Dearest gentle reader,
It is my pleasure to inform you that the biggest event of the regency (?) era has landed upon our very own Wellingtonian shores with promise of drama, scandal, and dresses that could slay Spencer Perceval in cold blood. Make Haste Productions has made their debut at the illustrious BATS Theatre, and all who were lucky enough to nab tickets witnessed it in all its eloquence.
I actually don’t know what I’m talking about here.
As a single straight man, I’ve never had a reason to watch Bridgerton, the Netflix show upon which Abridged-erton is based. Many a reference goes over my head, I’m sure, but fear not if you’re on the fence about going. It honestly doesn’t matter if you’ve seen Bridgerton before, when the improv skill on display is so well honed by performers who come out swinging in the studio.
Three of the four cast greet us as we amble in, hiding their faces behind fans and whispering gossip to each other. After the audience is seated, a rush of energy fills the stage in the form of Simran Rughani getting ask-fors as a newsie, and we’re immediately brought into the world they’re creating on the spot; it’s the Queen’s birthday ball, the King has died, and we are promised a Friends to Lovers trope of a story.
The next bit of discovery is really fascinating to watch. From the King’s death, they extrapolate he’d been surrounded by 17 women, all of whom have been executed by the queen. Which leaves one remaining bachelorette available in the ‘ton. It’s a really strong heightening of the ask-fors and results in a platform that the players all bounce off naturally.
Megan Ritchie takes the reigns as the main character for this evening and nails the physical game tonight. Her movements are lithe, dynamic and her mimework is incredible. She paints a strong picture with her range of motion and intense stares. There’s never a dull moment when she’s on stage, capturing attention with her brilliant stage presence.
Opposite her as a love interest is Simran Rughani, who somehow plays both the male support and the obnoxious villain of the play. The separation of roles is clearly defined by the switching of a hat, but it’s genuinely not needed. Every line is delivered with a smile on her face, and her improv shines best when she’s truly enjoying herself.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that there’s not a lot left for the remaining cast members to do, but out comes Millie Osborne doing Millie Osborne things in a brand new context. She’s just so so good at taking any offer and transforming into raw, emotional (and yes, mostly sexual) energy. Her quick thinking and commitment to absolutely everything is such a joy to watch.
Providing structure to the show is Lucie Richardson, who plays the notorious (?) Lady Whistledown. She is constantly in control of the show’s pacing and never lets it drag on for a second. Her ability to read a scene and know exactly what it needs is fantastic. Her framing is joyful and impeccable as she constantly gives mother.
Each of these performers is individually phenomenal, but combined with the chemistry on display, they produce a crazy supportive vibe. They’re always looking like they’ve got each other’s backs; never talking over each other, nor leaving fellow performers to fend for themselves. There are no stagnant silences, nor chaotic messes here, just pure improv skill.
Abridged-erton is a show that is so slick in its premise and execution that it’s hard to say anything other than ‘go watch it’. It’s a thrill to watch a show that’s so focused on improv skill expression, to the point that it feels like they’re just completely styling on the audience. It is seamless, solid improv and delivers on its promises, and then some. Although the show might have sold out, there may still be spaces at the door. Give it a punt on the night, you might get lucky.
And for those who don’t, sorrow, sorrows, prayers.
Disclosure: As a somewhat active member of the Wellington performing arts community, I may be quite familiar with a number of the performers in this show.Having said that, I am not a liar, and there is zero bias in my reviews, shut up.