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Bing!

 
Paul Fisher Cockburn Review by Paul Fisher Cockburn 4 Published: 7 Aug 2025 Greenside @ George Street Show Dates: 1 Aug 2025-23 Aug 2025

Written, performed and composed by Jason Woods, Bing! is classified in the Fringe programme under “Theatre”, “Solo Show” and “New Writing” – all of which are entirely appropriate. This is undoubtedly a new-to-Edinburgh, one-man work of theatre. But it’s arguable that he’s potentially missing out in terms of audience by not also including “Children’s Shows”, because I’m sure there’ll be many children out there who would be captivated by this particular magical fantasy tale – although some under-fives might find parts of it genuinely too scary.

The details are fresh, the word-play divine

Woods, in neat suit and long dark coat, initially stands erect before us like some noble theatrical impresario but, as his narrative progresses, he increasingly roams the stage, never failing to hit his mark for a character-styled lighting effect or sound cue. Additional effects and a John Williams-esque orchestral score – also Woods’ work – add up to a remarkably cinematic experience for a one-man work of theatre.

Woods’ “mostly true” story – only some of the dates, such as the 34th of October, make you question the scenario – is pure fairy-tale. Our central character, Jasper, is looking for “his true family”, if only to “see his face” in actual relatives. In the course of his quest, he runs into: a blunt witch (herself searching for the Chamber of Priceless Objects) whose favourite magic word is “Bing!”; a mysterious, incredibly intimidating dragon; a vicious boo-hiss queen; and a destiny which he neither expected nor wanted, but reluctantly – heartbreakingly – comes to accept. “You didn’t ask for it, but it was given to you anyway,” he’s told at one point. Joseph Campbell, to be clear, would be proud.

Yet while Woods risks cultural cliché in his plot, the details are fresh, the wordplay divine, and the telling often self-mocking – overall, this is a lot of fun. The gratuitously American (and Scottish) accents help – although I can’t help but think that Sir Ian McKellen’s lawyers might want to take note of Jasper’s adopted brother, the self-obsessed, aspiring actor Casper, never one to avoid mis-speaking a long word when a short one would’ve done.

Overall, this is a surprisingly uplifting, feel-good work, and a prime example of what a single performer – albeit supported with great material and finely tuned theatrical effects – can do on an otherwise empty stage. Woods leads us on a magical journey – which even younger people deserve to experience. Just beware the “pasture of the deadly coos”.

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The Blurb:

Written and performed by Jason Woods, Bing! captivated New York audiences and critics, and received a 2023 Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination for Best Solo Performance. Woods morphs into Jasper, Casper, the witch, the ghost, the dragon, the herald, the henchman, the witch’s mother and more with rapid–fire dexterity and heartfelt authenticity in this razor–sharp magical comedy about family and fantasy, and the lines we blur with both. In addition to writing and directing, Woods is also the composer of the John Williams–esque orchestral score for Bing!