London Fringe 2005: P&J

The highlight of this mock musical is, of course, the music. Since I saw Pish Posh extracted at last Friday’s showcase it’s been a real earworm, popping into my head at the most random times (like during a blackout in Yes, We Have No Bananas tonight). It’s the strangest thing to see Jeff Culbert blond and pyjamaed and singing and dancing around the stage, but you know, it works. Amber Cunningham is just cartoony enough as the very blond, almost-squeaky Cindy, and breaks your heart with her expressive, crystal voice. Playwright/songsmith/star Joshua Richardson plays the angry young man in short pants right to the edge. Tyson Bree’s a handsome yet geeky sidekick with the voice of a villain, and Kara Evelyn is entertaining tellin’ things like they are when her friends get caught up in their P&J predicament.

The nuances of the plot haven’t really stuck with me, and the recorded music was a little overpowering at points, but both are minor quibbles in an otherwise nicely done parody.

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