Musical Theatre Matters (MTM:UK)

Accidental Nostalgia

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Traverse 11 - 30 August @ 22.15 Cynthia Hopkins with Jim Findlay and Jeff Sugg

A disturbing yet challenging operetta based on a true story about a woman who seems to have repressed a memory of killing her father. The piece sees her attempt to discover the truth as well as herself along the way. Through the opening lecture on amnesia, she confesses to using herself as the subject matter and begins her journey. Many questions arise and the audience are taken on a cerebral journey that stretches and challenges. Is it that we should forget some things from our past or indeed move on and look to the future?

Cynthia Hopkins, who wrote and composed the production is the lead character and has a haunting, pure voice – well suited to the character and plot. She is supported by her creative team of Jim Findlay, Jeff Sugg and DJ Mendel who all participate in the enacting of this production by their clever use of multimedia. The live band, with Gloria Deluxe, takes the audience on a musical journey playing blues, country and searching ballads. This production is an incredible complex weaving of storytelling, media and song and is certainly memorable for all the right reasons.

Almost Like A Virgin

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Dome 5 - 31 August @ 19.50 Brink Entertainment/Festival Highlights

Evelyne Brink is a Madonna impersonator. At an earlier stage she wanted to be Ute Lemper but an Ute Lemper impersonator probably wouldn’t get to stay in the General Tito Suite at Honduras’ swankiest hotel, which is where Brink finds herself at the start of this show. ‘It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it’, she says.

After a medley of Madonna’s greatest hits, belted out with tremendous conviction, she tells us about the highs and lows of her own life, from waitressing in Brighton to lending Britney Spears her rescue remedy; from trying her hand at stand-up comedy (in a vegetarian restaurant, and disastrously) to winning Gagging For It on ITV2.

She peppers her account with such remarks as, ‘I’m not really Madonna – I just WANT to be’ and ‘I’d rather forget I’m not Madonna’, yet seems at the same time eager to escape from being her. Alongside the chart-toppers, Brink sings some, more personal, songs she has written herself. In one of them, with the chorus ‘As above so below, life is strange, there you go’, she says she just wants is to be loved for who she is. Fat chance, when you’re as good a tribute as Brink is!

A-Team - The Musical

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Gilded Balloon Teviot 5 - 31 August @ 17.30 Scratch

‘If you’ve got a problem... if you can find them... hire the A-Team!’ Step back in time to big hair, dodgy sets, bad stories and bad acting! Scratch Productions brings to the Edinburgh Fringe this funny, entertaining look at the 80’s TV hit... The A-Team. Ruth Bratt plays Tawnia, a troubled young shop keeper who’s passion for musical theatre keeps her going from day to day. She is in trouble and needs to hire the A-Team! Bratt plays the damsel in distress well and captures the acting of 80s TV spot on. The four actors playing the A-Team do well to recreate the group and with some fine comedy acting you will be laughing throughout the production. With power ballads, rap, car chases, gun fights, flying helicopters this is a show not to be missed!

Baby

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 31 August @ 19.30 Cambridge University Players/BATS

Baby (Cambridge University Players/BATS) is a musical from 1983 about three couples on the threshold of parenthood. It takes place on a college campus. The dean and his wife, who have already got grown-up children, have mixed feelings about going through it all again. Danny and Lizzie are music students and are at odds about whether they should get married or not. Pam and Nick, sports coaches, are already married. They are thrilled at the prospect of a baby.

It’s a straightforward set-up and, although there are complications along the way, this is a happy show, about attitudes and situations most of us of a certain age will recognize.

The problem for a company bent on reviving this musical is that David Shire’s music, though certainly foot-tappable, is rather square, and when it’s wedded to Richard Maltby Jr.’s conventional lyrics, considerable chutzpah is needed from the performers to bring the show to life. The Cambridge team sing well and their five-piece band are fine, but the production lacks exuberance.

Danny (Dan Garsin) sings as if he means it, and ‘I Want It All’, which spreads contagiously among the women, is sung with passion. The bright light that greets the newborn baby is a lovely idea.

Barbershopera II

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Dome 5 - 31 August @ 22.45 Barbershopera - Festival Highlights

This is a highly entertaining piece and is a superb vehicle for the talented company of three men and one woman to demonstrate great vocal ability and good comic acting.

The cast play 8 characters between them, set in a Norfolk town where a barber has recently died and his estranged son, now a matador in Spain, returns and tries to save the town from losing its barber shop to the trendy unisex salon owned by Trevor Sorbet! Yes, the plot is silly – adorably so – and the late night audience I the Pleasance Dome clearly relish every second of it!

The strength of the piece is the concise, witty lyrics: it would be impossible in the space here to be able to relate the whole plot as it is packed with character and incident. The close harmonies achieved with only the occasional guidance from a recorder or whistle for pitch are a joy to listen to: balance is always precise, so that the ‘lead’ vocal is clearly heard above the vocal only musical accompaniment.

A late night delight in this year’s Fringe.

Be Bop A Lula

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Sweet ECA 16 - 30 August @ 20.00 Weiner, Torres, Pluckrose and Sweet Entertainments

Set in 1960, this piece tells of an evening in a small town in the North of England. Eddie Cochrane and Gene Vincent are sharing a room above a pub as they tour together. Eddie is the ‘good guy’ with the girl back home; Gene the wild boy who wants to ‘score chicks’ all the way round England. These actors deliver first-rate performances and their voices ring with authenticity.

Clearly, Rex Weiner knows a great deal about these characters and his script is packed with facts and period detail. There is a lack of dramatic tension and a poor understanding of how to create memorable theatre; this is a great pity as the two lead actors are clearly talented and deserved better material than this to work with. The ‘device’ of Buddy Holly’s appearance is poorly handled, particularly in the guitar ‘duel’ with Gene Vincent.

This is not musical theatre – a great pity as the opportunity and the desire for music is clear from the audience – many of whom turned up in very accurate rockabilly gear – the original fans live on!

