EDINBURGH 2013 - BWW Reviews: THE BRIDGE THAT TOM BUILT, C Nova, August 14 2013

Tom Paine - a famous political author, a source of inspiration during the American War of Independence, the supporter and later prisoner of the French Revolution, and now the subject of a new one-man show. In "The Bridge That Tom Built", Dominic Allen portrays Paine from his youth in Thetford through to his death, as well as the influential figures that crossed his path, including Benjamin Franklin and Georges Jacques Danton.

One-man shows are always a challenge, for the performer and often for the audience as well.
However, Allen is a fantastic actor, switching between characters in an effortless fashion, and it is his performance that grips the audience from the start and keeps them engaged and laughing through the whole hour. Indeed, the show is so well paced, zipping along without a slack moment that it certainly does not feel like an hour.

The script is witty and features several nods to more modern political humour, sly references to Margaret Thatcher proving the source of much mirth. The bridge metaphor seemed rather laboured, particularly as the opening narration which set it up was rather inaudible over the music. Overall, however, the show is informative and entertaining and leaves an audience wishing that all history lessons could be taught in this manner.

The Bridge That Tom Built is at C Nova until August 26th at 1910 each evening.