Writer: Jenny Bede
Director: Charlie Dinkin
In the upstairs space of the Soho Theatre, Jenny Bede brings her critically acclaimed Edinburgh fringe show. A 60-minute pitch of weird and wonderful new musicals to Mr Mackintosh himself who may, or may not, we’re told, be sat in the third row of the audience.
After a diverse career that saw Bede play a plethora of roles including an assistant, a personal assistant, a secretary, a receptionist, a typist, to name just a few, she turned to comedy almost a decade ago and went on to win Best Newcomer at the Musical Comedy Awards after just three gigs. Watching her now, it’s very clear why.
The audience enters to TLC’s No Scrubs playing quietly in the background, a nod to her time in 90’s girl band Cherry Falls, which gets one or two mentions throughout, as well as her love for all things R ‘n’B and 90’s pop. She then introduces us to 25 new musicals she’s penned with excerpts from some of them.
One particular highlight is a song from Feminism: The Musical devoted to testicles – possibly the greatest song ever written dedicated to the topic, and almost certainly the best to have graced a West End stage in a very long time.
Other highlights include musicals titled, Cats: from the POV of Dogs, Chess: 2023, and songs, Well, Actually, and Sexy Dead Wife.
Her lyrics are flawless as is her performance. There are a few moments of audience interaction which are taken in the spirit in which they are intended, and as a show it’s really well constructed, with the perfect finale.
Shows like this are what’s best about fringe theatre. A ballsy commentary on the world we find ourselves in and funny enough to draw a laugh from a stone. A supremely funny talent, do not miss the opportunity to see it if you can.
Runs until 9 April 2022
