Musical review: Greyfriars Twisted Tales

Published on Wednesday 6 August 2008 09:36

GREYFRIARS TWISTED TALES *** MUSICAL THEATRE @GEORGE SQUARE (VENUE 37)

THIS is the first year the terrifically talented combo behind this show, The Martians, have appeared at the Fringe. It won't be the last.

Their pedigree may seem dubious but their talents are blindingly obvious. John Kielty, for instance, leads guided tours of Greyfriars Kirkyard. His brother Gerry "trained as an actor" at Edinburgh Dungeon while their sidekick Houston is a 24-year-old gardener from Lanark. The show they're performing in a Portakabin in George Square should make some of the acts at bigger venues hang their heads in shame, while they eat their hearts out with envy.

This is a musical tour of the dark history of Greyfriars and its impact on world history. Actually, that concept just gives the group an excuse to go off on wild tangents like an inspired mini Second World War musical that's a cross between The Producers and Oh What A Lovely War. It doesn't really sit too easily with the rest of the boys' material but it's still great fun – as is the rest of the show.

Nessie, Greyfriars Bobby, crap Sean Connery impersonations – all the tartan tat we bombard tourists with is expertly lampooned and it's frequently very funny. These boys have a great future ahead of them … The Martians have landed.

• Until 25 August. Today 7:30pm