Remember, Remember - Queen Dome Pleasance Dome - Review

Remember, remember, the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. That’s the rhyme that everyone knows, about the story that everyone knows. But why would you want to know the truth when you can instead enjoy the chaos that comes with WIT Theatre Company’s hilarious retelling that plays wildly with what we know and flips it entirely in its head?

Remember, Remember has been talk of the town this fringe season, selling out the Queen Dome and delighting with its absurd, over the top and hilarious comedic stylings. Here we see the main man action swivel to Robert Catesby (Kluane Saunders), brains of the operation as they establish the plot to blow up parliament and crown a catholic king. But they struggle to get their few followers on board until the stylish, handsome Guy Fawkes (Lucy Buncombe) arrives on the scene pushing themselves to leader status and the true poster boy of the plot. Tasked to Furtively, Underhandedly Connect with the King (pretty sure you can work that acronym out for yourself) Catesby meets King James (Ross Tomlinson), decked out in puffy pink bloomers and with a tiny crown atop his head.

Whilst the case proclaim in the opening scene, complete with a David Attenborough style narration, that this all really happened, things we know are stretched to the extreme and used to full comedic effect. King James, who may have had a liking for men, here is a camp, outlandish lover who falls for the handsome Catesby and Guy Fawkes here is all talk and little action perhaps. The cast is completed by Tom O’Kelly, who plays several roles throughout much to the delight of the audience who laugh at his every action.

The songs are fun and catchy, poking fun at history in the most hilarious of manners. I particularly enjoyed the number trying to decide when to act out their plot, playing with that famous rhyme until they land on that perfect date when everyone is available. The set, decorated with modern icons donning renaissance garb, may be simplistic but is used to full effect with cast members skipping up and down the aisles and filling the space with well choreographed sharp dance moves, buzzing with energy that lifts the audience to new heights of excitement.

What WIT have been so cleverly able to do here is take an old story that people are familiar with, fill it with cheeky, naughtiness and bundles of sass and somehow make it feel altogether modern. With its multi role performances, fast pace, laugh out loud moments that feel fresh and new, and the fact that it is all inspired by a historical event, there is an air of Operation Mincemeat about Remember, Remember. And with the critical acclaim it has gained from the fringe this year, it could have the power to really take off just like Operation Mincemeat did. Watch this space.