Jollie: John and Ollie Stuck Together
Note: This review is from 2008
There is a nice chemistry between the pair, despite the fact that John is now dating Ollie’s ex-girlfriend Amy and, we discover as the show progresses, there was an overlap between the two relationships. This is almost a theatre piece, examining the bond between the friends and their history. This is where they shine and where the potential magic bubbling beneath can be spotted.
Ollie is victim to John’s bullying, and jibes about their shared girlfriend. John has a superiority complex and seems to care little for his best friends feelings. These are obviously theatrical vehicles to produce a narrative, but you’re left with the impression that there’s some truth beneath the script, thanks to convincing acting and emotional observations. They possess a natural comedic talent with a good understanding of wordplay, timing and pace. They prove they have the ability and the courage to employ pathos to engage their audience in a dramatic and tear-jerkingly sad climax.
This impressive and humorous dialogue is interspersed with some overlong and flaccid sketches about Vikings and the secret service and a rather more promising offering based on cross-fertilisation of species.
The potential is there, they need some direction and a few more outings under their belt but if they stick together and focus on their realistic dialogues rather than the surreal sketches they will be a double act to look out for next Fringe.
Reviewed by: Corry Shaw
Review date: 1 Jan 2008
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett