Review: XXX-POSED! – An Orgy of Comedic Talent

Date: Friday 27th February • Venue: Cipriani Labour College • Event: XXX-POSED! Who Vex Lorse!!!

A satirical look at Trinidadian life, XXX-POSED sees an orgy of comedic talent taking the stage. This production, presented by Funny Farm Factory Productions and 3Hah Theatre Company, was written and directed by local theatre veteran Penelope Spencer. Nikki Crosby owns her ‘Granny’ role as usual, and the entire cast delivered an above-par performance. Given the big names in the cast, that was to be expected.

 Let me state up front that I am a kind of solemn person and seldom enjoy local comedy. However,  I did find the show mildly entertaining and thoroughly enjoyed the “Animal Planet, into the wild” type documentary concept. While the song selections, a minor part of the show, could have had a bit more thought, the overall entertainment value for me was a solid 3/5. I would say though that the rest of the audience seemed to enjoy the show much more than I did.

The first half was far superior to the latter half of the show as the entertainment value tapered out after the intermission. Now this is all about what is your cup of tea, but and for me the script for each segment was too drawn out. Don’t get me wrong, there were lots of laughs to be had, but not nearly as much as there could have been. Everyone LOVES a good stereotypical joke and let’s be honest our lifestyle in Trinidad is laughable….IF you grew up like many of us did. So to me this show was quite relate-able and as such I had to laugh at how funny life really is BUT three things concerned me about the portrayal of our local lifestyle.

1) Parenting and Punishment – Now I don’t know about you , but my mother was NEVER running behind me to cut my tail…you had to stand up and take that licks. Running meant she booking it later and you getting it twice as bad. Once for whatever you did, and then again for putting it off / running in the first place. And all the talking wasn’t a before licks, it was a during, as in each word she had to say was accompanied by a stroke of the belt. Oh and then some other sordid punishment for embarrassing her by having a neighbour have to complain about your behaviour. Just Saying!

My point is that it was funny to watch this piece but it was a bit drawn out when there was so much more material that could have been included.

2) Hairy Situation – This was in the second half of the show when things began to drag. But it started with the mention that a Trini woman is concerned with three things….her finances, her relationships and her appearance, and I wanted to see these things play a bigger part in this segment of the show. Sure the focus was on hair, because let’s face it, we as women believe our hair is our crowning glory (even if its just subconsciously). I’m a natural hair chick but don’t doubt that I love and value my hair and hairstyles. It was like the hairdresser, (played by Penelope Spencer) called me out when she said “women with big hairstyles are divas” (when I’m feeling diva-ish I really do poof out my hair….go figure!) Still, I really wanted more. The piece was too drawn out when it really didn’t have to be.

3) Cup of Jen – This piece could have been the highlight.  It focused on Trinidad’s politics, and there’s nothing more hilarious than Trinidad Politics. Additionally, with a lay called “XXX-POSED! Who Vex Lorse!!!” you can’t help but expect controversy. Instead the writer chose to play it safe, steering away from real hard hitting issues. Our politics too interesting and funny all on its own for this piece to have been so…..plain. This is where things could have really made a statement and been provocative. Taking a risk with controversial topics that would have added the fire / spice to this piece.

Maybe I looked for too much, being somewhat of a political aficionado, that I could not really enjoy the lightness, or more correctly the shallowness, of the comedy. Maybe I’m too serious a person, too interested in having my thoughts provoked by the issues of the day. Its a personal thing, what you find funny, so personally, while I was only mildly entertained I wasn’t sold on the quality of this production. It fell short of its potential for me but again the audience was laughing a whole lot……maybe I missed something.

‘XXX-POSED! Who Vex Lorse!!!’ will be at  the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Saturday March 7th at 8:30pm and Sunday March 8th at 6:30pm.