Having reviewed Menu 1 in my previous review for The Big Bite-Sized Breakfast Show, I couldn’t not review Menu 2 to round things off. Five different plays and five very different approaches again, which kept everyone on their toes, whether they had seen the first menu offerings, or were just coming for Menu 2.
Noir Man by Ken Levine – Photo Tom JonesMenu 2:
This menu started with Keeping Annabelle, by Rachel Welch, which explored what could happen if a kidnapping unexpectedly went wrong. All the kidnapper wanted was Annabelle, but he did not expect his victim to be someone else! What happens next? Will Neame and Hana Vincent took on this unusual duo and delivered some darkly comic quips with sincerity and sensitivity. It became a vibrantly entertaining ride as things took an unexpected turn… which you will have to discover when you see the show!
It was followed by Emma Bean’s monologue I’m A Celebrity, by Trevor Suthers, which explored the topical subject of anyone wanting to become famous. What made this interesting was the idea of what really goes on in that person’s mind when they become fixated on the idea of being recognised. Bean explored this in a way that was on brand with TV shows such as The Only Way Is Essex in the sense of having to justify everything she wanted so that it became acceptable to make it relatable to a viewing audience. She absorbed herself in the world of celebrity so much that it became intriguing as to why her mind worked in the way it did. Also, why did she really want that recognition? Bean was honest, upfront and open as a performer as this monologue progressed. An actor to watch out for in the future, for certain.
Noir Man, by Ken Levine, switched things up by taking the recognisable idea of the Femme Fatale and the Detective in Film Noir and setting it in a modern era with traditional costumes, which added a fun, abstract element to the proceedings. All over a very interesting book with a little sauce on the pages, as well as in real life. Miranda Everitt and Scott Virgo took on those stereotypical roles and played up the popular film genre with sharp, knife-like wit and sizzling chemistry that drew us into their powerful game as they tried to outwit each other. This is one you need to see what happens next, so make sure you come to this particular Menu if this piques your interest.
This was swiftly followed by Waiting for Hashim, by Jacqui Baines and Alison Richardson, who explored the possibility of what would happen if two strangers met in a foreign country, about to go on a tour of a dangerous part of the world. But is the real danger the country, or themselves? Kate Webley and Emma Bean took on the strangers in question and, using well-executed stage combat and physical comedy, created an experience that had an element of Fawlty Towers to it. It was full of high energy, fast pace and gave a brilliant insight as to what would happen if John Cleese’s infamous Basil Fawlty was channeled in both women as they tried to outdo each other in terms of who had the most skills to survive.
Finally, Quiet Table for Four, by Philip Linsdale, explored an extremely recognisable concept in terms of mental health. That inner critical voice that gets in our way of living our best life, telling us how awful we are, when it could be that we are better than we think. This well-constructed six-hander explored this concept in the world of dating, when two people meet for the first time and wonder what the other thinks of them. Using a clever concept of humanising the respective inner voices for the couple, what we saw was not just what was on the surface, but behind the scenes with comedic quips that were reminiscent of Big Mouth, only more toned down. This gave a whole new meaning to this aspect of mental health in a humourous, mindful way and was a strong finish to this menu.
Both Menus I experienced were extremely well constructed, directed and performed. It will make you want to go and see the other two menus on offer. This is a huge highlight of the fringe that has been missing from Brighton for the past 11 years and needs to be experienced to be believed. Welcome back, Big Bite-Sized Breakfast Show!
Sascha Cooper
Good morning, Brighton!
Join us at The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show – Brighton’s NEW theatre café experience!
Dive into one of FOUR delicious menus of ten-minute plays. Comedy, eccentricity & the odd mini-drama served up with a warm welcome and Trading Post coffee, Bird & Blend tea, croissant and strawberries.
Four menus:
Menu One at 10am & Menu Two at 11.30am on 3, 4, 5, 10 May
Menu Three at 10am & Menu Four at 11.30am on 17, 24, 25, 26 May
Meet friends and contacts for a stimulating and relaxing event, or come solo too.
Now an Edinburgh Festival institution, we’re back home in Brighton after 11 years away!
Argus Angel Award & Carol Tambor ‘Best of Edinburgh’ Shortlist Awards.
Cast and Creatives:
Emma Bean
Andy Bell
Lucy Brinkman
Miranda Everitt
Lisa Fairfield
Will Neame
Stephen Povey
Hana Vincent
Scott Virgo
Kate Webley
Alexandra Worrel – Director
Julian Howard McDowell – Director
Nick Brice – Founder/Chairman and Director