Review: MY HOUSE, Without Exception Live Productions (Edinburgh Fringe - Online)

Beginning in 1926 and taking us up to the modern day, My House tells the story of just that - a house.

Set in one of the most notorious homes in Beverly Hills, once host to the Chaplin’s, Carole Lombard, William Powell and other stars of Hollywood from the last century, we learn the secrets and skeletons that it hides.

Using black and white, sepia or technicolour to emphasise the time period is a nice touch, but not enough to distract from the sometimes misguided story.

It begins strongly with the Chaplin’s and the slick camera work gives the impression of the audience walking around peeking in to various times throughout history, but gradually weakens as the story continues.

Written by Charlotte Lubert, who also acts and directs, it sometimes feels that more focus should be paid to one role rather than being spread thinly across all three.

It feels a bit scripted in places and the dialogue unnatural, which could have been picked up in the direction beforehand.

The story itself could be interesting, but doesn’t really lead anywhere other than ‘this is what happened here’. Sadly the ending also lacks purpose and is strangely missing one of the female characters for its conclusion.

Not really gritty enough for a story that could potentially contain Hollywood scandal.

** Two stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

My House is available at Fringe Online.