Category: Brett Herriot at the Festivals

*** 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

**** 4 Stars

“Delivered with a raw intensity “

Shining a light into the often-dark world of working in a Sauna, especially a gay sauna could lead to many old tropes being re-treaded. However, Sauna Boy is a step apart as its semi-autobiographical with acclaimed writer and director Dan Ireland-Reeves reflects on his time working in a gay men’s sauna on England’s south coast. 

Dan has navigated a world of Lust, friendships and unorthodox working relationships and has seen the power of true friendships outweighing the darkest of sexual desires from men who see saunas as nothing more than a way to satisfied there most depraved wishes.

This 70-minute play pitch perfectly in its evening slot is delivered with a raw intensity that grips from the off thanks to Ireland-Reeves capturing performance that embraces strong language, nudity and a lighting quick pace that belies its 70^th minute run time. There are a couple of moments where the narrative does start to repeat itself but the execution of the performance to drive home the cost of the choices made retains the audiences undivided attention with ease. 

The Fringe by its very essence is the testing ground of theatre to push its boundaries and “Sauna Boy” achieves that with grace and style and is a play that is deeply personal as it relatable to all of us who simply wish to be love. The dark side of working in the adult industries in laid bare in a show that wears its heart on its sleeve and will leave you touched in many ways. Engrossing fringe theatre doesn’t come any better so be sure to see the show before it closes its Fringe run on Saturday 16^th August.

Sauna Boy, Theatre 3 at The Space @Surgeons Hall (Venue 53) For more info go to:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sauna-boy