Becoming Marilyn

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Assembly @ George Street 6 - 31 August @ 15.10 Ronnie Dorsey Productions / Scamp Theatre

This one woman show by Issy Van Randwyck gives the Fascinating Aida star a chance to show her acting skills. This is not so much an impersonation as an inhabitation of Marilyn Monroe. Playing on her Gemini traits of being both Marilyn and Norma Jean, this performance charts the arc of events from the smothering of Norma Jean’s dreams to let Marilyn have the success she so desperately craved to her ultimate demise and fall.

The show boasts a host of Marilyn’s well-known songs, often creatively interpreted to fit with the narrative of what Marilyn was going through in her life at that time. The singing is beautifully under-stated; here is a Marilyn that genuinely sounds like Monroe: no piercing ‘shoop-oop-ee-doops’; instead we hear songs in the right key, delivered with an emotional resonance that haunts the very air.

A beautiful tribute, well directed by Gareth Armstrong.

Been So Long

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Traverse 7 - 30 August @ Various Times ETT/The Young Vic

This one began life as a play without music, they tell me, and that's a surprise - this production for me was alla bout the music. The band is funky as you like, the three-piece chorus are immaculate and the cast sing superbly.

We see bits of soul, reggae, gospel, R+B, and power ballad. There are some hit singles here. All of which tends to overwhelm the heightened poetry of the script. Great music - great script - but do they belong together? You decide.

Bloodbath - The Musical

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 31 August @ 21.30 Sanctuary Films Ltd

Written and Directed by Tony McHale, Bloodbath brings together a talented, professional cast in a world where an Eminem-like, chainsaw-wielding character welcomes us to Nixonville. This town is some kind of misogynistic dream land where scantily clad cheerleaders are in fear of a multiple murderer known as The Waterman. As victim number seven succumbs to The Waterman, we join a feisty female (yes, also scantily-clad) in her pursuit of a mini-Pulitzer prize; meet a police officer who wants to be a hero in the movies; a cheerleader who wants to be prom-queen - in short, a lot of wanting in one mixed-up town.

The musical track is strong rock, with a live band belting it out from backstage, and there are a couple of notable songs – particularly "Judas – The Icon" where the girls hit back with the best vocal performance of the show.

Blow Up - The Credit Crunch Musical

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The GRV 6 - 28 August @ 16.20 Clown and Bear Productions

The GRV in Guthrie Street in Edinburgh on Monday afternoon was the warmest theatre I have been in - ever - and I think the six performers in Blow Up - The Credit Crunch Musical were much hotter that I was but they nevertheless managed to carry off this unique and entertaining piece with flair.

This is the story of the very personable and informative German financier Max Klein, told by his good self, aided and abetted by an excellent brass quintet who find ways to comment on the story excellently. The topics of the piece are clearly identified early on as finance, band and gently making fun of German tourist culture.

The script is intelligent and witty and the band is great fun – if a little overwhelming in such a small performance space. They cover familiar tune after familiar tune in their Oompah style as Max reveals his descent from riches into rags and the musical finale alone is worth the price of the ticket – however steamed up and sweaty you find yourself.

Explaining finance concepts in a musical about little else is a brave task and Max and his musicians live up to it! Good luck on your next phase in your journey Max and long may the Oompahs resound!

Chat! The Internet Musical

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 8 - 31 August @ 15.45 StoppedClock

Meet Mary, she’s the administrative assistant on a chat room for fans of a famous Actor. Her role is to make sure everyone is chatting nice! Chat! tells the story of a group of lonely individuals who seek refuge from their lives in the world of internet chatting. The question is... can everyone find happiness in this cyber world? Diana Chrisman plays single mum Michelle with raw emotion and maturity. Adam Barlow plays vulnerable teenager Darren well and engages his audience with his good comedy timing. A strong ensemble cast makes Lee Freeman and Phil Cross’s new musical enjoyable.

Crabbit! - The Musical

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Gilded Balloon Teviot 5 - 31 August @ 12.15 Halyon Productions

Under the sea is where the action is! Meet Michelle and her friends as they take you through a jam packed, action adventure musical! Michelle’s friend, Hermie, is coming to stay and Hermie is scared of him because Crabbit is a bit of a bully! We soon realise though that Crabbit isn’t as big as he thinks and soon needs Hermie and his friends to help him before it’s too late! Daniel Moore plays the strong Crabbit well with excellent vocals and acting ability. He’s the baddie you love to hate! Fabin Hartwell plays the camp starfish with high energy that the kids will love. With catchy songs by Tim Hegarty you’ll soon be clapping along to this fun packed show! Go see!

Crime of the Century

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Zoo Southside 7 - 30 August @ 14.45

This is as powerful and emotive as youth theatre, or any theatre for that matter, gets. In a visually stunning production, we witness the pressure of today’s youth in a world where knives and stabbings are a constant threat, a reality that society at large condemns and then looks away…

This piece uses recorded testament, a great hip-hop score and astonishingly precise and acrobatic movement to examine the childhood and youth of today and tries to find where the solutions to this hell of life may lie.

There are moments where this show finds poignancy – particularly in the solo sang by the mother of one of the stab victims – but it shies away from offering sympathy and takes a most pragmatic view of this society in decline.

A play worthy of attention.

Dark Angels

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The Space @ Royal College of Surgeons 7 - 29 August @ 20.15 The About Turn Theatre Company

Think of Hollyoaks deciding to do a musical – think of casting a young Jennifer Aniston look-alike alongside a young Hugh Grant look-alike and you may just end up with Dark Angels. The soap-like feel to the plot and characters is teamed with disco-techno musical numbers with a few torch songs thrown in for good measure and contrast.

The plot line is somewhat naïve, but when did a good musical ever need a solemn plot line? Here, the book is over-elaborate, re-iterating the songs either before or after they are sung and tends not to trust that the audience will realise what the characters are telling us when they sing. This is a pity as it seems a long show for both cast and audience and could be far more slick if the musical numbers are trusted to do their job.

