Fringe Review: THE PAST, Friesian at Underbelly, Bristo Square
What is history? Fishing4Chips ask in total darkness in that booming, resonating voice that prepares you for something bigger than this. History, they tell us, is… The Past. Having nicely set the tone of the show, Fishing4Chips dive straight in at the very beginning - we are suddenly all fish - and trawl through The Past from there. Ridiculously entertaining, The Past is a hilarious romp through time that is high energy, pun-inflicted and sort of, somewhat educational.
Our two narrators of time are Freddie Walker and Sean Wareing who dash onto and off the stage at Friesian, Underbelly in between every sketch with mind-boggling, seemingly limitless energy. Or perhaps they’re sitting in the audience or playing the ukelele; in The Past, you’re never quite sure what antics they will engage in next. Ricocheting through history, we arrive at 2500 BC or 1989, we meet Henry VIII and Adam and Eve, accusations are made about who built the pyramids. It is a quick-fire history lesson to test the knowledge that entered and left your brain in those early teenage years, smothered in quick wit and eye-rolling one liners.
Razor-sharp execution of a host of prominent historical figures through time is no mean feat, although that’s not to say historical accuracy is the main objective of the show. As a combination between Horrible Histories and Monty Python, Fishing4Chips have the audience in the palm of their hands, which is useful because there is a fair bit of audience participation in this immersive show, and the audience are loving every second.
The Past is a raucous hour of racing about the stage with props getting increasingly more daft and sketches ever more ridiculous. As far as comedy goes, the script is superbly delivered with the utmost panache. Walker and Wareing’s infectious energy propels the show into an uproarious hour of comedy with some fun facts to boot.
As time passes before your very eyes (not necessarily in chronological order - Fishing4Chips keep you on your toes), you are completely enraptured by the chaos unfolding. A small part of you finds yourself hoping that as well as being in your past, maybe The Past will become part of your future too. A mystifying combination of intelligence and silliness, this show is truly a treat to watch.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Hannah Goldswain
The Past plays at Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 30 Aug, with further info here.