Comedy review: Trygve vs a Baby
Assembly Roxy (Venue 139)
***
Rather frighteningly, not only can the youngster hold a room spellbound with his unselfconscious improvisation, but he plays to the gallery too, self-aware enough to break into a broad smile on occasion when his toddling engenders a reaction. With limited speech, his father has contrived a series of scenarios in which he affects to react to his son’s actions, as when he hands him a little rod, then plays a writhing fish on the floor. Or a circus trainer to Phineas’ mane-sporting lion. Frequently, the boy can’t be tamed and wanders freely about with his own agenda.
The funniest scene involves the pair simply miming through kitchen cupboards, the capricious desires of a child ensuring that Wakenshaw Sr is pulling down tins from everywhere. Phineas’ time on stage is carefully rationed with humane and dramatic economy, featuring regular periods out of the spotlight. Unfortunately, for the elastic-limbed and unquestionably gifted Trygve, you’re immediately anxious to see him upstaged by his son again.
Until 27 August. Tomorrow 3pm.