Point & Shoot: A New Musical continues at The Warren Main House, Brighton until 4 May, then on 14–16 and 31 May.
Star rating: 3 stars ★ ★ ★
Brighton Festival Fringe’s opening offering comes courtesy of a quartet of talented actor/musicians from Australia (Holland St Productions) with their fast-paced satire of Hollywood blockbusters.
It’s set in the year 2042 when the Hollywood that we know is dead – bankrupt of money and ideas – and the industry is in control of the Independents who only allow ‘art’ films to be produced. Xavier Croft, a washed-up producer, is offered the rights to a cheesy 1960s sitcom and sees an opportunity to bring back the blockbuster franchises of his youth.
The transfer of ‘Selma the Dutiful Housewife’ to the big screen launches a voyage fraught with danger, intrigue and near-apocalyptic consequences. All of which is delivered in 75 minutes of merry madness and clever invention in a style that blends Film Noir with the Marx Brothers.
Four actors not only portray 50 characters, but they also provide their own musical accompaniment – a feat that requires lightning costume changes and well-timed instrument switching.
The show’s book and lyrics are by Tyler Jacob Jones with music by Robert Woods. They also act out all the male roles. They receive excellent support from Erin Hutchinson and Tamara Woolrych who take on all the other characters.
Sadly, the musical numbers are not listed. Most are pleasant and although not memorable, all are delivered with panache and exuberance.
Hutchinson has great fun with the number that states everything must go as she sells all her possessions and finally her body as she tries to raise the capital for the film. She also scores with the show’s title song which she delivers with full-bloodied attack.
It falls to Woolrych to deliver the show’s stand-out number ‘Absolute Perfection’ – a haunting ballad that she successfully performs as a duet with her twin sister. The switch from one to the other is seamless.
Amongst Woods’ many roles is that of the Doomsday Hobo – gloriously over the top – that delights the audience.
In addition to his writing and acting skills, Jones – his narration evokes the memory of Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe – shares with Gemma Hall the production’s direction. Between them they provide an entertaining and fast-moving piece of tongue-in-cheek nonsense that never fails to entertain. However, while the piece is well-suited for Festival Fringes and similar venues, it lacks the body and legs to transfer into bigger commercial arenas.
Barrie Jerram
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