Mixing culture-clash character-comedy and farce, ‘Excess Baggage’ introduces us to newly-weds Jack and Kristy, who have somehow ended up minding a bag for an old man. From this simple premise, this punchy, neat little play extracts plenty of laughs from both the characters’ reactions to their situation and their lives generally. The sharp, well-timed dialogue is delivered with outright conviction by the four-person cast, while the two lead characters feel well-developed despite the short running-time. For my taste, the bitter-sweet character comedy and its downer ending didn’t quite fit with the farcical elements, but both were excellent regardless. ‘Excess Baggage’ is a tremendously funny, clever little play that doesn’t outstay its welcome, unlike the bag.
theSpaces at Surgeon’s Hall, 5 – 20 Aug (not 7, 14), 5.10pm (5.55pm), £6.00 – £8.00, fpp260.
tw rating 4/5
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Sections: by Andrew Bell - ED2011 Theatre Reviews - tw rating 4/5 | Tags: Space Venues
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