The Play What I Wrote - Evaluation.

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James Pearson 11h                 The Play What I Wrote – Evaluation

        “The Play What I Wrote” was a collection of sketches/anecdotes based around the theme of an old Morecambe and Wise show.  The show used a wide range of props, scenery and physical humour to achieve what it set out to do. However, I felt that it relied to heavily on the physical aspects of the script to get easy laughs instead of making people laugh with words.

        The overall style of the play was a comedy but was far from the alternative comedy that is thought to be funny in my society, culture and above all generation. The target and capacity audience that were at the Theatre Royal were all at least old enough to go on a scrabble holiday with Saga, a generation that will have remembered Morecambe and Wise well and could relate to the play.  

Because the play was essentially a Morecambe and Wise cover show it failed to shake off the nostalgic feeling that it could’ve easily disguised. The actors were clearly very inspired by the famous comedy duo but this was far too evident throughout. It’s one thing to just cover someone else but it’s far more impressive to use the inspiration to find your own niche and take it on to the next level. For example, a band can choose to cover a famous band’s song but they’re never going to get it exactly right and have the status and charisma of the original band – let alone the talent. It is far better to take the original and put your own interpretation or twist on it to suit your style and personality.©

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I generally felt that the play was too easy on the mind. It reminded me of a kid’s birthday party with a magician or clown using physical tricks and props to get easy laughs. It was too easy just to switch off, glaze over and watch – I felt as if I was slumped in front of a telly watching ITV or nothing in particular (well, ITV). I really wanted something that was going to engage me mentally far more and make me think about it.

The days of slapstick comedy and “My Mother in Law…” jokes ...

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