There usually are not one however two exhibits primarily based on the campest, if not stupidest trial in current reminiscence at The Fringe this 12 months. Based on the notorious ski crash incident in Deer Valley the place retired optometrist Terry Sanderson claimed Oscar-winner and wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow skied into him inflicting “life-changing injuries”.
Awkward Productions Gwyneth Goes Skiing brought on a world theatrical fuss when it was introduced final 12 months and has had a number of runs earlier than its arrival in Edinburgh. When one other was introduced sizzling on its heels and was revealed to even be heading to the Fringe, curiosity was heightened and comparisons inevitable.
While Linus Karp and Joseph Martin’s play with music, is an deliberately ramshackle, uproariously eccentric and anarchic tackle proceedings, the large weapons have been deployed in Roger Dipper & Rick Pearson’s incarnation. Starring first-class West End expertise: Idriss Kargbo (the Judge), Tori Allen Martin (as Terry’s Lawyer Kristin Fangirlin), Marc Antolin (Terry Sightworsens) – the names have been modified to guard the not-so harmless, and X-Factor semi-finalist Diana Vickers as Gwyneth, there’s additionally choreography from the legendary Dame Arlene Phillips – all for a “fringe” manufacturing.
The anarchy can be embraced right here in I Wish You Well… and it’s as camp as you would need it to be. Like the opposite manufacturing throughout city, a lot has been taken instantly from the precise trial reporting and in some methods, the truth is as weird as what’s offered on this star-spangled spoof.
The tunes are all banging and are belted out with energy by the all-star forged. The lyrics sharp and humorous and the laughs land effectively with the viewers. The appearing and vitality first charge. There are scene stealing moments from every of the quartet, all getting their likelihood to shine.
At one hour working time, the manufacturing is packed and it involves an finish extra sharply than you’d perhaps want. An further half hour may simply be added to ship it out on a nationwide tour. I’m positive that I Wish You Well… could have a life past The Fringe and this gained’t be the final we see of it.
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Runs till 26 August 2024 | Images: Mark Senior
