It's Not Unusual
by Rebecca Mahon
Cast members:
Rebecca Mahon
Sally Siner
Matthew Brown
Part play and a dash of stand up, ‘It’s Not Unusual’ lifts the lid on a knicker-throwing, Tom Jones-loving obsession. Rebecca recieved a nomination for best Newcomer for this play at The Leicester Comedy Festival.
Review by Jasmin Harmer (Buxton Fringe Festival 2007)
It has been great to see such quality female comedians at this year's Festival Fringe. There has been 'Its Not Unusual', which had the audience in stitches. Down to the downright likeability of the actors, and their hilarious comedic acting it was impossible not to raise a smile, a chuckle, even an outright laugh!. For laughs and giggles, "It's Not Unusual" definitely comes up with the goods. Recommended.
Mansfield Chad newspaper (Boothy's social club in Mansfield)
This uproarious 2-hander featured Rebecca Mahon and fellow cast member as Tom Jones fans. The quick-fire dialogue and the frequent, wacky dance routines were hilarious. The writing, the cast and the atmosphere were all spot-on, As Tom Jones might say, 'That's talent for you, boyo!'.
BIRMINGHAM MAIL REVIEW Oct 2, 2007 (Lichfield Garrick Theatre)
WHEN two waitresses from Mansfield set off on a Tom Jones pilgrimage to Pontypridd the green, green grass of home probably seems a lot greener as it all goes wrong at The Happy Beaver caravan site.
A Norwegian website dedicated to Tom, a murder and finally an appearance by a Tom not-look-alike all combine in this mixture of stand-up and play.
Writer Rebecca Mahon and the excellent Sally Siner keep the pace and jokes coming with an underlying pathos of what goes through the minds and lives of the obsessive fan.
The second half has enough one liners and audience participation - give us your top tips for camping for example - to keep the laughs coming.
High drama it isn't but there are plenty of laughs and it is great fun.
VERDICT: *****
ROGER CLARKE
Audience Comments include:
“Fantastic, my jaw aches so much from laughing, gripping from start to finish, never dull, the time flew, sad and poignant as well”
“The actors included everyone in this amazing journey”
“Lots of laughs and even sadness too which really works as you care about the characters and invest in their stories”
“Bizarre, very entertaining, funny, smart and quick, I think it’s fantastic!”
“Highly entertaining, great fun, visually very good”
