Review: Clinton The Musical, Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14)

By MALCOLM JACK
Published on 15/08/2012 19:20

In riotously silly style this musical scrutinises the 42nd American president, who remains one of the country’s most popular leaders despite a tenure that, for all its economic successes, was rife with scandal.

Star rating: * * *

It reaches a novel conclusion: there’s not one Bill Clinton, but two. Psychologically speaking.

Portrayed by a pair of actors – one as the upstanding statesman, the other as his horny, saxophone-honking scoundrel alter-ego – Clinton and Clinton take us on an all-singing, all-dancing journey through the highs and lows of two terms in office to a swinging live soundtrack.

Hillary is mainly peripheral but laterally rises strong. A slimy Newt Gingrich spearheads a sinister Republican muck-raking conspiracy. Monica Lewinsky is a simpleton pawn controlled by a bondage gear-wearing Kenneth Starr.

“Why is Kenneth Starr an outrageous homosexual in this?” Bill ponders, in one of several great fourth-wall breaking moments. “Because he’s going to f*** us,” Bill replies.

The ridiculousness factor peaks with a dancing Eleanor Roosevelt, who convinces Hillary not to divorce her husband for his indiscretions but use him to propel her own political career. A sequel is threatened, and with Chelsea waiting in the wings, even a trilogy.

It’s chaotic and rife with questionable logic, but as far as madcap Fringe musicals go, Clinton scores typically well in the approval ratings.

Until 27 August. Today 1pm.