Buzz – A New Musical continues at the Drayton Arms Theatre, London until 29 October.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Described as ‘Bridget Jones meets Book of Mormon’, Fat Rascal Theatre’s Buzz is an outrageous – and outrageously funny – potted history of, principally, the vibrator. But it’s also a rundown of the shifting attitudes towards female sensuality, starting before you even sit down with the grunts and ughs of cavemen and -women clambering over you as you take your seats, via Cleopatra’s Egypt to Victorian prudism and post-war, post-Kinsey sexual revolutions. All set to an original soundtrack by Robyn Grant (book and lyrics) and James Ringer-Beck (music), think of it as the musical – and much funnier – sister of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues.
Unlike Ensler’s ‘episodic play’, Buzz develops the story of a central character, Angie, played by the butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-her-mouth Allie Munro. (Trust me, by the end of the show, that butter’s melted!) Angie has just been dumped by her wannabe rock-star boyfriend Mark (Aidan Napier), so best friends Chrissy (Robyn Grant) and Simon (Joel Locke-Foster) dish out their advice, which ends up with the trio on a shopping trip to Ann Summers.
Freaked out by the pink neon and fluffy cuffs, Angie escapes and resorts to shopping online for a sex toy. As she browses through the various offerings, she is whisked away on a journey through the history of the vibrator, starting with a bee-filled gourd supposedly used by Cleopatra. With each discovery, the supporting cast present the story and context of said sex toy, erupting from her wardrobe to recount the fascinating tales behind the toys… The Vagina Monologues meets Horrible Histories!
Other than Munro, who remains in character, the talented cast – including Rosie Raven, Taylor Danson, Grace Leeder, Katie Wells and even pianist/MD James Ringer-Beck – take on multiple roles. And while the vocal abilities vary, each gives 100% to their parts, and all prove to have a solid knack for comedy. And they’re not shy either, getting themselves into all manner of sexual shenanigans.
Fat Rascal Theatre comprises Grant, Ringer-Beck, Munro and Danson with producer Laura Elmes, all of whom are from the 2016 graduating year of East 15’s BA Acting and Contemporary Theatre Course. No surprise, then, that the show has boundless youthful energy and is packed with invention.
Danson, who directs as well as acts, delivers a varsity-style Fringe show – and an award-winning one at that. It’s cheap and cheerful, with bags of energy that more than make up for the wobbly set and ad-hoc costumes. The songs are – perhaps surprisingly – pretty good, too, constantly shifting in style to match the period. The script is razor-sharp, and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It’s certainly the most fun I’ve had at the theatre for a while.
With dildo-wielding girls, and the boys half naked for most of the show, it’s got the touch of a hen night to it. But somewhere beneath the sheets, there are important messages to be had, about society’s attitudes to sexual pleasure and the suppression of female sexuality. Thankfully, though, the subtext never gets in the way of a good fanny-fart joke. And all for £14!? If you like your Fringe filthy, don’t miss it!
Craig Glenday
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