Folk around if you dare, you may just find out about Couplet
Copy and Paste ReArmed with a fiddle, guitar and a decade of monogamous romantic relationship woes to mine for material, Marnina and Micah offer up a collection of stories so bizarre they must surely be true. This year, they return with another hour of consensual folking in Couplet: Folk Marry Kill.
From a British sleep hypnotist that is as close to a polyamorous third they are willing to get and a therapist whose name is almost changed for anonymity to a particularly memorable lyft driver with a penchant for zip ties, the pair turn the strange, intimate and occasionally uncomfortable realities of married life into musical comedy.
Returning to the Fringe after their honeymoon performance last year, Couplet clearly know how to strike a chord with their audience. Opening with a lively number about “folking around” and traveling all the way through to their shared fear of death, the show offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of two musicians who have seemingly decided that the best way to work out their relationship is to sing about it…which is apparently working better for them than therapy.
The result is comedic, occasionally vulnerable and generously interactive. Audience participation is woven naturally throughout, creating an atmosphere that feels less like watching a traditional comedy show and more like being invited into the couple’s living room, albeit a living room where considerably more concentrated discussions about sex, death and questionable lyft drivers take place.
There are, however, a few rough edges. The pace begins to lag somewhat around the middle where several awkward transitions interrupt the otherwise lively flow. A handful of tuning issues also create some sharp and choppy moments. At times, nerves appear to get the better of the pair, but given the intimacy of the material, these moments ultimately add to the sense that audiences are watching something personal rather than overly polished.
With a little tightening as their Fringe run progresses, Folk Marry Kill has all the makings of another charming Couplet offering. Funny, candid and just the right amount of strange, it is a welcome return for the duo and well worth catching if you are looking for a generous dose of laughter, music and consensual folking.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/couplet-folk-marry-kill
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Studio Five at Assembly George Square Studios
Dates: Aug 5th -30th
Time: 16:35 (60 mins)
Ticket prices: £14.50 / concessions £13.50
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
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