Reviewed by: The List
Review by Jo Laidlaw | 20 February 2024
Alice Tovey’s world is full of horror (the good kind, which is to say, the movie kind) and this cabaret-comedy world invites us to explore her obsessions in a spooktacular solo show. Full of one-liners, this is high camp, high concept entertainment. Some of it works beautifully, like the circular projector screen that sits behind her head, casting shadows, showing clips and animation, and reminding us just how bad Courtney Cox’s fringe was in Scream. Some of it is less successful, particularly the show’s hook, which places us in a world of ultimately doomed dinner theatre that both confuses and obscures Tovey’s performance. It’s particularly frustrating because Tovey is one of those performers who could recite the telephone directory (that’s a dull old book that used to list landline numbers, fact fiends) and still hold an audience’s attention. Because what a powerhouse she is. Confident, unapologetic, with a voice that sprinkles glitter and firewater and enough charisma to light up the whole Fringe; in other words, one to watch. Her original songs punctuate the show; ‘Super Gay Power Slut’ and ‘Teenaged Vampire Boyfriend’ are particular highlights, though ‘I’m Afraid Of Men’ (‘it’s only funny 'cause it’s true’) also deserves an honourable mention. Billed as one for the girls, the gays and the theys, this show is an ode to queer joy, but it’s for anyone who ever felt like an outsider, ever loved Glee or ever felt so anxious it seemed like the only sensible reaction was to write a song about it.