Vagabond Skies - Gilded Balloon at the Museum - Edinburgh Fringe Review

‘Vincent You’re my brother,

You’ll never need

To doubt me.

Since our childhood promise,

You are in my soul’

Did you know that Vincent van Gogh had a younger brother? And that they were extremely close, corresponding in letters with Theo, a successful art dealer, proving determined to both publicise Vincent’s artwork and support his brother through his mental health struggles?

Vagabond Skies, the van Gogh Musical, makes its Edinburgh Fringe debut this summer, condensed down from its full length from a previous showcase production to an hour in what proves to be a delicious and simply stunning production. It tells the tale of Vincent (played by Alex Bloomer), terribly inflicted by his mental health as he tries to make it as a successful artist, and his brother Theo (Richard Dawes), an art dealer who does everything he can to aid Vincent, along with stories of the women who impacted Vincent’s life. Inspired by real life letters sent between the two brothers, Vagabond Skies is an awe-inspiring spectacle with exquisite storytelling and stunning music, along with some of the best vocals I believe you will hear on the fringe this year.

Alex Bloomer makes the role of Vincent van Gogh his own, and shines greatly. As the lyric in the gorgeous ‘Brother of mine’ states ‘sorrow is my shadow’, Vincent is incredibly troubled, those around him call him the mad man and healthy relationships prove extremely difficult to maintain. Bloomer’s ability to illustrate the demon’s that plagued Vincent, drove him deeper into isolation and into his artwork, is nothing short of spectacular; the sorrow and  in his eyes, the pain in his voice and the glimmers of happiness in the darkness draws the audience in.

Theo van Gogh, celebrated ‘king of the boulevard’ art dealer, is played here by Richard Dawes and he plays the role beautifully. A constant calm in Vincent’s turbulent life, a reassuring presence full of love and pure devotion. Theo does everything in his power to aid his brother, hosts shows of his work trying to convince the greatest art critics to see what he sees, lets Vincent stay with him and his wife Johanna (Francesca Leyland), and pays for doctors for him. The relationship between Theo and Vincent is honest, pure and beautiful, a true bond full of love and promises, and this is gorgeously showcased by Bloomer and Dawes from the start to the heartbreaking conclusion that even catches out those who know at least some of van Gogh's true story. The pair shine as the two brothers, and vocally, they are stunning with both ‘Brother of Mine’ and its reprise standing out as highlights in this production.

Jordan Frazier, Maren Ovidia and Anna Unwin play Agostina, Sien and Rachel respectively, each of whom impacted Vincent’s life in different ways, loving him and guiding him, alongside Francesca Leyland’s Johanna van Gogh-Bonger. Their performance in the titular number ‘Vagabond Skies’ stays with you long after the curtain comes down.

Patrick Jennings, Max Cadman, Sacha Koplewsky, Jake White and Amy Bennett complete the ensemble, playing multiple different parts with beautiful results. Jennings performance as Gaugin is powerful with White and Koplewsky providing memorable moments as both art critics and traders.

As this production is condensed down for the fringe, running for only an hour rather than two, songs roll instantly into the next with the captivated audience given mere seconds to catch their breath. Whilst this doesn’t distract from the beauty of the production, in its storytelling, vocals and beautiful backdrop of van Gogh’s artwork, you may find yourself wishing for a moment to applaud such great performances before the next song starts.

But with this show proving to be such a hit with a bright future, we can hope that we will see the show restored to its full length running time on some grand stage soon, and pray for a full cast recording as the songs (music and lyrics by Tony Norman) are simply stunning and ridiculously catchy.

Vagabond Skies runs until August 21^st at 9pm at Gilded Balloon at the Museum.