From Gigglemug comedy duo Sam Cochrane and Alex Prescot, Runesical is an amusing, action packed quest based on the role-palying game Runescape. Humour that relies on wit rather than crudeness, this is a musical that anyone can enjoy regardless of age or familiarity with the game.
This show is a great hour of fun, and one to see over and over again
Runesical follows Lance_054 (Tonny Shim) as he teams up with Odin the Destroyer (TJ Douglas-Welsh) as the pair attempt to defeat the legendary Mirror Dragon. Guided by Cochrane (Wise Old Man) we are asked to make choices throughout the show about what the characters will do next, whether this is by guessing a number, throwing a baguette or playing a modified version of rock, paper, scissors. In this way each show is different and allows for multiple opportunities of viewing and enjoyment. And yes it is incredibly fun to see audience memebrs have to take on various challenges with little to no chocie in the matter.
This musical is incredibly clever and speaks to the talent of Cochrane and Prescot, as it is able to make niche references that both seasoned and new players of Runescape will find funny, which speaks to the extent of creativity and opportunities for humour that the duo are able to grasp. The comedy doesn’t detract or try to hide messages of escapism, how the game is used to hide from reality, and in fact these messages are amplified. The songs differentiate musically using styles from smooth jazz to electronica whilst also appreciating different musical theatre tropes. The characters and plot are well-developed, to the point where they draw us in only to challenge what we think we know about them, which makes each new revelation all the more shocking.
Whether you are well-versed in Runescape lore or a noob, this show is a great hour of fun, and one to see over and over again.
