A charming production about following your dreams from the theatre company, Little Big Stack. Fringe! The Musical follows ditzy American Chantelle Dupré (Sarah Burns), as she shoots her shot at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the hopes it will be her big break.
As you enter to take your seats, the production is already beginning. Fake stage hands are moving boxes and getting you to your seats, as you think to yourself, “wait, you’re not wearing a pink t-shirt?” The penny finally drops as it starts in the future during a talk show in which Dupré has won her third Oscar and is asked to recount her humble foray into the world of acting, which takes the audience back in time to present day Fringe.
Dupré is full of high hopes and good old fashioned American optimism until her one woman show ultimately flops. But then, has-been theatre director Edgar Messinpo (Hudson Tong) gives Dupré a chance to act in his new production that skyrockets her to fame.
It possesses usual hallmarks of all things Fringe, including a jab at the silent disco dancers that plague the streets of Edinburgh; as well as a comedic musical number about critics who ruin shows.
Although the plot has potential, it felt as though it lacked development and the ending was so abrupt I remained seated as though there was still some more to go. As far as acting goes, it was comedic and entertaining although no showstopping performances, as well as the songs which are catchy but regarding the vocals there’s no standout.
Fringe! The Musical, Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Other Yin, 12:00, until August 26
