Gather around the bonfire, girlies. You think you know the story of the Gunpowder Plot? You don't! Get ready for an incredibly misinformed, inaccurate retelling of one of Britain's most infamous tales of treason. Expect hilarious songs, forbidden love and explosive action in this ridiculously camp new musical by WIT? – four razor-sharp actor-writers from Fringe-favourite comedy show, NewsRevue. 'If Operation Mincemeat and SIX had a child' ***** (FairyPoweredProductions.com). 

With lots of new musicals taking inspiration from historical events, I have to ask myself ‘what makes this one special’? Unfortunately I don’t have much of an answer. 

An undoubtedly talented cast take to the stage with a well written, snappy, and humorous book to retell a story we already know. Now there is a small twist, in that significant artistic licence and imagination have been employed throughout the story, turning characters queer and camp where we cannot say if this may be true. This is done well, and comically, however the question of ‘why does someone need to watch this show’ remains. It’s very well to say that not all musicals need a message or can just be there for fun, but with such an overpopulated (and underfunded) landscape within the arts currently, it just doesn’t feel necessary to find space for this one.

The songs, while often hilarious, all sounded familiar and made many (sometimes subtle) references to existing numbers from both the pop and musical theatre worlds. With the score played live by an MD on stage, this was one of the tightest ensemble vocals the Pleasance Dome may have on offer.  

You can book tickets to Remember, Remember! here.

Review by Katie