EDINBURGH 2014 - BWW Reviews: RACHEL PARRIS: LIVE IN VEGAS, Pleasance Courtyard, August 16 2014
Rachel Parris had me on the board from the very beginning of the performance. Opening with a Cher song and a disco ball, I had a sneaking suspicion that this was going to be my kind of show.
I didn't know much about the show beforehand and I think a few audience members were expecting stand-up comedy which isn't quite what this is. A mix of character sketch and musical comedy would be more accurate.
The first performer is Rachel Parris who tells us that due to losing all her money in a Vegas casino she has been forced to stay there and work until her hotel bill is paid off. Her songs are witty and what really sets this aside from musical comedy that I've seen before is that she has an incredible voice.
Inbetween sketches there is a Vegas style announcer and Americanised advertising (all satirical). The weakest character for me was the lead singer of an indie band but she bounced back with country star Gracie Lou who is described as "the bastard love child of Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash".
There was a huge musical theatre vibe and the final character (a Vegas diva) really took that to the next level which I loved. The songwriting is very clever, polished and absolutely hilarious at points. I enjoyed the music so much that I was genuinely thrilled to notice on the flyer that the songs featured are available for purchase.
Rachel Parris: Live In Vegas runs at the Pleasance Courtyard until August 25th.
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