Five actors, five mini-plays in one hour, and three "menus" to choose from. Pick up a strawberry, a croissant and a hot drink on your way to your seat and you're set to enjoy the cast perform five very different scenarios in sixty minutes. Today's offering was Menu 2, and included two playlets written by members of the cast.
They began with the two hander Michael Caine's Azaleas. Stuart has beaten cancer so now he's chasing facing all his other fears and desires on a bucket list of daring. Starting with his vertigo by riding the roller coaster. When it gets stuck at the top of the climb his wife gets him to explore how the situation could lead on to further experiences to tick off. Including dropping in on the eponymous actor's garden. Pokes fun at the ridiculous notion of bucket lists.
Number two, Bottle for a Special Occasion, is a more serious piece, a moving scene in a wine shop where the customer has an unusual request. Why do we blame ourselves for the actions of others? And where do wine critics come up with such ludicrous descriptions?
Glamping has another duo, this time out in the forest about to pitch their tent. As we learn more about why they're there, and the couple keep trying to second guess one another, there are questions raised about their relationship, and how damaging jealousy of a person's past can be.
In Apocalypto 90% of humanity have been either killed or zombiefied by a virus. Two of the survivors are getting on with life as best they can, but their friend Joe wants to turn everything into a drama. Real life isn't a zombie movie though.
The full cast come together in the finale, Warriors UK. Dumped by the exercise-obsessed Toby, couch potato Michelle enters a physically challenging TV reality show and surprises herself. If the ending is predictable the laughs compensate, and Claira Watson Parr looks to be having way too much fun as the Warrior!
This Menu offers a few elements to ponder, especially in "Bottle", but it's the laughs you'll remember most. Hugely enjoyable throughout. Highly recommended.
Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show is on in the Pleasance until 26 August. Menu 2 is performed on the 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th, 21st and 24th.
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