*** 3 Stars
“Packed with energy “
An ode of love to the 80’s horror comedy movies, infused with a rock score and blending the essence of Rocky Horror with Little Shop of Horrors with a dash of Heathers and a huge dose of americana and you get “I was Teenage She-Devil” playing in a late night slot at the Space on Niddry Steet.
With book, music and lyrics by Sean Matthew Whiteford and directed by Rachel Klein and deploying an eight strong cast drawn from across the United States and right here at home in the UK the show is fun if gory romp through one person’s obsession with the 80’s culture and more specifically horror movies. Horror movies that paved the way for the “Scream” and “I know what you did last summer” franchises.
While the show is packed with energy and catchy tunes it does need some refining in the writing to avoid the plot starting to go round in circles. The performance we saw was beset with sound issues especially in the balance between head mics and the backing tracks. Given the intimacy of the space being used perhaps multiply mics need not be used, then again this is a very much a rock musical! Im sure as the show beds into its run it will come good.
If you’re looking for a fun, late musical romp that delivers everything it sets out then I was teenage she-devil is a must add to any fringe goer’s diary. There may well also be life ahead outside of the fringe for a show that’s got plenty of spark in it too! One worth catching for sure!
I Was a Teenage She-Devil, Upper Theatre at The Space @Niddry Street (Venue 9) For more info go to: I Was a Teenage She-Devil | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
ScotsGay Arts 