nan, me & barbara pravi

For comedy to be successful it needs three elements.

To be funny, to engage with the audience, and to have a narrative or thread that relates to our world.

Nan, Me & Barbara Pravi easilymeets all three criteria.

We have Hannah in a relatively uneventful part of her life, looking after her recently widowed grandmother, Nan. Eurovision and Barbara Pravi cut across this gentle domestic scene, as Hannah become obsessed with the glamorous French chanteuse. Like a whirlwind her life spirals downwards as she researches, searches, plots and plans what she believes is their inevitable meeting and consequent relationship. Have we not all felt this for an unattainable someone? For obvious reasons the dream does not become reality, but in the quest Hannah’s life  spirals down to a very low point in life. From that depth there is one way to go  – return to reality.

The show is written and performed by Hannah Maxwell, and directed by Becky Plotnek. Hannah’s Nan (Angela Dunham) is present as a recorded voice beamed in at appropriate times. Nan proves to be a lot more astute the she is given credit for. The neighbour Susan, who is heard only in Hannah’s responses to her chatter, adds humour.The well meaning busybody who comes in bearing gifts!

Members of the audience are invited, to help with the preparation of the morning porridge or the apportioning of the medicine for Nan, in four different time of the day zones, or to help with the word puzzles which they play. Against this domestic scene Barbara Pravi becomes more and more dominant. There are the French lessons, the tickets to her shows, the plans to ‘accidentally’ make contact. There is the lesson in French flirtation, which Hannah demonstrates with brilliant body language. There is  witty dancing, music and a final rendition of Voilà sung, this time, by Hannah.

It is a very funny show, the audience is completely engaged, and at the end of it all there is much which resonates in our own lives. No need to believe me, just check the number of awards this production has won. If, in this last week of the Fringe, you are wondering what to go and see, put Nan, Me & Barbara Pravi at the top of your list. And hurry as the season finishes soon!

You can hear my interview with Hannah Maxwell on the Kaleidoscope program first broadcast on 12th March.

 Level 3, Adelaide College of the Arts The Stables

21 Feb- 19 Mar