Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

UNSUNG: The Accidental Villains of History

 
Nicholas Abrams Review by Nicholas Abrams 4 Published: 5 Jul 2026 16 Ryerson Ave Show Dates: 7 Jul 2026-11 Jul 2026

The first thing handed to me as I walked into UNSUNG wasn’t a programme. It was a pair of earplugs. Apparently, the show was loud enough to warrant them. I assumed this was theatrical exaggeration until the opening number proved otherwise. They weren’t joking. With every performer mic’d up, I did find myself wondering why the volume couldn’t simply have been turned down – but, earplugs in place, I settled in. I’m glad I did.

History has never been this gloriously ridiculous

The premise is wonderfully simple. Seven historical disasters are retold through the eyes of the ordinary people supposedly responsible for them. Whether it’s the Trojan guard who opens the gates because he genuinely loves horses, or the unfortunate cow blamed for the Great Chicago Fire, historical accuracy is very much beside the point. As the cast themselves remind us, “If you want a history lesson, don’t go to a show, go to school.”

Each vignette follows a familiar pattern. We meet a famous historical event, are introduced to its unlikely accidental villain, and then watch events spiral gloriously out of control. It’s an effective formula, helped enormously by an exceptionally strong company. Every member of the cast is given a moment in the spotlight and, vocally, they’re outstanding. This is a musical performed with confidence, energy and some seriously impressive singing.

Some sketches inevitably land better than others. The Trojan Horse sequence is packed with visual gags and infectious enthusiasm, while the Chicago Fire vignette is a particular delight, not least thanks to one performer’s utterly committed portrayal of a cud-chewing cow. It’s gloriously silly, and all the better for it.

The show’s main weakness is its structure. Each individual story is entertaining, but because every vignette follows much the same rhythm, the production begins to feel repetitive as it progresses. There are no meaningful callbacks or overarching narrative to bind the pieces together beyond the central premise, and after a while the format starts to show its seams.

Even so, there’s plenty to enjoy. The songs are catchy, the performances consistently strong, and the humour broad enough to keep the audience laughing throughout. It may not quite sustain its momentum across all seven stories, but UNSUNG is exactly the sort of inventive, slightly ridiculous musical that Fringe festivals do so well. Just don’t forget the earplugs.

Related to this article:

Location:

Performances

The Blurb:

UNSUNG features catchy tunes and sharp wit that comically reimagines different historical events and the famous figures who inadvertently caused some of the world’s greatest disasters. From the teen tasked with putting all the lifeboats on the Titanic to the animal-loving guard who let in the Trojan Horse. An unforgettable blend of humour and history!