FRINGE THEATRE Papa Was A Bus Conductor Gilded Balloon Until August

THIS latest production from the acclaimed One Nation company attempts to tackle the inherent conflict between British-Asians and those from the Indian subcontinent in an irreverent and farcical manner.

Sadly, Papa Was A Bus Conductor, although not a show entirely bereft of merit, suffers from not really knowing what kind of play it is - a biting satire or a slapstick comedy - and eventually falls into the no-man's land in between.

In the story, Bollywood heartthrob Bally comes to Britain to seek out locations for his new film and ends up staying with aspiring serious actor Papa and his psychotic wife. Chopra, Papa's agent, is forever on the make and can smell money in the situation; there then follows the much-exaggerated scheming and arguing as each character looks to get one over on the others. The acting from the four members of the cast is adequate, if a little perfunctory, but the real problem is the plodding pace of the script and the somewhat laboured dialogue.

Laughs are few and far between, as is any kind of social insight, and the surprise ending is so obvious it might as well be telegraphed. A disappointment all round.

Doug Johnstone

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