***** 5 Stars
“excellent reflective slice of musical theatre “
LAMBCO productions mini rep season sees a true highlight with Boys In The Buff a musical with script and songs by Chris Burgess and additional songs by Cathy Shostak. A series of vignettes that focuses on body image and self-belief where for those in the LGBTQI+ community it can often carry additional pressures to conform to mythical look or stereotype. It’s the reality that we are all different and brave and beautiful in our own ways that make this production a hidden jewel in the fringe musical programme.
Director and Choreographer Robbie O’Reilly runs the gamut of musical styles from Fosse to Chorus line in a joyous display of the magic of musical theatre to celebrate the individual and empower them.
Although the bulk of the songs revolve around stripping off as they try instil confidence in one of the four lads to take the plunge and go the full Monty there are moments of beautiful emotion especially in a ballad that fully tackles body shaming and body image and the realisation that body we have is and always will be ultimately good enough is a truly emotional moment.
The tightknit ensemble company, Owen Dennis, Andrew Ewart, David Heal, Sam Walter and Lauren Wood showcase their triple threat abilities excellently and bring a real sense of joy to the show but inject enough humanity into the characters that the audience really cares for them.
The only niggle is at times the sound levels of the back tracks are just a tad too loud and almost drown out the live vocals but it’s not enough to pull a star off.
Boys in the Buff is an excellent reflective slice of musical theatre that takes on the realities life and given the company are offering performances where the audience too can strip off it really is an adult musical that caters for all tastes and is a jewel of this year’s festival season.
Tickle, C Cubed, (Venue 50) For Info go to: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/boys-in-the-buff
ScotsGay Arts 