In 2010 Cardiff writer Rick Allden's mini-play "The Devil's Jig" came second in Sherman Theatre's Script Slam competition. Re-written and amended for the Cardiff Comedy festival it appeared for one night only ( so far) upstairs at Dempseys.
Last year's Comedy Festival offering "Humanzee" was performed at the Chapter Arts centre but this production is part of their current trend of providing cheap and cheerful shows in pub spaces. The lack of technical enhancements stimulates the imagination which is perfectly indicated in the opening moments. The simple use of a sheet, lighting and name on sticks provided a highly amusing and silly opening title sequence which immediately set the tone for the following hour's entertainment.
Guy D'Amn Fine is a highwayman, looking back at his past glories, the women, the money, the women, the fame and not forgetting, the women. He uses flashbacks to show the events which lead him to his current predicament, awaiting his imminent death at the end of a hangman's noose.
Rick Allden's scripts are always funny but they need good actors to bring these weird characters to life and over the years Inky Quills have acquired an impressive array of performers. George Goding ( who also directed the piece) excels as the egotistical, yet family protector, Guy D'amnfine, Alan Humphreys shows his versatility in a variety of roles as diverse as a dead French Highwayman, Mrs D'amnfine and a very butch nun ( you do wonder about the state of the writer's mind sometimes) and Jon Holcroft made you believe he truly was a lisping Cockney idiot.
This production saw the arrival of a new addition to the Inky fold, Yusuf as Lord Dove, displaying an unexpectedly high voice for such an evil baddie amd showing great comic timing and an impressive stage presence ( not to mention his nipples).
This play is worthy of a longer run and a wider audience. If it comes around your way, don't miss it if you like affordable, accessible fun. Oh, and nuns!!
(Inky Quill productions is mainly known for comedy but it is also branching out into horror plays ( look out for the next Shudders at Halloween).
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