Cardiff Fringe Theatre Festival
The Castle Emporium, Cardiff
Mon 17 + Tues 18 July
****
I was greeted by two hooded robed figures in animal masks, who took my details, gave me a name badge and a raffle ticket. I was joining a cult.
Well sort of. The Church of Phil Recruitment Seminar was part of the Cardiff Fringe Theatre Festival and it was unlike anything I had ever seen. From the dated PowerPoint presentation with its garish word art titles, sound effects and ‘accidental’ subliminal messages, to the welcome song sung by two perma-grinning recruiters, through to the special guest speakers who have been saved by Phil, this was a show full of gleeful absurdity and unabashed silliness.
So who is Phil? Why he is their leader, the former child star of a series of television adverts for Kool ‘n’ Sooth cooling strips in the 90s. Phil is also a global pharmaceuticals brand, in which there most definitely vested interests. And lastly, Phil is a way of life, a philosophy. In the hour long session, I learnt about Phil through the story of the church, based at the caravan park, Camp Phil, in Pembrokeshire, through the personal stories of the recruiters and their guests, through the faith healing conducted on an audience member, and through the meditation session wherein I imagined riding a banana through space.
Confused? I’ll be honest, my words can’t do this show justice. It has to be seen. It is fringe entertainment at its purest, with a very DIY feel that makes it feel far more real than if it had had the polish of a larger theatre company. If you like to laugh, this is for you.
While recruitment may be over in Cardiff, no doubt the Church will be hosting seminars somewhere near year soon (they do have 300 members, after all). Their next seminar will be up in Edinburgh for the Free Fringe in August.
Word of warning, however: you may find yourself indoctrinated. I may or may not have signed a contract.
Phil be with you.
words CHRIS HAYES