Among all of the shows at this year’s Fringe, An Infinite Monkey Attempts To Write the Complete Works of Shakespeare: A Variety Show must be one many contenders for the most eye-catching name. The origin of this title comes from a theory in probability studies — a monkey hitting keys randomly and independently for an infinite length of time will almost surely type out any given text, including the complete works of Shakespeare. Accompanied by a monkey and a typewriter, a variety of Shakespearean works are showcased across the nine-day window.
The Porter, written by Benjamin Freckelton, is one of them. The play is a parody of Macbeth, but explores it through an innovative angle. In the original work, the Porter is a drunken gatekeeper who gives a short yet humorous monologue while answering to the persistent knocking. Freckelton’s writing surely captures the playfulness of this character and uses it to its maximum. This, combined with his distinctively sophisticated writing style, has lifted the piece to the next level.
Callum Porteous, cast as the Porter, is simply splendid. They deliver the character with incredible sincerity, subtle yet powerful. Through their masterly physicality, the Porter comes out of the bookish pages and into reality, in front of our eyes. It is the highest state for an actor to become one with their casted position, and with no doubt Porteous have achieved it. After all, Porteous, as the Porter, could be seen as a magical serendipity itself.
The chemistry between Porteous and Ben Black is fantastic. Ben Black — taking on the role of everyone else in the play, from Lady Macbeth to Banquo — outlines these characters with a sense of conviction, alongside impressive puppetry.
Due to the limitations of the venue, the tech and staging for the show is very simplistic, which detracts from the rich texture of the production. However, overall, The Porter is one of the highlights of this Shakespearean showcase. Unlike the Porter, a team like this, hardworking and gifted, will not need to pray for remembrance.
An Infinite Monkey Attempts To Write the Complete Works of Shakespeare: A Variety Show has now finished its Fringe run.
Image by Violet Studdert-Kennedy, provided to The Student as press material.
