Theatre review: The Pride, Underbelly (Venue 61), Edinburgh

HALF aspiring sitcom, half a more profound look at mortality, this relationship drama revolves around lions – and yes, the actors wear zip-up furry costumes – but it’s actually about people.
By SALLY STOTT
Published 21st Aug 2012, 17:09 BST

The Pride

Underbelly (Venue 61)

Star rating: * * *

Bruce and Linda are a happily married big cat couple who enjoy recording sing-song answer machine messages together in the kind of flat-packed living room that forms the backdrop for any number of TV shows. When bushy-maned usurper James turns up to help with some decorating, Bruce’s position as alpha male is threatened.

There’s a lot of broad middle-of-the-road comedy that gets a few half-hearted laughs from the stony audience, but things get more interesting when Bruce’s demise kicks in. By the time the law of the wild claims him and his lion costume is torn to shreds, it’s really quite sad.

Hide Ad

With the performers delivering wry asides as if to camera, it’s a piece that doesn’t really know whether it’s a theatre or telly show. A dance routine midway is a spurious addition, though a gift-wrapped present of old age is a moving surprise. As an analogy the piece is interesting if somewhat on-the-nose, but not as clumsily executed as it could have been in different hands.

• Until 25 August. Today 6:20pm.