Charming the Musical - The Fancy Room, Just the Tonic at the Caves - Review

Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Mulan, Moana, Aurora, Anna and Elsa. All princesses who have had their story told, their songs heard and their happily ever afters granted. But what about the princes? Or, in particular, Prince Charming, left to be a side character with barely any voice and barely any chance of ever being listened too? Well, this Prince Charming has had enough of that nonsense and he’s taking matters into his own hands, with the help of a magical genie of the lamp.

Grownup Playhouse, bringing a grand total of 4 shows to the fringe this year, presents Charming The musical, a Disney-esque tale that gallivants as a perhaps 85% one man show in which we see Prince Charming (Tom Rolph) lament the fact that the princesses get everything and that no one ever pays him the amount of respect and attention that he thinks he deserves.

Expect a plethora of musical numbers, sung in impressive vocals by Rolph, that ooze Disney style and feel and would appeal to any fan of fairy tale musical adaptations as he sings about searching for any praise he can get, including children’s parties, wishes to be the funniest and most liked of his story and perhaps even learns an important lesson or two.

Rolph, rather suitably, is a charming performer. Here he showcases a natural flair for comedy, earning many a giggle as he desolately tries to butt in on a princess song, argues with the, for the most part unseen, genie of the lamp or finds himself simply unable to stop dancing in a number heavily influenced by the comedic tropes of Disney sidekick funny men. He is joined on stage not only briefly by three princesses but only the sparkly waistcoat wearing genie (or should that be genius?) played by Joe Sartin who wins over the audience with his comical sarcasm and clever comebacks.

Overall, Charming The Musical could be described as does what it says on the tin. It is charming. It’s a wonderfully enjoyable hour of lighthearted fun that with its Disney style songs, bountiful references to Disney classics and fairy tales and characters that the audience can easily feel that they know and love. With a few clever and cheeky jokes about prime ministers, fringe theatre venues, fairy tale stereotypes and Disney’s more recent tendency to rely upon remakes, there is something here that everyone can both take enjoyment from and laugh at, regardless of age.

Charming The Musical runs at 16.30 at the Fancy room, Just The Tonic at the Caves every day of the fringe, except for the 18th as the second show in Grownup Playhouse’s impressive four back to back show day.