The number ‘Obsession’ gave this cast the chance to flex their dancing muscles to great effect and was the catchiest tune in the piece. With a bit of editing and polishing in the book and direction, this may be a show that would appeal to youth audiences and performers in the future.

Desmorphia

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The Voodoo Rooms 12 - 30 August @ 19.30 Ministry of Burlesque/ Blond Ambition/Des O’Connor

The faded grandeur of the glitzy black and gold Voodoo Rooms perfectly matches the highly polished cabaret act Desmorphia. Lead performer is suave Des O’Connor - and no, not the permatanned crooner from TV, but the younger, edgier performer of the same name. Appearing in immaculate white tails (the first of many fine costumes) and heavy panda style make-up (fortunately worn briefly) O’Connor commands events with a silver-tongued and precise delivery. The evening I attended, he effortlessly deviated from the routine structure, morphing through banter and impromptu songs - at the drop of a hat.

The accompanying performers, blond-wigged and full voiced Sarah-Louise Young, and dumpy comic Elvis type Jim Devereaux, lend the evening a balanced contrast. The trio cover an eclectic array of topics – from pandas to drugs, from festivals to insomnia, and somehow even add flamboyant Adam Ant to the concoction. Although the song melodies are mediocre, they do serve as adequate conduit for witty, fast-paced lyrics, and O’Connor is an accomplished player on keyboard, accordion and mini guitar. If you want high quality cabaret, glitter and sophistication, make sure you catch this show.

Ed: The Musical

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

C soco 5 - 31 August @ 22.15 StoppedClock

This show is a diamond in the rough – marvellous performances, excellent and original book, music and lyrics. Don’t be put off by the title – this piece deserves attention (and a better venue) as it shows great promise indeed.

Ed is a shy, successful man who falls in love with Evie in a little bookshop. Sounds twee, until you realise that Ed is now in a coma and what we witness is their relationship in flashback. This plot is supplemented by the story of Tony Morley – a rock star that has lost his liver to alcohol, but his ‘other organs more than make up for it’. In a seductive performance, a character that could become a cliché becomes a delight to watch. A touch more ‘rock star’ in the vocal delivery of his numbers would emphasise the contrast between his story and Ed’s.

The show moves effortlessly between laugh out loud funny to aching pathos. The performances are spot-on and this show is screaming to be discovered and given the polish it deserves to become a glittering diamond – a true gem.

Facebook: The Musical

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

C 5 - 31 August @ 22.30 Orbaum and Springall/Hartshorn Hook

True to its title, Facebook: The Musical contains obsessive cyberspace chat between five characters who seem to spend virtually all their waking hours online “Facebooking“ friends and potential lovers. There is also a Facebook projection behind the action, duplicating these messages. On stage, however, meagre dramatic thrust is delivered by the book of this musical, or the dialogue, during a two hour late night slot at C venues. The story revolves around a fraught relationship between student Rose (Tafline Steen) and teacher Mr Young (Peter Gentry), and a lesbian affair between Patience (Catherine Millsom) and Leigh (Jasmine Taylor). Completing the cast is Justin (Alasdair James McLaughlin).

The songs are mostly “power ballad” style with an almost 80’s feel, and seem strangely anachronistic with the modern phenomenon of social networking. But the musical depth and poignancy of composer Anthony Stephen Springall injects essential drama to transform this musical into a worthwhile visit. Springall’s music offers the characters the opportunity to display emotional intensity, and an interpretation of their romantic and sexual predicaments. An abundance of songs also allows the audience the enjoyment of the cast’s well trained voices, and the high standard of vocal arrangements and harmonies.

Falsettoland

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 31 August @ 14.00 Sell a Door Theatre Company

This rarely performed gem is delivered with great panache from the young cast of Sell A Door. Although almost all of the cast are at least 10 years younger than the characters they portray, the performances demonstrate great maturity and sensitivity, particularly Phillip Rowntree’s Marvin – a beautifully pitched and marvellously under-played performance.

The performances are consistent and very polished and deal well with the inherent difficulties of this piece. As it is almost sung through, there are occasional problems with the sound as the keyboard accompaniment does tend to overpower the voices. More sensitivity from the MD would allow the performers to vary the volume to greater effect.

The balance between humour and pathos is handled well; a little more awareness of audience sightlines in this thrust-stage venue would improve the staging. Minimal furniture and props are used to great effect. A fine effort from this young, talented company.

Fat Club: The Musical

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

C 5 - 31 August @ 14.40 Fat Toad Theatre Company

From the moment the doors open to this venue, we are all under the stern, unflinching criticism and comment from Bonnie (Judie Matthews) who has a mission to rid the world of ‘under achieving over eaters’. Not exactly a model of charm!

Her ‘class’ of 5 introduce a range of stereotypical characters – a bit like 'Stepping Out’ wanting to lose weight – but played with gusto and occasional brilliance. Perhaps a greater variety in age and physical type would have helped convey a more believable group of ‘misfits’.

In a show boasting 14 musical numbers in 70 minutes with lots of interaction with the audience, this is as enjoyable a light-hearted hour and 10 you can find at Fringe 09. Special mention for Amy O’Neill for her wonderful singing as Sarah. The company demonstrate some good harmonising and if the sound balance against the playback tape can be modified, this show will improve over its run.

Ginger and Black

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Courtyard 5 - 31 August @ 18.00

This show at the intimate Pleasance Hut on Drummond Street could not be considered a musical, but rather a comedy duo consisting of a series of short mini-sketches and jokes, with a few tinkling keyboard notes for extra effect. The loose period setting refers a lot to wartime Britain, but the surreal series of characters Ginger & Black play could just as easily be set anywhere at any time.

The show title refers to the attractive duo of flame-haired comedienne (Ginger) and tall handsome black performer (Black). Real names Eri Jackson and Daniel Taylor. With good comic timing they extract bursts of laughter from the audience, but I had an uneasy feeling during the forty-five minute performance: I’m not quite certain why - perhaps it was the performer’s formula of picking out members of the audience for derision, or the apparent smugness and self-satisfaction of Ginger and Black themselves - which may have been deliberate to add to the comedy. In any event, my lack of enjoyment was a minority experience; the performance I attended was packed out, and had a highly responsive audience.

Gingers! The Musical

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 31 August @ 11.15 Dirty Pop

“Beauty is in the heart, not in the hair” – so goes the tag line for Gingers, the musical where we meet a disparate group of women who are attending a 'Ginger Retreat'. Through the course of the weekend, we hear about the drawbacks of having ginger hair along with all their trials and tribulations as they express their inner fears and insecurities. Each character has their own song and style - from the shy, insecure girl to the prom princess wag - and each finding friendship and comfort along the way. They draw strength and encouragement from each other through some entertaining numbers including “I Have Red Hair” and “Always” both of which stand out. The orange theme is continued in the set designs and in an extravagant dance number complete with fans! Perhaps the most poignant song, “Fake”, brings home the message most of all as one of the girls confesses to being a non-Ginger and is, instead, seeking friendship. An enjoyable production whether you have ginger hair or not!

Great British Soap Opera, The

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 30 August @ 15.45

This fabulously funny musical takes the audience behind the scenes of Victoria Square, the soap opera whose ratings are falling and whose stars are desperate to be noticed – one way or the other! Hilarious goings on and sharp, witty lyrics tell the stories of the stars and our obsession with fame and soaps. From wondering if they will win this year’s “Best Soap Award”, to the annual calendar photo-shoot (which was truly hysterical!) – this musical is slick, vibrant as well as being very topical and relevant.

A truly professional cast in every sense of the word bring this musical to life. They even manage to get the classic “get out of my pub!” line uttered by every Eastenders barmaid into the show! Secrets and romance abound as well as a sprinkling of “happy ever afters” – well, what do you expect from a soap opera?

This show is beautifully directed and choreographed by Luke Sheppard whose snappy direction means there is never a dull moment. The band, led by Pippa Cleary who also wrote the music and lyrics, bring the same spark to the production. All of which ensures that this musical is most certainly one of the best shows around.

Hey Sister

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Augustine's 10 - 23 August @ 22.35 Hearty Productions

Set in a hospital ward with 3 patients – an old grumpy man who has been there for years and has no visitors, a bright cheerful Christian lady who shines her light at every opportunity and a young Opera star who has just fallen off the stage and thought he would be in a private room. This is a ward full of opportunities for clashes and there are indeed a few tantrums and tensions.

Throw into that mix the Sister whose optimism and eternal hope tries to bring them all together to put on a musical concert for the other patients. She tries to persuade the Opera singer to help her in her quest and in doing so, she helps him from his self centeredness to seeing that everyone has something to offer. The ward is staffed by 3 blonde triplet nurses who bring a flirty harmony to the numbers in the show.

Romance blossoms on the ward with the Lothario Latin lover of a Doctor and the stiffly starched Health Inspector and lives are changed. There is a beautiful rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the whole cast. Some fun and original numbers make this a production that the audience really enjoyed.

Honk!

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 31 August @ 12.00 Pendulum Productions

‘It’s a poultry tale of folk down on the farm!’ The Award winning Stiles and Drew musical Honk! comes to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe with a bright and breezy production. Telling the story of the Ugly Duckling the young ensemble takes us through Ugly’s story as he tries to find his way home back to the farm. Strong performances from James Matthew-Hughes as Ugly and Leejay Townsend as The Cat means that any young audience member will be kept captivated as they sing, dance and act their way through the story. Townsend has strong comedy timing and works well with Matthew-Hughes. From dancing frogs to sexy cats, ugly ducks to caring mums – there is something in this production for everyone. Although I felt that the directing, at times, let the production down the cast give their all in this fun, family show.

Hooked

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 7 - 30 August @ 23.15

A very modern musical that addresses the issue of addiction in our society. Not just drug addiction but as the sleazy lap dancing manager reminds us: “We are all junkies”. With a plot that would not be out of place in Eastenders, Hooked tells the story of Ben - a young PR executive who is not a late night meetings as he tells his wife, but frequenting the lap dancing club and enjoying the excesses of his lifestyle. However, his choices affect not only his life but the lives of the others around him. His wife Emma waits patiently at home until she can take no more. Jessica Sherman in the role plays her sensitively and has the strongest songs in the show. The cast work hard to bring what is indeed an all too familiar story to the stage.

Some excellent voices and a contemporary score all serve to portray a world of need and desperation. This production feels like it is still a work in progress and might benefit from looking at stylising the story. However, it is a production that has some real potential.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

C 5 - 31 August @ 21.00 Exeter University Footlights

It’s hard to believe that this show, with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, was written as recently as 1996. Elderly aunts will certainly find nothing objectionable in its coy treatment of sex and relationships. Some may find it curious that homosexuality is never mentioned but should remember that this, off-Broadway's longest-running musical (after The Fantasticks), had the strapline “The musical revue about heterosexual love” and that it was greeted by the New York Times “They’re here! They’re straight! Get used to it!”

We are used to it. It’s familiar and stylised stuff and its outdated humour seems to belong in some old American sitcom: the women bemoaning the shortage of suitable single men, the interfering parents, the he-man who bursts into tears watching a slushy film, the bridesmaid who’s never the bride, the beer-drinking husband who can’t be dragged away from the ball game on TV.

The Exeter University Footlights cast play the various stereotypical characters with extraordinary enthusiasm and conviction. The keyboard and lacklustre violin add little, but the tunes are easy on the ear, the singing is just right and the harmonies are handled deftly.

Improvised Musical, An

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

C soco 6 - 31 August @ 11.15

The cheery troupe from No Shoes Theatre get right in amongst the audience as we come in to the space at C Soco, begging for objects that can be incorporated into their spontaneous show. This is a good idea as the audience are involved right from the start of this off the cuff musical. The six performers are supported by a three-piece band – all clearly talented and ready to have a great deal of fun.

