There are masterpieces in art and music, but this production, Masterpiece, is a masterpiece and a master class in clowning and mime artistry. Rae Colquhoun-Fairweather and Will Bartolo are highly skilled actors, clowns and mime artists – and they are absolutely hilarious!
These two never put a foot, gesture or facial movement wrong.
As with all good physical theatre, the overall storyline is simple. Two workers are given the task of putting up a painting in an Art Gallery. Simple, right? WRONG!! Our two protagonists are confronted by us, the audience, and a musician who looks as if he doesn’t want to be there. Many, many comedic problems occur from then on, the least being which way up should the painting be hung. During the show, watch out for what seems to be a gag in honour of Mel Brooks and a certain gag from his film Silent Movie.
To reveal too much would ruin the fun that this wonderful production exudes. Colquhoun-Fairweather and Bartolo make it all seem easy. Colquhoun-Fairweather plays the happy-go-lucky, bubbly one who so obviously enjoys Life and sees work as fun. Whereas Bartolo is the straight-laced serious one, who can get childish and morose when things don’t go his way. This is all conveyed by the actors’ expressions and movements alone. With some physical theatre actors it is sometimes difficult to tell what they are trying to convey – not so with these two, they excel in their craft. Everything they do is crystal clear to the audience.
Speaking of the audience: yes, there is audience participation but of the mildest kind and the majority of it involves the entire group. Go along with it as it adds wonderfully to the fun. Congratulations to the young lady who was selected on opening night to help onstage – she went along with everything and was a pretty good improvisor herself. There is an art to selecting audience members who are highly likely to participate and Colquhoun-Fairweather and Bartolo seem to be experts at it.
Earlier in this review, I mentioned a musician who didn’t seem to want to be there (all part of the act). Unfortunately, I can’t find his name mentioned anywhere. But he is phenomenal at playing the violin, a little piano and a lot of laptop. His deadpan facial expression does not change the entire time and he never pulls focus. As a matter of fact, there are times that one forgets about him entirely except for the music that is emanating from his area. This actor is every part of this great show. And hang around for his final exit after the bows.
A quick word about the venue, the Hetzel Room. It is a fantastic intimate venue for the Fringe. It’s cool without being cold and the seats are perhaps the most comfortable out of all the Fringe venues.
If you want a really fun night out, and who doesn’t, with no angst of deep dark messages involved, then the ever masterfully funny Masterpiece is definitely for you.