| The Sherman- “A Cracking Show, Full of Vim and Vigour" |
Wales at Edinburgh Fringe in the 2020s |
| Choo Choo! (Or... Have You Ever Thought About ****** **** *****? (Cos I Have))- StammerMouth, Sherman Theatre & Pleasance , Pleasance Dome- Jack Dome , September 1, 2023 |
From Three Weeks:“From laughing to feeling moved, it’s a whirlwind of emotions. As the days pass, both Nye and Duncan plan a vacation, however, Nye’s mind has other plans. A sketch comedy theatre production that explores the topic of OCD, when those intrusive thoughts seep into your mind. It starts off happy and colourfully, but gradually takes on a tone reminiscent of ‘Don’t Hug Me, I’m Scared’. “Despite the shifting of tone, the comedy is skilfully executed and effectively intertwined with the central aim of the show. The performances of these friendly characters nail the tone of the show, making the audience invested in their friendship. A show that is worth choo..choo…choosing to see.” * * * * Jon Gower was at a preview in Cardiff: “Judging by the puerile title you might be forgiven for expecting something eminently childish from this production but, in truth, it deals with serious issues in an infectiously playful manner. “So expect plenty of good gags and lively improv but some touching tenderness too. It’s a cracking little show, full of vim and vigour, good humour mixed with bad thoughts. “This show ‘contains strong language, references to intrusive thoughts, OCD, sex, death, contamination, violence and suicide’ but is hugely entertaining throughout, and informative too about matters that pertain to so many of us. “Nye and Duncan, played appealingly and with joyful gusto by Nye Russell-Thompson and Duncan Hallis are looking forward to their holidays and can barely contain their excitement in their rolled-up dungarees. “They are two very happy chappies, who start the day with a cheery song and a merry dance. They are also counting down the days before their golidays and now only need to dig up Nye’s passport which he has buried somewhere in the garden. “But Nye is unhappy inside as he is much given to intrusive thoughts in which he wishes harm on others, most worryingly on his best friend Duncan. He sees himself pushing him in front of the choo-choo of the play’s title and the whole thing threatens to derail him. “Such troubling and testing thoughts affected Nye Russell-Thompson when he was a teenager. Choo Choo! is in part an account of how you can control such errant imaginings and stop them turning into full-on obsession. “...But lest you think this is in any way a preacherly hour of performance about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, there are some rib-tickling and spirited sections such as the pastiche of BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute. Here Nye and Duncan invite members of the audience to talk for 60 seconds on a given subject. “...Choo Choo is directed by Nerida Bradley with a deft touch, nowhere more so than in the calibration where they dial down the laughs and move into the world of inner fears and slippery thinking. “There’s a beautifully choreographed sequence when Duncan finds himself right on the edge of a railway platform and offers Nye a chance to face his fears which brings tears to your eyes and is a moment both tender and true.” Sources with thanks and acknowledgement: https://threeweeksedinburgh.com/article/choo-choo-or-have-you-ever-thought-about-cos-i-have-stammermouth-sherman-theatre-pleasance/ https://nation.cymru/culture/theatre-review-choo-choo-at-the-sherman-theatre/ |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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