To the Rondo in torrential rain for this first of four nights of, as its title suggests, very varied entertainment, aimed at raising money for the Rondo Revamp fund, and presented by the youthful and vigorous Rondo Theatre Company to a packed house of enthusiastic fans.
The evening starts off quietly, hosted by the engagingly witty Nat Prescott, who engages in a bit of standard audience banter warm-up (though the audience has little need of warming up) before she introduces the first main act – the world premiere of a short play ‘Yeah Art Figures’ by award-winning Kim E Ruyle –whose surname nobody knows how to pronounce.
The piece features a disgruntled maths teacher, Frank, ranting at supply teacher Joni (Yes, she does like Joni Mitchell) about the general ignorance of students because of their addiction to their smartphones, and, what he most doesn’t like – which is the word ‘like’, itself, and its over-use by the young.
If this sounds unpromising, it isn’t. There’s plenty of action, and appearances by more teachers, including, among others, a giant PE teacher, and while the piece does make serious points about education, it’s done with wit and humour.
The interaction between and weirdness of the characters is part of the dynamic, too, leading to a pleasingly clever romantic denouement.
Next up, local comedian Holly Leggett, whose wry comments on the ins and outs of Millennial life brought repeated huge laughs of recognition from the audience. Great stuff.
And lastly, Craig Mitchell’s Jukebox Mashup, an absolute master class in musical comedy improv, as he riffs brilliantly on song suggestions from the audience with guitar, effects pedals, and wildly funny vocals. A complete tour de force.
Altogether this is a wonderful array of the huge amount of sheer talent we have around these parts – and there are still three more days to run; same play, different comic and music. Unmissable.
Get yourself down there!
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Reviewer: John Christopher Wood for the Bath Echo | Star rating: ****