Fringe review: SOUND CLASH - DEATH IN THE ARENA, Soundplay Theatre Productions - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Receiving its world premiere at the Fringe is Sound Clash: an urban love story set in a dystopian world of dancehall, where MC's, not MP's, rule the nation! In Sound city, music is currency, and two warring sound systems, Eagles vs Thunders, fight for power. Young lovers Ashley and Kazzandra are caught in the middle, torn apart by family politics and musical warfare. What follows are electric dance-offs, lyrical contests, and death in the arena. Get ready to dance, as the battle begins...

Conceived by Levi Roots (the reggae musician, chef and entrepreneur), this is a contemporary new musical about star-crossed lovers. Written by Alex Whatle MBE, it's apparent from the beginning that this has the tiniest nod to Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet, albeit set in a futuristic world.

The choreography by Jade Hackett is to an unquestionably high creative standard. The two 'sides' maintaining their stamina throughout the dance offs. However, these final scenes with the battle feel rushed. We would have liked to have seen this played out more, with the tension building throughout the entirety of the piece and a real shock moment at the end. It just felt a bit deflated.

This production has a remarkably talented cast, with some nice moments; we just wanted to see the focus on the storyline a little more.

A futuristic update of a classically doomed love story.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Sound Clash: Death in the Arena plays in Pleasance One at Pleasance Courtyard at 4.10pm until 28 August.