Faeries

George Square 1    31 July - 10 August @ 11.45    SL Productions

This is the intriguing story of cousins Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths who, providing a welcome relief from the horrors of the First World War, took pictures of supposed fairies – the infamous Cottingley Fairy photographs.  At a time when home photography was still quite exotic, the girls probably had no idea of the nationwide interest and controversy the pictures would provoke. But provoke they did, and the images polarised opinion, hoodwinked a few, but captivated the imagination of everybody, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini.

This musical version of the story is by Stephen Langston (book, music & lyrics), with co-writing by Wendy McPike, There are a few good songs, but otherwise the music is unmemorable, with too much recitative that tends to hinder rather than propel the action forward. Some cuts, especially in the last half hour, would help sharpen the audience interest. The set and rich costumes (Izzy Carrick / Yvonne Allan) and the lighting are aptly magical. The cast are strong, despite the hammy overacting by duo John McGlone and Victoria Lochore, and the over camp white-coated laboratory workers -  there are already enough fairies in this show.