HA HA HA

HA HA HA.
by Tom Tabori.

Oran Mor Glasgow 8 August 2007.
Mon-Sat Dors open at noon for pie and pint, play starts 1.05pm.
Runs 45min No interval.

TICKETS: at door, 08700 600 1000 (or www.ticketmaster.co.uk).
http://www.oran-mor.co.uk
Review: Thelma Good 4 August 2007.

Dunbar a flair for more varied roles.

Bungle wants out, he’s had enough and he’s going. Not running away to the circus, but running away from it. For Bungle’s a clown, a white faced clown who the children love. Karen Dunbar’s tall, slim form as Bungle seems almost too large for the Oran Mor stage laid out to look like a back of the ring dressing room.

Ann Scott-Jones plays Bo, Bungle’s sidekick and he’s panicking about Bungle’s decision to leave. Outside he points out it’s not just one emotion - it’s two, three even four. Tom Tabori’s script suggests Beckett’s fascination with language, who we are and whether we can really relate to one another. Bungle and Bo both use the Jamaican rap style language you can hear in and around London, it’s a leisurely way of talking. A rhythm the actors didn’t quite relish enough, though Dunbar showed she’s a flair for more varied roles than her TV characters.

On Tuesday, perhaps because of the not laid back enough delivery, the Glasgow audience were uncharacteristically slow to respond though by the play’s end, they clearly were following some at least of the sub themes. The direction brought out some of Ha Ha Ha’s interesting and darkly humorous moments. More resonances and controversy could be gained from a second staging, with the white faced clowns played by two black actors. Though black actors are still too rare on Scottish stages and usually have to be imported.

The A Play, A Pie and A Pie Autumn series at Oran Mor runs till the 22nd of December with plays by David Greig, Paddy Cunneen, Peter Arnott, Rona Munro, Morna Pearson and others including a musical play by Clive King and three week run of a panto by Andy Gray. It’s a fun way to enjoy a new play each week.

Bungle : Karen Dunbar.
Bo : Ann Scott-Jones.

Director : Liz Lochhead.
Designer : Annette Gillies.
Costume Designer : Maggie Miller.
Assistant Director : Graeme Alexander Young.

2007-09-07 10:10:41