Writer: Abby Goldfarb
Composers: Abby Goldfarb (music and lyrics) and Jody Shelton (music)
Director: Eddie Grey
It may be a little unusual to have five mothers and no dad but in this solo show Abby Goldfarb makes it the new normal. She deploys her unconventional origin story as the springboard for a full-blown comedy musical about her life to date. Conceived via an unofficial sperm donation involving no medical professionals, Abby was part-raised by one lesbian couple who then split up and formed new partnerships, leading to the multiple moms.
Anyway, the show is fabulous. Abby is fabulous. We’re all fabulous. It’s very definitely a musical, packing some 13 punchy and original songs into its 50 minutes, which is quite a feat. And in a clever twist, this most queer of shows produces a mind-bending moment when Abby plucks up the courage to come out as straight.
Each song is well judged and emotionally charged as Abby shares some of the main turning-points in her still-young life. She has a great voice and really belongs on a large stage in a packed hall rather than being squashed into a small room with a dozen onlookers. But that’s what the Fringe does sometimes: it gives you outrageously high quality entertainment when you were only expecting a few laughs and some music.
In fact there are so many excellent songs – some funny, some more reflective – that the show is light on detailed anecdotes. Maybe the full hour should have been used, or maybe it was canny to leave us wanting more. As it stands, Abby describes and sings about childhood anxiety as well as the ups and downs of adulthood, including missing out on an expected Broadway transfer.
Her story is relatable and charmingly humorous but it’s never clear whether we’re rooting for an underdog or a winner. Abby has certainly had some challenges in her life but she’s such a terrific performer you sense that she can still become a very big star indeed. Go and see her now, so you can say you were in the room when she performed her Edinburgh Fringe debut to a handful of people who all loved her positive energy.
Runs until 30 August (not 16 or 23) | Image: Contributed
