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ED2011 4/5 Reviews ED2011 Theatre Reviews
A Funny Valentine (Mike Maran Productions)
By Julian Benson | Published on Tuesday 23 August 2011
Metered jazz and measured speech interweave to create a tight, unforgettable show. Taking place at the back of a delicatessen, the show is accompanied by the smells of cheese and imported meats – perfect for this tale of an American lost in Europe and hooked on jazz and junk. Through the rich voice of Mike Maran, we learn of Chet Baker’s rise to fame and his fatal fall from a windowsill in Amsterdam. Maran threads the story with cutting irony, revealing the off-stage Baker to be both violent and self centred. He’s joined by pianist Dave Mulligan and trumpeter Colin Steele, and the two elements—music and speech—complement each other in equal parts. Look no further for good music and stories.
Valvona & Crolla, dates and times vary, £10.00 – £12.00, fpp264.
tw rating 4/5
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