edinburgh festival

v.best of

the fest

 

Critics' choice

I Know What You Want

This is flatshare comedy done extremely well. It's fast and energetic, the performances are a delight - from hugely excitable and irritating Penny, to the charming-when-inebriated Tony and the superbly catty Joan.

Inventive writing from Jim Madden brought to life by a talented cast.

Sex and the city

I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT,

Komedia, Brighton

...it was tremendous fun. Penny (Sarah Mann) verbose bleeding-heart liberal and nude model invited Tony, addict, to her bedsit to get back on the straight and narrow.

She ended up in bed with Tony (Michael D'Cruze) who was then seduced by her hated flatmate, failed city broker Joan (Stéphanie Prince). Vicious conflict was resolved with suggestions of ménage à trois, as Penny told them both: "I know what's best for you".

The pace never let up. Penny's hunted, more - left - wing - than - thou monologues said everything you ever wanted to hear about passionate student types wanting to change the world with a year out in India and a curse at Thatcher.

Joan was gloriously monstrous, a square-mile Patsy living the high life from a bedsit.

Tony alternated between straight man and Noël Coward darling when the drink kicked in.

Somewhere, about two-thirds of the way through the play, the novelty of the characters' extremeness faded and the play lagged. Then the three were finally on stage together and it blossomed.

As the two women spat abuse at each other, Tony stared into space and revealed just how little he wanted sex with Penny.

Channel 4 executives would kill to squeeze something with this much life into half an hour of post-watershed primetime. This was everything the "young people in a flat" sitcom has aspired to be and never managed. Expect to see more of it.

ROSS HAWKINS

The Argus, Tuesday, July 25, 2000

ross.hawkins@argus-btn.co.uk

To Jim Madden,

Just a note to tell you how much we appreciated your play on Friday night. The writing and direction were superb and the acting was first-class. Please pass our compliments to Sarah and Lorna. It was a privilege to be present at such a feast of talent; we wish you continued success and look forward to attending NASTY BOY shortly. We shall certainly be recommending your work to all our friends.

John A and David L (Audience of 3rd August 2001)

webmaster@startek-uk.com

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