Review: Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir, Edinburgh Fringe 2024
- Lisa in the theatre
- Aug 7, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 25
Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir ★★★☆☆
by 21 Common
Directed by Lucy Gaizely and Gary Gardiner with Dan Brown
Review: Zoo Southside (Main House)
Edinburgh Festival Fringe | 6 August 2024
Expectations are everything, and for me this show is mis-advertised on the Edinburgh Fringe website. A dance spectacular it is not. The dancing that takes place in this show is performed, on the whole, in silence behind the lead actor when he is performing a monologue. The cast of 12 move in sequence secondary to the narrative with their quiet, disconnected line dancing moves.
Rather than the high energy, Grand Ole Opry-esque hoedown I expected, potential audience members should pay attention to the second part of this show's title 'A Memoir' - because that's what this is. A hard-hitting, shocking portrayal of one boy's upbringing and the violence and poverty that shaped his life.
It's a unique, very clever idea to use the wild west as an analogy for a turbulent family living room. The concept of mashing together a play about masculinity and trauma, with karaoke and dance is an exciting one. But some aspects work better than others.
The lead performer is superb. An engaging, charismatic speaker, he also dances beautifully, fights with obvious skill and even sings. I will be honest, the promise of bare-knuckle boxing was what I was looking forward to the least, but it turned out to be the highlight of the show. Well choreographed and expertly done, it brought some much needed energy to the room.
The bar-brawl / fight sequence was also the only time when the music was upbeat. Most of the other karaoke numbers were from the more solemn end of the country and western music catalogue, and although performed with enthusiasm and with the attempt at added humour of bouncing horses and pint glasses above the karaoke lyrics on the screen, it did little to raise enthusiasm from the uncertain audience.
21 Common are a fantastic arts collective and charity based in Glasgow who are known for putting on pioneering and challenging works for and with their local communities. The ensemble for this show is made up of both professional and non-professional performers from Paisley, Linwood and Johnstone, but again there's nothing on the posters or on the Edinburgh Fringe website to even hint at that. Perhaps locals would come support.
Although maybe not all traditional performance artists, the cast all do such a fantastic job. I was especially impressed by the actor / dancer who played 'The Boy.'
The audience were unfortunately a little bewildered at this show (I listened as we were leaving the auditorium) and I do think that is down to confusion over what they were going to see. The 'blurb' promising "a dance spectacular" and "feats of physical endurance" may get bums on seats during the busy Edinburgh Festival season but at what cost if expectations are not set accordingly.
'Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir' is an important, sometimes hard to watch, maybe even controversial play that uses western movie tropes as a metaphor for domestic violence. 21 Common should be commended for taking such a unique concept and a passionate cast and creative team to the Edinburgh Fringe, but for the performers sake I'd love if the audience were more in accord. ★★★☆☆
Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir plays at Zoo Southside, Edinburgh until 17th August
Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir Cast and Creatives
Directed by Lucy Gaizely and Gary Gardiner with Dan Brown.
Performed by: Miriam Baalke; Dan Brown; Neshla Caplan; Leo Convey; Minnie Crook; Gary Gardiner; Margaret McMillan; Cormac Myles; Carol Turner and Althea Young.
Associate Artist: Ian Johnston
Lighting Design: Benny Goodman
Stage Manager and Technician: Holly M Wright
Fight Director: David Banks
Executive Producer: Louise Irwin
Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir Edinburgh Fringe 2024
By 21 Common
Venue: Zoo Southside (Main House)
Dates: 2nd - 17th August (Not 11th or 12th)
Time: 12:30
Content Warnings: Warnings and additional info: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Scenes of violence, Strobe lighting, Strong language/swearing
Age Guidance: 14+ | Running Time: 60 Mins
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Disclosure: I am an Edinburgh Festival Fringe accredited media reviewer and as such I receive complimentary press tickets in exchange for my honest reviews. My reviews and star ratings are always my honest opinions.
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