This is a new musical based on the plague years in London in the 17th century. The creators are a banker and a teacher who have spent the last six years making this. The story begins with Clive Hucklefish and his arrival in the big city of London. He finds himself apprenticed to an undertaker and falls in love with Isabella, the daughter of the local alchemist (who is the undertakers bitter rival).
The alchemist decides to destroy the undertakers business by adding Elixir Of Life to the city’s water supply but a substitution is made by some dirty mafia rats, who have made a deal with Clive to make him a rich man. The substitute elixir causes the plague and the only cure looks to be for Clive to locate Isabella’s ex-boyfriend who may be able to take out the cause of the disease with his powerful flute (it’s the Pied Piper). Can Clive save London and keep Isabella? Will those dirty rats beat the piper or will Death have to work overtime?
The songs are entertaining and for the most part well sung and audible. There were a couple of characters that had difficulty with the high notes and one deliberate (I hope) badly singing character. The dance numbers were often hilariously funny and the acting was of a very high standard. There is a projector at the rear of the stage, which is used to show street scenes and provide a backdrop for interior scenes and some well used props. The jokes come thick and fast and there are a lot of very painful puns throughout the show.
This is a family-friendly show with some vague historical accuracy (well, there was a plague and people lived in London at the time – so much for the history lesson). Lots of catchy songs (sorry) and plenty of jokes make this a fun look at a dread disease and the effects it had on old London town.
Visit the Fringe Website for booking details.