What an incredible performance. This spectacular show had all the right moves – and grooves – to make it one of the Fringe’s best pieces of theatre this year. Set in 1972 and discussing a very popular topic of the day – sex – this show takes you on a journey through awkward first kisses, coming out and lost virginities as the couples tried to make sense of their sexual desires.
It’s hard to find fault in a show of this calibre
With a cast of young but extremely accomplished performers, the piece was unfaultable. A flick of the head was all they needed to transition between the multiple characters they were portraying and the guitarist strumming the background to their calamitous capers was an excellent touch.
The dialogue was absolutely hilarious and the stage, flanked by four microphones, allowed those who were not in a scene to interject as a narrator. Flying off on many tangents the pace of the show didn’t falter for a moment and each sub scene was cleverly tied in with the plot.
The real fun of it was that it’s so relatable and the more unhappy scenes with Anton struggling to reveal his secret to his parents kept the show nicely grounded. Flashing forward to the future, the characters were revealed as their adult selves and all the trials and tribulations of their first times were distant but still very significant memories.
One of the show’s many highlights has to be Brian’s dancing. Swooping up and down in true 70’s fashion, the scene got funnier the more it lingered on. This was closely followed by Michael getting attacked with a space hopper, a very 70s choice of weapon.
Christine’s encounter with Deep Throat at an adult film screening had the audience howling with laughter, as did the girls’ inner thoughts being narrated in the record store. The show had a real 1970s musical feel to it but was never tawdry or too light hearted.
Even though a lot had been packed into an hour long show, every detail was a necessary addition and performed flawlessly. The audience left beaming and the uproarious applause was well deserved. It’s hard to find fault in a show of this calibre and there’s no doubt that The Wardrobe Ensemble are a talented group of young theatre makers.