The end of the world is approaching, and for Bethandreth (Michael Watt) and Cownow (Jacquelin Walters) it can’t come soon enough. The main characters of Let us not act against each other have been sent to an outpost on a seemingly important mission. Here they wait for an end-time signal from their beloved and divine leader Andruth. After months, maybe years (they are not at all sure), they are forced to set out on their journey.
Let us not act against each otherwritten by Walters and Watt and directed by Nicole Maloney, is as original as the actors are dedicated — that is, very. Walters and Watt have created the silly world of Bethandreth and Cownow with a potpourri of hilarious interludes. Every day they wake up and follow a very strict schedule laid out for them by Andruth, hanging on his every word in the form of tapes. Most of Andruth’s utterances are ridiculous (he pursues vendettas against several root vegetables), but no one is more zealous than Bethandreth and Cownow.
Costumes and makeup were a character in themselves. With long, blonde braided wigs, bandanas, colorful, over-the-top makeup, and shabby dresses (Andruth says modest is hottest), Bethandreth and Cownow looked like a Looney Tunes interpretation of cult members. One particularly funny detail was the butt flaps on the back of the dresses. If you know the purpose of a butt flap, you know a dress needs little to no butt flaps. On its own, the butt flap is funny, but Walters and Watt make good comedic use of it.
Audience work and interaction is an essential part of the comedy of the play. Right from the start, Walters and Watt break the fourth wall and provide an hour of non-stop fun. Walters and Watt roamed the audience as they traveled, asking questions, giving lessons on food rationing and getting up close and personal with the audience. Working with an audience is not an easy task. Fortunately, this was the right script and the right actors for the job. It was clear that Walters and Watt were very comfortable with an audience and that put everyone at ease.
Another moment that showed that Walters and Watt are experienced artists was a technical mishap. Something went wrong with Walters’ microphone, so a technician had to rush to the stage. and fix it. While a mishap like this can completely derail the momentum of a production, Watt was able to save it by staying in character. Specifically, they threatened to sing Celine Dion and almost did before Walters’ microphone was fixed. We never heard him sing.
The musical component of Let us not act against each other is impossible to ignore. Like the play itself, most of the songs were thoroughly funny. Later, when there was a turn toward vulnerability – albeit still with a comedic undertone – it really worked. Walters and Watt timed the sincerity perfectly. When Walters and Watt sang these songs, it was even more apparent that they both have great voices. Even with a lot of movement, neither of them ever lost their diction or ran out of breath. Let us not act against each other would probably have been funny even with less experienced singers, but I’m glad I didn’t see this piece.
In the end, these oddballs were really nice and likable to everyone. Let us not act against each other is pure fun with a healthy, enjoyable dose of sincerity. It’s so original that I completely understand why no one else has thought of doing it. What I don’t understand is how Walters and Watt came up with it. I’ve really been scratching my head over it. Of course, I sincerely hope for another opportunity to be surprised by the misadventures of Bethandreth and Cownow, or whatever Walters and Watt come up with next.
Let us not act against each other will be shown at the Fringe until August 31st.
