Review: Erica Plays Mr Waddiger
Image Credit: Ruby Baines
As August approaches one thing comes to many students’ minds: Fringe season. It’s a twenty-something theatre kids’ Christmas: multitudes make their way up to Edinburgh with their own productions, and Leeds students are no different. Written and directed by Jimmy Morgan, with Stella Wood assistant directing, Erica Plays Mr Waddiger is a show for the theatre kids and non-theatre kids alike, and is a hilarious addition to this year’s Fringe student circuit.
Produced by Kat Kelsall, Jonny Rolland and Megan Handovsky-Boyd, Erica Plays Mr Waddiger follows four castmates in their performance of a five-man production. Their fifth cast member is otherwise engaged and so we see the hilarity and chaos of the other four trying to fill the gaps. Alongside being effortlessly funny, Jimmy Morgan’s writing does an excellent job of weaving different storylines within each other to create an engaging and entertaining plot (read: cast-cest) which keeps you hooked throughout the hour-long production.
The interaction – or at times lack thereof – between the characters onstage and offstage (or in this case upstage and downstage) added yet another layer of hilarity, spelling out the interactions that so many theatre kids have experienced themselves. At times we’re reminded that yes, even though you can’t see the audience, they probably can still hear you. It’s an age-old tale that many ex, or current, theatre kids can relate to, and added to the relatability that makes this show so enjoyable.
Image Credit: Ruby Baines
The cast, comprising of Jessica McGrath as the titular Erica/Mr Waddiger; Elliott as Lucas/Thomas; Rosina Nelson as Sofia/Annabel; and Molly Arthur as Cammie/Anthony, has incredible chemistry, and comedic timing in spades. At times, due to the nature of the plotline, characters tended to pair off, but despite this, the chemistry between all four – no matter the combination – remained natural and strong. It’s a show of equal parts: each character gave as good as they got. Morgan’s writing showcased each actor brilliantly: each character made me cry with laughter at least once. Throughout the production, the cast were believable, relatable, and most importantly, likeable.
It wasn’t just the dialogue that had me in tears: the physical acting of the cast was arguably the best part of the production. At times, just a simple gesture from the actors would send the audience into fits of laughter – myself included – and showed how this production really is an all-rounder. The commitment of the cast is undeniable, and really underscored the whole show. Erica Plays Mr Waddiger is emblematic of all the things that are best about student theatre: the dedication and hard work that went into this show is clear, and makes it a truly joyous watch.
In making my notes for this review, the word that kept coming from my pen was ‘hilarious’, because this truly is a side-splitting show: the perfect amount of orchestrated chaos and weaving storylines, Erica Plays Mr. Waddiger should be top of your watch list this Fringe season.
Image Credit: Ruby Baines
I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to producers Kat Kelsall and Jonny Rolland for inviting me to this preview.
Words by Sophie Fowler