Fringe 2008, BATS Theatre
Feb 18-22 | Reviewed by Helen Sims

THEATRE MILITIA’s second Fringe offering Sensible Susan and the Queen’s Merkin is an intelligent but hilarious adaptation of the medieval morality play. The story follows Susan, a prudent woman with a love of schedules and order, on her quest through the Underworld to rescue her captured husband, Simple Simon. On her way she encounters many strange and bewildering Underworld inhabitants, most with a fascination for the nether region that shocks and challenges Susan’s orderly outlook. However, with the help of Queen Elizabeth the First’s golden merkin (a wig for the “patchless snatch”) and gumption she never knew she had, Susan triumphs, in what turns out to be a voyage of self discovery in more ways than one...

This may all sound a little absurd, and it is, but the sharp writing of Felix Preval (who also plays the imperious Queen amongst other characters) and the astute direction of Rachel Lenart keep the story on track. The story and moral is quite simple, yet the number of intelligent references to literature, philosophy and theatrical theory keep the play challenging. The actors are all fantastic in their roles, with Bex Joyce playing a wide eyed but practical Susan and Preval, Richard Dey, Hannah Smith and Simon Smith taking multiple roles as the chorus. They sing, dance and worship the merkin with energy and an eye for comic timing. They are assisted in their efforts by Ryan Prebble, who is a live on-stage troubadour, providing music and many sounds effects. The set, designed by Glenn Ashworth, is composed of a huge wardrobe, which serves variously as the route to the Underworld, Charon’s boat across the Styx and the puppet show for the “Seven Dead Sins”. Hung out in lines from either side are sheets upon which the actors and other items are projected. The play is well lit and costumed by Marcus McShane and Nell Williams respectively.

There are a few moments that could use a little tightening for even greater comic effect, but this would simply be a good excuse for Sensible Susan and the Queen’s Merkin to be developed for a return season for the length it deserves. This show proves that in the right hands devised theatre is not necessarily indulgent and dull – Theatre Militia does not fail to entertain their audience – we are always in on the joke and in for the ride. It’s a credit to the skill and talent of Lenart and Preval that they can succeed so well in both devised and scripted mediums. If you missed this in the Fringe then look out for a much hoped for return season!