IT OOZES more cheese than a fondue and looks like it comes from another decade, writes Paul Johnson.

Right from the start Nuts Coconuts probably has most of the audience wondering—is this for real?

Indeed, it had some of them so ‘taken’ that they got up and left, and for the first 25 minutes there was a steady stream of walk-outs.

How many times have we seen the ‘let’s put on a show right here’ scenario played out on stage? Well, this lot give it a new twist with their ‘let’s pull down the show right now’ take on things.

With the Gibraltar Follies in a bit of a hurry to pack everything away before the overnight drive to their next venue, the audience is allowed a glimpse into their off-stage personalities.

Except, the audience isn’t just there as spectators and everyone ends up mucking in to great comic and chaotic effect.

That’s one of a series of scenes, scenarios and bits of business all tied together into a pretty reasonable script, even if some of the character monologues can be seen coming a mile off.

Full marks to whoever unearthed the TA Hall in Leith as a potential venue—and to the director, who uses the setting to great effect.

But, was this really so innovative and so impossible to stage without the support of the Edinburgh Inter- national Festival, as to be worthy of a place on its programme?

Because, much as there are those who applaud the organisers’ attempts at making the ‘official’ festival appeal to a wider audience, there are others who ask, why must everything these days be dumbed down?

If you want a wider audience and a wider programme, isn’t that what the Fringe already offers?

Although pretty good fun for the most part, Nuts Coconuts seems like the kind of show usually seen on the Fringe—and costing much less than the £20 this lot were charging!