Fringe Musical Theatre
Marianne Gunn
RCS@TheFringe
9 to 5 (the musical)
Assembly Hall
Four stars
RCS@TheFringe
Naughty Cat and the Cheesy Moon
Assembly Checkpoint
Five stars
RCS@TheFringe
Confessions of a Justified Songwriter
Assembly Checkpoint
Four stars
THE choice of shows at the Fringe can seem daunting, but with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland even the most discerning audience member can normally find one to fit, with performances that greatly exceed the still reasonable admission prices. This year's main offering from the Musical Theatre cohort is 9 to 5 (the musical) an adaptation of the movie starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlinson and - of course - Dolly Parton. What makes this the perfect show for this (mainly female) group of young performers is that a trio of strong women lead the cast and take the final bow; there are also comedy roles (Victoria Whistance-Smith as the jumped-up secretary from hell Roz and Rachael Anderson as the hardened office lush) giving the "girls" something to really get their teeth into.
With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, the show's pretty silly plot is saved by popular songs such as Backwoods Barbie and Oscar-winning 9 to 5 (still an office party favourite), although there are excellent comedy moments such as the winning triumvirate of The Dance of Death, Cowgirl's Revenge and Potion Notion where Violet, Judy and Doralee (played by Genevieve Clarke, Jamie Shriner and Isabella Ward respectively) plot to murder their boss (a suitably sleazy performance from Ciaran Walshe). The absolute star of the show, however, is the amazing set: all primary colour fabulousness, enabling the quickest and slickest of scene changes; Paul Smethurst's choreography was also challenging and enjoyable to watch, especially Roz's number Heart to Hart and Violet's One of the Boys.
Overall, 9 to 5 is a great show to start off a day at the Fringe - offering value for money and a very talented ensemble who are up for it even at 11.30am. However if you're not a morning person, the RCS also has two shows playing in repertory further up the hill just after 4pm. On the odd days of the month, a younger audience is catered for with Naughty Cat and the Cheesy Moon, which is a corking family show. Naughty Cat is played by Avery Dupois, who is dressed like Lara Croft yet has a cheeky childishness that makes you warm to the character even when she is plotting to eat the loveable chocolate mice who live on the cheesy moon. Dillon Chiblow also comes into his own as cartoon-like Super Plod who really relies on his Dog (Taryn Taylor) to save the day.
Written and directed by Andy McGregor and based on a story written by an infant class at St John's school, Port Glasgow, if I am singing the songs in my head a few days later ("To the moon!") the only danger of this show is the potential threat of musical ear worm. With audience interaction, clever yet simple dramatic devices and high energy from the cast, it was also lovely to see the relaxed interaction and genuine love of singing and performance, under the musical direction of Ashley Meliki Shoup.
The final RCS show, being performed on even days, is Confessions of a Justified Songwriter written by John and Gerry Kielty, and directed by Andrew Panton. With a more adult slant (and language) it explores the world of the music industry but from a behind-the-scenes perspective. If a little bleak in its denouement (moral: integrity will never mean a healthy bank balance) it offers some excellent vocal performances, particularly from Seonaid Stevenson as the ankle-tagged celebrity stalker, and Alice Robertson and Kieran Francis Begley as the feuding love/hate writing partnership.
All runs to Augusts 28
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