Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – until Saturday 5th September 2026
Reviewed by Rachel Clark
5*****
Exhilarating! I didn’t know what to expect for this, looked at a trailer or two but hadn’t worked out exactly how it worked and the story etc, they really under sell themselves!
This is a breath of fresh air, totally different, it isn’t a musical or a play it is pure fun and if you had a bad day in the office, you would soon forget it and start clapping, feet tapping it is a pure delight! Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay. This was first performed at Edinburgh Fringe in 2017.
This is set in a pub – The Jungle Arms, when you first arrive at the theatre there are chosen audience members on stage drinking beer and you think – has it started? What is happening? The audience clear the stage and then we are introduced to the cast members – there was 9 on the stage and all brought something to the stage. Their voices were incredible and diverse, and complete range of songs and the musical instruments, and not forgetting the amazing tap dancing by Jack Skelton and amazing is an understatement.
Oluwalonimi Owoyemi was the storyteller/poet and his Luther Vandross number brought me to tears it was so emotional and not expected after the live jolly music, it was like being in an Irish bar at the weekend so vibrant and there was humour.
Gustav Melbardis was good at encouraging the audience participation over emphasising the clapping etc I found I was watching him as I loved his enthusiasm.
Beast – Rob Godfrey played the guitar superbly and sung as good, another singer with a most amazing voice was the Barman – Joshua Lloyd.
Everyone was awesome and they gave out beer and crisps.
This is different not the average show and you wouldn’t expect average from Aylesbury Waterside as they always have top performances. This is a must if you fancy the not normal musical/show – it is a feel good performance, I was buzzing after the show and still am the following day, so glad I got to see it and I would see it again.