Mixed Omens is literally one of a kind. Performed by narrative improv group, The Improvised Play, their previous productions have focused on the works of Tennessee Williams and Caryl Churchill. Here, they take the works of Neil Gaiman, looking at the interface between real life and myth and the creatures that inhabit those spaces. Demons and gods (like Gaiman’s interpretation of Aziraphale and Crowley) mix with humans with varying success and outcomes. An evil father who wants to spread his darkness across the world is searching for his wayward daughter who has escaped to the human world to seek out her half-sister rather than following in his dark footsteps. Essentially a struggle between good and evil, the show is Good Omens meets Long Lost Family, with secret siblings from the underworld and a comedy woodlice duo who link the two worlds through their spying and interference.
The six-strong group are strong improvisers, with great comedic timing. There’s no set to speak of, just a variety of costume options for the cast, mostly consisting of voluminous textiles. It does get off to a slow start, acknowledged by a self-aware and gutsy line from one of the cast early on: “This is boring, get on with it!”. The pace picks up after that and hurtles towards a satisfying denouement. It’s a fun show with initially a bit of audience participation. At this performance, the character of Marjorie was clearly flummoxed by the somewhat off-the-wall suggestion from an audience member of including the game “Boggle” in the story, but she was fortunately rescued by another cast member who knew the game. That’s the joy of improv – you never really know where it’s going to go.
Mixed Omens is presented as part of the Camden Fringe Festival. There will be two more performances at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden, on 6th and 10th August. Tickets are available from: https://camdenfringe.com/events/mixed-omens/
Reviewer: Carole Gordon
Reviewed: 31st July 2024
North West End UK Rating: