Review: Mercury in Retrograde, Fringe 2024

Bobby Allan’s “Mercury in Retrograde” is a sci-fi-themed rock or folk opera. I think it’s more folk opera than rock opera, but I’m not sure ‘folk opera’ is an actual sub-genre of music or whether I’ve just made it up.

If I’m not being clear, that’s because Bobby tells us that Mercury has entered Retrograde this month. I looked it up and know that this means astrologers believe we’ll have a challenge ahead of us in communication, travel, technology, and decision-making. Technical glitches are more likely. Since communication is a being hampered by gravity please blame any lack of clarity on that.

The main character in “Mercury in Retrograde” seems stuck on a space station or asteroid, so no wonder he’s worried about technical glitches. In fact, he’s dying, and he thinks it’s all connected.

Fortunately, his long-suffering ex is just a call away. Luck seems like a great woman, and I’d like to play her in Poker because you can read her face like a book. She still cares for Fool, who, by the way, is the name of our nervous hero.

If there were any technical glitches in the show tonight, I didn’t notice them, but Bobby Allan sings and talks without a microphone. I was right at the front and could hear it, but I worried about those at the back of this new Greenside on George Street venue. It’s only the talking to worry about; Bobby pelts out the singing loud and clear.

Tone

Astrology, of course, is nonsense. I suspect if you hate it being treated as anything other than hogwash, you probably won’t pick a show called Mercury in Retrograde. Maybe you should give this one a try. If you’re a believer, then still grab a ticket because perhaps this story will give you something to think about.

There are two characters, Fool and Luck, but Bobby performs alone. Luck only appears on a TV screen or projection.

I think that the dialogue is cleverly timed. As Fool, Bobby must finish his lines just before Luck starts responding. On one hand, it’s effective. On the other, I worried it would screw up!

The 50-minute show is full of songs. There’s enough dialogue for “Mercury in Retrograde” to be considered theatre, but it’s a musical presentation. I thought we where about two-thirds of the way through when it finished – and that’s always a good sign.

The songs range from positive to sombre but generally have energy and volume.

What to expect

Expect to see a figure in a cowl sitting in wait.

The very start of the show is the quietest, as Fool begins to talk. You can tell he’s got issues to think through. How? I mean, he smokes.

The singing starts quickly, and Bobby Allan reaches for the guitar without too much faff and dives straight in. The large projection screen (where we’ll shortly meet Luck) is used for lighting effects, and the box Fool was sitting on at the start of the row gets all sorts of rough treatment.

In fact, not only was I worried that the pre-recorded Luck would talk over Fool, but I was also worried Bobby would put his foot through his box. Gee? Why was I worrying about everything? Perhaps an astrologer can tell me.

Just as the singing starts quickly, it never really retreats too far. There are whole scenes of talking and plot, but they never last long enough to drag.

Overall

Thanks to “Mercury in Retrograde”, I’ve now heard a folk song about how a black hole could render you to an atomic level. Even as a regular at the Fringe, I suspect it’ll be a while before I hear something like that again.

I’m sorry to say that “Mercury in Retrograde” does not compare to sci-fi operas like “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust,” “Flash Gordon” by Queen, or anything by Devin Townsend. Those are high bars, depending on your view of Townsend. However, it’s the best folk sci-fi album I know!

I’m glad I stopped by for “Mercury in Retrograde”. Bobby Allan has a powerful voice, the songs are highly original, and the story is unique.