stealing roles and many of the best lines. The ensemble works well together and collectively keeps the pace bouncing along nicely.
There are plenty of silly shows at Fringe but Ricky Riddlegang and the Riddlegang stands out because of the writing, the quality of production and the commitment to the bit. These meddling kids have gotten away with it again and I suggest you join them next time for another wacky adventure.
