Review by Steve Bennett

Aging thespian Sir Barrington Ganch is clearly a strong comic character, but his presence in the theatre part of the Fringe programme is, perhaps, a nod to the fact that creator Jez Fielder couldn’t quite eke enough jokes out of his premise to qualify the show as comedy. But then neither is it dramatic enough to be theatre.

Sir Barrington is a wistful 85-year-old actor with a wild shock of white hair, who reminisces over a lifetime in the theatre over a glass of cognac. He’s similar in looks and style to The Fast Show’s befuddled barrister Rowley Birkin, but a lot more comprehensible. And the audience are given a snifter to share with the old thesp, too.

The character is well-drawn, more believable than you might expect, and the old boy can certainly hold an audience spellbound with his memories. He show’s tautly directed and fluently written – and the production values excellent, with an impressive drawing-room set for fringe theatre. Hell, they even got a game Hannah Gordon to make an on-screen cameo.

There are more chuckles than belly laughs here, usually from the well-rationed sprinkling of surreal images; and a couple of nostalgic clips from his early career are well put-together and amusing.

Sir Barrington’s career started in rep, advancing through larger theatres, low-budget British films, a terribly cheesy Seventies sitcom and a gameshow, finally winding up in an earnest piece of experimental theatre – all of which are lovingly mocked. A genuine air of pathos is introduced, too, as he talks about his personal life – a tragic element that doesn’t sit comfortably with the gentle comedy, although Fielder ensures the gear change is smooth.

My Life Is Art is as warm and cosy as a favourite pair of slippers, and Sir Barrington is an immensely agreeable old cove. An hour in his company is a delight, if not side-splitting.

Reviewed by: Steve Bennett

Review date: 1 Jan 2008
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett