Discover the powerful relationship between music and cinema with All Eyes and Ears. In this playful, live performance, two actor-musicians use a variety of traditional and unusual instruments to show how music shapes mood, tension, and atmosphere in custom-made films. Through different musical arrangements, they transform perceptions of romantic scenes, pursuits, and more. Audiences will leave amused, entertained, and with a fresh appreciation for the power of music in storytelling.
There’s a saying among Edinburgh locals, “Only in the Fringe,” that speaks to the eccentric, spectacular, mind-bending, and “What the heck did I just watch?” factor that accompanies some of the shows that visit our city once a year. All Eyes and Ears fits perfectly into that genre. It is a glorious multimedia experience, combining screen and live performance seamlessly with impeccable timing and absolute artistry. And it’s also side-splittingly funny.
All Eyes and Ears is the result of the creative labours of Jean-François Hoël, Hervé Mabille, and filmmaker Christine François—the former two, musicians and actors, the latter, behind the camera. Its premise is sheer genius. François’s film, starring both Hoël and Mabille, plays in the background as the duo explore and explain the role and history of music in film. “The music makes a soft carpet over our words.”
The result is mesmerizing. At one point, they play the same scene with different music and transform it from a promotional movie into a horror. At another, they play a game with the audience, inviting them to match music and genre. The instruments they use range from the conventional to the bizarre—think water hoses, balloons, broomsticks, and a sweeping brush! Playing with light, they turn these and other mundane objects into scenes on the blank screen between footage.
They aim to make you aware of the value music brings to film, and they are superbly successful. They aim to make you laugh, and the audience did. The chemistry between Hoël and Mabille is matched by their skill as musicians, delivering a high-energy, unique, and polished performance. They were my favourite show of this Fringe and possibly one of my favourite gigs ever. If you’ve only one show left in you, make it this one!
Reviewer: Triona Scully
Reviewed: 23rd August 2024
North West End UK Rating: