Edinburgh Fringe: Blink – Traverse Theatre
Writer: Phil Porter
Director: Joe Murphy
Reviewer: John Roberts
The Public Reviews Rating: 
Nabokov Theatre Company have always been at the forefront of new and exciting writing, they have also never been scared of trying out something new or being controversial in their subject matter, for their latest project a co-production with Soho Theatre and presented as part of the Traverse Theatre’s fringe 2012 programme they have gone down the rom-com route, albeit a little unconventional, hilariously funny and outright quirky. This is the theatre version of ‘500 Days of Summer’ but for a theatrical generation, and brilliant it is too!
Jonah (Harry McEntire) having been raised up in a religious sect is now living in London, whilst Sophie (Rosie Wyatt) has moved from the Isle of Wight with her father also living in the capital. Fate, death and a little 21st century technology bring these two socially awkward individuals together in more ways than one with heart warming consequences and a truck load of belly laughs.
McEntire is perfect in the role of Jonah, he brings a level of warmth and geekiness to this overly attentive adult, you can’t help but warm to his idealistic and naive viewpoint of the world around him, whilst Wyatt as Sophie provides the perfect balance and foil for him to play against, here we have a strong minded, independent woman coming to terms with the recent bereavement of her father and using every trick in the book to stay top of the food chain, things need to be done her way or no way at all.
Joe Murphy directs Phil Porter’s sharp and sophisticated script with a stylised approach on a wonderful post-modernist set by Hannah Clark, the pace is pitched perfectly and coupled with the strong performances from McEntire and Wyatt you can’t help but be ultimately won over by this brilliantly observed play.
A strong production and one of those rare theatrical gems that can be seen shining bright amongst the 1000’s of shows on offer this year.
Photo by Sheila Burnet
Runs until 26th August
Edinburgh Fringe: Blink – Traverse Theatre,Tags: Blink, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Fringe, Fringe, Hannah Clark, Harry McEntire, Joe Murphy, Nabokov, Phil Porter, Rosie Wyatt, Soho Theatre, Traverse Theatre
3:56 am on August 4th, 2012
Did not enjoy this, no empathy with characters. Boring script and I was at preview on 2 August. No one laughed in audience. Sorry, Avoid!!!!
9:52 am on August 5th, 2012
A dull script, not much more than a series of monologues by unengaging characters. It didn’t even raise a smile with the audience far less a ‘truck load of belly laughs’. If you are in Edinburgh at the Fringe there are much, much better offerings available. I would give this a ONE star rating.