Vulcan VII @ Festival Theatre

Ade Edmondson and Nigel Planer's Sci-Fi comedy is an acute look at fame and ageing.

Review by Dominic Corr | 09 Nov 2018

Ever find yourself ambushed by the person you detest more than any other? Or even worse, working alongside someone you've fallen out with? Well, for Hugh Delavois (Nigel Planer) this is precisely what happens; finding himself on set for the newest instalment of the Vulcan film series with old RADA chum Gary Savage (Ade Edmondson). And to make matters worse, they’re shooting on a secluded mountain glacier in Iceland.

Let's be honest, what most - if not all - of the audience are here for is the chance to see The Young Ones stars, Edmondson and Planer, together once more. From the moment Edmondson struts from the bathroom, the rush of what we hoped for overwhelms us. Together, the pair haven’t disengaged from their comedic relationship in the slightest; Planer's dry wit slapping around Edmondson's narcissistic head-to-toe clad arse is only heightened by Lois Chimimba's attempts to calm the two.  

Delavois' prized trailer, which he worked so tirelessly to achieve for this seventh film has been designed by Simon Higlett. The practical ingenuity comes as the trailer gradually rises into the air, mimicking the effects of glacier movement. Here, the set design marries into the physical aspect of the performance sublimely. Genuine stage design goes beyond what is pleasing to look at; instead, it is incorporated into the production, making it not just an attractive backdrop.  

Edmondson and Planer's script is predictable, though it does toss out the odd curveball. The language is appropriate for the characters onstage – Gary Savage, in particular, harks back to Edmondson's Vyvyan of The Young Ones. As a comedy, it has a fairly standard, but still sharp, humour to it. As a piece of drama, it's an acute look into the punishment of ageing fame. The bitter regrets, senseless bridge burning, and underhanded tactics found in the arts community.

As chaos descends the mountain, the drinks flow and the secrets slither beneath the sheets of ice. Vulcan VII sees two veterans of their genre returning to flex their comedic and dramatic – but also writing – talents. What may at first seem a sullied attempt to capture our nostalgia is, in fact, a rich, humorous and welcome production. 


Until 10th November, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, tickets: https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/vulcan7