Fringe Review: REMEMBER, REMEMBER!, Queen Dome at Pleasance Dome
Photo credit: Kit McCarthy
Remember, Remember! is the talk of the town at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe and having now seen it, this is no surprise. It tells the story of the Gunpowder Plot. Or at least it tells a, perhaps, not entirely accurate version of the Gunpowder Plot packed full of hilarious comedy, catchy songs and musical theatre references.
The show is written by Lucy Buncombe, Kluane Saunders, Ross Tomlinson and Tom O’Kelly. The writing is clever, packed full of pop culture and musical theatre references, which are almost all very funny. Many of the songs are parodies of songs from other musicals - this usually works well, but sometimes they feel a little too similar to the originals. The team have clearly taken a lot of inspiration from Operation Mincemeat in their storytelling style but it certainly has its own style as well.
The quartet also play all the roles in the show. Like in Operation Mincemeat, there is a good amount of multi-roling and gender goes completely out the window. Saunders is our main protagonist, Robert Catesby. She plays the role fairly straight, carrying much of the plot amidst the comedic chaos around her. She is an incredibly likeable lead and develops a believable chemistry with Tomlinson as King James I. The rivalry between Saunders as Catesby and Lucy Buncombe as Guy Fawkes takes up much of the plot and is performed brilliantly. Buncombe is a delight as the slightly pompous Guy Fawkes, whilst still somehow being likeable - despite the on stage rivalry, neither party is portrayed as the villain.
Tomlinson and O’Kelly deliver a significant amount of the comedy in the show, whilst Saunders and Buncombe move the narrative along. Both have great comic timing and bring their myriad of characters to life brilliantly. Tomlinson, as a camp King James I who initiates an affair with Catesby, is a particular highlight of the show.
Whilst the score doesn’t allow much room for the cast to show off any particularly impressive vocals, what is impressive is the diction of the entire cast. Every single word is crystal clear meaning every joke and reference lands perfectly.
Director Alex Pritchett keeps the show moving at a fantastic pace, although the show never feels rushed which is remarkable given how many plot points are fit into this 60-minute show. Compared to some other new musicals at the Fringe that feel like they’re tasters of what a full show could be, this one feels finished and written intentionally to be a 60-minute musical. Pritchett has also made sure the show is performed to the audiences on all three sides, not just in the centre.
Remember, Remember! may be one of the strongest British musicals at this year’s Fringe or at the very least, it must be one of the funniest. It simply must have a future life and, with a little bit more development, it could be truly outstanding.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush