Review: All an Act, theSpace @ Surgeons Hall (Venue 53)

Backstage, a young clowning couple prepare for their act, finessing their tears and noses, whoopee cushions at the ready, messing around with tricks. ***

Merkin and Petunia have been friends since childhood, but the clowning life is tough; he’s taking nips from a whisky flask, and she’s fishing through her medicine bag for today’s pills. He’s fooling around with a tricycle, practising silly tricks with his hat. She’s frosty with fury about a drunken one-night stand that has upended their professional partnership.

This is an original and sparky piece of short theatre, making full use of an intimate space. It evolves from a neat idea for a double-act into a bitter relationship clash.

Adam Petheridge is persuasive as a weak-willed clown susceptible to panic attacks. Kathleen O’Neal is Petunia, putting finishing touches to her tears, as she turns the tables on his fooling around.

All an Act is a smartly executed piece of writing delivered by New York drama graduates, where the quality never slipped.

Tim Cornwell

Until 18 August. Today 10:30pm.