REVIEW: A Gallant Life, theSpace on North Bridge, Edinburgh Fringe ✭✭

Mark Ludmon reviews A Gallant Life at theSpace on North Bridge presented as part of the Edinburgh Fringe

A Gallant Life theSpace on North Bridge, Edinburgh Fringe

Two stars

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Muriel Thompson may not be a household name but she was a remarkable woman. Born in 1875, she was a champion racing driver, winning the first-ever race for women at the Brooklands track, and was also active in the campaign for votes for women. She is probably best known for being decorated for her brave service driving ambulances in France and Belgium for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry corps, or FANY, during the First World War.

The idea of a musical based on her life sounded an interesting concept (which prompted us to include it in our preview of new musical theatre at the Fringe) but, much as I was impressed by the cast’s commitment and storytelling, the result is sadly uneven and lacks finesse. Original songs such as the Suffragettes’ “Smashing the Patriarchy” and the cheeky “There Is Nothing Like an Australian” have a modernity that feels out of step with the early 20th-century setting and characters, especially when placed alongside tunes that are more in keeping with the period. With music played on piano and guitar, the adaptation of the 1914 recruitment song “We Don’t Want To Lose You” and the darkly satirical WWI-style “Going Back To Blighty” resonate much more strongly within the context of the show. I would also like to see more of Muriel who feels strangely absent while the historical context is being established in earlier parts of the show.

With their clipped tones and period costumes, the four-strong cast features some delightful performances including Hannah Forsyth as Muriel and Jessy Roberts as Enid. While the show’s overall effect is variable, it is still great to see writer and director Kate Stephenson cast a spotlight on this notable but little-known life, and I look forward to Not Cricket Productions developing the show to explore her life in more depth.

Running to 18 August 2018

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