"...an expert in the craft of Fringe"
Going to the Lordy
written and performed by Philip Cox at The Old Hall Hotel
Philip Cox, better known to Buxton Fringe audiences as Violet Sackville-Rhoad, shows us his serious side as this one-man play takes us, in just under an hour, hurtling through the life of Charles Guiteau the assassin of the USA President, James Garfield.
As the audience enter someone is sitting at a desk, scribbling pages of notes. As the last person takes her seat Charles Guiteau, and we are left in no doubt in our minds that this is he, turns towards us with unblinking hypnotic eyes to embark on the story of a life that has brought him here to this lonely cell. At first we are interested in the details of the family background, a faltering higher education in which he experiences even less success with the ladies and a countless failed jobs ranging from newspaper proprietor, priesthood and politics. As the story unfolds the episodes of his life become increasingly comical but pathetic and we begin to appreciate the insane diversions of the Guiteau character. However, witnesses at his trial attest to, but fail to prove insanity and the drama ends on the gallows.
For a comic, Philip Cox is an entirely believable and entertaining straight actor. He has a string of West End, television, radio and rep theatre appearances behind him and deserves a larger following than this rather sparse first night audience. All those who made their way to the Pauper's Pit enjoyed the experience of an expert in the craft of Fringe.
AT
"Philip Cox is clearly multi-talented..."
Get A Life! Get a Life Coach!
A heartwarmingly funny trip on the charabang of life in the company of the warm and amusing Violet Sackville -Road. Vi- if I may call her that,- alias Phillip Cox (in disguise as his own Gran presumably) takes a sideways look at institutions we hold dear and invites us to ponder on exactly why.
Why feng shui, why feed meringue to poodles and tie budgies to elastic and why oh why would you want to genitally modify a tomato?
Well - I don't know why- but I spent an entertaining hour in the company of someone who might be able to advise me.
Presumably the volumes under the coffee table in her conservatory inspired Vi's homespun wisdom. 'Chicken soup for the Woman's Soul' possibly prompted her reflections on TV chefs.
I recommend an hour in the company of this lovely old lady at the end of a hard day.
Phillip Cox is clearly multi-talented, appearing as he does in Going to the Lordy earlier in the evening. Why not take in both shows?.
Never underestimate the power of a pale cream sherry..
Nicola Martin
Going to the Lordy
written and performed by Philip Cox at The Old Hall Hotel
Philip Cox, better known to Buxton Fringe audiences as Violet Sackville-Rhoad, shows us his serious side as this one-man play takes us, in just under an hour, hurtling through the life of Charles Guiteau the assassin of the USA President, James Garfield.
As the audience enter someone is sitting at a desk, scribbling pages of notes. As the last person takes her seat Charles Guiteau, and we are left in no doubt in our minds that this is he, turns towards us with unblinking hypnotic eyes to embark on the story of a life that has brought him here to this lonely cell. At first we are interested in the details of the family background, a faltering higher education in which he experiences even less success with the ladies and a countless failed jobs ranging from newspaper proprietor, priesthood and politics. As the story unfolds the episodes of his life become increasingly comical but pathetic and we begin to appreciate the insane diversions of the Guiteau character. However, witnesses at his trial attest to, but fail to prove insanity and the drama ends on the gallows.
For a comic, Philip Cox is an entirely believable and entertaining straight actor. He has a string of West End, television, radio and rep theatre appearances behind him and deserves a larger following than this rather sparse first night audience. All those who made their way to the Pauper's Pit enjoyed the experience of an expert in the craft of Fringe.
AT
"Philip Cox is clearly multi-talented..."
Get A Life! Get a Life Coach!
A heartwarmingly funny trip on the charabang of life in the company of the warm and amusing Violet Sackville -Road. Vi- if I may call her that,- alias Phillip Cox (in disguise as his own Gran presumably) takes a sideways look at institutions we hold dear and invites us to ponder on exactly why.
Why feng shui, why feed meringue to poodles and tie budgies to elastic and why oh why would you want to genitally modify a tomato?
Well - I don't know why- but I spent an entertaining hour in the company of someone who might be able to advise me.
Presumably the volumes under the coffee table in her conservatory inspired Vi's homespun wisdom. 'Chicken soup for the Woman's Soul' possibly prompted her reflections on TV chefs.
I recommend an hour in the company of this lovely old lady at the end of a hard day.
Phillip Cox is clearly multi-talented, appearing as he does in Going to the Lordy earlier in the evening. Why not take in both shows?.
Never underestimate the power of a pale cream sherry..
Nicola Martin
