Fringe Review: WHAT HAPPENS IN THE DARK, Lower Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry Street
Photo credit: Matt Kamimura
What Happens in the Dark is a farce-like comedy play about a night where a married couple’s relationship is starting to get a little fraught and the people they’re both having affairs with somehow break into the bedroom at the same time. What makes this play so clever is lighting reversal - when the action is taking place in the dark, the stage lights are on brightly, and when the action is taking place with the lights on, the stage lights are off.
Kris Buxton-Dean writes the play, with Casey Buxton-Dean directing. This is a play where the writing and direction needs to work hand-in-hand and it definitely does. The show gives plenty of development time to each of the characters, whilst keeping it moving at a rapid pace. Most of the comedy comes from the staging and the frequent mistaken identity drama. Some of the staging could be a little more precise which would tighten up the comedy, but on the whole, the show is brilliantly staged and choreographed. Credit must go to lighting designer Gregory Crafts for making sure all the lighting is the right way round at exactly the right moments throughout the play.
The cast give 100% to the show which is essential for a show like this. They play everything incredibly seriously which is what makes the comedy land. Hannelore Berlin and Kris Buxton-Dean are brilliant as the central married couple. Their relationship is believable which gives the ups and downs of their relationship emotional weight amidst the riotous comedy. Eric Ramos proves himself as a very strong comic actor, getting laughs simply from glances and facial expressions. Lee Pollero completes the cast and is wonderfully unhinged and a little sinister, adding stakes to the story.
What Happens in the Dark almost feels like a modern Noel Coward play - there is an air of Private Lives about it - whilst still being unique. It’s the perfect late night comedy to end your day at the Edinburgh Fringe.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush