Review by Julia Chamberlain

Now is the time to bring out a massive sweeping statement, with absolutely no depth of knowledge, but this is probably the best show in PBH’s Free Fringe.  For sheer energy, charisma, professionalism, wit and dash this show will not be beat.

Performed by Negin Farsad, Iranian-American comedienne, and Mike Mossallam, this is the finished article and could easily be popped into a small theatre.  Mossallam is blessed with the beaming smile of a genial idiot, not dissimilar to Jerry Lewis,  but more attractive so you do credit him as a romantic lead.  

The story begins at the Geneva Convention of 1948 and the creation of a new country, working name Jewlandia. Mossallam plays Israel and a host of other characters – journalists, anchormen, rappers; Farsad is Palestine and a similar bunch of commentators.  The gag of referring to countries as characters is not brand new, but this is the first time I’ve seen it made properly funny.  The dialogue is so fast, filthy and smart, you’d believe Farsad and her co-writer Alex Zalben could have cut their teeth on Friends or any other massively popular US series.

Using the best musical convention of boy meets girl, by happy accident they are thrown together, fall in love and are then ripped apart by external forces, this cracks along with some belting show unes  and gritty rapping.  The wonderful Farsad  manages to play a range of roles with from dewy ingénue, to ball-breaking  manager to teenage boy

I confess I went along to this with  sinking feeling from the title and was completely exhilarated by the experience. They have worked their backsides off to do this , and it’s a great calling card of a show.

Review date: 24 Aug 2010
Reviewed by: Julia Chamberlain