Pint Sized Comedy – Manama Theatre Club
Intelligent direction, riveting performances and a well-curated collection of scripts kept the audience rapt all evening at the British Club in Um Al Hassam.
The show got off to a great start with La Mouche. As soon as the lights went out I was approached by a waiter who asked me if he could bring me something to drink … and it took me a few seconds to appreciate this was all part of the play!
Engaging with the characters made it an immersive experience. Director Carrie Bell brought alive the cultural diversity beautifully in this one – an Indian diner makes a surprising discovery in a French restaurant in New York.
MTC chair Hannah Turner and her co-host Liv Prince-Smith introduced the sketches, and their ideally interspaced repartee ensured a seamless transition from one act to the next. They were entertaining too.
Chris Cheval, producer of Pint Sized Comedy and director of two of the acts, shone in Will’s Dramaturg, as the ‘know-it-all colleague’ who offers an undiscovered William Shakespeare tips on how to pen a play. His stage presence was hard to miss.
The Internal Quadrangle featured Tosin Arowojolu, who is performing for the very first time with MTC. Even though she had a small role, she made her presence felt and shows promising acting prowess. Also starring in the play was an invisible character, perhaps addressing a mental health issue using comedy to get the message across?
The use of one’s body is a major defining element in a performance art such as acting. I was impressed by Majd Alaradi and Maryam Al Moosa’s intonation and expressions, especially considering the play was focused on and entitled Body Language.
A special mention to Sowsan Hasan in The Lady and The Tygre for her well-thought-out and, I’m sure, rehearsed, although seemingly effortless movements, which not only suited her character but also delivered the message of the play – the power of connection and human touch. She has also directed two of the plays in the production.
Good Innings and Role Play offer premium comedy further elevated by the eccentricities of the characters that are splendidly brought alive by all the actors. Amy McGavin’s portrayal of St Peter, who evaluates souls and decides if they go to heaven or hell, humanised celestial beings, making them more relatable.
Catherine Noor, who is also a director, and Amanda Mercer’s bovine humour is unbeatable in A Load of Bull. It took me a minute to realise what was happening and that subtleness is what provides the comic fodder (pun intended) in this play.
Kudos to all the directors for their spot-on selection of plays offering a diverse experience for the audience. Even corporate-inspired humour makes its way in the production with The Sweet Smell of Lemon.
The evening ended with Smooth Criminals, which leaves the audience asking if the means justifies the end. In this play, Morgan ‘Bad Apple’ Hentrup rightfully returns to stage after a 20-year hiatus, bringing the not-so-smooth but lovable Cheryl alive.
Each of the plays last between five to seven minutes with a 15-minute break after five performances.
There will be two shows: Tomorrow at the British Club and on Friday at the Dilmun Club in Saar, with doors opening and catering available starting at 6.15pm, final orders at 7pm and the event kicking off at 7.45pm.
Tickets are available priced BD8 and a percentage of all sales will go to charity. For details, visit @mtcbahrain on Instagram.
– Melissa Nazareth
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