Fizzy and frenetic fun from musical comedy powerhouse
We’re watching ITV. It’s a Saturday night. It’s 8.30pm – it’s primetime!
Really, it’s 3.40pm; we’re in a shipping container outside the Mosque Kitchen; it’s a Friday afternoon and we’re watching the fabulous Sir Elton Scone (Katie Pritchard) record his baking musical comedy gameshow. This is more prime than prime time!
It’s worth mentioning that Sir Scone bears a close resemblance to another musical artist – far inferior in both stage name and celebrity, ‘Elton John’ has never even had a gameshow (or a jukebox musical). Regardless, Scone is a bitter character: he’s distraught that no one has ever made a musical with HIS songs – worldwide smashes such as ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Tart’ and ‘It’s a Circular Pie’.
But his vitriol is particularly reserved for a certain Andrew Lloyd Webber: the sinister score from Phantom of the Opera plays at every mention of his name as the audience are invited (heavily encouraged) to shout “WANKER!”. As an individual, he really does lend himself to villainhood.
Katie Pritchard is Sir Elton Scone is a whirlwind of a show, where you simply must give yourself over to the silliness of it all: it’s a baking musical gameshow involving many, many balls and a song about spherical dogs. Get with the programme, or get nul points! But underneath the surface level silliness is real, intense talent: Katie Pritchard is an incredible performer with a genuinely transcendental singing voice. She has that odd struggle of being sort-of-too-good-a-singer: there’s points where you feel she has to reign herself in, lest the full extent of her musical talent ruin the carefully constructed strangeness of Elton Scone.
Pritchard is also an exceptional comic: there’s plentiful audience participation throughout, and she really does the best she can with the slightly shy first show audience (sorry, Katie). She channels the chaotic spirit of Vic and Bob’s Shooting Stars: a kind of expertly controlled weirdness that manages to still somewhat resemble a real gameshow. There’s even ad breaks – this is ITV, after all.
Overall, Katie Pritchard is Sir Elton Scone is a wonderful hour of sweaty, silly, and seriously good comedy. He’ll get his sweet, sweet revenge (jukebox musical) one day.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/katie-pritchard-is-sir-elton-scone
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Nic 5 at Hoots @ Nicolson Square
Dates: Aug 7th -30th (excl. 18th)
Time: 15:40 (60 mins)
Ticket prices: Pay What You Can
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / http://www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 14+