Back again with another digital fringe review!

This time I am reviewing The Fiascoholics production of 4's A Crowd.

Set in a nuclear bunker at the end of the world, we are introduced to a host of characters who have bought their way (or won a LadBible competition) to safety.

We have the prep, the slob, the silent one, the jock, and the one who just wants everyone to like him and have fun! A perfect host of conflicting personality types for an end of the world nuclear comedy.

Except it never really goes anywhere. Jokes don't land or they are just really clichéd and outdated, I mean in 2025 do we really need to have a string of jokes where the punchline is that the sporty guy is secretly gay?

The whole thing would have worked as a YouTube comedy sketch but by stretching it out to the length of a play without adding more depth to the characters, the story didn't really go anywhere and instead became a mess of accusations and plotholes.

Todd Bell was the only saving grace in this play. His character, Henry, was a ridiculous and out of touch with reality Hollywood method actor. Bell was full of presence and genuinely made me laugh out loud. If only the material were stronger for his performance skills.

This play could be a really strong fringe comedy but it needs to have excessive rewrites. Create characters not punchlines and eventually from the truth you will find the comedy.

With such a varied host of characters and an abundance of subject matters that can relate to a bunker full of rich and poor, you could have had a rip roaring comedy that also had heart to it.

I really do hope that they give it another go. Fringe is a place to experiment and come back stronger next year. It brings me no happiness to not enjoy a play but believe me if I see potential, I just want to positively push towards greatness.

⭐️⭐️

The next digital fringe review shouldn't be too far away 😁 hoping you are all enjoying the series and I hope you are all doing well whilst you wait to have another fantastic fringe! 😁

Love,

Tony x