‘A comedy about a library that just does not check out.’
A dilapidated library is on the brink of closure, an inspector is due to arrive, and the leadership structure is in complete disarray. This is the chaotic world the audience is welcomed into with The Librarians: A Very Serious Comedy. What follows is a series of unfortunate mishaps, exaggerated characters and increasingly absurd situations, all delivered in the broad, knowing style of The Play That Goes Wrong.
The premise is witty and undeniably fun. The production introduces a collection of larger-than-life characters who seem far more at home in a panto than a conventional drama. There is a playful energy to the writing, with plenty of puns, visual gags and deliberately outlandish moments. At its best, the show is clever, silly and wonderfully escapist, with a comedic story at its heart and some genuinely decent beats along the way.
Unfortunately the execution fell flat and, at times, felt stale. Good comedy ultimately depends on the characters believing completely in the world they inhabit. Here, however, the characters often seemed to know that they were supposed to be performing a comedy. Rather than making them endearing, this created a stiffness that prevented many of the jokes from landing with the impact they deserved. The performances felt overly conscious of the audience, and the result was a production that seemed to be constantly indicating where the laughter should come from rather than allowing it to emerge naturally.
That was particularly disappointing given the potential of the premise. There is a lot to enjoy in the concept, and the ingredients for a genuinely chaotic and hilarious evening are all there. There was a sense of anticipation that the show was building towards something bigger, but too often the payoff failed to match the setup.
Much of the production relies heavily on cheap, showy stage gimmicks and a steady stream of puns. While these can certainly work in the right hands, here they sometimes felt like substitutes for stronger character comedy and sharper comic timing. The result is a show that looks and sounds like a comedy without always feeling particularly funny.
That is not to say The Librarians is without merit. It has good bones, a likeable premise and enough silliness to provide an entertaining hour. If you are looking for an escapist, unchallenging and easily digestible slice of comedy this Fringe, there is plenty here to enjoy.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-librarians-a-very-serious-comedy
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Two
Dates: Aug 5th-31ST (excluding the 17th and 24th)
Time: 15:15 (60 mins)
Ticket prices: £15.00/ Concessions £14.00/ Family £14.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 12+