Thursday, August 21, 2008
4 Stars from The Scotsman 
THIS is a delightful hour, whether or not you are acquainted with Edmond Rostand's play. A team of three create a cast of many, aided only very slightly by the audience.
In the opening scene several audience members had speaking parts, setting the scene – and very good they were too.
But the three on-stage were excellent. Richard Maritzer is a marvellous Cyrano (with a very 21st-century case of Body Dysmorphic Disorder rather than an genuinely huge nose), Vinny Cardinale is a Gwyneth Paltrow-esque Roxanne and Shelby Bond is everyone else.
The show fairly gallops along playing with sarcasm, insults, beauty spots and the silent French 'n'. The story is well known although the ending is given a twist here. The famous letters are beautifully performed by Cyrano , there is some excellently choreographed fighting, and Cyrano and Christian go off to the front with a touching parody of So Long, Farewell from The Sound of Music.
--Kate Copstick

Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Shelby the Hero 
On the afternoon of Tuesday the 19th, Shelby Bond, stood hawking flyers outside the Gilded Balloon for his show, “Sound & Fury’s ‘Cyranose!’” as the cast often does, in 16th Century garb. Meanwhile, a woman and (apparently) her sister stole some tip jars from the Gilded Balloon food court, and made a run for it. Amidst cries of, “Stop her!” by people from the food court, a couple people tried to block her but Bond sprinted after her. Looking for all the world like an avenging swashbuckler he caught up to the woman, and using techniques from when he worked security for the decidedly not 16th century Rolling Stones, Bond detained the woman and her sister who pummeled him, while stunned onlookers watched. Probably assuming it was all a Fringe stunt, they stood by like a dutiful audience and offered no help, nor applause. After several minutes of holding the struggling women police had not yet arrived, and Bond released the women who ran off cursing him, leaving the full tip jar and a bag of personal effects behind. The police did show up several minutes later and retrieved the money and effects.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
5 Stars from Fest Magazine! 
This is the first year comic trio Sound and Fury have bought one of their shows to Edinburgh, and it’s well worth the wait. This musical parody of Cyrano de Bergerac, enacted in modern-noveau style, is a vaudevillian treat performed at lightening pace and with rapier-like wit.

The Los Angeles-based troupe begin by chatting to the audience, casually introducing their act as if we’re long-lost friends catching up over a coffee. This is all part of their grand plan – to present an hour of comedy in a friendly, accessible manner. It’s a plan with audience interaction at its heart and as a result, there are no passive bystanders.

The story is simple; Cyranose falls in love with his cousin Roxanne (“it’s okay, we’re in France”), but is blighted by insecurities about his big nose and instead helps another man to win her heart. Meanwhile, since it’s 1642, sarcasm has just been invented, which is a useful tool to have in the armoury of any budding-comedy troupe and is consequently employed in abundance.

'Cyranose' is silly—think Monty Python with American accents—and mime sword fights, cheap wigs and bad accents all contribute to the hilarity and havoc.

The three men—Shelby Bond, Vinny Cardinale and Richard Maritzer—have sparkling chemistry, and their tremendous quick-wit is exemplified when, after an audience member suggests ‘Cantelope’ for one particular sketch, Maritzer comes out from backstage to shout, “We cant elope, we’re married.”

Cyranose is a deliciously silly play, a song-and-dance treat, and a Fringe highlight.


5 Stars from FringeReview.co.uk 
Low Down
Sound And Fury rework the story of Cyrano de Bergerac and his unrequited love for the fair Roxanne through a mixture of gag-a-minute comic routines, silly song parodies and audience-baiting improvisation, bringing old-fashioned vaudeville to the Edinburgh stage.

