Performed by Recent Cutbacks
Review by Hunter King
Fringe regulars, Recent Cutbacks have returned to Edinburgh with a new show to complete a trilogy of their iconic film recreation series with KEVIN!!!!!, a gut-busting parody of Home Alone. Unlike their previous work, KEVIN!!!!! uses miniature set pieces and a live camera as its main gimmick in recreating a (mostly) shot for shot remake of one of the greatest Christmas films of all time.
The show itself features four actors (Nick Abeel, Brendan Dalton, Rosa Palmeri, and Natalie Rich , a (very integral and well utilized) technician (James Appleby), and an acapella and live foley artist (Richard Sears). These six performers work as a dynamic and energetic troupe, pouring everything they can into this production. The show itself features many multimedia elements including, puppetry, live film acting, foley artistry, acapella, miniatures, and more all wrapped up in a Christmas bow of live theatre.
As usual, Recent Cutbacks clearly has a vivid and extensive knowledge of the source material that they are recreating, taking care to make sure that iconic shots are done properly to evoke the same feeling that they do in the film. A standout gag doing just that was their way of showing Harry, the burglar’s glinting gold tooth, which (without spoiling) got a lot of laughs.
The show manages a feat that seems to be increasingly rare at the Fringe, which is finding a balance of humour that will satisfy both children and adults. Recent Cutbacks have historically found that balance, but have struck it even stronger with this production. The artistry and cleverness necessary to bring this production to life is borderline unthinkable, but in their usual way, Cutbacks have done it with ease.
Additionally, Richard Sears deserves the utmost praise for his foley and acapella work. While his sound effects were all effective, the moments of filling the scenes with background Christmas carols was a major highlight, especially his falsetto-first rendition of “Carol of the Bells.”
Recent Cutbacks do not disappoint and brought their classic ingenuity to the Fringe stage once again in a piece that not only holds up with their previous shows, but may even surpass them. Despite the busy nature of the Fringe, it is so worth it to have a night in and refresh your memory on Home Alone, and then run, scuttle, or zip line to the Pleasance Courtyard to see KEVIN!!!!! while you still can.
Clasic Ingenius Fringe Fun
KEVIN!!!! runs Venue 33, Forth at Pleasance Courtyard at
12:20
Running time – Sixty minutes
Review by Hunter King (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Hunter is a 2024 Master’s graduate of the University of Edinburgh and current doctoral candidate with a thesis focused on experimental theatre in Edinburgh. He has been a theatre practitioner for over a decade having worked in many capacities including as a director, actor, stage manager, front of house manager, and technician as well as others. Prior to moving to Edinburgh, Hunter was a high school English teacher in the United States. His passion for the written word as well as his passion for live performance are what motivated him to become a writer for this publication.
