Trumpets and Raspberries
Royal Lyceum Theatre
Fans of Dario Fo will roar with laughter at the Royal Lyceum's latest production of Trumpets and Raspberries.
Directed by Tony Cownie and performed by a brilliant cast, this is undoubtedly one of the funniest plays to hit Edinburgh this year.
"Hilarious...
laughter
echoed
endlessly
throughout
the theatre"
The story is about a case of mistaken identity following a terrible car accident. Family members and police struggle to resolve the confusion, but not before the subsequent mess triggers hilarious consequences.
Although the plot is astoundingly simple, there are enough twists and turns to keep our interest throughout the unfolding chaos.
Dario Fo’s unique approach has always relied on blending slapstick with satire, and this production is no exception. Audiences are placed in a distinctly Scottish landscape, complete with jokes on local journalism, culture, and politicians. There is an ultimate social morality to the play, although you may be laughing too hard to catch it until after the curtain falls.
Without wishing to detract from the phenomenal energy and comedic skill of the entire ensemble, certain recognition must be paid to both Jimmy Chisholm and Kathryn Howden. As the lead characters of Jimmy and Rosa Brodie, Chisholm and Howden carry the show with impeccable timing and liveliness.
Chisholm channels the energy of Fo himself with wild facial expressions, gestures, and bodily noises. Meanwhile, Howden provides an onslaught of one-liners and tangents that dance precariously between the absurd and profound.
It should be mentioned that Trumpets and Raspberries may not be for everyone. Whether it was the political slant or the otherwise farcical nature, certain audience members appeared unimpressed on opening night. For the rest of us, however, laughter echoed endlessly throughout the theatre. Everyone involved is to be applauded.
Patrick Bradley
Until May 10 at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh. Tel: 0131 248 4848.
www.lyceum.org.uk
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What the papers said:
The Guardian:
*** "At its best, the production is pure bliss. But when the laughter stops, it is hard to keep caring."
Metro:
**** "Tony Cownie makes sure the laughs come thick and fast, helped by some wonderful comic performances from an excellent ensemble cast"
The Scotsman:
** "Must be one of the most half-hearted updates of a classic ever seen on a major British stage ... Jimmy Chisholm and Kathryn Howden turn in heroic comic performances."
The Stage:
"Performances are all well judged and designed to bring out the comedy ... Less well judged is the outrageous staging."
The Times:
**** "If you wanted to pick holes, you could argue that Fo's political message is a bit lost in the fun. But if it's fun you want, there's plenty."
Sunday Herald:
*** "A presentation which, despite its flaws, shows Fo's play for the hilariously fast-paced farce it is"