Review
As the trio that make up Sound And Fury admit, theatre isn’t hugely respected in America. To say you’re performing onstage is often taken to mean “not good enough for TV”. Perhaps it’s not surprising then that they’ve opted to view Cyrano De Bergerac through a more American lens, that of variety and vaudeville. The story is a familiar one: witty, accomplished Cyrano is in love with Roxanne, but is ashamed of his huge nose (in this version, a result of Body Dysmorphic Disorder rather than any nasal grotesquery). Instead, Roxanne has fallen for handsome yet stupid Christian.
De Bergerac ends up helping the young man woothe woman he loves with his ownl yrical declarations. As with all vaudeville, the plot is merely a framework upon which to hang a series of routines and jokes of tremendous variety: references to Blaise Pascal and his adding machine vie with pop lyrics, running gags about a constantly moving beauty spot, discussions on French pronunciation, and near-the-knuckle innuendo.
As Cyrano, Richard Maritzer holds the audience, as well as the play, together. It takes a confident performer to get the crowd to recite the first eighteen lines of the script (read from laminated cards) as he does: an ingenious device to bring the paying public immediately onside. The other two play multiple roles: Vinny Cardinale is a diverting (if bony-chested) Roxanne and the actor McFlurry; while Shelby Bond, ever-grinning, gallops between costume changes as Christian, De Quiche, and various others, taking a childish delight in the pace and sheer silliness of it all.
With minimal props, and on a bare stage, the cast make a virtue out of their limited circumstances, which include having had their swords impounded by customs, while also making use of cartoon-like sound effects: a result of having toured this show globally for the last twelve months. Indeed, so tight are the performers that it’s hard to tell if sometimes the improvisations around mistakes are just that, or have been incorporated for more comic business. Not once, however, do they lose sight of the main plot.
In the end, this is an hour of unadulterated fun, and nothing more, as evinced by their closing number, “The Morality Song”. However to hold a cold, wet Edinburgh audience rapt for an hour requires skill as well as charm. Erudition and smut held together with the manic energy of The Marx Brothers: these are truly modern vaudevillians at the height of their powers.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
5 Stars from the Edinburgh Evening News! 
Trio keep the laughs coming
Published Date: 12 August 2008
By MARTIN LENNON
Sound And Fury's 'Cyranose!' *****
Gilded Balloon, Teviot
"EDMOND ROSTAND was probably very earnest when he wrote his most famous play, Cyrano De Bergerac. Chances are, he wouldn't have liked this version very much, and that would have been his loss.
Before the crowd had even sat down, the comic trio had them in stitches, getting them ready for when the show began properly.

That took a while, because the funny men were just having too much fun with the crowd. They could have kept that up for the whole hour and no-one would have complained or asked for their money back, because the actors were so naturally and effortlessly hysterical in themselves.

From the start to the end, Richard Maritzer, as Cyranose, Shelby Bond and Vinny Cardinale – each taking multiple roles – had the audience laughing.

Much of the show was improvised around audience reactions but this wasn't as haphazard as it might sound.

Each of the threesome are clearly masters of their craft, and every crowd can be sure of a completely different, first-class, hour-long belly laugh."

For those of you not in Edinburgh, the Evening News is in the top three newspapers here - so this is a real coup. We are on cloud nine!

Thursday, August 07, 2008
4 Stars from One4Review.com 
4/5 Stars: Sound & Fury's 'Cyranose'

Three brave Antipodeans strive to bring class and comedy to the masses at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival by presenting their adaptation of 'Cyranose'. Immediately they terrify playgoers by coming amongst us to encourage audience participation. Faced with the shock of having to talk out loud during a show and the obvious language difficulties, immediately added to the humour of the show.

The well-known story of how Cyranose loves his cousin Roxanne, and how Roxanne loves Christian is the kernel at the heart of this performance. As the layers of the plot are added to the whole thing gets nuttier and nuttier, branching out in so many directions you find yourself spinning through time space and pop music. This hilarious romp is worth fitting in so many ways it is difficult to successfully put into words.

At least one of these three attractive talented young men (two of which we are assured are single!) will appeal to well over 50% of the audience, Shelby Bond, Vinny Cardinale and Richard Maritzer are ‘Sound & Fury’.

