Space Junk the Musical tells the story of rise and fall of Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin through the narrator Alexey played by Oscar Ginn pictured below along some extremely well-chosen musical numbers.
It’s well written, the storyline is fluid and flows well throughout the performance. Mike Dorey as the ill-fated overnight “starman” celebrity Yuri Gagarin has been well cast and commands the stage with his presence.
With a great selection of music, especially the apt David Bowie songs this musical play never slows down. The important part is the entire cast work well together and look like they are enjoying themselves.
The band play additional characters as well as their instruments. My advice watch the body language of the drummer Tom Tollyfield he captures the sarcasm in his role brilliantly and I found him very funny.
There is so much packed into this hours production from his marriage to Valentina played by Liv Richardson-Frisby. To various affairs from heavy drinking nights out, the did they/didn’t they relationship scenario between him and his colleague Winkle as seen below was a surprise to me. Slipshod have certainly researched Gugarins life in much detail.
There is a bizarre drunken stupor Yuri finds himself in one night. Where he ends up arguing with a life-size bottle of Vodka. Quite a trip to be having. Only at the Fringe!
If you looking for entertainment and education with some good music added in then this is worth taking an hour out of your Fringe schedule to watch.
Three and a half stars.
Space Junk can be found:
At 21:10 from August 2nd-10th and August 12th-17th.
In the Space@Suregons Hall (Theatre 2 / Venue 53).
Tickets available now from the Fringe Box Office.
Cast photographer-Jasper Cresdee-Hyde.
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