Terry Saunders –
Missed Connections
Terry Saunders
Underbelly’s Smirnoff Baby Belly @ 17:55, Aug 2-26 (not 13), (1hr), £8.00 (£7.00), £9.00 (£8.00)
****
What a terrifically endearing comic storyteller Terry Saunders is. He’s a lanky, cardigan wearing chap with an interesting beard and his show is easily the most heart-warming thing I’ve seen at the Fringe this year.

Missed Connections is all about those ‘I Saw You’ type classifieds that our lonely disassociated world is finding so popular these days. Terry is fascinated by them, as is Ethel, the hero of his tale. You know the kind of thing; “I sat next to you on the bus, you wore pink angora dungarees, I had a top hat and cane. You looked gorgeous, sorry I didn’t say hello, remember me? Let’s have a drink sometime.” That’s the kind of thing we’re talking about.
Saunders empathises massively with the posters of such notices, and has had similar regretful missed opportunities with heavenly strangers.

He tells an exquisite story of loneliness, love and opticians. As the yarn unfolds, his narrative is accompanied by charming little animations projected on a bed sheet beside him. Ethel, our hero has a passion for reading missed connection notices on a website, in a Desperately Seeking Susan kind of a way. She yearns to be the subject of such a notice and goes out each day dressed in a uniquely conspicuous manner to ensure that she can spot any potential references to her that may pop up and her missed connections aren’t… erm… missed. She also has a peculiar obsession with having eye-tests and longs to be a glasses wearer.

Saunders lays out this delightful meandering story that’s littered with gentle gags and heart-string pullers to the great delight of the small assembled crowd in this curious intimate venue that can only really be described as a cave. With the accompanying visuals, Saunders seems a bit like some kind of renegade Jackanory revivalist. I almost felt like I should have been sitting cross-legged on the floor as I listened intently to the emerging tale.

I will be adding this to my ‘recommend vehemently’ list, and in turn, Saunders should know that I’m only too happy to be added to his growing list of fans and admirers. I left the show smiling contentedly; refreshed by the warmth of humanity. This show will linger with me for much time to come, I’m glad I didn’t miss this connection (that was cheap… sorry!), what a wonderful discovery.

by Ian Phillips

The National Student's
2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
coverage is supported by