Nick Hennegan

Really Good Exposure.

A clever and nuanced look at sex work and choice.

🍷🍷🍷🍷 🍷 5 out of 5 .

To be honest, as a man of a certain age, who works in theatre, I might have been a bit uncomfortable and self conscious going to see a show with such a ‘sexy’ appeal. The poster, the image of a scantily clad young woman and the by-lines all hint at a sexy, maybe even salacious experience. It’s the story of Molly, a fictional child star whose career has peaked by her late teens. She’s considering entering the adult film industry.

But of course that’s the whole point of this clever first piece, written and performed by former ‘child star’ Megan Prescott. And yes, she does get completely naked on stage, but for me, and I think most of the packed audience at the Underbelly Cowgate, it’s not a salacious moment. If anything, it’s a moment of horror, when our lead character Molly is loosely coerced into proving how ’committed’ she is to an acting role she’s auditioning for, by stripping off completely. “But it’s just a first audition” says Molly. “Panties too”, says the disembodied male voice. And we all shudder as she removes them.

It’s what makes this show so clever. The form and structure keeps the story fresh and relevant in a post me too world. There is a traditional strip, which comes early on and kind of gets it out of the way. I produced Peter Terson’s play ‘Strippers’ some years ago and it uses a similarly clever device. For the rest of the show, Megan is dressed in a sparkly bikini which, when she becomes a 6 year old talking to her Mom about joining a dance school, becomes a sort of metaphor for the whole story.

It’s also cleverly not sexist in any way. It’s not all predatory men, but all sorts of people who have agendas. It deals with some contentious issues, but importantly, never gets ‘preachy’ and is often very funny.

There is some clever sound by Hattie North and lighting and back projection by Rachel Sampley. Director Fiona Kingwell keeps the pace moving and uses some deft movement, although there are occasional sight line problems.

And Megan Prescott – in real life a former Channel Four ‘Skins’ star – is a not only a talented writer but a very good actor. Her adult dancing and childhood routines are completely believable.

Untimlately, this feels like it’s moved on the ‘me too’ movement. It’s about personal empowerment and choice. You should choose to see it.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/really-good-exposure

Scottish Literary Lovers in the Edinburgh sunshine!

Another lovely, smart gang from around the world on our @edfringe Literary Pub Crawl @thepleasance at 3pm each day. And now our #writer @nickhennegan is off to check out the @edbookfest ! It could get expensive..!

Hamlet with Eddie Izzard

🍷🍷🍷 3 out of 5 cups of sac!

Full disclosure – I have adapted and directed two Shakespeare classics, including one called ‘Hamlet – Horatio’s Tale’ and I’d read some fairly poor reviews about this production. And as I wasn’t invited to the Riverside Studios Press Night (not important enough, loves, obs! 😀) I wasn’t able to access the extra depth that is often available then.

And to be honest, at the very start of the show, my heart sank slightly, when Izzard started that common and predictable one-person trope of hopping from one space to another to denote a new character. And her vocal definition wasn’t too good either. But, as the show progressed, she seemed to relax and her physicality with the characters became better – if still somewhat understated and lacking emotion.

To Hamlet virgins, elements of the story may not be completely clear, but the modern take on the script by Izzard’s older brother Mark, doesn’t grate. The vial of poisoned Hebanon for instance, becomes Deadly Nightshade which serves the story well enough. Although the direction by Selina Cadell is somewhat sketchy. Perhaps not surprisingly, it’s during the more comic moments that Izzard succeeds. Rosencratz and Guildernstien are portrayed by Izzards own hands and they effectively mine the comedy at various other points in the production. The sword fight near the end is possibly too long and undefined, but that’s a niggle. The set and costume are minimal but very effective – as is the atmospheric light and sound.

Izzard reveals her Fringe roots by coming on after the curtain-call asking for support.

So it’s not perfect and I can see why some of the more established media outlets and lovers of Shakespeare have not particularly liked it, but it is a theatrical experience and well worth a look. Apparently a tour is planned.

Image: AMANDA SEARLE.

What a brilliant EdFringe gang once again …

Another brilliant gang from around the world on the First Edinburgh (not London) Literary Pub Crawl.

Only 6 shows left!

Join and share the love!

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/30th-anniversary-edinburgh-london-literary-pub-crawl

Big Mitch Benn! In Edinburgh. With Kate.

The brilliant BBC Comedian and songwriter Mitch Benn was one of the acts at the brilliant ‘Late With Kate’ at the Canons’ Gate Pub. @thefreefringe @edfringe #pub #edfringe

It’s brilliant every night at midnight (apart from Tuesdays) with host Kate Smurthwaite, an acclaimed writer and comedian in her own right! (Have I Got News for You, etc)

And being on the PBH Free Fringe (well done, Soho musician and major advocate Luke Meredith!) it’s kinda pay what you want. Or can! I love that.

Well this is nice…!

Well this is a lovely sight to see on our listing board! https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/30th-anniversary-edinburgh-london-literary-pub-crawl

A Theatrical and Political Tour de Force.

Animal Farm with Guy Masterson.

🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 – 5 out of 5 glasses of human wine!

In full disclosure, I know Guy Masterson. He’s presented four of my plays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and he is the sole actor in my version of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol.’

But there’s a reason why ‘A Christmas Carol’ is doing so well, wowing the critics, appearing off Broadway in New York and touring the UK every year. Obviously – it’s my brilliant writing and directing (!)

But of course, Masterson is my actor of choice. And my reasons for choosing Guy are completely obvious here in this visceral, brilliant interpretation of George Orwell’s classic.

Masterson’s show of ‘Animalism’ was perfect at the atmospheric Wiltons Music Hall. And now you have another chance to see it in Edinburgh – for one night only! This adaptation with director Tony Boncza makes for a sometimes chilling evening. Four legs good, two legs bad isn’t always correct if those two legs are Masterson’s. Talking to the director in the bar before the show in London, I asked if he’d cast anyone else in the part. “No”, he replied. “I can’t imagine anyone else but Guy doing this show now.”

And I understand what he means. Masterson, dressed in a plain boiler suit, has an uncanny physicality, which has, if anything, got stronger as he’s aged. He presents all the Orwell characters with verve and confidence, adding occasional contemporary additions to the mix which never detract from the original, but signpost how Orwell’s tale is still so relevant today.

“We are a Grandfather” is a quote that many may not remember, but was a seminal moment in the reign of Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher – the first time she started using the Royal ‘we’ and prompting comments about how she saw herself. The dogs deciding there will be ”be no more debate,” remind us of how Boris Johnson prorogued parliament – effectively shutting it down when he couldn’t get his own way. We have good old reliable Boxer… who accepts everything he’s told, like most of us do… and works himself to death for the good of all; then the sheep who mindlessly repeat the political rhetoric that suits the Party Line. Comrade Squealer is a Special Advisor if ever I saw one. And of course, we have politics straight out of the Donald Trump and others, playbook. Blame Farmer Jones. It’s all HIS fault. Not ours. Until, of course, we realise how the political lies work! Or at least some of us do!

It’s funny, relevant and unmissable. Guy Masterson, Tony Boncza and George Orwell. A winning combination. Vote for them! Buy a ticket!

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/animal-farm