Showing @ Greenside, until 17 Aug, times vary
Thee Gothic Gentlemen’s Happy Ever After? is a show that promises to reveal the hidden and often darker side to kids’ fairy-tale characters. Expecting a show that was bold and intrepid, it was disappointing to find that the cast lacked craft and some (quite literal) stage presence. With most of the action happening off stage (mainly quarrels between the actors), and the constant argument to get Lil Goth (Nique) on stage, the absence of the characters simply became tedious.
The show aims to expose children’s classic mythical characters for what they really are, and although their sketches covered a lot of ground, it soon became rather repetitive as each character’s demise became more and more predictable as the show progressed. The hype surrounding the involvement of internet sensation Nick Pitera was soon quashed when it was revealed his contribution was nothing more that the YouTube video clip of his ‘One Man Disney Movie’. The importance of this video was lost as it was soon replaced by another recording, and another, and another. Tommy’s skill as a magician however managed to save the show from falling flat as he captivated with live mice, balloons that turned into champagne bottles and finishing on whipping a table cloth off a (sparsely) laid table.
Happy Ever After? is a show which felt more like a work in progress and watching it was like looking in on a rehearsal. With long costume changes, typical storylines and at times, unsuited video clips, it seems that our classic fairy-tale characters still have the upper hand.