| Joyce McMillan- “Perfectly-crafted, Deeply Intelligent, Supremely Witty" |
At Flying Bridge Theatre |
| Shortlist- Flying Bridge Theatre , Assembly George Square, the Crate , August 31, 2023 |
“Shortlist” is produced in association with Twilight Theatre Company.Vicky Featherstone wrote of Joyce McMillan: “Hers was the review we all craved”. Joyce McMillan at Flying Bridge: “An hour of perfectly-crafted, deeply intelligent and supremely witty Fringe entertainment.” * * * * From Love Books Tour: “If you’re looking for a unique and entertaining way to spend an hour at the Edinburgh Fringe, look no further than “Shortlist.” This clever and engaging show takes place at The Crate, a space that’s creatively used to bring to life the fast-paced and witty world of two rival novelists. “The plot follows the hilarious and heated battle between Higgins and Houghton, both vying for the ultimate prize in literature. The Withnail-esque joust between the two is brilliantly written by multiple Fringe First-winning playwright Brian Parks, making for a hilarious war-of-words that’ll leave you in stitches. “The world premiere of this play is directed by Fringe First winner Margarett Perry, and the cast – including Matthew Boston and Daniel Llewelyn-Williams – is nothing short of stellar. Their performances are captivating, with each actor bringing their A-game to the stage. “Overall, “Shortlist” is a refreshingly mischievous and inventive piece of theatre that’s not to be missed. With only an hour of your time required, it’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to take a break from the busy streets of Edinburgh and experience some high-quality entertainment. Don’t miss this your chance to see this fantastic show!” * * * * From one4review: “Two writers, Houghton and Higgins, are authors in town for the annual book festival, but most importantly they have both been shortlisted for the annual book prize. “What ensues is an hour of razor-sharp erudition, as Houghton, the serious writer, locks horns with the best-selling Higgins. They take every opportunity to belittle each other, in print and on panels. “They disagree on all aspects of writing and publishing – grammar, typeface and paper edges are all subjects up for debate and differing opinions. They only thing they have in common is their self-belief that they should be the recipient of the literary prize. To seal their destiny, they set out on an odyssey to the home and grave of the author who the literary prize is named in honour of, encountering all manner of terrifying obstacles. “...hilarious script is superbly acted by Matthew Boston and Daniel Llewelyn-Williams. The script is jam packed with hilarious put downs and sparkling repartee which the audience heartily appreciated. This is a fabulous production and I thoroughly recommend it.” * * * * From Portobello Book Blog: “Shortlist revolves around two rival novelists, Higgins played by Daniel Llewelyn-Williams included) and Houghton portrayed by Matthew Boston, vying for a highly coveted book award. We meet them as they discover they have been shortlisted once again. Higgins and Houghton have made the shortlist on several previous occasions, only to leave the ceremony empty-handed. This year, they are determined to change their luck and finally win the prize. “You couldn’t say these two enjoy a friendly rivalry. In fact, they seem to be sworn enemies, with little respect for each other’s work. They trade insults in a war of words and both feel they deserve their work to be recognised by winning the ultimate writing accolade. They are disdainful of the other nominees and poke fun at many aspects of the book industry. One scene in particular that made me laugh was the authors facing the same banal questions yet again from their readers at a book event. “The authors decide to give their chances of winning a helping hand and go in search of the home and grave of ‘the great author’ for whom the prize is named. Legend has it that she may bless visitors with good luck and these two are willing to try anything. What follows is a humorous series of mishaps and mistakes!” * * * * From Get Your Coats On: “Two novel writers, both alike in indignity, in fair and foul competition through the streets of an unnamed metropolis where we lay our scene. From ancient grudge break to hysterical new mutiny. Where bad blood makes thought and deed unclean. “Brian Parks is a former Arts & Culture editor of ‘The Village Voice’ and former chairman of its Obie Awards. Parks is a multiple