Fringe review: CAN’T STOP CARRYING ON, Blue Orange Arts - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

An ageing film producer plans to resurrect his past cinematic successes by revitalising the Carry On franchise with a brand-new film. Saucy seaside humour, double entendre and cheeky sexual innuendo - just what a millennial audience wants, right? Determined to secure his legacy, he decides to pull off one of the biggest cinematic comebacks of all time - a new Carry On film! A new play about ageing, the human spirit and changing attitudes and, of course, an affectionate tribute to the Carry On films, one of the most successful film franchises in British history.

Written by James Nicholas and performed as a one-man play by Darren Haywood, Can't Stop Carrying On is a celebration of the talent that went in to making the hugely successful franchise of the Carry On films.

Primarily, we join Peter Rogers pitching ideas for his next film, his great comeback. He is joined by the film’s renowned stars, such as Barbara Windsor, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw and Joan Sims (some from beyond the grave).

Haywood's portrayal of Rogers is really touching, capturing his vulnerabilities and determination well and his imitation of these caricatured characters are just superb; they are in the room with us. Their distinct voices and mannerisms are perfectly replicated.

Whatever your opinions of the Carry On films might be, they have their place in cinematic history and this is a charming way to remember them.

Delightfully written and admirably performed.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Can't Stop Carrying On plays in Space 2 at theSpace on the Mile at 11am until 26 August.