A parody of a girl band, this musical cleverly delves into the way in which bands are manufactured, how stories are exaggerated out of all proportion, and how the reality is never what it seems. It also explores the impact on those involved: fame costs, as the eponymous film famously said and it is paid for with people’s lives, families and their own health, both physical and mental.
It is not all doom and gloom – there are a lot of sequins on display, sparkling away as our heroines dance, sing and entertain us. The four performers – Kiran Benawra, Jade Leanne, Lorenza Michelucci-Dun and Emily Minetti – are extremely skilled and have fantastic voices. They are easily believable as having been in a girl band together. As the story unfolds and we see the cracks in each Girl Pop member’s armour, we sympathise with them and there is some uncomfortableness in realising that those who buy into tabloid stories of celebrities can be complicit in this perpetuating. That this looks at a nineties pop group and the social media impact now is ever stronger – partly due to the speed with which information gets put up on line, even if it is then proven to be incorrect and removed – is an indication of just how far media has changed and become even more difficult to judge what is real and what is not.
Many people remember the Spice Girls and the fact that they are still public figures today indicates the longevity of successful (or otherwise) girl groups, which the show plays well to as a concept. However, because of the show being set as a reunion event, it felt like a smaller audience impacted the feel of the show. Despite this the performers give it their all, pulling us into their world. The storyline is well written and because of the ethos behind it, it feels like this could work very well as a TV series or a spin-off book, to give the storyline space to grow from its strong base.
Show Time: 10-25 Aug (not 12,19) @ 20:00
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Ticket Prices: £15-£16
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/girl-pop
Venue accessibility: Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose is situated on Chambers Street. The pavements are wide but become busy during the Festival. There are three stairs at the main entrance to the building. Those requiring use of the platform lift enter the building approximately three metres along from the stepped entrance. Members of staff in pink t-shirts are on hand to assist entrance and exits from the building. All bars and venues can be accessed by stairs or a building lift. Please speak to a member of staff on arrival if you require assistance or need to be entered into a venue early. For further access information about Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose visit our Accessibility Page: www.gildedballoon.co.uk/accessibility or email [email protected]|. Wheelchair accessible toilets. May not apply to all performances.
Age suitability: 12+ (guideline). Babes in arms policy: babies do not require a ticket. Policy applies to: children under 2 years.