YOUR VOICE

Wonderful characterization  24 Aug 2006 reviewer: Sean Davis, USA A veteran shipboard emcee/comedian tries to get his new boss to appreciate his talent. The comedian provides a wonderful characterization of life among shipboard entertainers. It is worth seeing this show just for the section where he creates the first five minutes of a show, including commentary about what is happening in the audience. This ranks 16th of the 128 shows I have seen so far. Rankings and similarly short reviews of all the shows I have seen can be found at http://www.cal.net/~ssdavis   Great performances, great writing 17 Aug 2006 reviewer: James , UK An excellent performance from Stephen Frost and a well written and directed performance. The other (sadly uncredited) actor does a good job with a difficult supporting role. Stephen Frost is an excellent actor and there was plenty of energy in this show. As usual, the script is full of great asides and jokes as would be expected from a writer of Jim Sweeney's calibre. This show is definitely well worth a visit.   Strong Performance With A Good Twist 15 Aug 2006 reviewer: Sarah Beamish, United Kingdom This two-man one-man show requires a strong and emotional actor to do it justice, and Steven Frost certainly steps up to the role well. You really feel for the ship's resident stand-up guy, being swept aside to be replaced by new and more attractive ship entertainment, aka Cirque Fantastique. It makes the twist at the end all the more satisfying yet creepy...   Thoughtful and Funny 14 Aug 2006 reviewer: Jonathan C, United Kingdom A great story about a stand up comic trying to hold on to his piece of show business. Stephen Frost captures the characture and is convincingly angry. His co-star matches him well. Sweeney's script spins a story that grabs and tickles.   Strong Performance 7 Aug 2006 reviewer: ROC, Scotland Steven Frost was excellent in this show. The show was great with good humour well worth going to see.   Another great performance from Stephen Frost 6 Aug 2006 reviewer: Steve Thomson, Scotland I have seen Stephen Frost perform many times over the past few years and he is fantastic every time. This play only contains 2 people and is mainly just Stephen Frost doing the talking, and it is compelling, funny and you can totally believe the situation that he finds himself in. It is a good parody of the way that the entertainment is going (reality TV etc). As mentioned, Stephen Frost was excellent!   All at sea 15 Aug 2006 reviewer: STM, Scotland A good play from Jim Sweeney. Steven Frost is great as the washed up old cruise ship perfomer (no he's not in drag playing Jane MacDonald!). This play makes a good dig at reality TV and the other "entertainment" that is selected by those who think they know what their target audience want to or should watch. www.edfringe.com

www.one4review.com Cabin Fever This play is written by the comedian Jim Sweeney it is the fourth play of his to be presented at the Gilded Balloon since 1999. The others were ‘Danny’s Wake’, ‘Sick Transit’ and ‘My MS and Me’, either Geoff or myself have seen all three. Working with Stephen Frost for years the two performers know each other well and I feel this comes out in the writing. I have watched Stephen Frost over the years perform mainly in comedy and on TV. I also saw him in the production in the Assembly Rooms, 2003 as part of the phenomenal ’12 Angry Men’ cast. ‘Cabin Fever’ could almost be a snapshot of him in another life. Billed as a one-man show for two people, we see Billy Merriweather in his cabin onboard a recently refurbished luxury cruise liner. In a wheelchair he has a man in uniform taped down with gaffartape. As the show proceeds we find out that after 25 years as a comic for the same cruise liner he is being pensioned off! ‘Alternative Comedy’ and ‘Reality Shows’ have taken over. Frosts portrayal of the character is such that without knowing him so well I would almost think he was not acting at all. The entertainment officer’s (I am trying to get his name) fear of Merriweather for me wasn’t quite believable although in the final scene of the play a possible reason for this developed. The twist in the show slowly dawned on me at the start of the third and final scene with almost a grone. Cleverly written and superbly performed it is well worth trying to see this production. ****