Tell

Are memories worth nothing if there is no one to share them with, or are they equally valuable as mere fiction? This is the question posed by Tell, and although its answer may not be philosophically satisfying, it is a play visually teeming with ideas and definitely well worth an hour of your time.

Narrated entirely by its central character Alfred – Tell effectively takes the form of a monologue – the play gradually develops the sad story of a man who, having lost his memories, blankly plods through life. With the superb aid of his fellow cast members who act out characters and scenes from his life, holding up a vast array of carefully chosen illustrative props that pop out of a Mary Poppins-style suitcase, this solid performance comes to life. A minor criticism of this heart-warming play is that the central character’s exaggerated thespian voice is off-putting in parts. But this is easy to get used to, especially as it is accompanied by some well-suited 1930s blues songs and Billie Holiday numbers.

Filled with colour, comedy and caricatures Tell certainly stands out from the duller entries of the Fringe programme.