Photo © David Lindsay
So, was Humpty Dumpty pushed or did he fall? That is the dilemma played out as a zany courtroom drama by the four-strong female cast as they try to reach a verdict in the uncrackable case.
This production from Front Room Productions and Lawrence Batley Theatre is cleverly arranged with a sharp script and a mixed bag of specifically-written songs. The performers were vocally strong and harmonised well and seamlessly interacted to cover a plethora of different nursery rhyme characters in a range of accents.
Jill is the main suspect having been unfairly rumoured on social media to have pushed her brother Jack down the hill. Jill feels that, as a woman, she will never have to chance to rise beyond the role of fetching a pail of water. But is there something more mysterious at play?
The premise, although deliberately ridiculous, delivers a lot of laughs, especially the Hare and the Tortoise scene, while managing to balance a running thread of social comment.
The audience, mainly adult, warmed to the performers as the show developed and, although the first few songs drew only a half-hearted response, by the end of the show the applause was deservedly rapturous.
An unfortunate technical glitch delayed the start of the performance by 35 mins leave a queue of people standing outside for this considerable time. Several parties decided they had to leave before entry but those who endured the wait were treated to a highly entertaining show.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Performances until 25 August 2025 (not 11), 13:30pm
Running Time 70 minutes
Location Pleasance Courtyard (Two), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9TJ
Box Office tickets are available here Midweek: £15 (£14) Weekend: £17 (£16)
Writer & Producer Jamie Walsh; Director & Producer Olivia Race; Co-Composer & Co-Musical Director Claire O’ Connor; Co-Composer, Co-Musical Director, Musical Producer & Sound Designer Bay Bryan; Dramaturg & Producer Alice Barber; Designer Celia Perkins; Movement Director Keisha Hamilton
Cast
B.B. Wolf & Others Emily Spowage (she/her)
Red & Others Riana Duce (she/her)
Jill & Others Claire O’Connor (she/her)
Jill & Others Alice Barber (she/her)
King & Others Purvi Parmar (she/her)
Alice Barber will appear as Jill & Others until 10 August. Claire O’Connor will appear as Jill & Others from 11 to 25th August.
Suitable for children aged eight plus, all shows have integrated creative captioning.
