BIG BRUVVA THE MUSICAL. 5-28 August.
Edinburgh.
BIG BRUVVA THE MUSICAL
book andlLyrics by Andrew Emerson music by Ian Brandon.
Musical Theatre @ George Square, Buccleuch Place 5-18;20-25 August 2008.
3pm.
Runs 1hr 20min No interval.
TICKETS: 01331 662 8740.
www.edfringe.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 24 July 2008 at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate.
Big Brother comes to the stage and chaos, laughter and vanity ensue.
It had to happen. Destined for Edinburgh and enjoying its first presentation to an audience, this first look at Big Bruvva the Musical proves an unexpectedly entertaining evening.
Eight years of psychotics, the terminally stupid, the mind numbingly boring and those who just “wannabe” in Heat has given writer Andrew Emerson enough character flaws to coalesce into five super housemates. Terri, amply endowed with more genders than most; Jonny C, who redefines vain; Portia, a bulimic, bikini clad, game playing, fame-seeking beauty; Geography, who speaks in an undecipherable street patois which disguises his hidden background and Di, as thick as “two short planky things” but with an endearing naivety that shouts winner from the opening number.
Big Bruvva is packed with carefully observed humour, which only requires minimal exposure to the waning BB phenomenon now ripe for musical ridicule and lyrical scorn. Its Edinburgh target length of one hour should produce a tighter show, yet although this first night over ran by nearly twenty minutes it never tired.
Another fine fringe cast kept the jokes on time and the boisterous antics flowing as the audience was introduced to the excesses of the inmate’s flaws and deceptions. Sophie Ladds’ Portia is a fantastically observed regular from the weekly glossy magazines and her promises of accidental exposure and shrinking costume highlight the qualifications that the new generation of short-term celebrities require. Lyndsay Marsden is an hilarious and lovable fool and bounds about with a delightful innocence and lack of rhyme or reason. Ben Freeman as Jonny C preens himself, struts and poses as only a man surrounded by mirrors can.
It’s not only the excesses of the contestants that come under the microscope; the immorality of the producers who coax and encourage the simple, to improve rating and lead the news, get their comeuppance when Big Bruvva, in the form of Simon Fielding, gets flung into the house to meet his fate with the others.
A text vote from the audience seals their fates and on the first night Di won. It will take a heartless or all-male audience to change that result. Edinburgh, enjoy.
Big Bruvva: Simon Fielding.
Terri: Manal El Feitury.
Jonny C: Ben Freeman.
Portia: Sophie Ladds.
Di: Lyndsey Marsden.
Geography: Bobby Windebank.
Director: Stewart Nicholls.
Designer: Mike Lees.
Graphic Designer: Simeon Miller.
Musical Director: Ian Brandon.
2008-07-29 00:14:14