As an ensemble, the cast support each other fairly well as they move through the potential minefield of an improvised musical – in this particular case, set in a playgroup… (Blame the audience – they chose it!) Several innovations are introduced to give the audience more involvement – a ‘spotlight moment’ and a ‘channel hop’ are produced at the command of the member of the audience who ‘won’ the quiz to change the pace or flow of the piece.

I think the issue here was that so much is left to the audience – exciting in its own way – but risky for the cast in terms of delivering a quality piece of musical theatre. One feels that the potential for these performers to shine is somewhat limited rather than liberated and I would recommend that the show has a few more rules to help it become a true showcase for their undoubted talents.

Inconsiderate Aberrations of Billy the Kid, The

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Just The Tonic @ The Caves 6 - 30 August @ 22.40 2headedpigeon Theatre Company

Originally a workshop with April d’Angelis at East 15 Acting School this show, by 2headedpigeon Theatre Company, is probably the most anarchic and outrageous musical on the 2009 Fringe. So irreverent is the content, the theatre company even lists a legal advisor. Writer/actor Christopher Bailey, director Clare Shucksmith and a great cast have given Edinburgh the theatrical equivalent of a John Walters film at its most tasteless. In the first five minutes, diminutive Billy (Michael Keane who looks about ten years old) guns down his mom (Clare Shucksmith) because he detests school. Thereafter follow a series of cover ups and assorted sexual exploits, including necrophilia and dismemberment. To add to the shocking delight is hunky Kevin (Ben Charland) singing with a full hard-on. Eventually, even a six foot dancing penis appears. Although the content is bizarre, and the plot crazy, it is well conceived and fun to follow. Mom eventually returns from Heaven with a group of lesbian angels set on revenge. I won’t spoil the end - go and see for yourself. In keeping with the general anarchy there is live music by sexy looking heavy metal band The Aberrations.

Jerry Springer The Opera

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 31 August @ 18.30 One Academy Productions

For many people, this so called entertainment is an offence to all right-thinking individuals - is nothing sacred? Apparantly not, if this piece is to be believed. The fact that it's performed with enourmous exuberance by a highly talented, good-looking young cast merely compounds the insult. Jonathan Lum is a charming prescence, Yemie Sonuga is a terrific security guard, Adam Day Howard as Jerry Springer gets more and more like Groucho Marx as the show progresses. If you're a pious old git like me, stay away. But if your idea of a good time is scatter-gun, potty-mouthed, tightly-rehearsed, satire-lite like this, suit yourself.

Little Johnny's Big Gay Musical

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Dome 5 - 30 August @ 22.00 Random Accomplice

Little Johnny’s Big Gay Musical is exactly what it says on the tin.

You can’t help but like this charismatic guy who skips us through snippets of his life up until his current age of thirty, who is gay, foul mouthed, single and still renting.

Probably like most of us as we approach thirty, we start asking ourselves what we have achieved and if this is as good as it gets. Johnny McKnight evidently needed to figure out his current status in life and has done so expressing himself through a camp, glittery show.

The set is a little extravagant but none-the-less beautiful and the lighting equally complemented it. The live musicians were excellent giving the songs that sophisticated jazz feel.

The music was toe-tapping but some of the lyrics lacked wit. However most were entertaining with some great vocals from Natalie Toyne. A nice idea, and with a writer on board to help Little Johnny develop this show and his story telling, he could get the response at the end of his chapters he was looking for and deserved.

Matthew Sharp in… Finkelstein's Castle

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Courtyard 6 - 31 August (Only Certain Dates) @ 14.35 SharpWire

Finkelstein’s Castle is an entangled hybrid of horror spoof meets Jules Verne meets deep sea ghouls. Most of the action takes place in a fictional setting – a castle and surrounding waters off the North Sea coast near Gallumphing- on-Twee. In this one-man show, our narrator (Matthew Sharp) is summoned to the castle by a garbled message and an ominous butler figure. On arrival at the castle he comes across an international array of menacing larger than life guests with jokey names like Herr Transplant and Tony Panitoni. The audience are then obliged to keep track of fast moving events, and interchanges of characters, all of whom are deftly acted by Sharp.

With an impressive creative team (including director Will Tuckett, designer Tim Meacock and lighting designer Mark Howland) rays of creative professionalism glimmer through the production from time to time, but are ultimately overshadowed by a meandering outlandish storyline that does not know how to conclude. Despite this central hindrance, Sharp gives a versatile interpretation of the characters with a fine voiced performance in both dialect and song, and a highly enjoyable display of cello virtuosity.

Me, Mum and Dusty Springfield

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Assembly @ George Street 6 - 31 August @ 15.25 Stephanie Ridings

Me, Mum and Dusty Springfield is short, direct and touching. Mary, the daughter of a woman with a Dusty Springfield tribute act talks about her life, her relationship with her mother, and the men in her mother’s life. The music is evocative, the character sympathetic and the story satisfying. Performer/writer Stephanie Ridings leads us through the day of her mum’s ash scattering after her death from cancer, like Dusty herself, to the point where she dons the wig herself to sing at the ceremony. It’s light and witty and it hits the spot.

Merrily We Roll Along

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

C too 6 - 31 August @ 21.05 DULOG

A wonderfully talented young cast met the challenge of Sondheim head on with this sharp and professional production. Performed by a company of actor/musicians, Merrily We Roll Along tells the story of Franklin Shepherd, a young man who is at the pinnacle of his career. The musical cleverly goes backwards in time as we see his journey and all the factors that shaped him and made him the success he is now. There are some very strong individual performances but their strength is in the company numbers. This ensemble of gifted musicians and actors present Sondheim’s beautifully constructed score with masterful and confident performances. They use movement and rhythm as well as their instruments and voices to convey the story and move seamlessly from dialogue to song just the way that Sondheim intended.

