Naff but nice
“A Naff Play About Spies” is well named. Is it a bit naff? Are the spies a bit naff? Is the dialogue a bit clunky? Yes, yes and yes. Is it still good fun? Also yes.
We follow two of MI6 bright young spies (code names Sierra and Pat), along with near-to-retirement Jack, in a mission to investigate Natalia, the most wanted woman in the UK. Sierra (under the code name Steph) has gained Natalia’s trust, and they’re in the flush of a new relationship. Pat and Jack are introduced as her friends as they try to work out if Natalia is the woman they’re looking for. As events unfold, and several rugs are ruined, we get to the bottom of the situation.
The play is centered around the sofa in Nat’s flat, and the slapstick physical comedy from all members, but particularly Pat (with errant moustaches) shines here. There’s some beautiful choreography with pillows whilst searching the flat, and I wished they’d leaned into these more, to cement the farcical nature of the show. The cast make the most of the simple staging, and I particularly enjoyed the slamming of the ‘door’ late on the show.
Along with the fun elements, there were some that dragged – Nat and Steph’s relationship was sensitively handled, but baby voice dialogue was quite wearing after a while, as were some of the attempts to contact HQ, and could have done with a bit more editing.
It should be noted that although this is the Fringe, this show is in an unforgiving timeslot – post 11pm can be a difficult one to keep theatre watchers engaged, but this cast kept the energy high throughout. It would likely attract a wider audience in an afternoon slot, and deserves to be seen by more.
There’s lots to like here, and it’s a fun and entertaining premise, but a bit more refinement would really see it shine.