Review: Full English by Melanie Branton

Full English by Melanie Branton, Sunday 27 July

How did you spend your Sunday lunchtime? Preparing for the mighty Lioness’ triumph? Sitting down to a traditional Sunday dinner? Or were you a member of the audience in the packed out upper room of the Lych Gate Tavern Wolverhampton witnessing the nourishingly decadent ‘Full English’ by Melanie Branton?

From the second Branton entered the performance area she hosted a masterclass in diction, delivery and engagement. Every word delivered with perfect intonation, inflection and articulation thus ensuring every word was lovingly conveyed and understood.

The performance wasn’t a dry, overly academic seminar it was a rollercoaster journey of what the language ‘English’ is. Filled with History, Geography, MFL, Grammar, Classics, PSHE and more. A truly living, breathing, laughing event. Branton took the audience on a journey with the use of props, song, facial expression, cue cards, call &response and an array of hats used to illustrate characters or make marked points.

The show is correctly pitched to a Universal audience and I witnessed participation from 9-79 year olds both shouting ‘Hoo Ha!’ or heckling Vikings with great gusto and aplomb.

As an added bonus, Branton explain the etymology of the Anglo Saxon word ‘Lych’ as in the excellent venue The Lych Gate Tavern. I’ll let you find out about that- perhaps by paying them a visit and sampling their amazing Cobs and Black Country Ales.

I’ll end by saying thanks to everybody involved in this first West Midlands Fringe Festival as a born and bred Wolverhampton lass, sitting within steps of Lady Wulfrunia’s statue and listening to the history of the English Language I’m proud of our rich heritage and being a citizen of our beautiful world.

Remember the name Melanie Branton, if you get opportunity to see her please do. She’s Bostin Bab.

By Kirsty Mc