Showing @ C Nova, Edinburgh until Mon 25 Aug @ 14:00
Last year it was a bunker. This year, Jethro Compton productions will perform the Capone Trilogy in a down-at-heel hotel room. Inspiration comes from Satan’s fall, the Revenger’s Tragedy and, first up, the Norse god Loki. How the Trickster god fits into the story of Lola, a nightclub performer trapped between a dull fiancé and a thriving career, isn’t obvious; but in the end, it’s not important.
A shaky start, featuring visions of Lola’s disturbed mind, falls flat. But things bed in quickly, and we’re soon on an enjoyable romp through Chicago’s seedy underbelly. The script whips along, with far more laughs than the posters imply. The mood is dark farce, and the concept is beautifully executed.
Featuring three very talented actors, the large cast of characters allows the clever set to really shine, with seamless exits and introductions; an Italian lover hides under the bed, only to re-enter through the door as a hit-man. Oliver Tilney and David Calivitto do sterling, energetic work with everything that’s thrown at them, whilst Suzie Preece – playing a single role – drips sex appeal, street smarts and an apparent knack for turning misfortune to her advantage.