The Reviewers - Jenny Kohnhorst

The cast and crew

How did this musical comedy of yours spring into being?
Well, after they graduated from the University of Nottingham, composer Elizabeth Charlesworth and writer Adam Holland Wells formed their own production company, Charlesworth and Holland Productions, hoping to create new and exciting pieces of theatre together. Kat [Tye] was on board from the beginning as the Musical Director, and Nadia [Amico, the Director] and I organised the auditions.

The show is highly satirical, and takes off the culture of theatre reviewers in particular. Does the writer have experience of being on the wrong end of some acid-tongued Edinburgh Fringe critic's wit?
Hmm… I don't know if he's been on the receiving end, but he has plenty of experience of the culture there. He's actually been to the Fringe twice with his own writing, once directing. I think from his past experience he’s realised what works, and satirising what's already there at the Fringe really seems to work. Because everyone can relate to the uniquely “Fringe” experience we’re presenting on stage - audience and performers – it’s the perfect thing to sell there.

Will this be your first time taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe then?
Actually, this will be my third time to the Fringe. I’ve been as a costume, makeup and props supervisor, and last time as an actor, but this is my first time producing at the Fringe – it’s a dream come true.

What does producing actually encompass for you then?
Pretty much everything the actors aren't doing themselves: working out the rehearsal schedule, dealing with the marketing and publicity, all the tech stuff, press launches – it’s really busy. I love it though. This is my second time working together with Nadia as director and producer.

What style of musical comedy is The Reviewers? Can we expect people bursting into song from pure emotion?
Oh yes, this show is utterly ridiculous in every sense of the word. There’re characters bursting into song midsentence, big show numbers and crazy harmonies. It doesn't take itself at all seriously. The characters make fun of themselves, the audience, everyone.

Have you worked with everyone in the cast before in past New Theatre productions?
When we held the auditions we didn’t just keep it inside the New Theatre, we reached out to other societies within the university, like Musicality, so we actually have a mix of old and new cast members, which is great. Maddy [playing “conscienceless” reviewer Kiera Cochrane] and Penny are new to me.

Tell me about your favourite song in the show.
I love the opening number, just because it’s so ridiculous - a full song and dance number which is a complete attack on the senses. The “Review-off” is another favourite: there’re two male leads singing a competitive duet while posting reviews, fighting for whose opinion will be respected more. It’s a Western style face-off that is just hilarious to watch.

Finally, how do you think critics at the Fringe will react to your lampooning of their trade?
That’s a tricky one. We’ve actually talked about it quite a lot. Obviously it would be brilliant to get a good review, but at the same time a bad review would be an affirmation for what the show is about – objectivity - it would be a talking point. I hope people will take it as the joke it is, silly and over the top. In fact, I can't see how the critics could take it in any other way, because there’s no particular prejudice against critics- everyone, critics, audience and performers, all have the piss taken out of them.

The Reviewers preview, Friday 25 July, 7pm, £4-£5, The Nottingham New Theatre, Cherry Tree Hill, University Park, NG7 2RD.

The Reviewers at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Friday 1 – Saturday 23 August, 1.45pm, £9.50/£7.50, Greenside Nicholson Square.

New Theatre website