Review: And They Played Shang A Lang, Edfringe
Braw Venues @ Grand Lodge
After its previous 12 years’ success at the Fringe, this jukebox musical play returns as we follow Jim through his school days growing up in 70’s Edinburgh.Summary
Rating
Excellent!
For all 70’s music fans out there, this one-hour production will have you toe-tapping along to the likes of Queen, Abba and The Sex Pistols. The primarily young cast, and the young at heart Derek Douglas as protagonist Jim, bring this piece to life with energy and charisma. In an era of big hair and big heartbreak, we find ourselves transported back to our teenage years again with all the wonder that accompanies raging hormones and rock and roll.
The play is written and directed by supremely versatile Douglas, who offers a super balance of heartfelt moments accompanied by fun and humour. The full-on riot that breaks out during the primary school nativity rehearsal left me in fits of laughter, as did the endearing relationship between the rather stereotypical boys and girls as they navigate the hazardous world of young love. In contrast, the powerful staging and use of the torch lights are very effective to change up the mood during a more emotional moment in the story.
The clever use of juxtaposition, transitioning between Jim’s more present-day storytelling before flashing back to scenes of the past, moves the story on at a steady, flowing pace and gives the piece a nice interlinked thread. The sound collage in the family scene is most effective, and the static delivery of this sequence in a lineup position aids the stark, relatable reality of difficult family get-togethers.
The young company bring a real sense of ensemble to the piece, and their characterisation is most effective with great camaraderie between them. Costume and hair suitably depict the era, and lighting and sound help aid clarity of transitions. The choreography also brings real energy to the play and has the audience clapping along.
I read that the company originally planned to retire the show last year, so I feel even more lucky to have caught it this year and thoroughly enjoyed my trip back in time to the 70s!
Written & Directed by Derek Douglas
And They Played Shang A Lang plays at Edinburgh Fringe until Sunday 24 August.
