Fringe ReviewEdinburgh 2008Cannibal! The MusicalGenre:
Venue: The George Square Theatre, EdinburghLow Down
Adapted from the creator of South Park and Team America, Trey Parker’s 1996 student cult film of the same name, Cannibal! The Musical makes its UK Premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe telling an embellished version of the real life tale of Alferd ‘Alfred Packer’, the only American ever to be convicted of cannibalism. Packer is enlisted to guide a group of diggers over the mountains of Colorado after their original guide dies unexpectedly. Packer is put before judge and jury after he returns alone and his party are all found dead and half eaten in the mountains. He recounts his tale proving his innocence to journalist Polly Pry while in custody. So begins the wild journey with encounters with trappers, Indians and a score with witty, clever lyrics.
Review
Adapted from the creator of South Park and Team America, Trey Parker’s 1996 student cult film of the same name, Cannibal! The Musical makes its UK Premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe telling an embellished version of the real life tale of Alferd ‘Alfred Packer’, the only American ever to be convicted of cannibalism. Packer is enlisted to guide a group of diggers over the mountains of Colorado after their original guide dies unexpectedly. Packer is put before judge and jury after he returns alone and his party are all found dead and half eaten in the mountains. He recounts his tale proving his innocence to journalist Polly Pry while in custody. So begins the wild journey with encounters with trappers, Indians and a score with witty, clever lyrics.
Cannibal! The Musical previewed in London at the Camden Fringe Festival in the small, intimate Etcetera theatre and in that venue it worked supremely well. Unfortunately when transferring to Edinburgh the deliberate choice of a large musical theatre venue has compromised the quality and strength of the production. Having seen both versions it is clear that this particular show works in an intimate venue where rough edges and South Parkesque style gel, however if transferred to a larger venue the quality of the set, costumes and staging must come into line with this decision. The haphazardness and coarse style that were so charming in Camden are not as delightful in the full version of the production. The audience is seated so far from the stage the jokes in many places fall flat and the venue that seats 450 feels empty and gaping with an audience of 30. Even with a larger audience, the venue is way too large for a production like Cannibal. Not many of the songs are belters and so need the closeness of an intimate space to have any real effect. The sets and costumes are rough and ready, like the story, and yet somehow felt unfinished and undercooked. Packer’s horse Lianne is played by the sultry Natalie Marie Higgins where in the concert version she was imaginary. This does help contextualise the songs somewhat especially Packer’s hilarious ‘When I was on Top of You’. However it was this song in particular that seemed to lack punch when played so far from the audience.
It is disappointing, because the cast are an exceptionally talented bunch. James Topping (Blood Brothers, 39 Steps) is brilliant as the hapless Packer. He has a beautiful singing voice and a knack for physical comedy and conveying humour through song. BBC Voice of Musical Theatre winner Aimie Atkinson is strong as Polly Pry, and sings her beautiful solo ‘This Side of Me’ with great passion, except unfortunately perhaps again because of the venue her voice gets lost in the space and the ends of her lines are cut off and fade out. This is disappointing as she held the audience spellbound at the Etcetera. The lack of consistency with this musical is what lets it down. The production has a strong ensemble cast, but the 100% performance level seen at Camden was missing here. The extra scenes and characters that were cut for the concert version do not actually add much to the story and the show felt like it was going through the motions somewhat.
The strong narrative and witty songs, some of which subtly parody traditional musicals and comment on popular culture carry this musical forward ensuring that the audience remains engaged throughout the production. Because of this and coupled with the excellent musical theatre cast it already has, Cannibal! The Musical has great potential for a future life outside Edinburgh in a smaller venue with a more polished and consistent production.
Reviewed by Skye Crawford August 19th 2008 Website :
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