Katie Arnstein has brought her joyous mix of caustic wit, a cautionary tale and a call to arms to her first Fringe. Fresh from success at London’s VAULT festival, Sexy Lamp is from start to finish an accomplished, warm and funny yarn about some less than scrupulous individuals and some genuinely horrific theatre industry practices. Taking its title from the assertion that if a female character can be replaced with a lamp without harming the plot then something might be awry with the plot, Sexy Lamp very gently but firmly kicks down the doors of a few preciously held conceptions.
For DIY theatre, made on a shoestring and played from the heart, this is as good as it gets
This musical monologue archly questions the role of female actors within the industry, the demands made of them and how they in turn are expected to demand nothing. The journey from child with a dream to adult with a job is unflinchingly laid out. Broad and funny, there’s something for everyone but it’s particularly a meta show for those in the industry at Fringe and those wondering if they’ve ‘made it’, (despite the fact that they’re asking this question during a month-long run).
What elevates this piece is the flawless technical execution of the intended goal. Arnstein is immediately engaging and, without significant movement, commands the stage. Such weight of subject, so perfectly balanced as to tip gently from moment to moment without effort from comedy to tragedy, is rarely so skilfully dispatched. Paced beautifully, as good as anything I’ve seen in a monologue, Arnstein’s timing is impeccable. Everything is presented with a strong, sweet, smiling, calm and appropriate anger. There is still room for nice touches such as a lighting gag, which manages both to be funny and acknowledge the small budget of the show, and the rhubarb and custard sweets on arrival from which point everyone knew they were going to have a good time.
This is an example of an imperfect story told perfectly. It’s funny, feminist and for our times. For DIY theatre, made on a shoestring and played from the heart, this is as good as it gets. Go and watch.
