Category: Brett Herriot at the Festivals

*** (3 stars)

“A Musical with real Potential”

Daf Hughes written “Girlz” debuted at the 2025 Fringe Festival having been developed via workshops in 2023 and 2024 and now an updated but still abridged version of the show comes to the 2026 Festival playing at the Gilded Balloon Doonstairs on Chambers Street.

It’s only fair to say that on the day of review there were major technical issues with the house opening nearly 15 minutes late followed by two show stops, which meant the show finally went up with a 30-minute delay. That being said, the stellar cast and production team proved that no matter what the show must go on and my word did they triumph.

Girlz tells the story of a 5-piece girl band (think Spice Girls crossed with All Saints) put together by a Simon Cowell knock off Dan Cashman but there is a cost to be paid for the price of Fame facing up to addiction and relationships tested to the limits and rather refreshingly this musical looks at the human side more than the glitter of fame. Performances are excellent across the board with Meggie Hughes leading the company in style as “Nicky” as really her journey the story revolves around.

While the storyline may have a moment or two of predictability at its heart there is human and beautiful story at play. The abridgment of the show means that the story does feel rushed, however it’s a musical with real Potential and does leave you wanting to see the full 100-minute version of the show.

Girlz provides an entertaining 65 minutes of musical fun with great direction from Katy Weir and sharp Chorography from Simone Mistry-Palmer lets hope the technical issues are smooth out as the show beds into its run and may the Girlz pack the audiences in Doonstairs at the Patterhouse!

Girlz, The Fringe, Doonstairs at Gilded Balloon Patter House Runs Until 30th August for more information go to: GIRLZ | Edinburgh Festival Fringe

**** (4 stars)

“Gripping, taught and emotionally powerful”

One of the most common vernaculars we use after a tragedy occurs is do we ever truly know what’s going on behind closed doors? We all try to be good family members and neighbours, but would we intervene in someone else’s life when its needed most? Could we make difference in someone else’s journey if for a moment we can step up when it really counts? That’s the questions that’s asked of us as an audience by Corey Muizelaar autobiographical play Behind Closed Doors currently running at the Hill Street venue for this year festival.

Muizelaar not only writes but performs the piece in the role of Jude opposite Ben Robert Cunningham as Charlie in a play that’s gripping, taught and emotionally powerful in equal measure. Both Cunningham and Muizelaar turn in truth laden performances that are soaked in conviction, truth and compassion in equal measure.

Performing in an afternoon slot, this play tackles adult issues of addiction and abuse with a sense of truth and a reality that can’t be ignored equally there is deep sense of compassion that shines through both the writing, performances and Jason Marc-Williams taught and flowing direction.

The play features a 16 strong play list of songs that have shaped Judes life and often these provided the cover for the scene transitions with a couple of them being a little clunky and over long.

Behind closed doors shines a light into an often-overlooked subject of same sex relationship abuse but does so with conviction and compassion at its heart. With stellar performances from two gifted actors and writing that truly wears its heart on it sleeves that make this play of one the “Must- See’s” of this year’s festival.

Behind Closed Doors, Alba Theatre at Braw Venues, Venue 41 Runs Until 30th August for more information go to: Behind Closed Doors | Edinburgh Festival Fringe

**** (4 stars)

“Ultimately Shattering!”

One of the greatest artists of the 20^th century Francis Bacon was many things to many people but his well-documented relationship with petty criminal George Dyer continues to fascinate more than 55 years since Dyer’s death in 1971.

Buggers, written by Alistair Hall (Who performs as Francis Bacon), directed by Alice Wordsworth and featuring Peter Clements as Gorge Dyer is an hour long exploration of a relationship that imbued passion, sadomasochism alongside struggles with alcohol, drugs and mental health in a play that merges physical movement and taunt dialog to deliver a production that is Ultimately Shattering.

Performed in the intimate space of the “Upstairs” at the Pleasance Courtyard in an early lunch time slot, this makes for a heavy-going watch, but also a blisteringly satisfying one too. Both Hall and Clements turn in career defying performance with exquisite skill and grace. There is total believability in both characters.

Although the space is intimate it adds a deep sense of impending doom to the overall piece although nothing is left off guard or unsaid and yes there are scenes of sexual and violent nature, but this can’t be hidden away from.

Alice Wandsworth direction is rich and flowing and never holds back in delivering the truth, but it’s a truth without judgement or precondition and that allows this talented duo to capture the audience with ease and ensures they remain wrapped for the entire performance.

