Bridezilla

Bridezilla is a World Premiere musical playing for a very short run as part of Fringe World, at the Sewing Room. Proving very popular, this cheesy but fun little bop of a musical is simply good fun and features a stellar cast.

Morgan Cowling is great as Bride-to-Be Stella, whose demands on her bridal party have become extreme and whose expectations for her wedding are beyond all reason. A great casting choice because Morgan is an actress who is eminently likeable, sings beautifully and although the audience want to hate her, they can’t, which keeps us drawn into the story. Her fiancé, Chase, is played by the gorgeously voiced Brett Peart, who gives us a likeable groom.

Stella’s sister and Maid of Honour, Jasmine, is given depth and complexity by Hannah Jones. She is harbouring a terrible secret. She is secretly in love with the groom. There are other secrets in the bridal party though, including ones held by Mother-of the Bride Gloria (a glamorous, if too young Ruby Voss) and Best Man Ryan (nicely played by Marcus Gadd).

Fine performances from the rest of the bridal party, with lovely distinct characters from Tory Kendrick, Tatum Stafford, Tate Bennett, and Matthew Flynn. Singing throughout was excellent and though microphones failed (and were abandoned) on the night I viewed, they all sounded great.

Choreography was particularly strong, with Danielle Batista creating strong and fun numbers, with up to nine cast members on a pocket-sized stage, without ever looking crowded or awkward. Scene changes were swift and costumes (especially Stella’s empire-line wedding dress, were lovely.

While at times some of the situations are a little clichéd or ridiculous, this snappy and funny little production moves quickly enough for us not to mind, and the audience are having a ball. 

A good choice for anyone who has ever ’suffered through’ a wedding and a lovely antidote to the troubles of the world. Fun escapism.

Kimberley Shaw