Festival review: Claudia O’Doherty: The Telescope; Underbelly Cowgate

Published on 16/08/2012 16:10

Those familiar with Claudia O’Doherty’s previous work will know that nothing is ever as it seems in her left-field world. This year’s Fringe show is no exception, an ambitious mix of comedy, performance art and serious theatre.

It is not long until things start to go horribly wrong. A couple of missed cues leave O’Doherty floundering, frantically trying to use her improvisation training to get her through the show while being constantly interrupted by the pre-programmed videos and special effects from the play. The chaos is, of course, carefully orchestrated, and O’Doherty is a master at portraying endearing, awkward incompetence. However, despite her best efforts the show falls a little flat, never quite coming together as a coherent act or reaching the ambitious heights it is aiming for.

Rating: * *

• Until August 26

ALAN BLAIR