Bat Boy: The Musical (2006)
Cambridge University Broadway Savoyards
Ctoo, venue 4. 3rd-28th August (not 15th). 10.20pm (1hr30)

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Discovered in a cave and delivered to the town vet, Bat Boy faces some serious challenges in his life. For starters, he's only really able to grunt his way through polite conversation, and the townsfolk have a sneaking suspicion that he's behind the rapid decline in the local cow population.

Mrs Parker - the vet's wife - teaches Bat Boy (now dubbed Edgar) both manners and speech in double-quick time, only to make her husband, Dr Parker, fly into a jealous rage - plotting to bump Edgar off. Meanwhile, Edgar has fallen for Shelly, their daughter, and this kitsch frolic really starts to go places. I mean, there's bigotry, incest, bestiality and violence swimming in buckets of blood. Who said this wasn't perfect material for a musical?

Despite the dark subject matter, this is a searingly funny show. From the opening number - Hold Me, Bat Boy - to its reprise at the final curtain, this production is littered with one liners that'll catch you off-guard in the gut.

The musical style is very eclectic. Bubble-gum melodies with eye-watering lyrics; Sondheim dissonance and full-on Rock Opera combine in Laurence O'Keefe's brilliant score. This young group from Cambridge perform the numbers admirably - making this late-night slot at C too just fly by.

The leading players - Tom Johnson (Bat Boy), Holly Morgan (Shelly) and particularly Alexandra Spencer-Jones as Mrs Parker, really bring this show to life. It's an ambitiously big project to tackle on the Fringe, but one which they can feel justifiably proud.

Oh, and if there's one moral to the story, it's that a mountain is no place to raise cows.

[Pete Shaw]

show info

Bat Boy: The Musical Cambridge University Broadway Savoyards Director: Chris Adams Theatre: C Venues Ctoo, venue 4. 3rd-28th August (not 15th). 10.20pm (1hr30) 4