Fringe review: BIFF TO THE FUTURE, Assembly George Square

We all the know the story of Back to the Future, from the classic film to the Broadway and West End smash musical, everyone knows the story of Marty McFly and Doc who travel back time in their famous Delorean. The famous villain in the story is none other than Biff Tannen. In this one-man show, created by and starring Joseph Maudsley, we follow the tale of Biff as he turns the well beloved tale on its head.

Maudsley is utterly likeable and hilarious in the role of Biff, and director Daniel Clarkson shows he knows exactly how to work an audience in a Fringe environment and everything about the comedy and storytelling is PURE Fringe theatre. It's refreshing to see a director and performer that have such an acute understanding of their audience.

Maudsley plays all of the characters from the famous story from Biff to Marty to Doc though occasionally, audience members get tastefully picked on to portray characters too and join in with the action on the stage. He masterly weaves between characters and the way he introduces the Delorean is genius.

The story is engaging throughout and the energy doesn't drop for a second, which is extremely important for a one-person show. If you are a cult follower of the story or are completely new to Back to the Future, you will be sure to have a fantastic evening regardless.

A minor niggle is that, perhaps because of the pace at times, Maudsley's accent and articulation slips but this is completely forgivable due to the high octane nature of the show.

All in all, this was one of our favourite shows of the Fringe and we will be coming BACK in the future to the show!

Wackier than Doc Brown's hair!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: James Edge