Fringe Review: Songs for a New World

This was my first time seeing this show presented on stage, and to be honest I hadn't really given the soundrack much of a go before, having been given it about a year ago but only played it once or twice.

Songs for a New World is collection of roughly grouped songs, ostensibly about life in America. Probably why I never bothered listening to it much. What actually got me interested in listening to it again was the composer's new work. Jason Robert Brown's show The Last Five Years is absolutely brilliant, so going back to Songs for a New World I can now recognise his style.

In true Fringe style the staging is simple, yet works perfectly for the style of show. Originally written for two men and two women, director Russell Hope has stretched the songs out to a cast of seven. The ensemble work of this company is great, it's a pleasure to watch the cast work together as you can really feel the warmth between them.

There were two standout performances however, unfortunately I don't know their names, but the song was I'd Give It All For You. I'd noticed I enjoyed watching these two people more than the others, so when they had a song together I was quite expectant, and was not let down. They delivered a number far better and more emotional than the CD ever managed to achieve, I was incredibly touched by the chemistry between them; that moment lingered for me long after the show was over.

Other great numbers include a very funny Just One Step and the similar Surabaya-Santa. The girl singing Stars & The Moon has a great voice, she just needs to belt a bit more to bring out her voice. This version certainly does justice to the music, definitely worth seeing.

Songs for a New World plays at Augustine's (lovely church on George IV), Aug 17-27 (except the 20th).