“A Well Crafted Dry Satire Revolving Around Cows Waiting in Line”
Several cows stand in a queue. None of them really know why they are there, but they dutifully wait, trying to find out what fate has in store for them. When they are eventually called forward, the reality of the situation comes to a devastating light.
Aaron Francis has constructed something that is suitably weird and engaging. He writes quite a witty and dry satire that looks at conformity and breaking free of predetermined rhythms in our lives. A truly fascinating show that again, perfectly centres around cows. As more of the cows get called from the line, the tension gets amped up. The conversations range from friendship to self discovery to questioning if the grass is greener on the other side. It challenges us to consider why we stay in our own boxes, almost calling us to break free and challenge what seems predetermined. It is playful in its contrast of the dark and the comic throughout, with our two main cows, Patty and Betsy, often providing comedic skits while awaiting their fate.
Carrie Keranen and Jennifer DeRosa star as the eponymous Betsy and Patty respectively. They do a wonderful job in bringing these cows to life, building a well developed relationship that has a heartbreaking conclusion. Keranen and DeRosa hold a very bare space incredibly well, as the show flies by. For having little glitz and glamour, the show is never dull, fully engaging the audience throughout. A moment must be taken to commend the rest of the cast, who simply stand in line. Amazingly, they all manage to bring character to their cows, making them strangely likeable without having much to really do.
It is a unique concept, and one that will confound and entertain in equal measure. The show is also incredibly dry, leaving the heavy lifting to the actors on stage. It could embrace the surreal nature of the concept further, becoming weirder in more exploration of propping cows on the stage. But maybe the dryness of the show is pointed and should remain.
It is something very different, and incredibly strange. But this satire, driven by some wonderful performances, does enough to create an engaging and thought provoking show that shouldn’t be slept on.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/betsy-and-patty-find-out
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Auditorium at Bedlam Theatre
Dates: 18th – 30th August
Time: 20.00
Ticket prices: £13.00 / concessions £10.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 14+ (Guideline)