An unsettling narrative that falls flat amidst its chaotic humour
Every year, James hosts a barbecue for his friends and family. Every year, Travis arrives an hour early, plays some chess, drinks a Heineken, and then slips out the back door just as the first guest arrives. But this year Travis hasn’t turned up, and James doesn’t know why. Samuel Winner’s monologue takes place in real-time as James waits for Travis to arrive, alternately worrying about his missing friend and recounting memories of their friendship.
The Camden Fringe promises new, exciting and experimental writing, and My Friend Travis ticks these boxes. However, it also demonstrates many of the weaknesses of fringe theatre: this is an unrefined script that can’t quite decide whether to be disturbing or cartoonish, ultimately cancelling out a lot of its good ideas. The overall impression is of a play shying away from the darkness that would make it compelling. Much like an overcooked barbecue burger: though made from good ingredients, the end product is tough to enjoy.
A menacing atmosphere seethes below the surface of Winner’s monologue: there’s definitely something off about Travis, and perhaps also with James himself (how can you lose to the same chess opening every year?). This sense of dread is cultivated effectively over My Friend Travis’ 40 minutes, but the script is afraid to sit with it for long enough to land with the audience. Instead, zany skits puncture the tension. While some are funny – such as a horserace recounted to the tune of the William Tell overture – there is an over-reliance on shock factor and weirdness, in place of actual punchlines.
This incongruence between seething menace and whimsical cut-aways leads to a performance that feels rushed, with neither jokes nor dramatic revelations being given sufficient time to breathe. The climax of the foreboding atmosphere, which on paper seems like a decent pay-off, lacks emotional impact as a result. What should be an exciting set of reveals morphs into a series of rapid-fire ideas that the audience cannot integrate into their understanding of the show before the next one comes along.
Overall, My Friend Travis feels very much like a work-in-progress. Although there are hints of an exciting production here, they are well-hidden. Less BBQ pitmaster, more disappointing hotdog from a jar.
My Friend Travis is playing at the Hen & Chickens Theatre until 31st July, and the Camden Fringe 2024 continues until 25th August. To see all shows, and purchase tickets, click here.