“An Hour Full of Songs, Sand and a Wonderful Performance”
Dan Collins returns with his one man musical version of Dune. It is an hour of many characters, several songs and an electric performance. Collins has crafted something truly brilliant here.
Mainly embodying the troubadour-warrior Gurney Halleck, Collins takes us through the entire novel at breakneck speed. It is a book that couldn’t fit into one movie, so how he manages to fit it all into an hour is a credit to his writing. There isn’t a missing beat in this script. It is meticulous in its planning and execution. What Collins manages to achieve is commendable, and an absolutely thrilling watch. It never feels rushed and plays out to perfection, taking us from start to finish effortlessly.
The music is genius. The composition of each song is unique while very much following the rhythm of more classical musical songs. Collins plays his guitar perfectly and sings beautifully. Whether he sings as Gurney, Paul Atraedes or any of the other characters, it is never dull. The song writing is incredible, culminating in a particular Harkonnen number that lives long in the memory. He has nailed every note and every word perfectly, blending the music into the story with excellence. He is able to sing at breakneck speed in one minute and soulfully in the next. It is impressive, and the songs never feel forced, flowing into the story perfectly.
The writing and production of this piece are superb. The lighting and tech add dimensions and fill the stage, complimenting each song and stage of the musical. This is aided further by a powerhouse performance from Collins. He is intense, funny and charming throughout. You cannot take your eyes off of him. He embodies each character amazingly well, building their voices and physicality to set each of them apart. Everything in this production works seamlessly to create something that is absolutely worth the watch.
Musical parodies can often be a hit or miss, and this one very much hits. While watching this show, I was entirely transported. I genuinely forgot I was in the Edinburgh Fringe. An absolute wonder to watch, deserving of all the credit it gets.
This show runs at 13:25 until 30th August. Tickets are available here.