EDINBURGH 2014 - BWW Reviews: VIKKI STONE: INSTRUMENTAL, Underbelly, August 4 2014

At the beginning of the year Vikki Stone wrote a description for the Fringe programme, describing what Instrumental was going to be about. She was going to attempt to learn 20 different musical instruments to underscore her show. However, she hasn't quite managed it. So she begins by announcing that her 2014 Edinburgh Fringe show is about trying.

Having seen Vikki Stone at last year's festival I was slightly alarmed to see children in the front row. Spotting them ten minutes into the performance she mentions "these two are getting an education". I'm not sure how she manages it but Vikki Stone manages to be endearingly foul mouthed and crude.

As a classically trained musician her challenge to learn these instruments wasn't entirely impossible. She has given it a bloody good go. Telling the audience about her childhood experience with music and reeling off hilarious anecdotes she also loops piano, keytar and various other instruments to set a score.

Vikki Stone is a keen observer and makes some excellent points about social media (if you bake cupcakes and don't instagram them, why bother baking cupcakes?) but there is a slightly deeper undertone to the show. Stone lost her father last year and it becomes evident that Instrumental is a tribute to him. There are a lot of smoke and mirrors (the smoke is literal) in this piece but underneath it is an incredibly honest and beautiful show.

As a comedy show Instrumental is absolutely hilarious. Musically speaking it is also excellent. For me what really set this apart from other comedy shows I've seen is the huge heart behind it. Vikki Stone has really created something special this year.

Instrumental runs at the Underbelly until August 24th.

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