Midsummer (A Play with Songs)

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Traverse 6 - 30 August @ Various Times Traverse Theatre Company

Here’s one for the locals (or those intimate with Edinburgh!). This roller-coaster of a show has a chase-like quality that takes us on a tour of Edinburgh, all marked out on the accompanying map. This fast, funny and downright good fun show is delivered by Cora Bissett and Matthew Pidgeon with energy and panache. David Greig’s warm, witty text has an almost fairytale quality to this story of an unlikely couple – she’s a successful lawyer and he’s a petty thief. Both are 35 (we have Bob’s birthday bash during the play – and yes, I do mean ‘bash’!) and the polarity between them becomes more and more blurred as events unfold.

Technically, this production excels – a beautifully designed abstract, flexible set from Georgia McGuiness with lighting from Claire Elliot create the whole of Edinburgh as a playground for Helena and Bob. The music, such as it is, is played well on guitar by both actors and some very good singing, too. The trouble is that they are just songs – they comment on rather than contribute to the plot.

How I wish David Greig had grasped the nettle more tightly and been brave enough to write this as a full-blown piece of musical theatre. There is a fair amount of underscoring to the text – how I wish he could have found the voices for Helena and Bob to sing as their characters rather than as commentators.

Murdery Mystery Musical

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 7 - 31 August @ 19.10 Andy Jordan Productions

Well this is just daft. But equally enjoyable. Imagine if your young friends had said to you, "Let's write a show called Murder Mystery Musical - and make it really, really daft." This is what it would turn out like.

The acting is perfect, the dialogue seriously silly, the music a neat fit. By the time you get to the necessary denouncement, you won't really care - it's all about the gags.

Normality

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Dome 5 - 31 August @ 16.40 Wordsmith's Theatre Factory

This one man piece performed passionately by Pedro Kruger is challenging, entertaining and ultimately uplifting. The main character, Alex, who has rheumatoid arthritis, finds a joy and an aliveness in his body that he never thought possible and shares it with his audience through song and story. Kruger, alone on stage, also sings all the songs and plays the keyboards and the passion and the humour of Alex’s story flow directly into Kruger’s performance of an excellent score, which both enhances the plot and forms a commentary on it.

The production is simple, yet very effective, and Kruger is a delight of a performer, playing not only Alex but various members of his family, and Lisa, a journalist, with whom he dares to contemplate the possibility of love.

Go see for yourself.

One Touch of Venus

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Augustine's 10 - 23 August @ 16.50

One for the musical theatre historians… This early Kurt Weill/Ogden Nash piece is rarely performed and is indeed fraught with staging challenges – a statue of Venus that comes to life and causes havoc for a barber, a millionaire art lover and various other characters.

The score boasts some notable songs such as ‘Speak Low’ and ‘I’m a Stranger Here Myself’. Metal Monkey deserve congratulations on their choice of show – it shows ambition to stretch their talents and to take their audience with them into less familiar works.

Lovely singing from Chrissy Quinn as Venus and Michael Trakas as Rodney, supported by a competent 3-piece band. A more abstract approach to the direction would help to reflect the magical quality suggested by the plot and music rather than the somewhat literal interpretation by the company of twelve.

Origin of Species, The

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Courtyard 5 - 31 August @ 12.15 Tangram Theatre Company

I have just spent an hour in the company of Charles Darwin, during which he wrote some important books, proposed some revolutionary theories, argued with his father, married his cousin, juggled with spiders and travelled to far-flung corners of the Earth. As he told his visitors, we were lucky to catch him on so eventful a day. We even met his uncle, Josiah Wedgwood, whose own studies in natural history seem, unfortunately, only to have extended to the effects of cannabis on potters.

The show’s writer/actor, John Hinton, celebrates the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth in an intelligent and witty show, containing several marvellously eccentric songs – to his own guitar accompaniment - and a couple of the funniest lines I’ve heard at this year’s Fringe.

Where audience participation is concerned I’m usually a reluctant joiner-in, but Hinton’s diffident and slightly apologetic manner is irresistible. He has his audience playing postmen, music stands and thirteen varieties of Galapagos finch, and they leave the show with ‘Hey-hey we’re the Monkees’ ringing in their ears.

Over The Threshold

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 6 - 31 August @ 17.30

What can happen in one night? In an apartment block in London we meet four individuals whose lives are changed by a chance meeting. Sam (Madalena Alberto), Tom (Kieran Brown), Kate (Helen French) and Charlie (Trevor Jary) makes choices that will see their lives changed for the better or for the worse.

This is a new musical by Christopher Hamilton supported by Perfect Pitch and what Hamilton does best is to drive the plot and characterisation forward with his music and lyrics. The stellar performances of the cast means a touch of the West End has made its way to Edinburgh Fringe this year. Alberto’s vocals are amazingly engaging, deep and mature, both French and Brown work well with each other giving dramatic tension throughout the piece as well as finding the comedy within their scenes which then enables the audience to fully engage in their tragedy and Jary’s singing tone is beautiful. This is true ensemble acting at its best.

Directed with flair by John Brant this is definitely a production to see and one to look out for in the future!

Peculiar River, A

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House 6 - 26 August @ 12.00 Alchemy Troupe

From the opening chorus number - a tableau of weird and wonderful characters - this production looks as if it might promise an interesting array of stories not unlike something from One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. However, this was a show of missed opportunities. Some of the characters sat too easily with their stereotypes, such as the son who is spanked by his oppressive, religious fanatic of a mother; or the Lush who suddenly announces she is a lesbian. The audience also had no idea who the characters were, the lack of explanation becoming rapidly confusing. But the well-rehearsed cast portrayed the characters well, although it would have been more interesting to dig a bit deeper to discover why they were in the bedlam they found themselves experiencing. Musical accompaniment was provided by an onstage keyboard and played by a number of the cast to good effect.

People

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Pleasance Dome 5 - 31 August @ 15.50 Pleasance

In an afternoon slot at the Pleasance Dome, this revue-style show is one for fans of the classic mode. There is no narrative here, but the musicianship is outstanding and played live (Hoorah!). I can't tell you the names of the cellist/pianist "back-line", but they are a superb mini-orchestra and the singers, Lindsey Danvers, Cassidy Janson and Stephen Wren are flawless.

