EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2009 - REVIEW: HAVE A NICE LIFE, George Square 2, August 13

Ninety minutes of group therapy turns into ninety minutes of absolute musical heaven in Conor Mitchell and Matthew Hurt's delicious new musical, Have A Nice Life - which is the current midday offering at the Fringe's George Square 2.

Six characters join therapist Patrick for a session of sharing that aims to increase their emotional self awareness and they begin to unravel the layers of barriers each of them has erected around their subconscious selves. As the barriers begin to come down they unleash a barrage of acid-witted comic one-liners and perform a series of highly visceral and/or touchingly beautiful songs as dialogue and song flow seamlessly along in a superbly crafted piece of powerfully entertaining musical theatre. Mitchell's music and lyrics are always perfectly in tune with the dramatic needs of the characters and plotline. And Hurt's book is both subtle and in your face, creating credible and well defined characters who make the audience laugh and cry at the right moments. 

Bill Felty's direction orchestrates the action with a delicate balance that is always interesting and never distracting and Nancy Berman Cantra's choreography works beautifully within the constraints of the venue's small space. And each member of the ensemble cast (Amy Acchione, Dorien Belle, Megan Martinez, Benjamin Michael, Nicole Paloux, Gregg Pica, Miriam White)  is quite magnificent.

Once in a while in the midst of the huge array of musicals on offer at the Fringe's multitude of venues, one comes across a rare gem that displays sheer musical theatre magic. Have A Nice Life is one of those rare gems. And it is five-star magic for sure.

*****