A lot of promise but simply fails to deliver its own happily ever after.
On paper, BLISS has all the ingredients of a West End hit. Produced by the powerhouse team behind Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller, and boasting a cast stacked with West End performers, expectations were naturally high. On the outside, it looks exceptionally promising.
Once the curtain rises, there is no denying the talent on display. The ensemble of singers and dancers is top-tier, delivering electric vocals and tight choreography with infectious energy. Visually, the production is a absolute feast. The lighting design by Jai Morjaria and costume design by Tony Award winner Paloma Young are the undisputed standouts of the show – vibrant, imaginative, and crafted with meticulous detail that elevates every single scene.
Unfortunately, where BLISS stumbles is in its execution. The storyline is overly predictable and lacks genuine emotional depth. Advertised as a sharp, fairytale-subverting musical about escaping the castle walls, it quickly retreads familiar ground without giving its characters or plot room to grow. The score itself feels surprisingly generic; despite the cast’s powerhouse vocals, none of the songs are particularly memorable once you step out of the auditorium.
The show’s biggest issue, however, is a fundamental identity crisis. BLISS can’t quite decide whether it wants to be a lighthearted kids’ pantomime or a family-friendly musical. The tone jarringly shifts between broad, slapstick humor meant for younger audiences and unexpectedly crass dialogue – including jokes about “boobs” and “making out by the river.” It leaves the audience unsure of who the target demographic is supposed to be.
BLISS certainly had a lot of promise, but despite a dazzling visual design and a hard-working cast, the production simply fails to deliver its own happily ever after.
Show listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bliss
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard (The Grand), Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
Dates: August 5 – August 31, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM (80 minutes, no interval)
Tickets & Booking: You can book tickets directly at the official website: Bliss the Musical Official Site.