Flesh – Mackenzie Building, Old Assembly Close, Edinburgh

Performed down a close off the Royal Mile, this is a nicely site specific interpretation of the classic Edinburgh Burke and Hare story, and is sure to appeal to a good section of tourists on the lookout for a historical re-enactment. That this is also set to music comes as a sort of added bonus.

This was surely the mindset of those who set off to dig up this absolute monstrosity from the annals of Edinburgh musical theatre history.

In the battle royale that is Edinburgh in August there is no place for niceties or pally nepotism. This show may not be the worst I’ve seen but it looks under- rehearsed and amateurish compared to many of the shows out there.

That’s not to say that it is all horrible. There are some good turns; Jeremy Fraser’s Burke is particularly well delivered, the ever dependable Justin Skelton makes a good Hare and Alison Henry as Nell is a fine solo singer who gets the lion’s share of songs. It is in that sense more a case of bad material in good hands.

When the chorus combine on ‘Sailing To America’, or the principal characters come together for ‘Whisky’s the bait’, they do have the ability to send shivers down the spine. Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between, in what is generally a patchy performance. An inaccurate and confusing retelling of a famous tale, this should either be rewritten and updated or perhaps reinvented as a more documentary, true-crime style retelling with music.

As a script, I for one would be delighted if this one was buried forever.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 8th August 2024

North West End UK Rating:

Running time – 1hr