Tag Archives: The Spy Who Went to Rehab

‘The Spy Who Went to Rehab’ (Venue 23, until AUG 25th)

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, 4*, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre by

“This is McShane at his laser-guided, prince of precision comedy best. It is, quite simply, a perfect performance.”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars (Outstanding)

Can the world’s greatest secret agent detox from his toxic masculinity? That is the premise of Gregg Ostrin’s superbly farcical play. Simon Cross is not afraid of anything. He’s been tied naked to the back of a crocodile, lived and let died more times than you’ve had unstirred martinis. Now he is facing his greatest challenge yet – his own journey into self-awareness.

This is a clever tribute to the genre – we know the name, we’ve got his number. Satiar Pourvasei as Cross is bang on target – landing on that part of the James Bond spectrum somewhere between the totally deadpan Lazenby and the tongue-in-cheek absurdity of Roger Moore. Pourvasei’s individual connections with the other members of his therapy group fizz and crackle, making Greg Ostrin’s bonkers script seem almost plausible… just for a moment.

Cross is an unreal amalgamation of fantasy and pathos. He’s a character who could stand alone as a one-hander character study. But, then again, every good superspy needs a great supervillain for counterpoint. As Lazarus Rex, Cross’ arch-nemesis, Fringe Legend Mike McShane delivers the goods, especially if you are in the market for an evil genius with attachment issues – even his white Persian cat has moved on and joined the yowling choir invisible. This is McShane at his laser-guided, prince of precision comedy best. It is, quite simply, a perfect performance.

There’s no escaping the problems with this production. Sightlines that just aren’t working, clunky gunfights, sluggish scene changes. There’s a great production in this vintage, but it needs to mature and clarify to become the exceptional dram of profound silliness it could be.

This is a laugh-out-loud yet loving tribute to a cherished oeuvre. Come for the authenticity. Stay for two of the best comic performances you’ll see anywhere this Fringe. Get your white tuxedo jackets on and go see this!

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EdFringe Talk: The Spy Who Went to Rehab

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“What began as a spoof became an exploration of Toxic Masculinity and how it can change.”

WHO: Gregg Ostrin

WHAT: “The UK debut of Gregg Ostrin’s critically acclaimed play. Quintessential British super spy, Simon Cross, wakes to find himself in rehab for drinking, gambling, womanising and anger management issues. As the embodiment of obsolescent toxic masculinity can he possibly navigate his way through the sessions with his fellow, extremely self-aware, recovering addicts to find enlightenment? Could this be his toughest mission yet? And what happens if arch nemesis Lazarus Rex finds out? ‘Deliciously clever, fiendishly funny’ (StageSceneLA.com). ‘Mesmerising’ (Glamgical.com). ‘A darned good farcical and absurdist comedy’ (StageandCinema.com). ‘A cheeky, high-spirited, brilliant new premiere’ (BroadwayWorld.com).”

WHERE: Ace Dome at Pleasance Dome (Venue 23) 

WHEN: 12:10 (60 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my first time to Edinburgh, both the city and the Fringe Festival. What is special about it to me is that I can recall being in college in Los Angeles (yes, the place where movies, TV and dreams are made), when my school drama group took shows to the Fringe. Having never gone, I can only judge by the amazing projects that have come out of it, especially Baby Reindeer, Fleabag and The Shark is Broken, which I would give my left arm to see (As I am right handed, this would not be a great sacrifice). I remember swatching video of Eddie Izzard doing street comedy and thinking, “We have nothing like this in the States and Where did he get those pumps?” From what I can already tell, every performer/writer needs to be a combination producer/marketing team, something I really enjoy, mainly because I think this show should be seen and enjoyed by all.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

That evidently America can be a monarchy under the right (or wrong) circumstances. As far as lessons pertinent to THE SPY WHO WENT INTO REHAB, I’ve had the chance to take a look at how men relate to women and the numerous mistakes we’ve made over the years (and by “we” of course I mean all of you out there, not myself! But because of the #metoo movement, among other social events, I have come to a new awareness of what it means to be more sensitive to others and it’s that awareness that inspired THE SPY WHO WENT INTO REHAB (If you noticed, i cleverly brought the subject back to the play.) I’ve also learned that it’s important to continue to bring humor and comedy into the culture, to keep us hopeful and laughing.

Tell us about your show.

Coincidentally, I wrote the play. The idea came to me as a comedy sketch idea: imagining James Bond being interviewed for rehab. It hit me that this icon that I grew up with, whose movie posters I had on my walls, whose catch phrases I memorized and whose movies I eventually owned on DVD, was in actuality an alcoholic, sex addict, gambling addict with rage issues (after all, he kills people for a living) and so I decided to write it as a play. What began as a spoof became an exploration of Toxic Masculinity and how it can change. I took the play to my friend Cindy Fujikawa, who is a member of Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice CA, where they were able to produce it. What began as a three week workshop became a five month successful run. Based on the subject matter (the British spy stuff), I realized it would be a perfect fit for The Fringe, because of the UK audience and the comedy, which brings my love of Monty Python, Peter Cooke & Dudley Moore, Ben Elton, Rowan Atkinson, Fry & Laurie and of course, everyone’s favorite funny Brits, The Crays, together in one mad mix.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

The audience should only see our show, over and over and over, until, Rocky Horror Picture Show-Like, they are repeating back the lines, firing cap guns, karate chopping one another and tossing martinis at one another. Chief among the other shows at The Pleasance (not to be confused with the more niche Donald Pleasance), they should see Spy Movie: The Musical, which looks like a scream, The Fit Prince, Hold Onto Your Butts, Smile, among so many others. I know will be trawling the streets like one of Charlie Dickens’ urchins, finding all the different spoofs of pop culture, as well as one person masterpieces. Of course, I will also be flyering my arse off at every one of these venues!!!

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