Fringe review: CHRISKIRKPATRICKMAS: A BOY BAND CHRISTMAS MUSICAL, Pacey's Creek - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: Matt Smith

What happens if you cross A Wonderful Life with A Christmas Carol and throw in a lot of NSYNC…Chriskirkpatrickmas, obviously! It's a musical parody that has musical direction by Taylor J Williams (Hamilton, Moulin Rouge!) and sound design by Josh Millican (Six, The Band's Visit).

Christmas Eve, 2009. Chris Kirkpatrick, formally of NSYNC, has until midnight to make a wish that could change his life forever. It's seven years into the band’s 'hiatus' and this might just be the only way to get the boys back together. That is, if he doesn't wipe their existence from history all together!

The production features twelve original songs, performed in boy band style, naturally. Have no fear though, if you're not an NSYNC fan but love musicals, this is still the show to watch. Lashings of sarcasm, an abundance of irony and a thoroughly entertaining show.

The cast showcase their talent as they sing and dance their way through the story, playing multiple characters to a brilliantly high standard. We particularly love Nicole Wyland as Justin Timberlake and Emily Lambert as Lou Pearlman, just brilliantly played. Of course, it also goes without saying that we love Valen Shore as Chris, who also writes and co-directs the piece alongside Alison Zatta who plays Marky Mark.

So if you're looking for an all-singing, all-dancing kind of watch and maybe the chance to release the inner fan girl in you, this is the one for you, Besties!

Boy Band fan...tastic!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Chriskirkpatrickmas: A Boy Band Christmas Musical plays in Pleasance Two at the Pleasance Courtyard at 3.10pm until 28 August.