Review of ‘A Brief Case of Crazy’: “It’d stick better with fewer slaps”

The Riverside Studios hosts this three-hander play by the Skedaddle company, combining clown, puppetry, and all sorts of physical comedy to deliver a classic story of love and kindness. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this jokey piece of theatre ended up being a joke of a show.

Life is like a circus – full of ridiculous moments and rarely any fun. Yes, I know – I’m such a joy to be around. Darling, I wouldn’t have become a critic if my purpose in life was to give happiness to others. But enough about me for the rest of this paragraph. They promised us laughs. They advertised it as if Charlie Chaplin and Mr. Bean had birthed a baby together (that would have been an interesting sketch to watch). And they said that those seeking an uplifting night at the theatre should look no further. And… quelle surprise?! They actually delivered – or at least, they delivered-ish.

This is no show for snobs. Or for those searching for anything else than plain, simple, and pure entertainment. It’s not meant to make you think. But chances are it will elevate you in some other way. This was as stupid as it was brilliant – not in its shiniest form, but brilliant anyway. No vow is forsaken. It is brief. It is crazy. And there is a briefcase containing crazy – with no shortage of any of them until the very end.

My first reaction to the piece was, to put it mildly, far from enthusiastic. Here, we have three actors giving over-the-top performances feeding from every trick in the Book of Slapsticka: physical comedy, grotesque faces, a little but thorough nose picking, and clownish voices all throughout. Nothing against this type of humour – I get to see it for free on the tube every day. But it’s true that it’s not until the show unfolds its pathos that its interest begins to materialize – and from that on, the engagement is almost steady.

It’s not the greatest story ever told. In fact, it may be the one we’ve been told forever. A shy, clumsy, misunderstood outcast with a heart of gold, living a wholesome romance with his work colleague, and fighting against the obstacles of a world that refuses to treat him with kindness. The writers, however, have been able to adopt this premise and turn it into something more or less truthful and, all in all, compelling. We can’t help but feel for that man, especially when his tragic childhood is portrayed. It doesn’t come as overdramatic, but plausible, and extremely relatable. And from that point, we are totally invested in what’s about to come.

The flaws in the narrative still persist, nonetheless. As much as the title tries to justify its duration, the pacing during the second half is quite off. The plot moves along too fast – thus, compromising the emotional stir, and limiting its potential to bond with the viewers. It is charming – and, in general, enticing. But no matter how much we might be rooting for the character, the recount doesn’t generate much grip towards the end. Of course, we still care for him and his relationship – but the edge that the script expects to put us on just never happens; basically, because it’s not been given enough space to build itself up.

The cast do a far more satisfying job in their department. Their renditions, full of stamina, commitment, and flair, are absolutely unblemished. They all flaunt great chemistry – and, most importantly, commitment and passion for what they’re doing. Their love for what they’re bringing onstage together is as palpable as it is infectious. And even if there are bits where our attention is longing to wander somewhere else, the strength of their interpretation is a good enough reason to put it back on track.

You won’t come for the story. You won’t stay for the surprises. You won’t be wowed by the spectacle. But you will be pleased, touched, and perhaps stricken by the artistry, quality, and determination of a humble production with some hints of richness in its essence. Though A Brief Case of Crazy is still a few rewrites away from deserving full praise, the path it’s walking certainly aims for that destination. It is only a question of adding and cutting that will allow the piece to achieve its best possible shape. Get rid of the unnecessary (because there is a lot of that) and bring on what the tale actually requires. We all like some good jest, but there is as much eye-crossing an actor can do before the audience’s own eyes start to roll.

A Brief Case of Crazy plays at London’s Riverside Studios until 20 April. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara