Paul T Davies reviews Making A Murderer The Musical now playing at Underbelly as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.

Photo: Michaela Bodlovic Making a Murderer The Musical.

Underbelly - Edinburgh Fringe

3 Stars

Book Tickets

Before Tiger King during the first lockdown, Making A Murderer was THE Netflix documentary. A miscarriage of justice against Stephen Avery who served 17 years in jail before being proved innocent, only to be accessed of another murder and, along with his nephew Brandon, incarcerated. The facts seem to show that the police rigged the evidence to prevent Avery from suing them, and their innocence is still being debated as the wheels of justice grind incredibly slowly. This new musical, created by Phil Healey, reminds us of the case.

This is a nicely ambitious project that has some good sequences. However, perhaps because of the restrictions of an hour-long running time, the events move swiftly and the show relies heavily on subtitles and exposition to get through the story. We never go into depth character-wise. The lyrics are also occasionally corny, and there is a lack of rage and anger, the show could really do with raising the angst level.

That said, there are some fine songs and it's a good ensemble. Matt Bond is particularly good as Avery, and Healey himself has a good "Razzle Dazzle Them" number as lawyer Ken Kratz. The final number, when images of people, mainly African American men, who served time while innocent of their crimes, demonstrates that the show has its heart in the right place, and there is a great sincerity about the piece.

Aug 14, 16-29

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