Keep it Simple (24:7 Festival)

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" according to the 24:7 production Keep It Simple. Unfortunately the emerging piece of theatre fails to live up to Leonardo De Vinci’s famous quotation - the grandiose venue of The Midland Hotel oozing the sophistication, whilst the piece itself lacks in terms of maturation.

The production undoubtedly lives up to its promise of creating a world of comedy, and the idea certainly shows glimpses of potential - life is never simple when an ex-hubby and current boyfriend unite at your daughter’s wedding. However, the vast array of humorous styles becomes so confusing that laughs begin to be instigated out of nervousness, rather than pleasure.

John Sumner offers a farcical edge in his characterisation of Kate’s (Shelley O'Brien) ex Doug, Dennis Jobling brings Shakespearian comedy to the forefront with his declamatory interpretation of her partner Ted, and Rachel Teate and Alex Kinsey offer a subtler humour in their portrayal of lovers Sabena and Gawain.

In different contexts, each actor could excel - Teate, for example, shows all the signs of being a promising naturalistic actress. Yet, when combined together, there is such a mix-match of acting styles that the overall genre and performance objective becomes utterly perplexing.

What is more, although Dick Curran’s writing contains some classic punchlines and opportunities for laughter, they are often lost amidst exaggerated gestures or loss of timing - whether this be on the part of the actor or the director is something that remains unclear.

Ironically, had the production taken its title into consideration, it would have evoked a much more positive audience reaction. After all, as the saying goes, the simpler it is, the better.

- Rebecca Cohen