Fringe: The Musical – Workshop Theatre, Leeds

When I was offered the opportunity to preview the ‘Fringe: The Musical’, the latest offering from Chevron Theatre, prior to its forthcoming run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe next month, I jumped at the chance. This Leeds based theatre company have produced some funny and thought provoking new musical theatre for the Fringe over the last few years and I’m pleased to say that ‘Fringe: The Musical’ carries on this excellent tradition.

‘Fringe’ is set in an Essex hairdressing salon, Darren (Zak Muggleton) is struggling to make the business survive, whilst simultaneously bringing up his young daughter Sam (Izzy Peter), following the recent death of his wife. The staff are all supportive of Darren; gossipy Claire and Emma (Alice Gedye & Erin Foster), introverted Gemma (Ava King) and frustrated performer Trish (Jess Bilsby) all seek to protect him, but when a swish, rival salon opens in the area the writing appears to be on the wall. Can Darren and the girls save the day?

I was surprised to learn from writing team of Sean Lomas and Freya MacTavish that no musical had utilised a hairdressing salon as its main premise, and both writers have developed the opportunity this setting provides to full advantage. The almost confessional nature of the relationship between a woman and their stylist offers up lots of dramatic scope and musical possibilities, which are exploited well throughout the hour run time of the show. The opening number (Us Two) sets a quiet reflective tone, with Darren reflecting on his recent loss and inability to cope with both the mundanities of life and his wider future. This is quickly followed by an upbeat pop number (Run This Game), demonstrating both the vocal chops and dance ability of the cast in a fun and accessible way.

The secondary storyline develops the characters of Baz (Toby Bowen) and Stace (Emma Mitchell) as bickering local radio presenters, their love-hate marriage slowly descending into bitterness and recrimination. Their featured song (Maybe I’m Crazy) is lyrically strong, defining their relationship with the rapport between the two both naturalistic and funny. Lomas cleverly reprises the song at the conclusion, changing the lyrics to show the couple repaired and a happy resolution for them both. In a similar vein, Darren finds some purpose in his role as a father (Just Stop) and in his reimagining of the salon as a Wellbeing Centre for the community, helping people discuss the daily issues they face. The writers are to be commended as most of the songs act to move the storyline along rather than acting as musical interludes and a brake on the plot which less sophisticated offerings often do.

This ostensibly frothy and funny script, with some excellent sight gags employed, initially draws in the audience then allows the stronger message, coping with grief and the importance of relationships, to emerge. In this, it is firmly in the tradition of successful MT shows like ‘Made in Dagenham’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Hairspray’ and should Lomas and MacTavish wish to develop this project after Fringe then there are improvements and additions that could be made to both strengthen the message and develop the characters. Most obviously, the rival salon clearly requires an evil protagonist; Darren can develop as a character showing integrity and inner strength more clearly and some of the supporting cast could easily have additional songs slotted in to show both humour and pathos.

However, that is for the future, I would contend that with strong original songs and a peppy script that displays surprising depth of emotion, ‘Fringe: The Musical’ could prove to be ‘a cut above’ the other musical offerings at Edinburgh Fringe this year.

Playing at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall from the 12th to 17th August at 21:05 daily, https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Fringe%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Musical%22

Reviewer: Paul Wilcox

Reviewed: 26th July 2024

North West End UK Rating: