My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

EDINBURGH 2018: Review: SOUTH BEND, Gilded Balloon

By:

EDINBURGH 2018: Review: SOUTH BEND, Gilded Balloon Image

EDINBURGH 2018: Review: SOUTH BEND, Gilded Balloon Image

South Bend is the true story of Martin McCormick's love affair with, and in, America. For as long as he can remember he has been obsessed with American pop culture and tv shows. He dreamed of going there one day and that became a reality when he spent a semester in California.

McCormick fell in love with a woman (whose name is never mentioned) and they decided to embark on a long distance relationship. Shortly after returning home, he gets a call to say that something has happened and he needs to go out and visit her in South Bend, Indiana.

What happens next is quite something. McCormick's tale is unique, surreal and at times horrifying. The script is brilliant and contains some excellent Scottish references. Everyone knows that in Scotland there is no bigger insult than being called a "VL" at eleven.

There are many nice nods to the era that the story takes places in with old dial-up tones and graphics from Nokia phones from the early 2000's.

Martin McCormick plays himself and is a wonderful storyteller. Jess Chanliau plays a multitude of characters, from the unnamed girlfriend to her mother Charlotte and various undesirables that Martin encounters on his travels.

South Bend is a wonderfully bizarre story that has been brilliantly executed onstage. The descriptions of characters and events paint a vivid picture and make for a superb hour of theatre.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/south-bend

Reader Reviews

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Book of a Musical - Top 3
1. David Hornsby, Chris Hoch, David Hornsby, Chris Hoch - The Lost Boys
33.2% of votes
2. Jim Barne, Kit Buchan - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
25.7% of votes
3. Cinco Paul - Schmigadoon!
22.6% of votes

Need more Scotland Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Sanctuary in Scotland Sanctuary
Pleasance Dome (Ace Dome) (8/05-8/31)
Mythos: Ragnarök in Scotland Mythos: Ragnarök
Assembly Rooms (Music Hall) (8/06-8/29)
Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years in Scotland Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years
The Stand 1 (9/23-9/23)
Sitting (In Silence) in Scotland Sitting (In Silence)
Summerhall (Anatomy Lecture Theatre) (8/06-8/31)
Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me! in Scotland Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me!
EICC (5/30-5/30)
Baby Wants Candy  in Scotland Baby Wants Candy
Assembly George Square Studios - One (8/05-8/30)
Jitters in Scotland Jitters
Summerhall (Old Lab) (8/06-8/30)
Trainspotting The Musical in Scotland Trainspotting The Musical
Alhambra Theatre (3/01-3/06)
100 Years of Magic in Scotland 100 Years of Magic
Aberdeen Arts Centre (9/04-9/05)
Couplet: Folk Marry Kill in Scotland Couplet: Folk Marry Kill
Assembly George Square Studios - Studio 5 (8/05-8/30)