A Fun Show for the Whole Family
As soon as the band makes their way onto the stage, we jump straight into a funky beat that doesn’t let up until the final song. This is a story about bugs coming together and creating music, and you cannot help but love the music.
The band is fronted by Cricket Hayfield, played well by Milo Morris, who drives the show and commands the room. He exudes a front man energy. Alongside him are his four band mates, the background dwelling Stick Insect (Johan Ribbing), the beat-loving Ant (Louise Perico), wannabe fifth Beatle, Beetle (Pascal Perico) and the over-the-top Bee (Ian Chavez Zarate). Each player works in perfect harmony with the others and they all get the time to have their shining moment. The four freebugs also play a host of other characters to perfection throughout.
The story follows Cricket trying to make it as a musician. He forms a band with these disparate bugs which then faces trials and tribulations to get to The Big Bug Show. The story is simple, but never fails to engage the audience. It is self aware at parts and the asides to the audience add an extra layer of laughs.
The writing is great, with time for comedy, heart and puns aplenty. The consistent use of phrases like “Come on Everybuggy”, along with a litany of other bug based puns were joyous to watch. The inclusion of a lot, and I mean a lot, of Beatles jokes is perfectly worked. It really doesn’t matter how old you are, this show is entertaining and devilishly funny.
The music is wonderfully crafted, and each musician shows that they are very capable at whatever instrument they get their hands on. It is impressive to see them all switching between different instruments without missing a beat. The songs themselves are well made, with enough intricacies to make them impressive to watch, and really catchy.
The show is great, and despite some of the later songs not having the same bombastic energy as the opening ones, the audience is still entertained until the end. Although it is a show that is advertised for children, any adults joining will enjoy themselves. It is a very good family show in that regard, bringing fun to the table for everyone in the crowd.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/cricket-the-freebugs
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Front Room at Assembly @ St Andrew Square
Dates: 6th – 30th August (Not 17th, 21st)
Time: 11.10
Ticket prices: £14.00/ concessions £13.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for all ages