Latest 7 magazine

And the winner of Best Fringe Event Stage Set goes to… Pity that was the primary focus of this event. A gin palace appeared in Jubilee Square, replete with fake grass, fake glass, and blaggers fighting for their right to repartee. Oscar himself would probably have loved the incongruity of Brighton’s decadence sat in a faux-Victorian train carriage between a library and Chilli Pickle restaurant, but this was more bookish than spicy. Probably best summed up by a child promising to enter a story-writing competition, in order to win his mother some gin. Now that is genuine fin de siècle sleaze.

The Hendrick’s Horseless Carriage of Curiosities, 21 May
Rating:
Jim Milnes

Philip Higham, an emerging young talent, performed both a Bach and a Britten suite in a solo cello recital. The Bach suite was powerful, direct and energetic, building to a triumhant climax which drew generous applause from the sold out crowd. The Britten suite (no. 3, Op. 87) was the highlight however, a mournful piece that was captivating and moving whilst also being challenging and interesting. The church bells and voices were beautifully evoked in the first movement by Higham’s impressive technique and the elegiac suite moved smoothly forward to a delicate coda. A wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 21 May
Rating:
Joe Fuller

The Lovely Brothers and Rachel Pantechnicon delivered a stramash of whimsy and garage rock, poetry and anarchism. Pantechnicon won over the crowd to her skewed world, where children’s books featuring a lion with cheese grater leg irons are bestsellers – think The Mighty Boosh but actually, you know, chucklesome. The Lovely Brothers then duly blew her, a stray audience member and nearly themselves off the stage with their wry punk tales about getting old, getting drunk on cheap cider, and being too old to drink cheap cider anymore. An unholy collision between The Cramps and Noel Coward.

Komedia Studio, 20 May
Rating:
Jim Milnes

They bounced on to the stage uncannily like a collection of kids TV presenters, this comedy sketch group foursome encapsulated energy, joie de vivre and pure unadulterated likeability. Their skits were, for the most part, original and fresh if somewhat overlong – especially the pub quiz section – but it was easy to forgive them much such was their connection with the audience. Stand out sketch was one on ignorant parenting, a fear appreciated by all but never before tapped into, and their freshness was lovely. However, the frequently good and new concepts were undermined by the indulgence of these ideas, sometimes with simply the performers’ persona and charisma being the strongest thrust in coaxing the laughter. Great fun, but could do so much better.

Upstairs At Three And Ten, 20 May
Rating:
Victoria Nangle