[title of show]
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Assembly Checkpoint
Reviewed on Saturday 10th August 2013
Before you complain I have not made an error, this show's name is [title of show]. There is no simple way to describe [title of show], it is a musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical. This may sound hugely complicated but don't let it put you off because, due to clever writing, [title of show] is very easy to follow.
I loved every single aspect of this production and have fallen deeply in love with the show (I am downloading the cast album this very second), there is literally nothing else like it. It is no secret that fringe shows have very low budgets meaning designs are often 'basic' and run risk of looking tacky. [title of show] does not need big sets, stunt casting or a fancy lighting design and it does not look tacky. It simply requires four chairs, one piano, one musician and four talented performers. [title of show] is incredibly refreshing, the show feels so real and raw.
The art of 'naturalism' is one which is hard to master. The four characters are so real and the audience are almost sitting on the stage meaning there is nowhere for the cast to hide. Nicky Johnston, Robbie Towns, Carley Stenson and Jamie Lee Pike all give exceptional performances. The characters are all American and have quite strong contrasting personalities meaning it would be easy for the cast to go 'over the top'. Thankfully every character is played believably and all the cast are just as strong as each other, [title of show] is a fantastic ensemble piece.
My only fear is that not everybody will love this show as much as me. The script is very 'stagey', featuring lots of theatrical references which not everybody will understand (needless to say I found them hysterical). In one hour and twenty minutes you follow every step of Hunter, Jess, Susan and Heidi's journey and I actually felt a little sad when the performance came to an end as I wanted to see their journey continue.
Niky Johnston is hilarious as Hunter while Robbie Towns shows off his smooth vocal tones as Jess. To have seen Carley Stenson's journey from shy Elle (in Legally Blonde), to incredible Elle, to feisty Princess Fiona (in Shrek), to 'I mean business' Susan has been quite something! I have never seen such a huge change in a performer and I cannot fault her portrayal of Susan. She was somehow funny, bitchy and sincere all at the same time. Jamie Lee Pike is also outstanding as Heidi, her vocals are incredibly powerful.
There is something very endearing about [title of show]. If you want to be taken on a journey and see something completely different to anything you've ever seen before you must see this musical. Without doubt, [title of show] is my favourite show at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival and I am looking forward to seeing how the London premiere production at the Landor Theatre compares tomorrow evening!
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
You can see [title of show] daily at Assembly Checkpoint at 15.10 until 26th August 2013.
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