Uncle Barry’s Birthday Party – Muse at Braw Venues @ Hill Street

It’s Uncle Barry’s birthday this week at the Edinburgh Fringe, but please don’t tell him – it’s a surprise!  Everyone is invited to Braw Venues where the scene is set with party hats, a DJ, and a mandatory conga line.  This immersive experience is probably the introvert’s worst nightmare as the whole night we make small talk – the more we talk, the more everyone realises Barry is not who he seems…  Some people I spoke extensively to, and some people I didn’t speak to at all.  But the strange thing is, each person had a wildly different take on Barry’s life and his character, leading to rising tensions and gossip amongst the group – does anyone really know Barry?

As I entered the party I was greeted by Mimi (Mia Foster) who promptly offered me a shot, proceeding to hide in a cupboard with me so she too could do a shot without anyone seeing. Much to my surprise the mystery liquid was genuinely vodka, but with all that small talk I was about to make it was very much needed.  Certainly, the wildest first five minutes of any show I’ve attended to date.  After my cupboard trip I had learned so much about Mimi and her relationship to other party attendees – one of which she has a crush on so best believe I was ready to wing woman to the max.  Unfortunately, she had forgotten to decorate the cake so me and a few others got to work, and her crush Azriana, Barry’s Niece (Ariana Aragon) was not best pleased.

As the night progressed and I spoke to more people, I became more and more confused as to who were the actors and who were the “audience” – everyone had a story about how they knew Barry.  I sort of fumbled this part as I didn’t quite cotton on to the fact I was probably supposed to make up a story – instead I said I didn’t know Barry, denouncing myself as a gate crasher – no one seemed to mind too much at least.

By the end of the night, I felt I really knew all these people, having so many questions for them all with so many tensions to resolve.  We never really got to know Barry, but I got to know everyone else whether it was directly or indirectly.  Uncle Barry’s Birthday Party is rooted in such an original and inventive concept, allowing us to examine the ways in which humans connect, whether it be positively or negatively.  By means of gossip, we made friends and made enemies without having to even talk to the subjects.  Created by Aragon and Foster, with them and their ensemble being Central School of Speech and Drama graduates, the calibre of this show is no surprise at all.  It is clear that while seemingly a simple concept, there is a strong dramaturgical approach to their work.  Really this is an analysis of human behaviour and social constructs – at least that’s what I took away from it.  But given the nature of the show, each person’s experience will be completely individual to them and I for one highly recommend finding out for yourselves who Barry is to you.

Uncle Barry’s Birthday Party runs until the 17th of August at Muse at Braw Venues @ Hill Street, with tickets available at https://brawvenues.com/

Reviewer: Jessie Martin

Reviewed: 10th August 2025

North West End UK Rating: