Camp, cheesy disco romp

The Discotivity

(2007)
Manger Inc
Gilded Balloon, 1-27 August (not 13) 23:45 (1hr)

Could this be the cheesiest show in Edinburgh? This retelling of the nativity to a disco beat is certainly in with a shout for topping out the mozzarella meter. 2003 Pop Idol Michelle McManus is joined by a young and enthusiastic cast – and we know it must be Bethlehem because in amongst the tinsel and glitter balls sits a palm tree.

The show is billed as comedy rather than musical, but it could have fallen into either category. McManus’ singing is excellent, and she shows that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. And neither does the show: from the hottest donkey with attitude you’re ever likely to see on a stage, to three shepherds in fluffy shorts, the disco hits come thick and fast. It is extremely well choreographed and performed, and the cast cope with the limited space on the stage in the stuffy Dining Room at the Gilded Balloon.

The Discotivity will move for a West End run in the run up to Christmas. Speaking with cast afterwards that this run would be of a longer version of the show with more of the nativity story told (and the surrounding pop idol spoof), addressing my main criticism that the show left its plot underdeveloped. They clearly read the near midnight Fringe crowd as wanting the toe tapping, stand-up clapping parts without any extra bits taking up late night drinking time. While this is understandable, I wonder if the show might have deserved 5 stars rather than 4 if we’d been given the chance to see the whole thing. [Kathryn Mack]

show info

The Discotivity
Manger Inc

Director:
Russell Labey

Theatre:
Gilded Balloon
Preview Aug 1-4: 23:45(1hr) £5.00 Aug 5-6: 23:45(1hr) £8.50 Aug 7-9,14-16,20-23,27: 23:45(1hr) £8.50(£7.50) Aug 10-12,17-19,24-26



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