Fringe-First-winning playwright celebrated for his cerebral scripts and gorgeous dialogue. He can turn a phrase like Josiah Wedgewood could turn a pot. “...Under the comedy, there are several Tardis’ worth of drama and character development. As self-doubt creeps in like revolutionaries through an open window at the Winter Palace, Boston and Llewelyn-Williams reveal and peel back their characters’ layers speaking to those vulnerabilities and sufferings of which the human condition is made. Few humans can suffer under heaven more than assistant director, Natalie Tell, as the tech. She’s got 220 cues and not one of them is missed, the knowing audience knows how hard she has worked – she’s smashed it out of the Brian Parks, helping to make ‘Shortlist’ the comedy sensation of EdFringe ‘23. “Come for the clash of egos. Stay for the merry music of mayhem. Get your dust jackets on and go see this!” * * * * From the Wee Review: “Two authors, both alike in dignity, are in the running for a prestigious literary prize. They’re educated, well-spoken, impeccably well-informed… and they simply can’t stand each other. Billed as a “war of the words”, Shortlist is a dialogue-rich and unashamedly intelligent comedy, which packs in the zingers while exploring a relationship that proves more nuanced than it seems. “As they encounter each other at panel discussions and cocktail parties leading up to the award, the combative pair can’t hold their tongues – but seemingly can’t tear themselves apart, either. They trade childish names and Wildean barbs, swap extravagant insults and coarse innuendo. At times it gets gloriously geeky and at times, it borders on the surreal. We know in our hearts that they’re stooping embarrassingly low, but the effect is hilariously cathartic, a quick-fire fusillade of all the insults you’ve ever felt too mannerly to lob. “And then, just when the humour is at risk of wearing thin, the bombast fades and the authors’ inner uncertainty begins to show through. Their enmity’s born of deep-seated insecurity and – as a furtive mission throws them unexpectedly together – they tentatively bond over a common fear. There are two things, it seems, they can readily agree on: that they’re in the spiritual presence of their country’s greatest author, and that neither of them can ever hope to be her equal. “Brian Parks’ fast-paced script is filled with one-liners, but there’s an ocean of depth to it too: I especially enjoyed how the two authors’ discourse occasionally lapses into their respective literary styles. Playing the more highbrow of the writers, Matthew Boston is subtly washed-up and convincingly desperate, while Daniel Llewelyn-Williams as the crowd-pleasing novelist is deliciously superior yet brittle too. Both approach their parts with uncompromising verve, and enough physicality to leaven the densely-packed verbal exchange. “Occasionally it feels a little one-note – build up, belt out a punchline, repeat – and the large number of notably short scenes did grate on me after a while. But the pace and animation accelerate as the awards ceremony nears, and the conclusion’s quietly touching, as the two men grow exhausted by combat and reach a peace of a kind. Watching their jousting is a guilty pleasure, but it’s a pleasure all the same. This show belongs on anyone’s shortlist.” * * * * Sources with thanks and acknowledgement: https://kellylacey.com/2023/08/05/shortlist-%F0%9F%8E%AD-fringeedin-whatsonedi-edinburgh-theatre-flyingbridgeco-bparks3000-edfringe-assemblyfest-fringeedin-whatsonedi-edinburgh-theatre-fringereview/ http://one4review.co.uk/2023/08/shortlist-5/?fbclid=IwAR3QrYxuntTFSu63wNr9-5M-znpv-UgxDSsabvgr4dj96dS-NL4zDLc0oyE https://portobellobookblog.com/2023/08/05/shortlist-shortlisttheplay-edfringe-theatre-review-edfringe-assemblyfest-flyingbridgeco-bparks3000/ https://getyourcoatson.com/2023/08/20/shortlist-venue-8-until-aug-28th/?fbclid=IwAR1pV36IOe_2dW8DGeBq_vFQFmIdt53nEEn9JHbSRQaKHS-u6mogZ0Hd7lA https://theweereview.com/review/shortlist?fbclid=IwAR2u5hDvpihKPrvQD3d0c9xkkVhH-7eNkhm9_LFZjCErnyskkfLn4zYiB38 * * * * Previous productions by Flying Bridge below: "Between the Crosses" in Edinburgh: 16 August 2017 "Not About Heroes" in Edinburgh: 08 August 2017 "A Regular Little Houdini": 10 March 2017: Adelaide 10 February 2017: Aberystwyth 15 August 2016: Edinburgh 27 January 2017: Cardiff 15 September 2014: Carmarthen 05 December 2013: Mold |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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