Heylo folks, with August almost upon us, it’s time that I told you what tuneful extravaganzas to go see. To that end, here are 5 musicals on offer at the Fringe this year I’ve either seen and loved, or which I have good cause to be excited about. In no particular order then, let’s dive in:
The Jaffa Cake Musical
Mrs QR reviewed this last year when it debuted, and duly lavished it with praise. Whether by chance or clever networking by its leaders, Alex Prescott and Sam Cochrane, Gigglemug Theatre isn’t just another student/ex-student ensemble.
These are young actor-muso makers with serious ambition. Critics have consistently tipped ‘The Jaffa Cake Musical’ for big things, so it’s a good idea to catch whilst it’s playing a repurposed gym rather than the West End.
Expect catchy, cleverly re-worked music-song classics and some sharp, daft comedy in this polished production.
Book HerePop Off, Michelangelo
I caught this when it debuted last year. Here’s what I had to say, “In the final reckoning ‘Pop Off, Michelangelo!’ is a show with tremendous commercial potential. A truly catchy score, a witty script, and a bonkers but delightful book should open doors to future development. In a year when certain voices have been talking down the Fringe as a place to see the ‘next big thing’, this show puts the lie to such doom-mongering.”
Assuming Blair Russell Productions haven’t tinkered too much with the recipe, and have rustled up an equally talented cast as in 2024, this is an electropop musical to please the masses.
Book HereFootballer’s Wives: The Musical
Ok, so now we wander into unknown territory. However, composer Kath Gotts and Book Writer Maureen Chadwick have flirted with West End success before. So the question is, will this new production, based on the iconic early 2000s glossy romp, achieve the commercial success that ultimately eluded ‘Bad Girls: The Musical’?
Well, they’ve been building the hype since 2019, and the studio cast recording, released in 2022, has definite potential. However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating – let’s hope 3 more years of development has produced a musical to wow the Fringe masses.
Book HereAll Fired Up: an 80’s Mixtape Musical
This delightful piece of nostalgia bait has been wowing Australian audiences since it debuted in 2022. Now best friends Rachel Terry and Roz Pappalardo (R&R Productions…get it?) are bringing their 80’s Jukebox adventure to Edinburgh.
The idea is simple: a helping of time travel sends one woman back to met her teenage self, and on an adventure into renewal and self discovery. Cue a soundtrack touching on Madonna, Cher, A-Ha, and Pat Benatar amongst others. If it’s as good as its antipodean reviews suggest, this is going to be a cracker.
Book HereHow To Win Against History
Back in 2016, Composer and Book Writer, Seirol Davies’ ‘How To Win Against History’ marked them as one to watch after a glowingly reviewed debut run. Almost 10 years later Davies remains tipped for greatness, and with the powerhouse pairing of Bristol Old Vic and Francesca Moody Productions behind this renewed production, the sky may be the limit.
The story of the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Henry Cyril Paget, whose Edwardian family did all they could to expunge from the history books, is one of flamboyant, transgressive creativity – just the sort of firefly tragedy that makes good musical theatre.
The powers behind this Fringe run clearly believe that the original staging’s lack of commercial success was a product of time and circumstance. Will it come of age in 2025? I’m excited to find out.
Well there’s five musicals coming to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2025 that I strongly recommend you put on the to-do list. By which I mean go and see, rather than take part – a pox on those who singalong in the stalls unless expressly invited to.
Poxes aside, the musical section of the Fringe programme is a thick one, so there must be all sorts of gems I’ve not mentioned above. What musicals are you excited to see, and why?
Featured Image: FringeProgrammeLaunch25 © JessShurte
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