EdFringe Talk: I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I have been increasingly learning the benefits of being able to delegate wherever possible.”

WHO: Alexander S. Bermange

WHAT: “The definitive comedic musical revue revealing all about musical theatre, and the people who love it on both sides of the curtain! Updated version featuring new songs. Lauded with an unprecedented 35 five-star reviews for its previous sell-out fringe and London seasons. ‘Flawless’ ***** (BritishTheatre.com). ‘Sharp satire, undiluted fun’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Delightful’ ***** (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘Hilarious… Wonderfully witty’ ***** (EdinburghGuide.com). ‘Crisp, perfect, immaculate, hilarious. Unmistakable gem!’ ***** (Musical Talk, podcast). ‘Laughs come thick and fast’ ***** (MusicalTheatreReview.com). ‘Loving tribute to world of musicals’ (Matt Lucas). ‘Must-see’ (Tim Rice). ‘Brilliant score’ (Miriam Margolyes).”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon at the Museum – Auditorium (Venue 64) 

WHEN: 20:50 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This will be my fifth time in Edinburgh, and my third with I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical (though this being a fresh production of the show including additional songs and featuring a new cast, in many ways it feels like my first!). The Edinburgh Fringe is truly unique – the all-pervading sense of vibrancy and creativity that arises from so many artistically-minded individuals descending on the city to create and/or experience a staggering array of shows make it feel like nowhere else on Earth.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I have been increasingly learning the benefits of being able to delegate wherever possible. Each year this has become a little easier, as we have been able to steadily increase the size of our team, and there have therefore been more of us able (and qualified) to take on different responsibilities. This is particularly so this year, when we have the luxury of being under the umbrella of an established production company whose staff are experts in their respective fields.

Tell us about your show.

I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical is a comedic musical revue that reveals everything you could want to know about being a musical theatre performer – if only there were any who would admit it – plus everything about the devotees, detractors and disruptors they perform to! I’m the writer, it features a cast of West End regulars, and the producer is the great James Seabright, who picked the show up after seeing it in Edinburgh last year. In addition to its past runs there, the show has played in London, Liverpool, Switzerland and South Korea and was filmed for online streaming, though the forthcoming Edinburgh season will be the premiere of this new production. It will subsequently play at Wilton’s in London from 29th August to 9th September.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

My audience should see Black is the Color of My Voice, which is inspired by the life of Nina Simone and features her music performed live. And having enjoyed seeing Iain Dale in conversation with legendary lyricist Tim Rice (who has been so kind as to be a vocal champion of my work) at last year’s Fringe, Iain Dale: All Talk will also be well worth a watch. Finally, having recently composed music for the West End production of Spitting Image The Musical, I’d encourage my audience to check out one of the terrifically talented team I had the pleasure of working with on it – comedian Matt Forde – who is in Edinburgh with his shows Inside No. 10 and The Political Party.

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