★★✰✰✰
The tiered seating of the Symposium Hall feels somewhat intimidating as you enter, yet Angelica and her three-piece “London boy band” that accompany her for the whole of myth are completely unphased by the venue that they find themselves in. They are accompanied by a constant video stream on the screen above them, as Angelica, over the course of fifty minutes, leads a concert from her upcoming EP, which tells the story of a “situationship” from beginning to end. She defines this a relationship with no real title, due to reluctance on the part of one party, and indeed, this may be what the concert feels like.
Angelica is a supremely talented singer and songwriter. Her voice, graceful and light, dances over the top of the bass and drums; the band are so in sync with each other, there are moments of pure joy that can only come from a group of people who simply love being on that stage together every night. When Angelica steps down from her position at the keyboard to sing her seventh song, about the reunion between two lovers with guest guitarist Alex Gold, the atmosphere in the room changes, and you are suddenly in the restaurant with the two former lovers, having dinner with them.
For a show that is sold on primarily based upon its storytelling—indeed, that tells the story of two people’s “situationship” from beginning to end—it is here that the audience feels somewhat let down. It is as though there is no distinct throughline: for a set of songs that is supposed to follow two people’s relationship from start to finish, each song is about something very distinct and different. Between numbers, there is some introduction by Angelica, and context is given to where and when it was written, with the personal touch of what was happening in her life at the time. While this is compelling, it does not feel as though a story is being told in the manner that you expect when you enter. It sometimes feels as though the songs—as beautiful and haunting as they are—stray completely from the idea of a “situationship”, touching on grief and the idea of being with someone forever, instead of telling a story.
The “multimedia” aspect of the production that the audience are sold is in fact videos on the screen, high above the performer’s heads. Whilst these are compelling and dynamic, far more could have been done—this may have been due to limitations in the venue, especially in terms of lighting, which remained a warm wash the entire time, but the fact remains.
There is absolutely no doubt that the talent and skill that Angelica has honed shines in myth. The potential for storytelling is certainly there as well: her lyrics are some of the most engaging I’ve ever heard. As an EP release show, it is fantastic. As a musical Fringe show that tells a story, it feels as though it needs polishing.
myth was performed at theSpace @ Symposium Hall – Amphitheatre until 12 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Jess Boot-Cowie
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