NAF: THE BEST MAN’S SPEECH

A script that is most of the times contrived and predictable. (Review by Shika Budhoo)

The Best Man’s Speech is running on the fringe of the 2010 National Arts Festival.

It is the wedding of Cheryl and Shaun and their best man takes the podium, handing out drinks to the audience (wedding guests) and toasting thanks to the many people involved in the wedding plans. As expected, the speech becomes more and more embarrassing and the insults increase rapidly into a drunken stupor of nonsensical ramblings. It can be funny, maybe to a male university audience who are also progressively getting drunk at the rate of the protagonist.

The Best Man’s Speech was not what I expected. I did not laugh as much as the poster said I would. I loved the small set, the innovative use of the mirror ball and lighting with that. But the script for me was not that funny and most of the times it was contrived and predictable. I don’t think piece will appeal to all.

Of course like most shows do, it had its moments because Louw Venter did an ok job, but when something is just not that funny, its just not that funny. I did love the pre-show music. – Shika Budhoo