There was something strangely liberating about taking the dark topic of alcoholism and giving it absolutely no reverence.
I’m certain that the audience for Scribbles by the end of the month may struggle to find space for the plastic dolls to sit.
The madcap trio of performers come to the stage with more energy than your average mid-range generator. This gives the show an insatiable, fast-paced feel that leaves the audience eating out of the palms of their hands. Although there were occasional moments where the actors made small errors, speaking over each other or getting cues mixed up, their sheer enthusiasm nullified any negative effect this would have on the overall quality of the show. Absurdist humour can find it difficult to not simply come across as ridiculous but this company hit the nail on the head. As the piece became more and more blurred and dream like the laughs escalated too.
On entering the room it is difficult to not notice that there are already audience members there. But these are not human viewers. Instead you are greeted with blow-up dolls scattered around the seats. Fair enough – I suppose they will be interacted with or thematically fit into the show at some point. Not to ruin the surprise but they don’t. This felt like a very unnecessary addition to the set and the question of why they were they very distracting. Perhaps to compensate if no living audiences showed? This however isn’t something they company should be afraid of. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is known for being a word of mouth festival where word of unique shows travels fast. I’m certain that the audience for Scribbles by the end of the month may struggle to find space for the plastic dolls to sit.
