Edinburgh Fringe Review: Declan

Underbelly Cowgate, Belly Laugh ⭐️⭐️⭐️

With just a hint of Grand Guignol and a carrier bag for his props, Alistair Hall weaves a chilling tale that is never quite what it seems, at Underbelly’s Belly Laugh venue.

Jimbo is lonely, an outlier, different from the other lads. Or he was until Declan came into his life. But his best friend has mysteriously disappeared and only Jimbo seems to care… and now, to his horror, he has a terrifying new ‘friend’, one who seems intent on his company.

With a brief 45 minute running time there are perhaps too many themes vying for attention in this modern day ‘fairytale’ with the result that a number fail to be served as fully as they deserve. Even just 15 minutes more would allow the consequences of those more lightly touched on moments to be properly explored.

That said, director Billy Barrett ensures the pace never falters and Hall’s performance of his own script is completely engrossing, the hurt, fear and confusion of his subject quite palpable.

Delivering his lines in the always evocative West Country dialect, Hall’s Jimbo is an instantly likeable and deeply vulnerable creation who retains his simple, hopeful innocence despite ever darker revelations of the homophobia, sexual abuse and losses afflicting him.

It’s a gripping encounter that comes to an end all too soon; if only we could spend a little bit longer in Jimbo’s company in search of answers.

Until August 27, 2.35pm

Credit: Líam Rudden Media