Review of Plague, Poo and Punishment, Fringe 2024

Self-confessed nerd Nic, a lover of all things gross and gruesome (AKA a bioscientist) was as keen to see this show as our history-buff Junior Reviewer Iona (9).

The venue wasn’t the easiest to find, nestled down an old close – the sign appeared to simply signpost a bar – so make sure you look well above eye-level for the appropriate signage! (To be fair to the venue, I’m visually-impaired so most will likely find it easier than I did!)

Once into the courtyard however, venue staff were fantastic, and upon seeing I am visibly disabled, they immediately offered seats for myself and Iona to wait, saying they’d let us know when doors opened.

True to their word they did, letting myself and Iona in first, to choose seats that worked best for us. (This feels worthy of mention given some of the accessibility nightmares I have faced during the Fringe at other venues!)

The vibe

The show’s description states, “a crime has been committed and we need you to decide if the culprit is guilty or very guilty!” We enter to find the Judge asleep in his chair in the centre of the stage, wearing splendid velvet robes.

The mood of the audience is subdued initially – aimed at age 8+ it is obviously many of the audience’s first Fringe experience and although excited they appear quiet, not quite sure what to make of an asleep Judge already present! 

The show itself

Judge soon wakes up and his cleaner comes in – who then becomes his court clerk!  Many obviously recognise these two performers from CBBC’s Mash Up show and are keen to see them live.

They quickly become more animated as the Judge involves them in the show, asking who has had beer for breakfast, as the water is too unsafe to drink! 

We soon begin to learn of Plague, Poo and Punishment via tales of Edinburgh’s grim and gruesome past. We hear how in the past, the citizens of Edinburgh got their news via songs and poems as many couldn’t read. 

Our two performers soon break into song, ensuring the audience can (and do) join in with both the lyrics and actions – which was great fun for kids and big kids (ahem, “adults”) alike. Law and Order was a particular favourite, with the Judge playing a lute as we all sang along.

Poor old Judge is easily confused by “modern” inventions such as ballpoint pens and cars, and needs his clerk to explain them to him, in between us learning about the plague, Burke and Hare, and the Great Fire of 1824. 

“Rap” is clearly a new one for the judge, but he quickly gets into it and we hear all about Deacon Brodie via rap. 

We hear more about poo when told about Abraham Sever keeping an elephant above a baker’s shop, and these facts, alongside jokes and some puns so-bad-they’re-good.

Overall

The 50-minute show kept the audience captivated, with them leaving far more animated than when they stepped into the room with the sleeping Judge. 

Our Junior Reviewer’s thoughts on her first Fringe Show? “That was EPIC! My favourite part was joining in with the songs and actions”. 

What would she give it out of five? “Definitely a five! But only because I can’t give it more than that!”

Written by Nicola Richardson