EdFringe Review: World’s Greatest Lover

Anyone who’s followed me for a while may know I am a HUGE Eurovision fan. So when ‘World’s Greatest Lover’ was announced, created by Julien Salvia and Ludovic Alexandrew-Vidal, composers of Luxembourg’s criminally underrated 2025 entry, La poupée monte le son for Laura Thorn, I was excited. This creative pair can also boast a string of critically acclaimed, award-winning productions in their home country of France. The signs were good.

Toss in an Emmy award-winning director, in the shape of Joshua Bergasse, and the result are sky sky-high expectations. So, how’s the show?

Not Bad. In fact, pretty good. But, at least in my opinion, the show’s songbook is kinda forgettable. It’s good enough, however, to make the lightweight comedic quest to ‘save love’, undertaken by 5 of history’s greatest (male) lovers, a very fun trip.

Assembling under mysterious circumstances, Casanova (Daniel DiPinto), the Marquis de Sade (Jordon Bolden), Romeo (Sam Hyre), Cyrano de Bergerac (Will Ingram), and a mysterious fifth, played by Rickens Anantua, each arrive with a letter addressed to the ‘World’s Greatest Lover.

Each takes a musical moment to promote their particular philosophy of love according to their stereotype. Don’t expect particularly nuanced dialogue, “Are you ready? Cause it’s going to hurt…” declares the sadomasochistic Marquis before launching into his song, ‘The more it hurts, the better.” The dialogue between songs flows well enough, but don’t expect anything too deep.

“…pretty good. But, at least in my opinion, the show’s songbook is kinda forgettable. It’s good enough, however, to make the lightweight comedic quest to ‘save love’, undertaken by 5 of history’s greatest (male) lovers, a very fun trip.”

Where SIX has more biography to enrich it’s concept album, these five are notable more shallow. The concept is very similar, of course, so if you like the minimally framed, pop concert model of musical theatre, this one may be for you.

Indeed, if you enjoy being serenaded, be sure to sit in the front row – you could be part of one of ‘World’s Greatest Lover’s’ most fun moments.

I will say that the show is very well produced; the choreography might not be K-pop sharp, but the five guys could certainly hold their own with the best the West had to offer through the 90s and 2000s. The sound design is pretty good, particularly given that Pleasance One doesn’t have the best acoustics, and the three-piece band on stage combines well with the pre-recorded arrangements.

The performers themselves give it their all, and their all is pretty impressive. There’s no lack of talent on stage, though I’d say that recent graduate Sam Hyre’s voice cut through the orchestrations best, and left the strongest impression with “You’ve Never Felt Love”.

Moving into the show’s final act, our five guys decide not to go into the burger business, but instead team up to ‘save love.’ Cue a clutch of ’emotional breakthrough’ songs, from the cute ‘Little Joys’, through ‘Love Can’t Live on Lies’ and culminating with ‘Keep Faith in Love’. You cannot say that ‘World’s Greatest Lover’ doesn’t stay on target.

The audience loves every high-energy, beautifully produced moment. ‘Be less toxic with your love’ isn’t a controversial message.

Are the songs all that distinct from one another? Not really. The beat varies, and the influences slide from Backstreet Boys to McFly, but there’s only one ballad to break up the meat and potatoes of boppable beat, sharp choreo, and a decent melody, well harmonised. A cast with fewer Musical Theatre credentials and more commercial pop experience might do more with the songbook, but if there’s a strong hook hiding out in there, I missed it.

Nevertheless, ‘World’s Greatest Lover’ is a superbly crafted new musical with some of the best production values you’ll see this Fringe. Maybe, like SIX, it will go onto glory despite a forgettable songbook, maybe not. Either way, it’s a great way to spend an hour this Fringe.