The Bush

The Bush is a curious beast. It starts with a vision—semi-coherent, but definitely there—before occasionally losing its way like someone who’s sure they know the shortcut but ends up circling the block three times. The direction had moments of real promise, but it felt like the ideas didn’t always connect cleanly, leaving the show occasionally adrift.

The set was a nice exercise in minimalism: simple, functional, and—most importantly—leaving enough space for the audience’s imagination to fill in the blanks. At its best, it felt like an intentional choice that invited us to lean in and participate in building the world ourselves. It didn’t need bells and whistles; it knew its job and did it quietly well.

Lighting design was generally strong, offering mood and focus when it counted. That said, there were a few sequences where it lost its thread a little, as if the lighting cues were telling a slightly different story from the one on stage. It wasn’t enough to derail the performance, but it did pull focus now and again.

Sound design, however, was spot-on from start to finish. It sat at exactly the right level—not so loud it rattled your fillings, not so soft you strained to hear it. Subtle when it needed to be, present when the energy needed a push. It’s one of those design elements that’s easy to take for granted because it just works.

As for the book—the bones of the story were solid. There were moments of genuine humor and a clear attempt to tell a meaningful tale. But the pacing sometimes stumbled. Certain emotional beats felt rushed, while others lingered a little too long, diluting their impact. A few of the heavier moments didn’t quite land, which was a shame, because you could feel there was a great idea buried in there waiting for its full punch.

In summary The Bush has all the ingredients for a stronger show—some thoughtful design choices, solid technical work, and flashes of good writing—but the overall recipe doesn’t quite come together yet. With tighter direction and more careful pacing, it could become something really memorable. As it stands, it’s a pleasant watch with a few sparks of brilliance, but not quite the fully formed vision it seems to want to be.

If you’re heading to the Fringe and fancy something with potential, charm, and a few genuinely funny moments, it’s worth a look. Tickets are available, and you might just catch it on a night when everything clicks