I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical & The Sex Lives of Puppets at Edinburgh Fringe 2024

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical & The Sex Lives of Puppets

In my first return to Edinburgh during August since long before the pandemic, can I manage a proper Fringe binge? The weather and wifi seem to be against me and my stamina isn’t what it once was, but I’m aiming to catch at least 15 shows in three days (okay, technically four, but that includes two half days due to train travel). And let you know what I think about them.

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical ★★★★

I couldn’t help but think of A Chorus Line while watching Alexander Bermange‘s musical sketch show. Here again, we get a peek into the lives of the jobbing musical theatre performer, the anxiety of auditions, the joy of casting, the dreams and motivations that keep them going. But expect only tears of laughter as Bermange, providing keyboard accompaniment to his hard-working four-strong ensemble, sends up all aspects of the musical world, onstage and off.

The real die-hards will catch even more stagey references than I did – I sense a scorecard app or drinking game in this show’s future – but those with even a passing interest in musicals will recognise the ‘catastrophic caterwauling’ and ‘diva in the house’ types. I found proceedings especially amusing when Bermange turnshis attention on the audience, both in terms of bad behaviour (turn your damn phones off) and uber-fandom.

Gilded Balloon @ the Museum until 25 August 2024, then touring.

 

The Sex Lives of Puppets

The renowned puppeteers of Blind Summit have turned to the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles as source material for this very naughty show. If memories of the bonking scene from Avenue Q still make you smile, you will love this series of vignettes based on real-life interviews.

These puppets (their black-garbed handlers fading expertly into the background) reveal some startlingly intimate secrets in ways that make you smile rather than cringe.

Unfortunately, I was only able to catch part of the show as technical delays meant it went up late and clashed with my next start time. But I’m pleased I’ll have another chance when the extended version returns next month to Southwark Playhouse, where it was seen earlier this year.

Pleasance Courtyard until 25 August 2024, then London’s Southwark Playhouse 4-28 September.

Derek Mitchell: Double Dutch

Any Ted Lasso fans? Eagle-eyed viewers of the amiable sitcom may recognise Derek Mitchell from the episode when AFC Richmond play a friendly in Amsterdam. American Mitchell, who’s married to a Dutchman, can clearly pass for a native and has found TikTok fame too for their @letsgodoubledutch impressions. In their debut comedy tour, they seek to make all nationalities feel comfortable by poking fun in all directions. We can find common ground in our cultural differences, it seems.

Especially when the show is aborted ten minutes early thanks to a fire alarm. The 50 minutes I saw was a hoot – and Mitchell, happy to take questions and selfies at our evacuation spot on the street afterwards – an absolute delight.

Pleasance Courtyard until 25 August 2024, then touring.