Musicals and Opera Review: A Slice of Saturday Night

Published on Wednesday 13 August 2008 21:24

A SLICE OF SATURDAY NIGHT *** AUGUSTINE'S (VENUE 152)

VETERANS of the Fringe since first performing here in 2005, Cambridgeshire's Viva Youth Theatre are old hands at this Edinburgh lark. Maybe that's the wrong term, because the cast are all aged between 16 and 21. Still, they started this year's short run with a nearly full house, and their professionalism on such a big occasion put many more experienced actors you'll see during this Fringe in the shade.

Of course, the whole affair is even more stage school than a new girl group or an episode of EastEnders, but it's definitely not amateurish. Written and directed by the Heather Brothers, this lively musical contains a bunch of songs that stick in the head and not many set-pieces that are worth cutting, which is a recommendation considering the rather lengthy 90-minute running time.

Neglecting the school band nature of the cast-played musical score and the rather indistinct era the show is set in, the real fun is to be found in the way the ensemble bring this archetypal Saturday night to life.

Songs about cheating boys, drinking yourself sick, premature ejaculation, and why the early career of the Beatles tells us not to worry about asking someone out, are sweet and gently amusing.

Until 16 August. Today 4:15pm