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.