I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical – Gilded Balloon

Enjoyable jaunt through Musical Theatre Tropes.

‘I wish my life were like a musical’ from Composer and lyricist Alexander S. Bermange is a slick, jazz hand heavy musical revue returns to the stage in Edinburgh after a storming run in 2019.

The cast of West End Wendy’s take us on a journey from a traditional Opening Number through to an obvious encore, weaving through the journey of a musical theatre actors life. The very blonde heavy cast are exactly what you imagine a West End star would look like – cleverly playing into stereotypes from the start.

All of the team are highly skilled vocalists which are showed off no end through the compositions and the choreography is sleek and recognisable. The out of breath tap number was a choreographic highlight – the Performers deliberately struggling leading to some of the biggest laughs of the show.

Creating the story in a black box with four singular chairs and one piano, some of the numbers beg for production value. Particularly noticeable for this would be costume and props which are non exisitant. The complete lack of production often exposes the similarity of choices in the writing.

The whole show digs at everyone from Casting Directors to other actors which gives the production a negative feel – with a lot of the punchlines of songs like ‘I love to Sing’ being at people who do very much exist.

A perfect show for any stagey fringe goers with plenty of in jokes but beware of feeding into bitchy stereotypes and well known tropes.

You can see I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical at Gilden Balloon Other Yin at 8:45pm, 4-28th August. Book your tickets HERE!

Reviewer: Natalie Goring

Reviewed: 3rd August 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★