Click on image to buy tickets
★★★★★ Philip Contini & His Be Happy Band deliver a fabulous 70-minute celebration of Broadway and musical theatre in an intimate Edinburgh Fringe setting.
The room may be small, and the stage compact, but the production makes excellent use of every available inch. That intimacy works in the show’s favour, bringing the audience close to the performers and creating a wonderfully warm atmosphere.
For the performance I attended, every seat was taken. The full house helped generate a real sense of occasion before the music had even begun, and that atmosphere continued throughout the show.
Contini is appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the 34th time, and that wealth of experience shows. Joined by his six-piece Be Happy Band, he presents a programme built around memorable songs from some of musical theatre’s best-loved productions.
The repertoire includes material associated with shows such as Anything Goes, Babes in Arms, Hello, Dolly!, Les Misérables, The Music Man, South Pacific and West Side Story.
What makes the show particularly enjoyable is its uncomplicated celebration of musical theatre. It is performed with warmth and enthusiasm, with the live band bringing the Broadway melodies vividly to life.
Despite the restricted stage space, the performers never appear constrained by it. Instead, they use the intimate surroundings to create a close connection with the audience.
At £18 for a 70-minute performance, Broadway Melodies – The Joy of Musical Theatre offers an entertaining and uplifting Fringe experience, particularly for anyone with a love of classic musicals and live music.
The combination of a full house, great atmosphere, accomplished musicianship and Contini’s easy rapport with the audience made this one of those Fringe performances that simply leaves you feeling good.
Reviewed by Jacqueline Sharp
Remaining performances
- Thursday 20 August – 1:00pm
- Friday 21 August – 1:00pm
- Wednesday 26 August – 1:00pm
- Friday 28 August – 3:30pm
- Saturday 29 August – 8:30pm
- Monday 31 August – 1:00pm
Also at the Fringe
Philip Contini is also appearing with pianist Anne Evans in Appassionato – Romantic Songs of Italy, a 60-minute programme celebrating classical, popular Neapolitan and Italian songs through music and storytelling.
Remaining performance
- Thursday 27 August – 1:00pm
Leave a Reply