A period celtic-style musical captivates in its first show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe – guest reviewer Alex Jones went along to see what it’s all about.
Story & concept
Edinburgh Days transports audiences to 1800s Edinburgh, weaving a tale of love and struggle. What stands out is the emotional sincerity of the narrative; it’s heartfelt, clearly crafted with care and intent. The show jumps forward in time as the story progresses, a device that adds dramatic range but occasionally leads to confusion.
In some scenes, the character ages and transitions didn’t quite line up smoothly with earlier moments, which might leave the audience momentarily disoriented.
The musical also leans heavily into song as its storytelling tool, there’s little spoken dialogue, with the majority of the plot and character development unfolding through music.
This creates a show with a distinct tone and pace, giving the musical a unique rhythm. It may not appeal to all tastes, but it certainly adds to the Celtic feel the creators seem to be aiming for.
Music & performance
The vocal performances are the true highlight here, the cast possess amazing voices and strong acting abilities. When the technical issues were resolved, the actors fully inhabited their roles, delivering emotional depth that resonated deeply with the audience.
The use of almost entirely sung dialogue means the performers had to carry the entire narrative through their voices, and they did so with impressive skill, creating a thoughtful and moving connection.
Technical & visuals
The show was hampered early on by technical difficulties, disrupting the initial setup and causing some loss of momentum.
Despite this, the direction managed to regain control and keep the show flowing. The minimalist set design was effective, providing just enough to evoke 19th-century Edinburgh without distracting from the performances.
The beautiful setting of St Bride’s Centre helped maintain a close connection between audience and actors.
Final thoughts
Overall, Edinburgh Days is a heartfelt and resonant musical that delivers meaningful moments throughout. I would definitely recommend it, this was a preview performance, and once the technical issues are resolved, it promises to be a compelling show well worth seeing.
The cast’s powerful voices and emotional portrayals ultimately made this a rewarding experience.
Edinburgh Days
Summary
Powerful vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and a rich Celtic style make Edinburgh Days a moving new musical to watch!
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Was in seeing Frankie Mack on Saturday he’s was very entertaining
He interacts well with the audience
If he’s seen people at his shows before he always asks after them.
I’ve seen him a good few times now he really puts a great show on