Fringe review: I’M ALMOST THERE, Summerhall

I’m Almost There is New York favourite Todd Almond’s (Girl From The North Country, The Odyssey) brand new one-hour song cycle reminiscing over a modern queer love story in a quirky, hilarious and charming way. Along the way, he meets many obstacles in his path to love, including a kooky neighbour, a self-obsessed vampire, and a reincarnated cat!

When you hear the award-winning producers of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer are bringing a new show to the Fringe, you can deduce that it is one to add to your Fringe watchlist. The piece is both written and performed by Almond and is accompanied by Erin Hill on harp and vocals, and Luke McCrosson on bass. Behind the scenes are producing companies Audible, Francesca Moody Productions, and DryWrite. Tony winner David Cromer directs and Jonathan Mastro works as musical supervisor.

Interestingly, the piece is inspired by The Odyssey, building foundations from the complex workings of Odysseus and Penelope. In this version, the love blooms between Almond and the character ‘Guy’.

Although a slightly stuffy and compacted theatre, the audience settles in quickly and the opening song begins. The music is simply phenomenal in every sense. Almond’s voice can only be described as a perfect merge between Jonathan Groff and Ben Platt, and if you are a fan of song cycles such as Ordinary Days or In Pieces, you will adore this show. There isn't much movement throughout the piece; for the most part, it is three incredible musicians with their instruments. Yet Almond, with the help of fellow musicians Hill and McCrosson, creates a captivating and engaging story.

The hour flies by and the audience is left humming the motifs on the way out. For every musical theatre fanatic out there, it is a must-see!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Catriona Lamb

I’m Almost There plays until 26 August at 2.45pm at Summerhall, Edinburgh. For more info, please click here.