ED2015 4/5 Reviews ED2015 Theatre Reviews

Ernie (Lisa Richards)

By Robert Stevens | Published on Thursday 20 August 2015

‘Ernie’ is James Craze’s attempt to dramatise his late grandfather’s life, based on an unpublished autobiography he wrote shortly before passing. Almost by accident, Ernie Hort led an incredibly rich and diverse life. Yet herein lies a small problem – Craze’s grandfather’s life was fairly long, and a Fringe play is quite short. Purely mathematically, Craze’s task is pretty difficult. It’s pulled off for the most part due to a charming and charismatic performance, but the play always feels rushed – Ernie’s lifelong relationship with his wife, for example, is condensed into roughly three sentences. But despite its brevity, ‘Ernie’ is a moving piece of storytelling drama, and Craze’s energy suits the play’s hurried pace.

Gilded Balloon, until 31 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Robert Stevens]