Hello, everyone!

I am so delighted to have been invited to review 'Game of Crones' for A&E Comedy’s U.K tour, seeing it at their stop in Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre. With the build-up to Fringe taking up so much of my time, it was a treat to be able to go to the theatre and see a show rather than just reading about shows and planning strategies to have a jam-packed Fringe Festival.

I had, funnily enough, never been to Traverse Theatre, so I was excited to even see the space! I’ll be honest and say that I have never heard of A&E Comedy before I was asked to review them, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

I arrived at Traverse and went down to the Foyer. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a theatre show that wasn’t Fringe-based or family-oriented, so it took me a moment to adjust to the foyer being filled with patrons dressed in their best, carrying around glasses of wine and discussing politics.

The theatre was almost full, which was fantastic to see in a world that tells us that art is dying. I noticed that I was very much in the minority of the demographic going to see the show. Being a man in his early 30s, I’m not sure if I was the target audience for a show about women challenging the idea that, after a certain age, they should fade quietly into bingo nights and cardigans. But, then again, why should I not be attending for those reasons? Is there not more for me to learn?

The stage is set with two giant cloudlike structures whilst epic fantasy series music blasts throughout the theatre. The clown element is already strong as the backdrop is a projection of a scribbled note suggesting an image to display for the start of the show.

The lights go down and the music swells, abruptly ending with the slam of drums. Silence as a creature scurries onstage making silly noises with their tongue. So simple yet so funny, the crowd was immediately ready for more.

Abigail and Emma revel in stupidity, but it’s not without heart. The story is about a woman named The Protagonist who goes on a fantasy quest to fight the evil Cronos, reverse the curse of aging, and to prevent herself from fading into the obscurity women face around their 50s and 60s.
We follow The Protagonist as they go through their quest in spite of constant messages and phone calls from loved ones and acquaintances needing them to solve the simplest problems. How are they supposed to go on their own epic quest when they are constantly looking around for other people’s cycling shorts, giving their adult children lifts to shops they can walk to, or baking for charity bake sales, an insightful commentary about how women at this age are still seen as a necessity, but not allowed to have their own autonomy.
A&E are skilled comedic performers and it is a breath of fresh air to see a show where the comedy is enhanced by silly costumes rather than depending on it. At one point in the show, a creature with ridiculously long arms retrieves items from behind a set piece, that action alone is hilarious in its efforts, but the simple twist of having that character drop one of the props and continuously struggle to pick it up had the audience united in laughter.
There were sections of the show I struggled to understand. A line would be uttered and 98% of the crowd would be in uproarious laughter. I believe it was myself, the elderly gentleman sitting next to me, and potentially the only other male in the audience who weren’t laughing. This wasn’t out of spite but rather, I feel, this was something that we have to miss out on because it’s not been in our world. I could sit and pout over how I was being excluded with no context given, but when I really think about it, how often in this world are women excluded because we highlight so much of the male perspective? Perhaps I would understand this more if I took the time to learn more, to ask more, and to engage in conversations with the intention of gaining perspective and becoming a better ally in the process.

The show did struggle with transitions, the sketches sometimes ending awkwardly almost as if there was more to be said but we needed to move on, so it, at times, felt a little rushed. I also wished more was done for the final battle. It happened so quickly that I felt I had missed out on its message, not due to age or gender, but rather that it just happened so quickly and the sound was a little too loud and garbled. It’s a shame because it was such a big buildup that it was a little disappointing to have it end that way.
Overall, though, the show was a really fun night out. It was silly, it was touching, and had great songs. As I stated before, we often hear that theatre does not sell well, but the crowd who came tonight were excited from the foyer, into the show, and onto the streets. I hope to see A&E Comedy when they return with their next venture, and I hope next time that I’ll have done enough work to be a little bit more in on the jokes. 😉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A&E Comedy have two more dates on their UK tour, so if they are anywhere near you, I highly recommend you check them out!
Love,
Tony x