Max Dickins is no stranger to the Edinburgh Fringe, his last appearance was in 2014 with the hit ‘My Groupon Adventure’, which he’s now turned into a book and brought back to the Fringe for 2016. It’s a five-star show in its own right, but his new production ‘The Trunk’ is something very special indeed.
While Groupon Adventure is an hour of pure comedy, ‘The Trunk’ is pure storytelling, and it’s storytelling at its best. For an hour, Max weaves a beautiful and touching tale of a young coroner’s assistant, who stumbles across a letter in the home of a dead woman, and the ensuing quest to deliver the message to the rightful recipient.
The main thread is a thrilling mystery, but is intercut with a story of the protagonist’s grandfather, who becomes an assistant in solving the mystery. While the colleagues in the coroner’s office, like Sue, who enters competitions and wins ridiculous prizes, also add depth.
These interconnecting stories blend together with absolute perfection and bring just the right amount of comedy to the overall piece. Recorded voice overs help Max break up the monologue, and some very simple props bring clarity to the adventure.
It is impossible not to be moved by the tenderness of the tale and the conviction of the story teller, I found myself damp-eyed and wishing I’d brought a tissue.
‘The Trunk’ is a lesson to any writer or performer, and a delight for any audience. It is beautiful, moving, utterly engrossing and impeccably performed.
