EDINBURGH 2014 - BWW Reviews: FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS, C South, August 1 2014

For anyone who isn't aware what is classed a "first world problem" the introduction informs us that it is a common annoyance that isn't overly important in the grand scheme of things. One example given is wanting to change the television channel - but the remote control is too far away.

The cast are impossibly earnest and enthusiastic but at several points it felt like there was too much happening onstage at once to follow.

While the performance is not a musical, there are a few songs included. Two are pleasant but forgettable and the best of the bunch is called "so middle class it hurts" which prompted a lot of laughs.

Cast member Linford was the highlight of this piece for me. While the narrative is fairly solid, it is his deadpan interjections of issues that would be deemed first world problems that really worked best. The audience are also invited to write their own first world problems on a piece of paper to be read out onstage - which is just the level of audience participation that I am comfortable with.

First World Problems was an enjoyable hour which I found it to be at its best when it didn't take itself too seriously.

First World Problems runs at C South until August 25th.

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