Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody combines its source material with a campy layer of satire that makes it a thrilling ride from start to finish. If you’ve ever wanted to be taken through the story of Heated Rivalry by 3 repressed middle-aged mothers (all coincidentally named Susan), there is nowhere you could get that better than this production.

The direction by Alan Kliffer is fantastic, every actor is intensely aware of their role and gives exactly how much energy is needed in every scene. The pace is set from the very first song, and manages to hurtle through an entire season without leaving the audience behind, focusing on the ‘fan favourite’ segments and using its framing device to expertly skip over the rest.

The movement is the centerpiece of the entire production. Whether actors are roleplaying a hockey game or more adult activities, the choreography is campy and over-exaggerated while also being not so unrealistic that it completely takes over the scene. The physical comedy always hits home, and employs some very creative methods to avoid depicting the same thing (i.e. the previously mentioned adult activities) in the same way every time.

The set is simple, a few walls on wheels with various backgrounds that set the location. They are, like the movement, used incredibly creatively with each scene change feeling like a well-earned escalation. They don’t need to be detailed, sometimes all you need to say “This scene is set in Russia” is a great big Soviet flag.

The lighting is deceptively simple. It keeps the main red-blue-purple colour scheme associated with the tv show and has some stellar moments of innovative design for certain key story moments. The lighting also aids the set in depicting location, and setting apart characters (eg. making it clear when characters are talking directly to the audience and don’t exist on the same plane).

The sound design builds on this foundation. While the catchy pop-infused songs are obviously a highlight of the musical, expertly pulling the plot forward through several montages that never feel like they’re dragging, the sound effects are always a well-timed comedic bonus.

The costumes borrow from the tv show itself more often than not, bringing the actors themselves more into their parodied roles. There is more multi-roleing than you might think, and each role comes with fitting costume elements that are easily and quickly swapped out.

The star of the show however, is clearly the actors’ performances. Leading men Zheng Xi Yong and Joseph Dann run away with Dylan Marcaurele’s masterfully written book, both hyperbolising aspects of their original character while miraculously keeping the heart intact. The book doesn’t shy away from the angst-filled elements of Heated Rivalry itself, and many still hit just as hard as they did for the first time. Xi Yong’s comedic timing in particular is outstanding, pulling every potentially funny moment out into the spotlight. Backed up by an ensemble of Andrew Berlin, Sylvie Stenson and May Tether, the entire cast truly make the musical what it is- a fun-filled romp from start to end. The vocal performances are top-notch, and each actor gets a moment to show off what they can do.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody is for fans of the show and fans of camp in general alike. It pulls off the herculean task of condensing a 5 hour-long show into 70 minutes while not losing any of its queer-centric, playful spirit. The repeat jokes and situations never wear thin, the songs stay fresh and lively and the actors really pull the audience within their embellished world. It is not one to be missed out on.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody is playing at Underbelly George Square from the 5th-30th August at 7:50 pm. Book your tickets via https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/heated-rivalry