It was impossible to tell whether The Other Half at the Old Market was a book launch, a country and western concert or a play.
There were some interesting monologues, some slick guitar and some pleasant vocals but otherwise there was no discernible story line and the message seemed to be one of depression and pointlessness.
Set in bar in Memphis, the play paints a picture of the meaninglessness and drudgery of the lives of its clientele and staff. The bar should have a health warning and be removed from any holiday itinerary.
No doubt bestselling author, Mark Billingham is a master of crime thriller dialogue and My Darling Clementine are accomplished musicians but somehow the two genres failed to gel.
Dressed as trailer trash and playing a keyboard made to look like a coffin in a funeral parlour, Lou Dalgleish provided the backing vocals and Michael Weston King the acoustic chords and vocals.
The dialogue could be described a gritty and realistic but was difficult to follow and almost devoid of hope.
Anyone wanting to experience a book reading interspersed with music would be better served staying at home curled up with a crime novel and some light music playing in the background.
Two stars
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