THIS MAY HURT A BIT - THEATRE REVIEW

THIS MAY HURT A BIT AT ST JAMES THEATRE, VICTORIA

Theatre Run: Wednesday 14 May - Saturday 21 June 2014
Performance Reviewed: Thursday 05 June 2014 (Matinee)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Going into Stella Feehily’s satirical take on the NHS, This May Hurt A Bit, one would be forgiven for expecting an onslaught of left-wing sentimentality or political bulldozing. The shows marketing and poster colourfully depicts a caricatured David Cameron skulking into the labyrinthine ward of a sickly woman like some nightmarish imp and the programme itself begins with an impassioned plea by Jacky Davis of ‘Keep Our NHS Public’ to rally against the devilry and smoke-and-mirrors of the coalition's treatment of the National Health Service.

THE CAMPAIGN: MOVIE REVIEW

THE CAMPAIGN
Release Date: 28 September (UK)
Director: Jay Roach
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis
Screening Reviewed: London Press Screening

Reviewed by Henry Kelly

There is something incomparably alluring and appealing about two such prolific actors within their genre coming together on-screen for the first time, as we get in The Campaign. Although there are no doubt numerous examples, I cannot think of a film since Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) that has featured two such genre heavyweights making their screen debut together. With Heat we had two of the most acclaimed and well-loved crime movie actors in Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, and now, with The Campaign, Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell, not quite the same degree of legend perhaps, but nonetheless two of comedies most popular current performers. The fact the two actors haven't shared substantial screen time before helps make The Campaign an exciting proposition before it has even begun.

With a plot that parodies contemporary U.S politics, a North Carolina Congressman Cam Brady (Farrell) finds his usually unopposed ascent to power halted by a plucky newcomer to the political scene in the form of Marty Huggins (Galifianakis). What follows is an outrageous campaign for popularity with both hopefuls going to extreme lengths to discredit one another and curry favour with the fickle minded voters. It caricatures a cynical view of politics without hitching its horse on either side of the fence.