Review: Ohio, Edfringe

Abigail Bengson bounces on stage, followed by her husband, Shaun. She cheerfully introduces Ohio as a “death concert”, and I think, what on earth have I got myself into? Presented by Francesca Moody Productions, which produced the hits Fleabag and Baby Reindeer, Ohio is just as unique in its concept. Part concert, part confessional, the show explores the loss of faith and hearing through music.

Shaun’s tinnitus, which will eventually make him deaf, is described as “the afterlife of an ear cell”. When he was younger, he was unable to hear himself breathe, so he placed his hand on his chest to feel it rise and fall. Through song, Shaun describes this sensation, and the Bengsons’ poetic, lyrical descriptions deepen the show’s impact with genuine emotional resonance.

The stage is bare, except for cables running from Shaun’s guitar, a table with a looping machine, a light box and a tiny model of a living room. Subtitles are projected onto the screen behind the pair, which visualises Shaun’s auditory experience. He thoughtfully explains how his tinnitus is causing his hearing to worsen. He demonstrates what he can hear and what little he will be able to hear in the future, using microphone effects and having the text wobble and shake on the screen. The audience not only comprehends it, they experience it. 

At times, the audience is asked to sing back. Acting like layers on the loop pedal, we hum notes underneath the melody, creating a unified chorus. The lines between spectator and performer blur, sparking a unique moment of closeness with the artists. 

The show explores themes of life and death, not to stir unease, but to offer comfort through rich harmonies. In one section, Shaun and Abigail dedicate a song to the late Mrs Wean, who was head of the choir that Shaun sang in when he was growing up. They explain how she gave him the confidence to speak and sing, in an incredibly touching moment. They also tackle death with humour, shown in their responses when their son asks what happens after we die.

The innovative use of the microphone’s distorted effect is the triumph of this unconventional piece of theatre. The show will not be to everyone’s taste, but it offers a unique and memorable experience for those willing to embrace its style. Ending on a strangely joyous and hopeful note, this “death concert” reminds us to live in the moment. 

Created & Performed by The Bengsons
Directed by Caitlin Sullivan
Produced by Francesca Moody Productions

Ohio plays at the Edinburgh Fringe’s Assembly Roxy, Upstairs until Sunday 24 August 2025 before transferring to London’s Young Vic from 30 September to 24 October.