Catherine Bennett resumes the weekly look at the performing arts world, with the sad end of Jerusalem, the luck of a cabbie, and French revolt. Do you hear the people sing?
Adam Alcock reviews Nigel Kennedy playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons and his own Four Elements at York Opera House.
Catherine Bennett highlights the trends in the performing arts world today.
Jonathan Cridford reviews 'Ghosts', one of the Freshers' plays for this year.
According to the Drama Soc circular, Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas is like “Big Brother slapping Orwell in the face with a kipper.” Playing on the current obsession with reality television shows, contestants competed for a green card to enter England. Sharp and witty, this was yet again a successful University production that not only entertained, but also engaged intellectually with the spectators.
As members of the audience, we were playing the part of the live public on the game show. Drilled to chant things like “Freedom and democracy! It is not a fallacy!” and to clap, we were not permitted to sit back and relax. Even the lighting crew were brought into the dialogue, entertaining mundane conversations over our heads to the director.
The show played off three foreigners, all competing for the right to emigrate to England, “the most chivalrous nation”, several years in the future.
Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas was written and directed by Raj Karsandas, a University of York student. The script was hilarious, combining the cliché of reality television with perceptive political satire. Criticising English patriotism, immigration laws and government control, Raj efficiently develops an argument through an absurd depiction of what England could be like in the future.
This rather heavy, Orwellian style prediction is carefully counterposed by interjections by a gay compaire, ridiculous games between contestants and a general mood of amusement.
Throwing in some reflections on competitive human behaviour, Raj also plays on the phenomenon of audience participation. Asking the audience to pose questions to the contestants allowed the actors to demonstrate their improvisation abilities, which they did well. Furthermore, the outcome of the show is decided by a public vote. This original idea forced us to become a part of a system of judgement that began with the King but had infiltrated society and taken over from common sense.
The performance of Joseph Peach as an accordion playing Frenchman was excellent. His accent was believable, his manner stereotypically brusque, and his performance pleasantly comical.
Esme Kaim’s portrayal of an intense, driven, Iranian woman also deserves praise. She maintained an amazing accent throughout, and her understanding of her character blossomed during audience question time.
The third contestant played by Damien Freddi was a quiet American who provided comfort for the other two. His performance, although less impressive, was still captivating enough to win the audience vote at the end of the show for a green card.
The star of the show has to be the host played by Max Tyler. His powerful voice boomed around the room and his use of intonation mimicked the typical game show host. He used his height to lean over into the audience, provoking most people to sit further away from the stage after the interval. Indeed, his intensity fired life into the dialogue.
Overall Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas is an impressive work of drama which was excellently presented. On the whole, this production was very well received by the audience and sparked considerable debate among them.
You must log in to submit a comment.
