REVIEW: SPIDERS! by Poisoned Well Theatre Company – Camden Fringe – Rosemary Branch Theatre from 29 July – 1 August

‘Charming Chaos’ ★★★

Spiders! follows a wannabe New York Girly (or Emma depending on how you view the show) using edibles to cope with her disgusting flat in the big apple (“$2,000 a month and that is not including any infestations”). Only this time the edibles have unexpected consequences, our girly can see her "flatmates", a trio of spiders, named "Melancholy Spider", "Cool Spider" and "French Spider". 

This show uses character breaks and humour to take us on a camp quirky journey of a group of actors putting on a show about spiders. Each performance is delivered with vigour, and everyone knows their part. Each actor delivers a charming, humoured dual portrayal of characters within a show and the actors who play those characters. The story is chaotic, purposefully so, however the chaos sits in a middle ground and leaves us either desiring more as an audience member, or less as certain narrative threads are placed down and either glazed over or forgotten.

Hannah Waldman portrays "Melancholy", and the actor playing Melancholy, with perfect pitch, giving credence to the adage of the typecast. Audrey Parry is a highlight as "French" Spider, delivering a sharp set of quips and making a meal out of the French accent. Alyson Wren has the energy to steal the show with the role of repressed sassy "stage manager". Emma Freund keeps us all clued in to the story and everyone's failings, and Molly Wolff serenades us joyously throughout. 

A little more clarity is required to give the show a better foundation from which the cast can push themselves to the limit, reach new comedic heights and find a deeper meaning.

To conclude, the show is one that clues the audience in to how it is not taking itself too seriously, a charming watch for all, even though it can and should push itself further.

Spiders!

A Poisoned Well Theatre Company Production

Instagram: @poisonedwelltheatrecompany

29^th July until August 1^st at 9pm.

Rosemary Branch Theatre

Box Office: https://camdenfringe.com/events/spiders/



Reviewer bio

Heather is an actor, writer, and comedian. Since graduating from Drama school in 2022, she has gone on to perform her own solo play "Deadball" at the Wandsworth Fringe Festival (2023). She is currently in the process of rewriting a new play which made it to the final rounds of a new play call out by Middle Child Theatre.