As we watch Polly Dunn’s Fools and Knaves, we follow Prince Charles and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, as they travel to Spain, in secret, to rekindle marriage negotiations with the Spanish Infanta. A mildly entertaining concept becomes hilarious as increasingly bizarre scenarios arise: from Charles’ confession of murdering a lover, to Buckingham sleeping with the Spanish count to further his position. What more could you want from Bedfest?
I firmly believe that if all your jokes are about sex, the chances are you’re not that funny. But Dunn’s well-written script, filled with innuendos and snipes, coupled with several exceptional performances, displays wit and originality. This fictional invocation of the events leading to the breakdown of negotiations is absurdly funny, yet the play’s comedy does not undercut the gravity of its more serious moments. I was left struck by the irony that Charles’ greatest fear was to be ridiculed by history, having spent the last two hours laughing at him.
Alice Parkin-Wickens as Charles delivers a show-stealing performance, both ludicrously entertaining and evoking feelings of genuine pity and sympathy through the monologues. The rest of the cast were strong, if less convincing, and the stage transitions were just as integral to the humour of the play as the actual dialogue.
Perhaps some of the jokes became repetitive as the play went on, probably not helped by running overtime, but the use of costume and lighting was notably colourful and entertaining.
This coming-of-age tragicomedy was a fantastic watch, just as much a reflection on power relations and friendship as it was about provoking joy.
Image courtesy of Edinburgh University Theatre Company.