Showing @ Pleasance Dome

Whitebone Productions return to the Fringe with both their original, award-winning one-man show, Bane, and its aptly titled sequel, Bane 2. Once more featuring Joe Bone as the ruthless hired hand and every other character, and also featuring live music from musician Ben Roe, this black comedy that delves deep into the troubled mind of the man himself, whilst unveiling a terrifying new foe, a bloodthirsty creature that’s intent on getting revenge against Bane- at any cost.

Picking up not long after its predecessor left off, Bane 2 follows the eponymous hitman, (Joe Bone) as he finds himself on a much darker path than before that includes some difficult choices. After nonchalantly massacring innocent bystanders he’s sent to see a shrink, and he’s forced to face his past and feelings, as he faces his most dangerous challenge yet.

Taking place in the Pleasance Dome’s ten dome where Bane was performed last year, Bane 2 is a dark and very funny sequel. Containing all of the attributes that made the original show so successful, this new piece recreates some of the characters from last year, whilst creating some unforgettable new ones. Featuring such B-Movie themes as the perils of toxic waste, lovesick teenagers and betrayal, Bane 2 also alludes to some more modern cinematic influences, including, among others, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Ghostbusters. Impeccably performed by Bone, Roe’s musical accompaniment was a character in itself, with the working relationship between actor and musician showcasing a mutual understanding and respect of the other’s work. Slick, professional and above all, entertaining, Bone and Roe’s second film noir parody is a theatrical triumph that successfully reinvigorates a well-worn genre without falling into cliché. If you haven’t seen either of these shows, then you’re missing out on two of this year’s Fringe highlights.