Fringe review: BAD PLAY, Big Tobacco - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: Kathleen Lydon

Set in a non-specific town, in a non-specific time period, Bad Play is a send-up of the all American 'living-room dramas'. It's a delirious love letter to Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill and theatrical self-seriousness as told by four comedians who have satired genres in LA for over six years. This is a play that mocks and celebrates the classic art form.

Appearing are Brian Fitzgerald (Woody), the 'dad' with a gambling habit who doesn't know his wife's name, Lyndsey Kempf (Mabel), (the wife and mother who develops a drug habit), Eli Lutsky (Noble), returning from war (we don't know which one) with his two souvenir grenades, and Brad Beideman (Bad Brad) recently released from prison.

It's a ridiculous script, capturing the essence of the television drama on stage, but it is also ridiculously funny. The cast perform well, even if we're not entirely convinced they know exactly what is supposed to be happening all of the time.

It's an easy watch, great entertainment and great laughs.

So bad, it's good.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Bad Play plays in Theatre 3 at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall at 7.05pm until 26 August.