Zimbani

Zimbani’s limp, repetitive and over-the-top shenanigans are best thought of as a cross between Austin Powers and Starsky and Hutch, but with just a glimmer of the humour that each provide. Its three strong cast – including David McNeill, Clare Ward and Colin Hoult (from Fringe favourites Colin and Fergus) – appear to have a visibly energetic comic relationship that is sadly wasted on such poorly realised material.

The stage for the comedic play is set up perfectly: dull, seedy 1970s browns adorn a secret service office in which a Wilbur Smith-reading chief hides his affection for his bespectacled secretary and waits for his star agent to collect his orders for their latest task. The target of the operation is Zimbani, a notorious African dictator, who is also being pursued by their Norwegian counterparts.

The production sets up the parameters of parody well but the lack of narrative means that it quickly becomes tedious. Each scene is more like a drafted sketch, and the play never really comes together, though the individual comic performances are endearing. The performers frequently burst into laughter at their own antics, perhaps recognising the confusion and incomplete quality that Zimbani exudes, but having fun with it anyway.

Ultimately, Zimbani fails because of the absence of any semblance of a plot. If this is rectified, it could transform itself into a delightfully amusing play and a fine addition to the already bursting library of 1970s detective spoofs. As it is, Zimbani seems unfinished and is largely devoid of credible laughs.