Home » Reviews » Off West End » Camden Fringe: Stag Nation, The Colonel Fawcett

Camden Fringe: Stag Nation, The Colonel Fawcett

Part of the Camden Fringe 2013
Kat Wootton
★★★

Pros: An interesting idea and very funny.
Cons: Doesn’t fully develop what is a lively and unusual concept.
Our Verdict: A funny, clever take on the morning after the night before.
Courtesy of Camden Fringe
Any play that promises a mixture of Kafka’s Metamorphosis with the morning-after-the-night-before’s stag party is always going to provide for an interesting evening. This one is set in the upstairs of a charming and atmospheric Camden pub, where we walk into a scene set with empty bottles, cans, fast food wrappers and bodies slung in and around furniture. We then meet these bodies and are introduced to Dave, John, Terry and Steve awaking after the previous night’s stag do with a heck of a surprise in store for them.
The Hangover franchise has done a lot to over satiate us with glorifying hangovers, but the twist in this is certainly a more creative breath of fresh air into this market. The first clue to the twist is provided in the programme, but even so, when it is revealed on stage it’s surprising and funny, becoming apparent to the characters and the audience simultaneously.
The play is genuinely humorous and there are many, many laugh out loud moments. The humour is decidedly crude, but suits the twist in the plot to a tee. What could easily be a very one-sided account is balanced by the addition of “Rachel” and the majority of funny moments are provided by the excellent and comical supporting cast members, Ami Sawran’s Steve and Laura Astin’s deadpan and brilliant Terry.
The problem the production has is that it presents such a juicy premise and dilemma, but doesn’t elaborate farther than the crude jokes and cries of ‘what are we going to do next.’ The dialogue circles round and round, and we alternate between moments of calm self-reflection and Dave and John squaring off. Although this provides ample opportunity for character background and history to climb into the scene, the real meat of the production should be the answer to the tantalising questions the scenario presents – why, how and what next?
Kafka gets away with never telling us why his fate was bestowed on Gregor as he provides a tale that, although unfeasible, is hard to challenge. It is perhaps an unfair comparison, but this play is not as inscrutable and has too many pauses in dialogue and action, which inevitably allow the audience to wonder how and why. Occasionally the characters wonder if they are meant to be learning a lesson, but other than the lead character feeling regret for the way he treated his fiancé – and even this is at a stretch – there doesn’t appear to be a moral to the story.
The idea is great, but just isn’t brought fully to fruition. That’s not to say, however, that this wasn’t an enjoyable piece. It is delightfully funny and will resonate well with those who have had the misfortune of attending a stag or hen night and struggle to remember it the next day. This is definitely not one for a younger audience though- the C word is thrown around a lot. It’s funny but I do wish it had given me a little more to think about.
Seen the show yourself? Agree or disagree? Submit your own review with our Camden Fringe Big Audience Project!

Stag Nation runs at The Colonel Fawcett until 14th August 2013.
Book online at CamdenFringe.com

About Everything Theatre

Everything Theatre is proud to support fringe theatre, not only in London but beyond. From reviews to interviews, articles and even a radio show, our work is at the heart of the industry, and we are official assessors for the Off West End OffComm awards. Founded in 2011 as a pokey blog run by two theatre enthusiasts, today we are staffed by diverse contributors - people who not only work in theatre, but also in law, medicine, marketing and even psychiatry! We are all united by our love for theatre.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*