REVIEW: Baby Wants Candy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023

Baby Wants Candy

Studio One - Assembly George Square Studios

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

August 2023

⭐⭐⭐

Worth taking a chance on

Back for their 16th year at the Edinburgh Fringe, Baby Wants Candy are an American comedy group who improvise a completely new musical each evening. The title comes from audience suggestions, and from there the group sing, dance and act their way through a new one-off musical, never to be seen again. Backed by exceptional live musicians, the cast create characters, songs and storylines from nowhere. They work together to produce a funny, unpredictable musical on the spot, that they somehow, wrap up within the hour.

Improv is such a skill! Every performance truly is different, and as such, some will be more successful than others. The Baby Wants Candy show that I saw this year didn't live up to the magic of the first time I saw them do Shamilton. Some of the cast were stronger than others, and there were moments that it felt a little awkward. The 3 or 4 standout players really were brilliant, and there were moments of genius and some laugh-out-loud jokes. But it all seemed to come from the same few cast members.

Audience suggestions on the night I was in included 'Jazz Dumpster', 'Barbie Mission Impossible', and the title that was selected, 'Alice in Tinderland'. The cast swung into the first brilliant number 'Swipe up on love' with staggering speed, and there were some great ad-libs and impromptu scenes created throughout the show. It just fell a little flat as it went on unfortunately.

The band lead and pianist / keyboard player Adrien Pellerin is outstanding. He watched the actors for cues and led the band with care and attention all through the show. The band play as you enter the room and they truly are magnificent. It's almost worth going to see this show just to enjoy the music from the band! But it's a talented group, with a stellar reputation. Worth taking a chance as you may just witness the opening (and closing) night of a great new musical.

⭐⭐⭐

When and Where?

VENUE: Studio One - Assembly George Square Studios, George Square, EH8 9LH

TIME: 9:05pm

DATES: Weds 2nd -Sun 27th August

PRICES: Midweek £16 (£15) / Weekends £17 (£16)

TICKETS: www.assemblyfestival.com / 0131 623 3030

AGE RESTRICTION: Suggested 14+

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REVIEW: Baby Wants Candy, Improv, Musical Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023

🎟️ Disclosure: I am an Edinburgh Festival Fringe accredited media reviewer and as such I receive complimentary press tickets in exchange for my honest reviews. My reviews and star ratings are always my honest opinions.

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