Charlotte Anne-Tilley and Mabel Thomas reveal their skills as actors in Serious Theatre from Serious People at Gilded Balloon Patter House. It's probably a hoot for anyone who has ever tried to put on a production, big or small. Although the title suggests otherwise, the show is full of very real archetypes that exist in the performing arts world—people who absolutely take themselves too seriously. But if you're not, nor have ever been, involved in theatre, does the show have much widespread appeal?
Probably a hoot for anyone that has ever tried to put on a production.
The premise is a youth theatre, named 'Bet On It' after the song from High School Musical 2, which has taken a show to the Fringe. The ambitious company want to perform a different show each day, so they have to write, rehearse, and stage it all within 24 hours. So far, so lofty, in keeping with ingénue aspirations. Unfortunately, the day's script isn't finished, and dramatic panic ensues. The duo play all the characters we meet, distinguished by different coloured hats and accents. Each role is fully realised, particularly the little miss pageant character Amber-Lee Grace McKinsley and Teresa, the immersive theatre enthusiast.
There are long periods without laughter, possibly because many of the gags are in-jokes about drama and theatre, as well as jokes about putting on a show at the Fringe (not so relatable for the average attendee) and a dig at Pleasance Theatre. Halfway through, a 'member of staff' from Gilded Balloon comes in to say they’ve received complaints about some of the youths’ behaviour, and they hand out real flyers if we’d rather see their show—certainly a novel approach to exit-flyering.
Not a bad way to spend an hour, but definitely one for the theatre kids.