You deserve a sound beating and may find yourself in a fury if you don’t get to see this spectacle!

Saturday, August 02, 2008
First Edinburgh Review: 5 Stars from Hairline 
hairline.org.uk

Sound & Fury’s ‘Cyranose!’2008, Comedy
Sound and Fury’s latest offering is a dazzling period style theatre show with razor sharp wit and rapport. We all know the Cyrano de Bergerac story: Cyrano falls in love with Cousin Roxanne but blighted by insecurities about his nose he assists in the wooing of her through young handsome Christian.
The story is retold to great and hilarious effect by the three male actors onstage, taking all parts in this comedy adaptation. Quick fire banter seamlessly covers any mishaps (perhaps there are some - it is difficult to tell…) and sharp observations are interjected by the players when the audience, gamely and enthusiastically, is encouraged to participate. The three performers are adept and engaging with their chemistry and interaction with each other, fizzing and sparking so that the audience can’t help but be taken along for the ride. The zesty actors are complimented by the witty and observational script that references everything from Eighties pop classics to current political affairs and recurring jokes about the French and Canadians. It’s difficult to pinpoint just a few of the high points in this high-standard work but the jokes regarding the reason for Cyranose’s nose complex are exquisite; even the baser gags are carried out with a charm that is so often missing from today’s toilet humour comedy agenda.
Referring to the “Fourth Wall” as the barrier between viewer and performer they quickly pick up on audience reaction (don’t let them catch you sending text messages!), making it as much part of the show as the already scripted one. It’s difficult to find fault with this production that, whilst essentially set-less, is utterly absorbing and evocative for the imagination.
Miss this and miss a real gem.

5/5 Stars

Catriona Ruth Paterson


Edinburgh Fringe Festival! 
We're here! We've had our opening night, which went swimmingly, and have socialized, planned things, flyered, PR'ed, rested, and are preparing for tonight's show... Snafus are being dealt with, but all in all, things are great! We are confirmed that The Scotsman will be reviewing us in a few days, which is great news! Looking forward to this whole crazy Festival!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Onward to Edinburgh! 
In just a couple of days we open "Cyranose!" at the Gilded Balloon, for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in Scotland. We're just elated, and are coming off the high of the Winnipeg Fringe, where we were Best-of-the-Best-of-the-Fringe. We sold more tickets than any other act in the approximately 160 shows. No small feat, and we're grateful for the support of the Winnipeg theatregoers. Now we look forward to some of that great luck rubbing off on this new venture for us - our first time at the Mother of All Fringe Fests! Check back here for news. As I write this entry, I'm in the Manchester UK airport, waiting for my flight to Edinburgh, an hour away. Excitement! --richard.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
4.5 Stars from the Winnipeg Sun! 
"The fine lads from Sound & Fury return to Winnipeg with a dashing murder mystery so funny that the cast seems to have as good a time performing as we do watching.
You don’t get a chance to get to your seat before the show starts — the troupe entertains the lineup outside prior to the performance.
This personal touch, along with a little crowd participation, is what makes the show thoroughly entertaining.
The actors slide in and out of character, putting the audience at ease with their laid-back approach to theatre, yet maintain tight performance throughout.
Sun Rating: 4.5 stars"

And we've now sold-out 4 nights in a row. Take that, Caped Crusader!

Sunday, July 20, 2008
5 Stars from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) 
"Sherlock Holmes and the Saline Solution is ridiculously entertaining and about as much fun as I have ever had at a Fringe show. Ever.
The three Los Angelenos of Sound & Fury bring such an inspired sense of playfulness and silliness to the table, it's impossible to remain immune. Their gags come steadily and rapidly; their timing is impeccable; and their instincts for how long a joke can be stretched are perfectly calibrated. Friday night's sold-out crowd laughed as often and as loud as I've heard at any show.
Sound & Fury are making their fifth appearance at the Winnipeg Fringe and promise as long as we keep laughing and clapping they'll keep coming back.
I beg you: keep them coming back."
-- Dean Jenkinson

Well, *that* was pretty darn nice. We're all very pleased as you can imagine. We sold-out tonight, and had a ton of fun, as did the crowd.

