EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: THE SELFISH GENE, Zoo Roxy, Aug 12 2011

Inspired by Richard Dawkins' book of the same name, a biologist attempts to explain the origins of life within the context of a family's real world trials. The piece follows a 'typical' family as they navigate the trials of a normal day, all the while with a biologist popping up from nowhere to try and commentate on their situation in terms of the origins of life.
While I have to admit that I'm not a biologist, I do have enough rudimentary knowledge of the subject area to appreciate the premise of the show. In execution, however, the show was a little disappointing. While there were some good lyrics and catchy hooks, the majority of the song writing was inconsistent, often lacking structure within the melodies. While there were some genuinely funny moments, the show suffered from weak vocals and overacting from some (though not all) cast members. I'm sure that from a biologist's point of view the show would have been a lot more entertaining, but from a musical theatre point of view the flaws were harder to get past.
A show with potential but needs a little more work, or perhaps is better suited to being a play.
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Julia was born and raised in London, had a brief (10-year) interlude living in New Zealand, and moved back to London in 2007. She has spent a slightly worrying amount of time and money in West End and fringe theatres ever since, where her unabashed love for musicals has flourished. She has a very normal day-job in order to support her theatre habit, and can often be heard to comment "well, it'd almost be rude NOT to see it". She has a background in psychology, a keen interest in Deaf culture and is currently learning British Sign Language. If you need to contact her, she will most likely be in a theatre somewhere.
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Past Articles by This Author:
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: EVIL - THE MUSICAL, Gryphon @ Point, Aug 15 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: HITLER THE MUSICAL, Gryphon @ The Point, Aug 15 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: LIGHTS! CAMERA! IMPROVISE!, C, Aug 14 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL, The Gilded Balloon, Aug 13 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: THE AXIS OF AWESOME, The Gilded Balloon, Aug 13 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, C, Aug 13 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: SHOWCHOIR! THE MUSICAL, C, Aug 13 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: GRISLY TALES FROM TUMBLEWATER, Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 13 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: YOU WILL BE RARE, Zoo, Aug 13 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL, C, Aug 13 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: DORIS DAY CAN F**K OFF, Zoo Southside, Aug 12 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: SPENT, Pleasance Dome, Aug 12 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: THOM TUCK GOES STRAIGHT-TO-DVD, Pleasance Dome, Aug 12 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: THE SELFISH GENE, Zoo Roxy, Aug 12 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: SCARY GORGEOUS, Bedlam Theatre, Aug 11 2011
- EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: I FED MY BEST FRIEND HER FAVOURITE COW, Gilded Balloon, Aug 11 2011
- BWW Reviews: PRECIOUS LITTLE TALENT, Trafalgar Studios, April 8, 2011
- BWW Reviews: THRILL ME, Tristan Bates Theatre, April 2011
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