While there were some niggles with sound and light that are intentional it does start to Jar a little but that aside this a truly capturing hour of drama that’s a worthy addition to any festival goers diary.

Buggers, Upstairs at Pleasance Courtyard Venue 33, Runs Until 30th August for more information go to: Buggers | Edinburgh Festival Fringe

***** 5 Stars

“Bigger, Brighter and Far more Boyish!“

Debuting at the 2025 Fringe Festival but somewhat hidden away in the basement of St Augustine’s on George IV Bridge the show became the sleeper hit of the Fringe now 3 of the 4 boys, Scott Coltman, Chris McLeish and Mark MacKinnon return with a new show for the 2026 Fringe that’s truly bigger brighter and far more boyish than ever before.

Taking up residence in the Grand Ballroom at Assembly Rooms on George Street for four performances only (only two left on the 20^th and 21^st August) the boys have new mix of songs drawn from Musical Theatre, Pop and Film, songs originally performed by power house divas!, (Fitting as they share the space with their sister show, Divas from stage to screen) which are now given a masculine twist and performed in impeccable style by the guys.

This year there joined by a stellar 4 piece on stage band under the musical directorship of Fraser Hume and even a surprise guest for a rip roaring hour of cabaret fun with comical asides a plenty, audience participation balanced against beautiful and emotional solo moments this a show that’s pitched perfectly in this late evening slot. From Judy Garland to Wicked via Joni Mitchell there really is something for everyone in this glorious Fringe Cabaret.

This is the perfect finale after a busy day on the Festival Circuit it’s charming, funny and brilliantly performed and delivers real bang for your buck! All three guys make it seem effortless and perform with great warmth and skill which makes this a show that’s a real leader in its category a truth comedy joy du veer at this year’s festival so be sure to check it out!

Guys Sing Dolls, The Ballroom @ Assembly Rooms Runs until 21^st August for further information go to: Guys Sing Dolls | Edinburgh Festival Fringe

***** 5 Stars

“A gorgeous, heart rending story matures beautifully with age! “

Original performed in 2019 as part of Oran Mor’s A Play, A Pie and Pint, Andy McGregor’s one-man musical went on to achieve critical acclaim and was broadcast later that same year by BBC Scotland.  Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company went onto deliver a Touring production following the pandemic years; finally, however an abridged version of the show see’s McGregor’s heart-rending exploration of sexuality, identity and sense of where we call home debuting at the Fringe Festival for the first time.

Set before the age of the internet and the evolution of the mobile phone in 1997, Crocodile rock tells the story of 17-year-old Steven living his life on the island of Millport, feeling lost and repressed in the island community he fears being for ever stuck following his parents’ footsteps in running the local pub and bed and breakfast. That is until a chance meeting with a drag queen who is staying at the b&b for the island festival. That Queen unlocks the truth in Steven as he faces up to being gay and that Drag offers him the self-expression he craves.

McGregor both writes, composes and directs this beautifully judged and emotional of musicals and its feels there is strong auto-biographical flavour to it that the audience can’t help but by beguiled by. Running at 60 minutes McGregor truly lets the audience inhabit Steven’s world, the pain, confusion and ultimately the strength and joy the character feels on his journey to self-acceptance.

Returning to the role of Steven, following the his hit BBC Performance is Darren Brownlie who delivers a triumphant tour de force performance of emotionally truthful acting along with a well-judged and delivered comedy and thanks to the frequent inclusion of the audience through asides everyone in the Gilded Balloon went a collective journey that touches the heart, soul and memories of us all. Truly wonderful theatre at its very best.

Joining Brownlie on stage is musical director Hilary Brooks who also turns in a wonderful performance as both MD and backing singer that adds a rich texture to a show that a gorgeous and heart rending story that matures beautifully with age!

Crocodile rock continues as a shining beacon of excellent writing, stellar performances and a rare stark honesty that is missing from so much of modern musical theatre, it allows us to not only view Steven’s journey but reflect on our own and the music sears itself into the heart you can’t help but leave the theatre filled with hope for what lies ahead. For that is ultimately the essence of this show, hope! And the reality that before we can ever love someone else, we need to love ourselves first no matter the cost. Do what you must to grab a ticket for this remarkable production which is becoming the talk of the festival.

Crocodile Rock, The Fringe, The Dining Room at Gilded Balloon, Teviot, Runs until 31^st August for further information go to: Crocodile Rock | Edinburgh Festival Fringe