Friday, July 18, 2008
5 Stars from the Winnipeg Free Press 
SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE SALINE SOLUTION
Sound & Fury
Gas Station Theatre (Venue 18), to July 26

Richard Maritzer, Shelby Bond and Vinny Cardinale had a large first-night turn-out of Sound & Fury fans in uproarious laughter before they even began their performance. In turn, the three were having a hard time stifling their smiles and giggles as everyone on both sides of the footlights at the Gas Station Theatre enjoyed themselves.

As they have done to much hilarity with the Bard's plays, the Los Angeles-based troupe lampooned Sherlock Holmes and give it a typical Sound & Fury twist. Leading man Maritzer got tricked out of playing Holmes by Bond, who dons the great fictional detective's deerstalker cap and portrays him as a dim-witted goof. "The game is afeet," enthuses Bond. Maritzer is demoted to the role of Dr. Watson, but plays his character as the much sharper sleuth.

Throughout the show, the local favourites added asides (a joke about Confusion Corner brought down the house) and generally had a ball with sexual double entendres and Sherlockian satire.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Away we go! And please Donate! 
Lo, the journey begins! Shelby left today for Canada, I (Richard) leave on Saturday, and Vinny on Monday, for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. We're there for 2 weeks to do our re-vamped and much improved "Sherlock Holmes & the Saline Solution", and then we're home for less than 24 hours till we leave for Edinburgh Scotland and the giant Edinburgh Fringe Festival!
We still need your help!
Please click on the "Donate" button below the menu to the left, and send us some funds to help offest the cost of this big adventure! Unfortunately, it's not tax deductible, but all the monies you send will go to help us represent the U.S. at the largest theatre festival in THE WORLD. It's costing us tens of thousands we don't have, so any donation is appreciated - or, go buy a DVD from the product page... Thanks in advance from your Fakespearean boys, Richard, Shelby and Vinny!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Edinburgh Fringe Festival! 
We are proud and excited to announce that we WILL be going to perform Cyranose! for the month of August in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (as it is officially called). We were offered, and accepted a prime-time (7pm) slot at The Gilded Balloon, which is one of the top-4 venues at the Fringe. Those 4 have actually "joined forces" this year to create an Edinburgh Comedy Festival, with a joint program, which we will be a part of. Our venue within the Gilded Balloon is The Nightclub, which seats 150. Prices will be in the £8-10 range depending on the night. We cannot contain our excitement!

Meanwhile, we're happily at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire for 5 more weekends, doing 4 performances a day of our new outdoor show, "A Little Death." Yes, we'll be bringing this to the other faires this year too. It's at 1:30, 3:00 and 5:00 at the Corazon Stage, and at 5:45 for the NC-17 version on Rogues Reef Stage.

And don't forget, May 11 we're at "The Muck" doing one day ONLY of "Cyranose!"

Get your tix now!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Full of Updateyness 
Well, let's see what's new...
WE ARE IN for Southern Cal Ren Faire, starting this weekend... it looks like 3 performances daily of "A Little Death" and that's it. If that changes, you'll hear it here first. We'll be on El Corazon Stage at 3:00 and 5:00 and Rogues Reef at 5:45. A weird schedule to be sure. It looks like the 5:45 will be the "dirty version" of the show. So be sure to see both...!

Prof. Pennywhistle on Thursday nights is going on, so please join us, if you're in the L.A area (or even if you're not!) We just printed a ton of postcards which we'll have at the Faire in case you need reminding!

I've totally revamped the website (programming-wise anyway) - though it's not complete, as usual. But now everything's using php and I'll be able to do more neat coding soon, for more fun things to do.

Still working on a venue for Edinburgh this summer, so stay tuned!

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