Lyrics are by David Levin, and will remind you of Sondheim (no bad role model) and the excellent music is by no fewer than nine composers, including Sally Beamish. Check it out, if only because it's live!

Porn The Musical

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 7 - 31 August @ 21.05

Good morning, Malta! Did you know that everyone in Malta is related? This is the first of many ‘interesting’ factoids in this musical created to reflect the budget porn industry. Amongst other things, we learn what PhD really means, the tensions for Martin Scoresleezy (porno director supremo) and what to do when you find out your fiancée is a whore!

Our protagonist, Stefan, takes us on a colourful journey from his quiet family life in Malta, to racy New York and back again to Malta, transformed into porn star, ‘Steve Bulge’ (yes, really!). Along the way we meet Jade (the aforementioned fiancée), Sanddi (with a double D), Doctor John and numerous other characters, all played with great aplomb by Miscellaneous Man (a hero that almost outshines the protagonist!)

What we have here is sheer, absolute fun… This bursting full package (oo-er!) covers almost every musical genre: from line dancing to Eurovision; from ballad to jazz hands; there’s room for it all in the pastiche that is Porn the Musical – a comic delight driven by a cool (ha – he wishes!) narrator, supported by a great onstage band (most of whom wear t-shirts stating they have PhD’s) and for the most part romps along at a great pace.

Rap Guide To Evolution, The

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Gilded Balloon Teviot 5 - 31 August @ 14.45 Baba Brinkman

Previously known for “The Rap Canterbury Tales“, Canadian performer Baba Brinkman has applied a similar condensed formula to his latest production at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. The subject is evolution (well Darwinism mostly, neatly placed into the bicentenary celebrations of his birth). This is an energetic one-man hour long show set on a bare stage, save for a video screen, chair and microphone. I wondered, at the opening, how I might manage to endure the whole performance if Darwin’s theories were going to be related rap style. Fortunately, my concerns were allayed because Brinkman deftly intersperses spoken potted lecture with rap as he whizzes across evolutionary time zones, from the origins of life right up to present day... and beyond.

Split into ten chapters, the performance ponders fleetingly on such vast subjects as God, infinity, creationism versus Darwinism, and even gender roles. The pace flags a little when he takes on the character of a stoned hippy, and I’m not sure how easily Darwin sits with hip-hop, but I do know that Brinkman is an engaging and mesmerizing performer who loves his subject, and performs with both humour and passion.

Reality Chokes

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

New Town Theatre, Freemason's Hall 5 - 30 August @ 22.15 Real London Ensemble (UK)

In Rasta Steve’s studio in Brixton, the ex-members of the punk band Sonic Generation meet up for the first time in twenty years. They’re still a bunch of malcontents and they’re still at each other’s throats. John is a junkie. Plod has an injunction preventing him going near his son. “You’re all so angry”, Rob’s girlfriend tells them.

Why has Plod called them all together? One last gig. But it isn’t going to happen until old wounds have been reopened; until they’ve argued about what punk meant; until one of them is dead.

This snapshot of the punk mentality has real energy and a playing speed that’s as fast and furious as the music itself. Its feeling of authenticity is due not only to the quality of the acting but also to the fact that two of the actors are experienced musicians, the drummer having been in the punk band The Aggravators supporting The Clash on tour.

Punk was partly a reaction to the pretentiousness of the glam and stadium rock stars, and if there’s one quality these misfits share it’s candour. When one of them has qualms about them even being able to play their old stuff without murdering it, someone replies “You can’t murder those songs: they’re shite already”.

Rebel Cell, The

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Underbelly's Hullabaloo 7 - 31 August @ 17.30

Agit-prop is alive and well in this rap musical, and this reviewer finds that well encouraging. Two partners, one from Bristol and the other from Canada, present a story of a revolutionary movement which runs into trouble when one partner sells out. The Audience is young, the politics wilfully naive but passionate, the rhymes cool. Go and have your socialist heart cheered.

Rex Roman Pink Floyd Show, The

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Udderbelly's Pasture 7 - 23 August @ 22.15 CH Entertainment - Festival Highlights

Not so much a Musical, more a tribute band with the story of Rex Roman thrown in for good measure. Rex is a young man in the 70’s who loves his air guitar and longs to be an actor. His life is changed when his friend, Bradley, buys a Pink Floyd album. Rex falls in love with Lucy who he meets at a Pink Floyd concert.

The live band gives excellent renditions of Pink Floyd songs alongside a weak plot, somewhat unnecessarily delivered through a narrator. The funniest part of the show was the flying pig, recreating the iconic Pink Floyd photograph.

As the show progressed, characters began to express their feelings through the songs, giving the show a more theatrical element that helps to develop the whole show. A special mention goes to Kate Millest (Lucy) - her rendition of “Wish you were here” worked beautifully. Fans of Pink Floyd will enjoy hearing their songs such as “Money” and “Time” and of course, finishing with “Another Brick in the Wall” that left the audience clapping and cheering.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 7 - 30 August @ 22.50 Showstopper Productions/The Sticking Place/Festival Highlights

Until you witness Showstopper!, it is unlikely that you can imagine the quality and sheer good fun that can be found in creating a piece of musical theatre from scratch ‘before your very eyes’. There is an almost circus-like quality to this show – making the difficult seem easy and encouraging the audience to feel that they are an integral part of it too; all under the guidance of a ‘ringmaster’, in this cast, the ‘writer’ of our piece, Dylan Emery.

The real ‘magic’ lies in the highly skilled and talented ensemble. Going beyond anything a drama school can teach, beyond anything that years’ of performance can instil, this group of performers (including the lighting technician!) exceed expectation at every turn. They are a genuine community on stage – and a commitment to each role that is rare in a full-blown show, let alone an improvised one.

The staging is immaculate: many a prop and item of clothing left unused, tantalising the audience to come back and see the world premiere of a one-off show on another night…

A welcome return for the Showstopper ensemble – catch them if you can!

