EDINBURGH FRINGE: Bliss at Grand, Pleasance Courtyard****
SIX the Musical has six queens. Bliss the Musical has four princesses. But I’d like to bet they’re going to give Henry VIII’s former wives some stiff competition!
Produced by the people behind Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Bliss boasts 17 West End performers, electric vocals and pop-rock punch and is all about ripping up the rule book and learning that perfection isn’t everything.
When his wife dies, the King of Minisculia locks his daughters in a tower to keep them ‘safe and sound’. Of course they escape… into a fairy wonderland with perfect princesses, unicorns, a handsome prince and a flamboyant fairy godfather played magnificently by Tom Bennett.
But it is the four princesses who take centre stage: as stargazing Princess Piper, Akshara Gunda is both opinionated and appealing, and not overshadowed by her eldest sister Princess Faye (Miriam Nyarko), the dragon slayer. Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby gives Princess Carmella a big, bright personality, but Matilda Shapland’s joy as Princess Holly, the nature lover, stood out for me. Her happy face and sparkling eyes really made me smile. I can see why, in the past, she has played the lead in Matilda the Musical, and the young Eponine and Little Cosette in Les Miserables.
Bliss the Musical doesn’t belong at a Fringe festival but on the West End stage. It’s magical! The band’s great, the choreography had me spellbound and I’m sure that, if and when it does go to London, the set will be worthy of its new venue.
Image: Marc Brenner
Bliss is at Grand, Pleasance Courtyard until Aug 31 at 1pm (80 mins)
www.pleasance.co.uk
Currently Booking
Tickets You May Like
Play
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The award-winning stage continuation of the Harry Potter story.
Book TicketsMusical
Les Miserables
The landmark musical of love, revolution and redemption in the West End.
Book Tickets