If musical revue and sketch comedy is your sort of thing, this is the one to see; the execution is flawless

Fresh of a revival at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year, Alexander S. Bermange’s I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical is back in London and it is FAB-U-LOUS. The concept is four cast members, plus Bermange on piano, performing a series of musical sketches that dive into everything related to musicals. They tell stories of up-and-coming young talent, poke fun at the know-it-all actor, mock the musicals themselves and, at one point, turn the spotlight on the audience to point out performers’ pet peeves about them. The lyrics are brilliantly witty with clever twists, capturing the hardships of the industry, but keeping things light and humorous. It is truly impressive the extent to which the musical language of the songs genuinely reflects Musical Theatre tunes.

As individuals, the performers are able to hold the spotlight, and then transition to play  supporting roles for their fellow cast members. Julie Yammanee is a standout for me; her solo about the thoughts that go through your head whilst singing a solo, is performed with perfect comic timing. Rhidian Marc has a really strong voice and I would have liked to have heard more solo singing from him. Sev Keoshgerian and Jennifer Caldwell both shine as the self-indulgent actor and the diva characters. From the piano, Alexander Bermange keeps the pace moving along, and occasionally chips in with some well-timed gags from the sideline.

Mathew Parker seamlessly infuses the direction with choreography that focusses on the storytelling. Like the material itself, the choreography is often satirical, but it is performed with precision. The setting of it at Wilton’s Music Hall is genius. Parker takes advantage of the space, using the lighting and set pieces to lean into that old-style, music hall aesthetic. There are clever nods through the use of costumes to musicals such as A Chorus Line. I would have been interested to have seen the piece in its different forms and earlier iterations, at fringe etc. Clearly the material holds up well and has done for the last few years, but in this setting and Parker’s direction, the whole show is elevated. It is the perfect blend of satire and silliness, with a completely professional polish.

Is it possible that the reason so many of us are raving about this show is because, as devotees of musical theatre, we are their target audience? Earlier this summer I saw Jack Thorne’s The Motive and the Cue and it occurred to me that a play which focuses and comments on the process of creating a play may only be of interest to the converted. In this case, is a musical that comments on musicals only of relevance to afficionados of musical theatre? This is true to a degree, but at the same time, this production has no pretentions to be anything else. It is marketed as a comedy (tick), nay as a black comedy that cuts to the truth of the industry (tick), with songs and dances, clever lyrics and a whole host of insider jokes (tick, tick, tick). If you don’t like musical revue and sketch comedy, this may not be for you, but if that’s your sort of thing, this is the one to see and I would urge you to see it; the execution is flawless and you will have great fun.

And, even if you aren’t sure whether it’s “your thing”, who knows? The long list of musical theatre references make for a great introduction to the weird and wonderful world of musical theatre. At one point or another, who of us hasn’t wished our life were like a musical?

I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical is running at Wilton’s Music Hall until 9 September.