Director, performer and radio presenter Tim McArthur gives his view on more of the musicals showcased at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013.
West End at the Fringe continues at theSpace @ Symposium Hall until 24 August.
What a lovely sweet revue this is, performed by five young talented performers who glide through an interesting selection of songs taken from some of the best West End Musicals. The repertoire is quite interesting and not necessarily what you may be expecting in a revue of this format. Bold choices such as ‘Agony’ from Into the Woods and ‘Nobody’ from Betty Blue Eyes add diversity to the programme. The only criticism is that some of the choreography feels dated and overbearing for the space and songs. Emma Ralston brings the house down with ‘The Wizard and I’ and musical director Ross Leadbetter plays with sensitivity and ease. I feel this new company has a lot to offer.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/musicals-and-operas/west-end-at-the-fringe
Get Got continues at C too until 26 August.
In this new musical we enter the world of live television and a show hosted by the talented Preston Quick who is presenting his 25th year special, Showbiz Today Tonight. As a result, we also meet an array of characters who all have weaknesses and insecurities. This musical is a comment on our celebrity-obsessed culture and also what boundaries and subject matters companies will exploit to make TV shows. This musical has huge potential. However, at the moment it needs some attention and a little bit of TLC. It will be interesting to see how dark the writers can make this piece. The cast members are incredibly strong and suited to their roles. At times the band was so loud I couldn’t hear the lyrics of certain songs. With a bit of restructuring and some script editing this show could be a unique piece of musical theatre.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/musicals-and-operas/get-got
A Body to Die(t) For continues at C until 26 August.
I don’t really know where to start with this new musical. Never before I have felt so uncomfortable in the theatre. Greta is desperate to find love and is unhappy about her weight and appearance. What follows is a mish-mash of bad storytelling, too many plots and characters, confusing short scenes and general chaos as the talented cast try their best to sell a show which unfortunately never hits the mark. Obesity is a sensitive subject and should be addressed carefully but I am afraid not in this musical.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/musicals-and-operas/body-to-die-t-for
Vikki Stone – Definitely continues at the The Underbelly until 25 August.
From the moment this show begins, Vikki Stone sparkles with her energy and unique style. we know that she is in charge and we feel comfortable with the journey ahead. The songs are original, fun and beautifully performed. Straight away she interacts with the audience and gives several of them responsibilities throughout the performance which only adds to the humour of the hour. The use of multi-media gives another comedic touch as we learn about her lovely doggy and dog poo. The finale is one of the best I have seen at the Fringe and it keeps you on your toes.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/vikki-stone-definitely
Gobsmell: The Musical continues at theSpace on Niddry Street until 24 August.
On paper this new musical sounds promising, a spaghetti western in a Yorkshire dental surgery. However, the end result is more like a bad television movie. Somewhere within the drama is a decent story of lost fatherhood, but I am afraid there is nothing engaging about this piece. The songs are bland, the singing dreadful, the script weak, the only saving grace is the actor who plays the dentist who is charming (the cast consists of six performers, three adults and three children).
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/musicals-and-operas/gobsmell-the-musical
The Bloody Ballad continues at the Assembly Roxy until 25 August.
This brilliant dark new musical comedy tells the tale of a young woman who is betrayed by her lover and goes on a murderous revenge spree. Set in mid-west America in the 1950s, the music and lyrics perfectly captures the country and western feel. The staging is inventive and makes great use of the actor/musician performers. You actually feel you are at a hoedown. The strong cast is engaging, quirky and brings full justice to this unique, gruesome musical.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/bloody-ballad
Worbey and Farrell: Deviations On the Piano was performed at The Assembly Rooms.
What to say about these two incredibly talented pianists but wow, wow, wow. You cannot help like and admire these two geniuses as they play a collection of well-known classical and original pieces of music on a gorgeous grand piano. Not only do they play beautifully, but their personalities are a joy, as is their wit and love for what they do which comes over in abundance. Behind each presentation of music is a well-rehearsed piece of choreography as they share the same piano stool. A stunning hour of entertainment.
www.objectivetalentmanagement.com/Edinburgh/
Broadway Enchanté! continues at the Assembly Hall until 26 August.
This delightful show celebrating some of the best-known musical theatre songs is a well-crafted cabaret. Performed by French leading lady Isabelle Georges, she and her stunning band take us on a journey from Cole Porter to Irving Berlin to Leonard Bernstein. The song choice is delightful and she oozes star quality. Her love for musical theatre is clear, there are some nice touches in the staging, giving the front row a waterproofed sheet during the Singin’ in the Rain section, also a joyous tap routine which kicks off the show with great energy and vitality. The band is incredibly versatile as the musicians play, sing and even dance alongside Madame Georges. Special mention must be given to her musical director who has some show-stealing moments as he joins in for some duets and also a few stunning solos. Enchanting.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/broadway-enchante
I Need a Doctor: The Unauthorised Whosical Adventure continues at the Pleasance Courtyard until 26 August.
The popularity in recent years of Dr Who has inspired this inventive, fun, fast-paced new musical. Written and performed by Jessica Spray and James Wilson Taylor, this musical is a perfect antidote for all the nerdy Dr Who fans out there in the world. It is the unauthorised musical parody, great songs include ‘I Need a Doctor’, ‘Companion’s Lament’ and ‘Phonebox of Love’. Don’t worry there is a typical adventure with the Dr fighting the baddie with a bit of mocking musical theatre thrown in for good measure. A Whoiscal musical with a big heart.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/i-need-a-doctor-the-unauthorised-whosical-adventure
Myra Dubois – Service With a Sneer continues at The Vodoo Rooms until 24 August.
Myra Dubois returns to the Fringe with her unique, anarchic humour and hilarious style. She rattles through some amusing anecdotes, performs some great songs with pizazz and zest. She is not scared of her audience, she has a great presence and her material is not full of cock and lesbian jokes like other drag queens. See her soon before her stardom rises.
www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/myra-dubois-service-with-a-sneer
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