Potted Potter:
The Unauthorised Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff
Festival Highlights
Pleasance Courtyard @ 13:00, Aug 2-27 (not 15 or 22), (1hr), £8.50 (£7.50)
*****
Ever since the runaway success of the Reduced Shakespeare Company people have been tripping over themselves (and each other) to take famed popular works of fiction and pay tribute to them (i.e. cash in) in a lighthearted concise form. It’s all the rage. So it’s no surprise that the Harry Potter series should get the same treatment and be lovingly parodied by someone in that way.

In this wonderful show Dan and Jeff, for it is they, whizz through all the books in 1 hour, including a nod to the final one. Thank god it is just a nod quite frankly – as I’m still only halfway through the last one!

Given the weight of material they are drawing from, this is less a performance of the stories and more of a fast paced silly synopsis. They tease the audience frequently over the insurmountable challenges they have set themselves in trying to recreate tales that feature hundreds of characters, beasts, actions and events that they couldn’t possibly portray effectively. So instead its all down to a cavalcade of hats, wigs, costumes and stupid voices as they hurry through book by book.

Their novels and their fan-base lend themselves brilliantly to incorporating much pantomimey audience interaction, and the assembled hoards were only too eager to add their voices to the show when required. I couldn’t honestly hide my own excitement, and the atmosphere throughout the auditorium was electric. The interaction went so far that the entire audience was led in a big game of quidditch, a touch of pure genius that was sheer joy for everyone.
There’s plenty to keep kids, adults and kidults happy and involved with gags and references for young and old. And in case anyone thought the show was getting a little to reverential towards its text and origin, they even touch upon accusations that J.K. Rowling writes to formula through many of the books.

This is deliciously delirious frenetic action packed fun for all the family. This may be labelled as a kids show, but the books were supposed to be for children and that didn’t stop us from enjoying them, so don’t let this stop you seeing Potted Potter. It’s a piece of potty perfection.

by Ian Phillips

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