The Astonishing Singing Fish! Review

Jack Studio Theatre – until 4 May 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

When your best friend’s dream is to sing in Les Misérables in the West End, you’d do all you can to help them succeed. For Peter Tourette, things get a little complicated as his best friend is Alex, a goldfish.

Peter and Alex share the story of their brush with fame in Tice Oakfield’s bonkers comedy. Scientist Peter’s failed experiments resulted in the creation of Alex – a talking goldfish with the brain of a genius who develops a love for musical theatre, and a magnificent baritone voice, although his short-term memory isn’t improved. As Peter helps Alex find an agent, the pair’s relationship has its ups and downs with betrayal and redemption crammed in for the ultimate cheesy and hilarious dramatic arc. The pair don’t have the rights to the songs Alex used, so new, funnier versions are performed brilliantly instead.

Tice Oakfield plays Alex, in a costume that is genius in its simplicity. If there was a Bafta for fin acting, Oakfield deserves it – he keeps the audience in fits of giggles with his expressive fin work and has a voice to die for. Leo Elso also impresses as Peter with some delightfully awkward dancing around Alex’s aquarium – the chemistry between man and fish is fantastic.

This is theatre at its silliest, The Astonishing Singing Fish! is uplifting nonsense of the highest quality, an energetic and uplifting festival of the ridiculous that will leave only the coldest of fish with a straight face.