It’s England in 1891, Vampric Warlord Count De La Merde has stolen the Bagenbury Jewels. It’s up to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson to save the day. Hyperactive physical performers The Squirth tell this tale in their current Fringe show, Sherlock the Vampire Slayer.
The audience enters the theatre at The Raglan to some atmospheric organ music, finding a small parcel on their seat labeled “Survival Kit”. If they can resist consuming its contents, it will come in handy later. Once everyone is comfortably seated, they are treated to a wacky title sequence using hand drawn cards accompanied by a thinly disguised cover version of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme song. The story commences…
While keeping an identical frenetic energy, the story itself seemed to be more coherent than last year’s show. The action bounced back and forth between scenes featuring the good guys and evil doers with a few flashbacks thrown in. The insertion of plenty of pop culture and current event references into the dialogue kept us laughing throughout. The ending wasn’t as predictable as you would expect, adding enough surprises to keep you entertained. Dashes of sexual innuendo and a gay subtext ensure that this wasn’t a show you would bring the kids to, despite its pantomime appearance.
The script was performed with gusto by the boys. Each played multiple characters, using various prop teeth, wigs, hats, capes and dodgy facial hair to bring them to life. They were constantly kept on their toes, quickly switching characters behind a small wall. There was lots of panto styled hamming it up, miming and French Farce chases.
There was even an attempt by The Squirth to flex their impro muscles by calling for suggestions from the audience for a few objects/animals that they would attempt to incorporate into the show. They made these requests rather safe by narrowing the likely suggestions. The large animal selected was used in an immediate segment that had no bearing on the overall show and was never referred to again. The suggested objects were used in the climactic scene but their inclusion seemed a little forced. It would be interesting to see how they would cope with something more bizarre and challenging.
Calling out words on command was not the only involvement by the audience. The characters would often break down the fourth wall by traversing the aisle, making playful comments to various punters and getting up close. The crowd was also involved by playing a vampire army, then an angry mob by using the contents of their Survival Kit.
It was unfortunate to see that they still have the habit of bringing fluffed lines to audience attention by making a jokey comment. It is amusing the first time it occurred but it got annoying when it happened repeatedly. The guys also succumbed to bouts of giggles at several points, but this display of the fun they were having on stage allowed the audience to be infected by the levity of the show.
Although they aren’t master improvisers, their excellent mime skills and effortless abilities to inhabit various silly characters make this a fun roller coaster ride of a show.