An excellent holdover for those foaming at the mouth between series one and two!
With competition hot on the ice for Heated Rivalry parodies this year, following the Canadian TV show’s meteoric rise to fame, it is little wonder that hordes of fans flocked to witness a comedic rendition of their new favourite tear-jerking drama. Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody did not disappoint.
With no set and only a two-piece band, the production is small but mighty which feels fitting for a show whose source material is, itself, driven more by character and chemistry than spectacle. The entire eight-episode series is creatively condensed into one hour of music, partial nudity and a generous helping of social commentary. While the production undoubtedly relies on an existing knowledge of its source material, this is hardly a criticism: if you are not already a fan of Heated Rivalry, this probably is not the show for you.
At its heart, this production is a celebration of queer joy. There is even an entire song dedicated to the allies, ensuring that nobody is left feeling excluded from the festivities. The humour is unabashedly camp, affectionate and self-aware, clearly created by people who understand both the appeal and the absurdity of the original series (beautifully demonstrated by an entire song about Ilya and Shane’s private cottage made completely of glass).
The show adopts an episodic structure, moving rapidly through short bursts of content from each episode. Alongside the most recognisable moments are original songs and material that give greater attention to characters who can sometimes be overlooked in the television series offering its own playful interpretation of the Heated Rivalry universe.
Unfortunately, the transitions between scenes are where the production loses momentum. Significant periods of downtime punctuate the action, disrupting otherwise energetic pace and occasionally making the hour feel longer than it needs to. A tighter approach to scene changes would undoubtedly elevate the overall experience.
Nevertheless, there are some genuinely excellent acting moments throughout. The cast demonstrates impressive comic timing and commitment to the material with some seriously memorable language skills from the in-house Ilya. Paired with the new addition of the Intimacy Coordinator and the throwback hope the characters experienced in universe for what the world would look like in 2019, Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody is exactly what its audience wants it to be: silly, affectionate, unapologetically queer and packed with absurd musical chaos. Despite some pacing issues, it is a charming addition to the year’s festival line-up and a mostly flattering celebration of the series that has captured the imagination of the masses.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/heated-rivalry-the-musical-parody
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Other Yin at Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dates: Aug 5th -30th (exl. 17th, 24th)
Time: 19:45 (60 mins)
Ticket prices: £14.50 / concessions £13.50
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 16+