We at The Jitney continue to review Edinburg Fringe plays at a breakneck speed.
Today we highlight two diamonds in the rush we would like to promote.
Fail Safe
Fail Safe was one of the longest plays we saw at this year’s Fringe at 90 minutes. And it was one of the most engaging. This world-premiere black comedy follows Ivy and Jones, two dead-end twenty-somethings in Connecticut who form a suicide pact.
Ivy is a long-suffering manic depressive, while Jones is a socially awkward 26-year-old virgin with a slightly more political streak. He wants to make their deaths a statement against capitalism and inequality.
She just wants to die.
The piece cycles through repeated failed attempts at suicide, broken up by bursts of dark humor, unexpected intimacy, and increasingly absurd scenarios. The writing is sharp, the pacing tight, and the chemistry between the two American actors snaps, crackles, and eventually pops.
Despite the bleak subject matter, the show avoids being oppressively dark, opting instead for a twisted but playful tone. With only six people in the audience, it deserved far more.
Funny, dark, well-written, and captivating. ★★★★
Bury the Hatchet
Presented by Out of the Forest Theatre Company, Bury the Hatchet is a clever, bluegrass-infused retelling of the Lizzie Borden case, one of America’s most notorious unsolved murders. Well, it’s sort of solved, like most people know she did it. Mixing true crime, history, and folksy murder ballads, three immensely talented actors (including an Olivier Award winner) transform the tale into a witty, fast-paced piece of theatre.
Framed like a live true crime podcast, the show leads the audience through the events, trial, and cultural mythology surrounding Borden. The performances are crisp, the tempo never lags, and the musical elements add a lively twist to the morbid subject matter.
Tightly packed, great acting, and consistently entertaining. ★★★★
Our Favorite play of the Fringe remains Philosphy of the World, reviewed here.
