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Kenneth, What's the Frequency?

Thought this was a play inspired by the R.E.M song? Wrong! Kenneth, What Is The Frequency was the sentence shouted by the assailants of CBS news anchorman - the American Trevor MacDonald - as they beat him to a pulp as he walked home.

Taking this as the starting point for the production, 78th Street Lab combine it with a cheesy cookery programme hosted by Don B (Larry Bull) who's only aim in life is to create the perfect Burgoo, main ingredient - squirrel, and hurricanes. There seems to be no connection between the two men but as we move on we find that both Don B and Dan Rather's (Toby Wherry) lives are linked by a shared past.

This production snaps between the two, whilst hurricane reports are mumbled in the background, sometimes making it difficult to hear dialogue. This is an inventive story with many twists and turns keeping the audience on their toes and guessing what the outcome might be right until the very last. Of course as the play closes we are greeted with the opening strains of the R.E.M song and presented with a free badge, all of which seem highly appropriate for this madcap production.

19 August 2004
KENNETH, WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY?
78th Street Lab

 

Review © Bryan Johnston, August 2004