Back again with another Digital Fringe review!

This time round, though, it’s a little different! I’m reviewing a W.I.P. [Work in Progress], which means that the show is still finding its legs and things could change drastically from day to day.

In the past, when I’ve gone to see a W.I.P., I’ve seen performers stop the show to write down notes, call to their lighting operators about missed cues, run offstage and come back on with a script in hand, and, one time, someone just flat-out stated, “This is not even a show, so you can leave if you want, I’m just trying to figure sh*t out up here.” As someone who adores theatre, I quite enjoy going to these. It’s fascinating to see a show in its early stages and to see the potential it has along with the bits it has already nailed!

I had the privilege of being trusted with the recording of a W.I.P. that is making its way to Brighton Fringe this year where it will still be honing its story. I’ve seen creator Sam Walls perform at Edinburgh Fringe in “Bad Clowns: Long Live The King”, and as you may remember from my previous review, I absolutely loved that show, so I was curious to see how he would be as a solo performer!

“Sam and _ ” has a simple premise. Sam and his comedy partner, Gaz, are going to premier their brand-new show “Trouble in Paraguay” tonight. There’s only one issue… Gaz is nowhere to be seen. We learn that the theatre has an unusual clause, too. If a show runs over the one hour time slot, they will be charged one billion pounds, so Sam decides to start the show, hoping that when Gaz does show up, allegedly in 10 minutes, he can just pop right in and carry on with it.

Of course, hilarity ensues with only half of the sketches being performed, Sam trying improv with the audience and constantly checking for any sign of Gaz, who is always 10 minutes away. The show features songs, sketches, even daring egg juggling to be performed by Gaz, all going ahead without him there. Yes, even the egg juggling!

It’s so much fun that, even as someone watching from the comfort of my home, I laughed out loud a lot! I can only imagine how much funnier it would be live.

As with any W.I.P., there were moments where things didn’t work perfectly, slight pacing issues, a forgotten line or two, but as I mentioned, that is to be expected! What I wasn’t expecting, though, were some real heartfelt moments in the show.
At one point during the hilarity, with Gaz still not there, we are hit with a moment of sincere truth from Sam, forever the victim of his mate’s selfishness. Your heart aches for him as he reveals that this is not the only incident of being let down by him. We champion behind him as he takes control of the show, using his new found performers: “the paying members of the audience”.
Even as a W.I.P., this show is a fantastic night out! I am beyond excited to see how the show develops and wish I could come to see it develop further at Brighton Fringe at the The Caxton Arms on May 9th and 10th at 16:45. I am sure when the show is fully realised I will be adding on an extra star, but for now I give it…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Have you ever seen a show that started as a W.I.P. and went on to become a fully realised show? Looking forward to catching up on a couple of shows I’ve seen at the W.I.P. stage this year at Edinburgh Fringe, and I hope you guys catch some fabulous W.I.P. shows during your time at Fringe! :D
Love,
Tony x