Black comedy

Another show caught early in its run, another show in need of tightening round the edges. It will become sharper, but for the moment it's still something of a curate's egg.

This is another of those productions for which an internet search has not yielded any information on the company or actors. The male lead gives a strong performance, his increasing sense of desperation nicely nuanced and quite a fine physical comedian to boot. Unfortunately his early scenes with Carol verged on the inaudible, but that apart this was a confident portrayal of Brindsley. In the smaller roles, the actor playing Harold Gorringe is most worthy of note, his physical attraction to and flirtatious attitude towards Brindsley given just the right amount of predatory machismo until the inevitable perceived betrayal.

The key to a successful performance of this Shaffer farce lies in the lighting - intensely bright when the power is off, pitch black when it is on. Unfortunately the venue put paid to the darkness, numerous light sources dispelling the atmosphere. It is to be hoped that something can be done to rectify this, as in other respects this has the makings of a fine show.

Black comedy is on at 2pm at C (Chambers Street) every day until Monday 28th August. Phone the Festival Fringe box office (0131 226 0000) for details.

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