Venue: The Lot (down the bottom of the Grassmarket)
Upstairs in a old converted church, a sixty seater venue and a stage just that little bit too low, we were witness to a combination Edwardian farce and Agatha Christie crime thriller. There were a few characters that reminded me of those on Murder at Moorstones Manor (Ripping Yarns), but then that is what stereotypes are for, isn’t it?
The play is based around a family gathering at the old mansion, and includes the usual extra hangers on (or partners, if you prefer). The butler, Shuffles, lives up to his name, plus being mute and accompanied by a little squeak when he walks. There is the father who is changing his will just before the soiree occurs, but meets with an untimely accident. The retired colonel (brother?), the flighty sister, the wayward youth and his (very) sexy French girlfriend, the daughter and her actor boyfriend, the nephew (upstanding, noble and in love with his cousin) and the prim Miss Marbles. As you can see from the guest list (I think I got them all), the play is a very convoluted and wordy piece, and you need to concentrate or you’ll miss some of the appalling jokes in the latter stages.
The acting was all very good and the players squeezed every drop of ham from the scenes. The plot twists come thick and fast and you really need to be prepared for the gunshots, which are alarmingly loud in the small room. The play runs for just over an hour and I think if you’re not feeling sleepy/hung-over, and you enjoy the Agatha Christie/Wodehouse types of dialogue, then you’ll enjoy seeing this. It’s just a pity it’s in such a small space when other plays are struggling to get a dozen people into huge venues, but that’s the Fringe for ya.
For booking details go to The Butler did it