I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical - Gilded Balloon at the Museum - Edinburgh Fringe Review

You know a show has that perfect balance of high quality goodness, catchy musical numbers, relatability, entertainment, slickness and fun when it entices you back time and time again, and as I made my third annual visit to Alexander S Bermange’s ‘I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical’ I was reminded of what exactly makes this show such a stand out in the hustle and bustle of the Edinburgh Fringe.

‘I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical’ is a comical and witty observational exploration of musical theatre through the eyes of performers and fans alike, answering the questions that anyone who has seen a musical may want to ask. What happens in auditions, what happens in the leading lady and leading man don’t actually like each other, what do performers think of that diva who wants all the attention, and what do they really think of the audience. It’s all here, all answered, and all wrapped up in glittery coats, slick costume changes and musical numbers that would slot effortlessly into a full-on West End Musical.

Whilst this production may not have a storyline as such, with each musical number performed as a separate sketch, introduced by cast members or Bermange himself as he accompanies the songs on piano. Joel Benedict, Rory Connolly, Samantha Dorsey and Emma Ralston make up this year’s four person cast, each playing a variety of different characters. From drama school graduates trying to impress at showcases and auditions, the diva that everyone else on stage can’t really stand, the superfans who devote their lives to loving shows and knowing everything about them (that song always strikes the relatability chord with me), an understudy for the star name who just dreams of a life no longer standing by, and, new for 2025, a star relentlessly messaged and tagged on social media.

Each musical number may only be a few minutes longer, but the cast showcase such skill in creating each individual character that you find yourself quickly drawn into their world, their thoughts and their dreams. There are many laugh out loud moments, from the leading couple dreading that on stage kiss, the cast member who can’t seem to get her notes or cues right, and the ensemble trying their best to hold it all together in that all singing all dancing mega mix finale when they are all simply exhausted.

Benedict, Connolly, Dorsey and Ralston are all given their chance to shine, with Benedict’s ‘And then I can truly perform’ earning many a laugh, Connolly’s ‘Standing By’ pulling at the heartstrings, Ralston’s ‘The Diva’s in the House’ proving to be a comical highlight and Dorsey’s ‘Audition song’ I’m sure providing plenty of relatability for any musical theatre performers in the audience, and the group number about people being secret musical lovers is absolutely hilarious.

With costume changes done either in the wings or actually on stage, and props including sparkly jackets, fans, hats and canes, this production is an incredibly slick love letter to musical theatre, a celebration of the performers from drama school to opening night to stardom and everything in between. It will have you laughing throughout and applauding madly, and with a big smile on your face for some time afterwards as you leave Gilded Balloon at the Museum humming and bopping to the tunes doing circles in your head.