Little Town Blue

Camden People's Theatre - Red Biscuit

Pokes fun at the political system and the lack of change in the world. Over the top humour, clowning elements, and high energy.

I want to outright say that I've had the pleasure of training with the vibrant performers of 'Red Biscuit'. It is a joy to have seen this piece when it was first created and in the present day.

Isn't it depressing that the premise of the show and the statement about politics are still relevant now? I saw this 7 years ago, and it's still very much the state of the world. It's a bite-sized 60 minutes of high-energy comedy, mixed with multi-rolling. Fringe theatre is something I like to champion, because emerging artists and passion for theatre that has an important meaning is something that deserves attention and respect. It's no secret that the industry is underfunded and notoriously difficult, so pieces of work like this deserve huge appreciation, because whilst it's enjoyable, silly, and the humour that makes it a light escapism. It highlights a statement about how change in our society is pretty imperative and long overdue... way longer than 7 years!

Red Biscuit have put this show on, developed it, and put it on by themselves, and the quality is great. The story flows, and whilst there is room for character development and story development, it does well to keep the audience engaged throughout the show and entertained. It's also always a joy to see the actors genuinely enjoying the work that they do, after the many shows I've seen... trust me, you can tell when a cast isn't passionate about the work. The story line is a little 'Hot Fuzz' where some American students end up in a small town, where everyone knows everyone, and people don't leave. There's something strange going on. The water is advertised on every corner; it's essentially shoved down the townspeople's throats. But, without it, things get a little hairy. When the problem is somewhat solved, it's the situation of being right back where you started, so you may as well accept it. The humour is almost an 'If you don't laugh, you'll cry' idea.

Moments of humour are a little lost at times, due to the facing of scenes, such as turning to the side to give a punchline, and you don't quite hear it. You don't want to lose these comic lines or the connection with the characters. As the show develops through the rehearsals and performances, these moments will organically improve. Theo Moore is a strong performer; he captivates the audience and effortlessly shifts from character to character. He is a performer that you are drawn to and is allowed to lead the storyline within the writing. His character has the strongest character arc and projects naturally to the audience. Nathan Charles has developed tenfold since the show was first made; his experience in comedy during his career shows. He creates these huge comic characters that are so wild and creative, it's impressive. Another strong multi-roler. He clearly puts so much work into not only voicing his characters but also how they move, and there's attention to detail so deep that it's even down to how they breathe.

There are moments of comedy for everyone, and each joke is a little different. Does it show a lot of potential? Yes, and the statement is honest and real. It's not shown in a heavy or overbearing way. Whilst it's set in America, it is very British humour. The show could do with funding to improve its technical elements, set and props, but they do a fantastic and creative job with what they have. Let's be honest, getting funding is of course, not easy, and they really do create some brilliant abstract moments. The more work that goes into the show, the better it will be. It has heart, passion and a lot of work that has gone into it. I look forward to seeing how it grows, and I am proud of how much these guys have developed over 7 years! Make sure to catch this in Brighton and support our fringe theatre!!