Did you hear what I saw?, The Fringe, Review

*** (3 stars)

“Inspired!”

It’s very easy to remember the performers’ names for this show – they’re both called Tom!  The sound man’s called Ben, but we won’t hold that against him.

This show is an exploration of friendship, the most important thing in the world, and how that makes it possible to do what might otherwise seem completely impossible.  Tom Gk and Tom Skelton have been friends from one Tom’s first day at school and supported each other through thick and thin despite such fundamental differences as supporting different football teams – and not just two different teams, but the two top English teams of their day: Arsenal and Man United…

The show begins with some audio description for the blind and partially sighted – each Tom describes himself, with the occasional exaggeration or wishful thinking corrected by the other…. One Tom has only very partial peripheral vision, the other has extremely limited hearing in one ear; but together they combine to make a very lively show despite the small audience present in Buttercup.

Neither Tom was disabled as a child: their loss of sight and hearing came on later in life, and at different times for each of them.  We journey with each Tom through important stages in their lives, and are with them as they finally get a diagnosis.  Each Tom is there for the other as they learn to negotiate their now different lives.  Each has difficulties on their own: together they make a brilliant partnership as one Tom can see what the other hears, or hear what the other can see…. Their strong friendship has enabled them to travel the world and achieve much that they couldn’t have done on their own.

There are some bad jokes, some good ones, silly sound effects, much very good-humoured and good-natured audience participation, two Penguin biscuits, and a number of lively songs accompanied by Tom and sung by Tom, Tom, and both Toms. 

Together is the important word: that, and friendship – without which life would be so much harder.  Our friends can laugh at and with us, hold us up through the tough times and rejoice with us in the good ones.  Come, be inspired, and celebrate the power of friendship with the Toms!

Did you hear what I saw?, The Fringe, Underbelly George Square (Buttercup) Venue 300 runs until 16^th August for more information go to: Did You Hear What I Saw? | Edinburgh Festival Fringe