EDINBURGH 2013 - BWW Reviews: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, Greenside, August 17 2013

A cast of young people performing in a Fringe musical that isn't 'Spring Awakening' is a thing to treasure, and when it's in fact Stephen Sondheim's glorious 'Merrily We Roll Along', it's an even greater cause for celebration. The programme is scant on information on where this company, The Red Oak Theatre, originates, but nobody in the cast looks anywhere near their mid-twenties, which makes the fact that they've tackled this decades-spanning piece all the more interesting - not to mention admirable.

And while the cast isn't the most trained or polished on the Fringe this year, their charm is pretty irresistible. There's an enthusiasm on the stage that's infectious; they seem thrilled to be performing this material (as well they should), and more than once I was pleasantly reminded of the 2003 film 'Camp', in which young attendees to a musical theatre summer camp fawn over, and perform various songs by, Sondheim. Like the productions in that film, this one has a slightly rickety edge - there are a couple of uncertain performances, some stagey standing and a line flub here and there, but I can't say any of that especially bothered me.

And that's not to say there aren't high points performance-wise - Simon Dean as Joe Josephson is a standout, thanks to a very natural stage presence and line delivery, while the leading trio of Henry Adams, Rosie Archer and Andrew Horton (as Frank, Mary and Charley respectively) come into their own during the hugely enjoyable showcase numbers Old Friends and Opening Doors. In fact, during the latter there wasn't a huge amount to separate this three from the recent West End cast, which is about the highest praise I could give.

It's a long show - two hours straight through - but it never seems like one. The excellent (and wonderfully large) orchestra and this hugely likeable young cast performing a score this good all make for a very entertaining morning indeed.

And there's not a German classroom in sight.

'Merrily We Roll Along' runs daily at 10:00 until August 24.

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