Perfection

USER (13Jul06): Great show

USER (05Jul06): A strikingly good black comedy from writer Mark Lindow, "Perfection" following the romantic adventures and vacillations of Amanda, a young woman whose best friend Meg is dying of cystic fibrosis. Concerned that Amanda's perfectionism (and apparent devotion to her friend) is blotting out her chances of happiness, Meg invites three of Amanda's ex-boyfriends to her funeral... The script is moving, troubling, witty and hilariously (though sometimes uncomfortably!) funny. The tightly-woven plot with its frequent flashbacks is a gem. The one-liners and moments of slow farce worthy of any comedy writer. For a smallish first-night audience we made an awful lot of noise. :-) I did have a few reservations: with some points belaboured (the vegetarian jokes did wear a little thin after a time) and some brushed over to an extent that is puzzling (how much did Meg expect things to turn out as they did?) and left me wondered whether there were deliberate ambiguities, or whether Lindow was failing to get across everything that he intended. Not even those slight reservations for Emma Blundell's flawless direction. Margaret Krawecka's entertainingly creative set (complete with adaptable cardboard boxes set into the wall, that open to form gallery spaces, shelves, bars...) also deserves a special mention! The best acting plaudits must go to Sarah Cowan's confused, complex, self-deceiving but still lovable Amanda, struggling to find happiness and the nature of true altruism. She is wonderfully well-supported throughout, however, by a cast that contains no weak links. Sarah Fortune is wise, gentle, silly and unyielding as Meg. Matt Prendergast brings a touching vulnerability to immature and self-centered Taylor. Rob Lockhart is both sweet and frustrating as the gentleman Clive. Robert Waters is constantly watchable as the funny, chirpy but profoundly obnoxious "mockney twat" James. Finally Gareth McChlery is a delight as Sam, the most well-rounded of the male characters, and a fitting foil to the women. The cast play well together, the comic timing is gorgeous, and there is a palpable chemistry in every scene. Highly recommended, in short. Expect to leave with a giggle and a smile and a lump in your throat, perhaps a little disillusioned with your fellows, but thoroughly entertained. :-) Elly Metcalfe