Lorna Irvine reviews 'a likeable enough opener' production at Oran Mor.
In the week when comedy genius Joan Rivers has passed away, it is nice to see a play which boasts two terrific female comedy performances.
Steven Dick’s second play for a Play, a Pie and a Pint, a romp on not always tweeting jokes lest they be misrepresented, plays in broad strokes but is no less enjoyable, thanks to Isabelle Joss and Rosalind Sydney.
When Gavin Mann (a fine Harry Ward), a gallus loser in a small flat, tweets his disgust at the ubiquity of Bieber-esque singer Tyler McKenzie, suggesting he would like to ‘’harpoon’’ him, a global rumpus ensues, setting off a chain of Chinese whispers which backfire spectacularly. Joss is superb both as said superstar brat McKenzie, all gangsta’ posturing and bird-flipping, and Mann’s god-bothering mother alike, while Sydney plays a psychotic fan and officious police officer with equal aplomb.
The play may offer nothing new in the freedom of speech/ loneliness of a pop star stakes but has lively direction from Pete Collins, and it is a likeable enough opener to the new PPP season.
Plays at Oran Mor as part of this autumn’s A Play, a Pie and a Pint season
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