Shut Up, Play!

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Sweet ECA 6 - 31 August @ 15.00

This is possibly the most polite and genuinely welcoming company on the Fringe this year. With good reason, I may add, as they depend heavily on the audience to participate and engage for this witty, original piece to work. This show encourages you to: KEEP YOU PHONE TURNED ON… Use a flashlight any time you feel like it. Take all the photographs you want to. Chat to your neighbour – get to know the rest of the audience – make a new friend!

An absurdist approach is taken at every level: the cast of four men and one woman are clad in daffodil yellow cagoules and have no spoken dialogue whatsoever. They communicate with each other and the audience in a universal language of sound and movement with such a sense of fun that sweeps the audience into their happy, loopy world of pop-up books, puppetry, rock music and making strange sounds underwater…

What this show gives us is a celebration of sound and the myriad ways we can produce rhythm, tone and pitch.

The innovative use of technology is a delight and I would urge you to visit Sweet ECA and enjoy the silliness and the smile you have all day long… It may not be musical theatre, per se, but it is an inspiration to all.

Six Ways

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 8 - 30 August @ 14.00 Sell a Door Theatre Company

Three young couples navigate their way through the minefield of marriage in this Patrick Marberesque musical. Carly and Chris (played engagingly by Katie Bernstein and Adam Search) struggle with financial pressures, and a rather underdeveloped plot line centred on his gambling addiction. Carly cleans for couple number two, Wendy and Michael (Terri O’Ryan and Paddy Clarke), she – pregnant and hormonal, he – frightened and unable to commit. Couple number three is budding politician Diane, Wendy’s sister, and her unlikely husband Daryl, a drag artiste, (two strong performances from Victoria Hardy and Sam Thackray).

Occasionally this musical shows flashes of promise, particularly in the book writing of David Hutchinson, notably in the telephone call that introduces us to the relationship between the two sisters, and later in the recriminations that follow Daryl’s decision to abandon his chosen profession. Hutchinson also finds an interesting narrative pace and dramatic energy when intercutting between the couples, a device that works well in television soap opera, but needed a more accomplished director to be effective on stage. For the most part the plotting was unsurprising, lacking in subtlety and in the case of Carly and Chris’s thread desperately underwritten.

Theatrically the musical took off with Sam Thackray’s brilliantly performed, show stopping, drag number, and mirroring it later in the show with his wife’s political speech is a great idea; however the number itself is undermined, for all its bravura, by a lack of wit and the second by the decision to introduce Diane’s husband.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Spotlites @ Merchant's Hall 7 - 23 August @ 17.30 Artfelt Theatre Company

So what do these school pupils from Hampton and Lady Eleanor Holles schools choose for their foray into Musical Theatre: Grease? High School Musical 5? Not a bit of it! Straight to difficulty factor 8 with a classic Sondheim and they pull it off maginificently. A cast of squillions, a tight ten-piece orchestra, great singing (individually and ensemble), and a terrific Mrs Lovett. The prop chain and cut-throat razor work a treat. Recommended.

Tempest - A Musical Enchantment, The

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Sweet ECA 16 - 30 August @ 14.45 Aurora/WCSU

The Tempest – A Musical Enchantment at Sweet ECA is well named and was well received by its audience the day I saw it. The actor playing Prospero, certainly, had the presence to command the stage and be the focal point of the piece. The performances of Ariel and Caliban were effective too. Shakespeare’s text is cut to a minimum and the programme lists 15 musical numbers. The piece is pleasant overall, certainly, but I am not sure that the music here actually adds anything memorable and not all the singing is entirely tuneful and sometimes this matters more than others, but it does here in the harmony writing. Just occasionally the text delivery by the cast from Aurora/WCSU shed a light on Shakespeare’s original that I had not spotted before but this was an occasional delight in a wash of something that seemed to be neither one thing – a performance of Shakespeare, nor another – a piece of effective musical theatre.

I am sometimes not sure about the effective use of microphones in musical theatre and this was somewhat heavy-handed here. In the tempest itself at the top of the piece, a difficult wall of sound flowed over the audience but nothing was distinct within it. This settled down somewhat once the action focused on the characters and all ended well, but despite some endearing moments, I was left wondering what the point of it all was.

When The Poppies Bloom Again

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

St. Mark's Artspace 16 - 30 August @ 14.45 Silvery Moon Productions

This show offers a sing-along opportunity for the audience – a whistle-stop tour of no less than 30 fondly remembered songs from the war years. A piano accompanies Tricia Dibb and Lynn Radnege as Lottie and Lena, a couple of Midland lassies telling us about their boys that went off to fight for king and country.

Some of the songs may benefit from a change in key to help the vocal delivery, but it is genuinely touching to see the memories that haunt the audience through these songs.

These ladies evidently enjoy their singing and have a strong personal connection with their anecdotes.

Wolfboy

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Musical Theatre @ George Square 7 - 31 August @ 17.00 Smorgasbord

Seventeen-year-old Bernie lies in a bed in a high-security boys’ home. He has slashed his wrists. The nurse may know why but she’s saying nothing.

In the next room is another lad, David. He thinks he’s a wolf. He only has to sniff your tummy to know your age, what you had for breakfast and whether or not you’re a virgin.

And sniffing’s pretty much ALL he’s doing just now, because the nurses have jammed his mouth open with a ball-gag to stop him biting people, and have tied him to the bed. Lupine AND supine: it seems he may have lucked out; especially when bondage-loving Bernie straddles his defenceless body and sings ‘I could do anything to you’.

But the balance of power soon shifts. David sniffs out that Bernie is a virgin, and as they confront their demons we learn that they have both been victims of appalling child abuse.

Touching on sado-masochism, on cycles of abuse, on normality and madness, Wolfboy has music and lyrics (including the deathless ‘I’ve got hair on my thing’) by Leon Perris. The use of breath-sounds in the backing track and Bernie’s floaty, pulseless song mentioned above are musical high points. The dialogue is sometimes awkward, but the singing is excellent throughout.