Phoenix continues at the Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh until 26 August 2019.
Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩
Ash Phoenix is the all-American hero of this story: he had the choice between a career in football or music and music won. Escaping a difficult childhood with only his father around, Phoenix sets out to make his name.
Andy Gallo gives an impressive one-man performance as the hero who falls in love with a wannabe actress. They marry and support each other as they hunt for their big breaks. Her star rises first when she’s cast in a Bond movie. An unplanned pregnancy almost dashes the plan, but Phoenix steps up to the mark of solo parent. Set in the 1960s and 70s, the starlet has to conceal her motherhood to fit the studio’s image. An image that becomes a tragic reality as Phoenix finds himself living his father’s life to an extent.
This modern fairy tale has a lot to commend it, not least Gallo’s performance. His delivery has something of early Johnny Cash in style – understated and compelling to listen to. The lyrics are particularly strong and match some of the ‘blank verse’ used in parts of the monologue.
The story could be better-served with more contrast in pitch, pace and volume to develop the potential that’s there to be revealed. It certainly deserves it! See for yourself how the story develops and how the child actually becomes a lucky break. Lovely stuff.
Fiona Orr
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.