The comedy society are going to Edinburgh Fringe this Summer to perform- if you can make it up to the land of Scot I thoroughly recommend it as this lot are hilarious- and they tested out this comedic aperitif on a small and select audience in the Dixon Theatre for free, last night. This is the sketch that they are taking up to the Fringe.
I had actually seen this show before, but this didn’t stop it from being bitingly funny, and a bit depressing and relevant for those who are graduating soon. Without spoiling the plot, this show is about an evil corporate machine called the Penderson Brothers, who are recruiting new workers and refusing to pay tax. The Evil Free Market Capitalist and the big dog in charge of the company was played by an incredibly sinister Lewis Dunn, and his antagonist was an adorable, Socialist, puppet cat named Whiskers, played by a childishly beguiling Lucy Walters. Their discourse was fantastic, with the naive cat telling Mr Penderson (Dunn) that “Sharing is great!” and singing a song about the distribution of goods. Who wins? The evil capitalists or the socialist cat holding protests outside the office? I’m not going to tell you as it will ruin the plot.
A particular highlight was when the cops turned up, working for the capitalist bosses, and ‘kettled’ the kitty, as in they shoved her in a kettle (not Lucy, the cat on her hand).
Although apparently the scene changing was a bit clunky, I think that this was something only noticed by the cast and the mistakes covered up seemed like they were doing it on purpose to my untrained eye. Perhaps this is where their improv skills came in.
Highlights:
The socialist cat being ‘kettled’.
Meg Rocky playing an evil employer (making me feel bad about my probable 2.1).
Stephen Harper switching his friendly Scouse accent for a playground bully growl as an elevator attendent/head of HR.
The fact it made me feel both depressed about one day graduating into the big bad neoliberal world but also charmed and I was able to laugh about it!
Thomas Cocker’s versatility, being able to be a charming yet gluttonous childish figure one minute and an annoying lift attendant the next.
Lolights:
There was this dermatologist joke with some evil wizard types which cropped up – it seemed a bit random but maybe I just didn’t get it!
Not their fault, but the audience wasn’t getting into it enough so the vibe wasn’t as good as it will probably be at the Fringe (they were probably suffering from examination blues)
Overall, it was very well-written and topical for students, and stoked the fire of my inner Marxist. The cast will probably do very well in Edinburgh and I wish them luck! If you want to catch it, go to the Dixon Theatre tonight at 7:30, it’s free!