PERFORMANCE & COMEDY

Rondo Theatre, Bath (Fri 24 June)

THEATRE/COMEDY It’s hard to imagine enjoying a play without any conflict, in which nothing really happens. But this is exactly what we got with 'The Happy Couple', the latest show from Bath favourites New Old Friends. This was a work in progress and, though scruffy around the edges, the pure comic genius was already evident. Even when things went wrong (which they often did) the relaxed, natural actors managed to improvise and make it part of the act without batting an eyelid.

The story goes that characters Man (Feargus Woods Dunlop) and Woman (Heather Westwell) are in love. Their relationship isn’t damaged or troubled in any way: it's just a bit dull. The couple sit on the sofa making awkward conversation, reminiscing about the past when things were a little more exciting. The show consists of flashbacks, fantastically well-written songs, and just the right amount of audience participation.

It’s also hilarious, with the audience wailing with delight from start to finish at the mix of slapstick comedy, witty one-liners, topical references and downright odd humour. Man and Woman decide to go on a quest and play in a ping pong tournament in order to feel as though they do something together other than slouch in front of the telly; this is pretty much the only sense of plot in the whole show, and provides the basis of catchy tunes, ridiculous characters and oodles of fun. Although the second act wasn’t quite as good as the first, once all fine tuning is complete 'The Happy Couple' will be a fine piece of work when they tour with the finished product in 2012. (Helena Cole)

Copyright Helena Cole 2011