It’s always a joy to see the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s in their annual visit to the Edinburgh Fringe in what is their 19th year, quite an achievement in itself.
This year, they bring two stunning musicals, the first of which is the new Fountain of You by Tasha Gordon-Solomon and Faye Chiao. It’s particularly exciting since it continues the transatlantic link between RCS masters graduates and the American Music Theatre Project, who collaborated on a three-week development of the piece earlier this year.
The result is quite sensational. It focusses on some of today’s issues: some women’s obsession with staying young and the focus on controversial beauty treatments and the power that men have in the world today. A heady load for a musical. But in the very capable hands of this highly talented young company, this dark comedy is performed with such panache, energy and commitment that the show simply zings.
It is played out on Claire Halleran’s inspired set design of screens with silhouettes of trees and aged foliage—quite a metaphor.
So what are the steps for keeping young? The Esthettes (Selina Savijoki, Jadon Simone-Trelure, Kaiyi Xu and Bernice Jiaxin Zheng) are keen to tell us.
35-year-old Kristen, an outstanding charismatic performance by Matrya Wróbel, works in the media but is fired, apparently, she now looks too old. She is having a breakdown and seeks treatment at the Fountain of You Spa run by Angelica, the enthusiastic evangelistic Lucy McClure, who has formulated a new yet unconventional treatment to fight ageing.
Kristen agrees to have the procedure, and indeed it works up to a point. She sees a gap in the market and goes on to develop a face cream that is going to go global; however, there are some issues. It needs human blood to work. No spoilers.
David Joseph Healy multi-roles from a shy ‘want to be’ lover of Kristen to a power magnate and a sexist horror, all beautifully crafted.
This production fizzes with incredible singing, slick choreography from Jane McMurtrie and fast-paced direction from Tania Azevedo with a musical score that’s pulsating and vibrant under the direction on this day by Miguel Esteban.
This is a must-see show that thoroughly deserved its spontaneous standing ovation. I urge you to go—you will not be disappointed.