Fringe review: SPY MOVIE: THE PLAY!, Pleasance Courtyard

Photo credit: Jack Whitney

Fringe producers are always looking for an idea that will sell and for that, it needs a hook that will attract an audience. The Bond franchise is an obvious target given our familiarity with its style, locations and action. It lends itself to comedy spoof packed with puns and Easter egg references to the original films.

Spy Movie: The Play! is the result. A play staged as if creating a film around the Bond characters with "special effects", daring stunts and quickly changing locations. A game of Bond bingo would have you crossing over the tropes and puns every few seconds.

Ian Flemish is tired of writing his Jane Blond novels and plans to kill her off when his manuscript is stolen and the chase across the world begins. Dick Harwood (you can never get too much Dick), Miss Cashless Payment, Colonel Danger, and Mmm get involved in the chase. When Mr Lovely meets Mr Jubbley, we are in sitcom territory and pantomime is not far away.

With special effects including space ships, a train chase, a car chase, a helicopter ride, and a cable car, it is all action all the way. We love the idea although by the end, it does become a little overdone and we were glad of the abrupt ending.

Still, for a very silly spoof on the classic films played with serious intent, "definitely a time to die maybe" is a fun and frivolous way to pass an hour in perhaps the best venue at the Fringe.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Nick Wayne

Spy Movie: The Play! plays at Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 25 August, with further info here.