The Battle of Spanktown

More |

The Battle of Spanktown

The Potluck at Dixon Place as part of the New York International Fringe Festival

Reviewed by A.J. Mell

August 18, 2010

Jeffrey Pfeiffer's whimsical comedy mines a vein of smart-but-silly historical pageantry that suggests an American "Blackadder," but with fairies, talking animals, and other magical folderol thrown in for good measure.

Telling the story of a hitherto-obscure Revolutionary War battle, the play benefits from Pfeiffer's knack for antiquarian doubletalk. Youthful protagonist Hobbledehoy (Chris Bannow) decides to "pop off to the pub for a wee spot of dram," and aristocratic villain Lord Dingleberry (Brett Waldon) damns an incompetent cohort as an "ineluctable snodgrass."

Clever moments abound, though the play starts to feel both overplotted and overwritten in the latter half, and the political message doesn't amount to much more than a plea for all of us to stop our bickering and try to get along. The show is probably best appreciated as a word-drunk exercise in genial absurdity. Director Heidi Handelsman allows the game cast to poke a few tiny holes in the fourth wall; the actors acknowledge the audience without winking at it.

Presented by the Potluck as part of the New York International Fringe Festival at Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie St., NYC. Aug. 14–27. Remaining performances: Sun., Aug. 22, noon; Wed., Aug. 25, 10 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 27, 10:45 p.m. (866) 468-7619 or www.fringenyc.org.