Culture

Written by Arthur Meek, Directed by Lisa Warrington.
Staring Hilary Halba and Ben Blakely, (2/5).

This show sees Laurel (Halba) and Ben (Blakely), two down-and-out actors kicked out of a theatre-in-education programme, struggle to get the “money and mandate” to re-launch their show Fight the Fat. With a plethora of props and theatrical conventions, this 28-minute show packed quite the punch.

 
Although there were some fairly prominent narrative problems, the two actors did well to hold our attention and evoke laughter at the appropriate times. Given that the script had been commissioned by the university, I found it disappointing that it didn’t really speak, thematically to the audience who were present. Laughing at funding issues for theatre and methodologies etc all seemed very so-so, like little asides to amuse those in the audience who probably manage to receive their fare share of funding for theatrical projects. Actually, wasn’t this script paid for by funding? Yes.

 
Rapping and singing played in a big part in Fight the Fat, my favourite song being the version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” sung by Blakely. Unfortunately the scene in which this serenade took place was one of a few that were set in the bedroom of Blakely’s cancer-ridden mother. Basically, I don’t care if this is a farce but portraying someone dying of cancer, head agog, tongue lolling, just isn’t funny. Rather, it was a little insensitive.
 

High commendations for the innovative “fight” scene, undoubtedly the highlight of the show. Instead of actually physically fighting Halba attacked a stuffed dummy, and Blakely reacted as if it was him. Very clever, very funny. 110% commitment from both actors.
 

Unfortunately Fight the Fat just didn’t really speak to me. Yes, it was entertaining and yes, the actors worked hard, but I just feel like it was all a bit of a mockery. I would like to see someone with the critical acclaim that Warrington has to use Allen Hall to its fullest advantage, creating work of a much higher standard to help draw audiences and perhaps generate some critical acclaim for our theatre, because I think it deserves it.