The School For Scandal

The Comedians Theatre Company/Pleasance

Sheridan’s 18th century farce. All star cast: Stephen K Amos, Lionel Blair, Miss Behave, Marcus Brigstocke, Bridget Christie, Paul Foot, Steve Jameson, Ella Kenion, Phil Nichol, Huw Thomas, Clare Thomson, Richard Thomson. Designed by Sue Mayes & Andy Greenfield.

PRESS

'The results are real theatrical fireworks. This is a rip-roaring romp through Sheridan's play, even though some lines were forgotten and others messed up, it didn't matter at all, in fact it added to the hilarity. The hour and half flies by in one outrageous scene after another. People who don't normally go the theatre should be urged to go along to see this because it's a great example of the fun and exhilaration to be experienced watching staged drama and the cast are clearly having an absolute ball doing it. ★★★★★'
Sunday Mirror

'Directing a bunch of stand-up comedians to do anything, never mind learn someone else’s material and pick up cues, must be like the proverbial herding of cats. But the director, Cal McCrystal, has managed to arrive at a splendidly theatrical, wildly over-the-top style for the whole thing, which actually may not be so far from the way Sheridan would have done it himself. ★★★★'
The Times

'This is what the Fringe is about – an ensemble cast of comedians in a riotous 18th-century romp. Plucking comics such as Stephen K Amos, Marcus Brigstocke and Phil Nichol from their own shows, director Cal McCrystal has adapted RB Sheridan's five-act comedy of manners into a dizzying 90 minutes. ★★★★'
Metro

'Set to be a fringe hit thanks to inspired bit of casting… Stephen K Amos works his periwig to the max…A romping good crowd-pleaser. ★★★★★'
Sunday Telegraph

'Cal McCrystal, the witty, mercurial director behind the Barbican's riotous interactive Office Party, has assembled a crack cast of comedians who are joined by Lionel Blair and the sword-swallowing diva, Miss Behave (an expressive Lady Sneerwell). The McCrystal stamp is evident in a stylish set and some gorgeously lurid costumes – endless flounces, bustles and ruffles for the women, garish striped breeches for the men and towering perruques all round.'
The Independent

'Let’s be clear from the start: The School For Scandal is deliciously infectious. This reviewer left the theatre with an almost overwhelming desire to rush out and buy a powdered wig and paint on a small but interesting beauty spot. Every aspect of this adaptation of the 18th century comedy of manners drips with decadence and self-indulgent excess. Much has already been made of the show’s all-star cast and its director, whose previous work includes the masterpiece of surrealism: The Mighty Boosh. The undoubtedly impressive celebrity factor, however, has little to do with the production’s appeal. Cal McCrystal has managed to put together an adaptation that is both engagingly modern yet utterly faithful to the period and genre conventions. Modern audiences have a habit of presuming that all historic theatre should be regarded as one might examine a piece of art, but that approach will only result in disappointment here. The play was written to be uproarious and daft: a lightly satirical play with the express purpose of making its audience laugh out loud. You’ll do so. Often. ★★★★★''
Fest Magazine

YEAR
2009