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Baby Wants Candy

 
Lisa Simonis Review by Lisa Simonis 4 Published: 16 Aug 2025 Assembly George Square Studios Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-24 Aug 2025

The live band plays as audiences find their seats, the air tingling with anticipation for the night ahead. Your favourite musical theatre kids are back in town – welcome to Baby Wants Candy.

Mistakes and miscommunications instantly became inside jokes shared between cast and audience.

Every night, audiences witness both the opening and closing night of a brand-new musical that doesn’t exist until that moment. At the start of the show, suggestions are shouted from around the room, and from hundreds of wild ideas, three are chosen for a vote.

For last night’s soirée, the winner was Leonardo DiCaprio Challenge 25. With an all-American cast, the performers quickly asked what “Challenge 25” meant. After learning of the UK’s tradition of ID-ing those who look under 25, the stage was set for a completely improvised musical.

From live music to lyrics, dialogue to dance breaks – everything was made up on the spot. These masters of improv follow the golden rule: say yes to everything. That “yes” leads the musical into wild twists and unexpected turns, with mistakes and miscommunications instantly becoming inside jokes shared between cast and audience. Some of the directions Leonardo DiCaprio Challenge 25 took were so outlandish – including a time-travelling plot twist – that the audience was doubled over with laughter.

Past shows have sported titles like Finding Emo and The Devil Wears Primark. Some storylines flow more smoothly than others, but what’s always guaranteed is joy. Overflowing from the stage each night is not only skill and talent, but pure fun. Baby Wants Candy is a delight because the performers’ excitement is infectious – their adrenaline-fuelled twinkle in the eye cannot be faked.

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The Blurb:

Fringe fave Baby Wants Candy is back! Total Edinburgh Fringe sell-out six years running. One of the world's most popular comedy ensembles. You shout out the title, BWC makes up the musical. Some favourite recent titles: 'Sweeney Toddler', 'Tinder in the Animal Kingdom' and who could forget the instant classic 'HotUncles.com... the Musical'? Buy early – show sells out! 'An entertainment phenomenon. I have one word for them: Go!' ***** (Scotsman). ***** (Time Out). ***** (ThreeWeeks). 'Critics Choice. Truly amazing!' (New York Times).