Tony! The Blair Musical

Pleasance Dome    30 July, 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24 @ 17.30    White Rose Theatre

Having seen this show’s new sequel, Tony of Arabia, prior to coming along to see this original - which won over Edinburgh and London audiences last year - the material feels very familiar. I’m not sure that I like the second viewing of the company as, despite the different titles, both Tony of Arabia and Tony! The Blair Musical are essentially the same shows – just slightly different content. That’s not meant as an attack on the quality of the production – if you like it, then it’s just more of the same.

There’s no denying that the talented cast (again) make this show. It’s a shame that the vocal ability, as an ensemble, isn’t as high as some other musicals at the Fringe Festival this year, but that’s one of the only points which lets them down. Portrayal of the characters is accurate, but the company’s ability to artfully poke fun at the relationships which exist at the top is the factor which gets the audience cheering for more – particularly Peter “Mandy” Mandleson (played by the marvellous Jethro Compton).

Critics and audiences still love it, but now it’s time for White Rose Theatre to continue to move other pieces forward. Watch out for them.