Review by Kate Gaul
This isn’t a review but more of a thank you note.
I was excited to set out to the gorgeous Voodoo Room in the New Town of Edinburgh to catch “Aidan Sadler: Melody” an original queer cabaret. The blurb tells us that Aidan Sadler will “springboard through the top steps to surviving the apocalypse with 80s-inspired synth-wave melodies. Expect musings on the price of a meal deal, the art of living in the moment and a deliciously scandalous encounter in a shipyard. With electrifying original hits you'll be humming to “Armageddon”, Melody finally answers the highly anticipated question: 'will it ever stop?'” A couple of audience reactions posted online suggested it will be a night of great singing, costumes and choreography with bucket loads of provocative thought.
In a large cabaret room, it becomes clear that the audience numbers - there are 9 of us – are possibly a little too small a group to get the vibe happening. Aiden Sadler takes to the stage for their first number proving they are an entertainment force to be reckoned with. This is a show that delivers queer joy and razor-sharp observational comedy. They then stop the show and offer us a choice – “Melody” continues as created or we switch things up and have a chat. The group opts for the chat. Aiden Sadler then puts the mic away and sits on the edge of the stage. With charisma to burn and generosity galore they turn the spotlight on the audience. Everyone has a chance to introduce themselves and we get to know a banker from London, an environmentalist from Edinburgh, a pianist/magician and partner from both Poland and Oklahoma, some local burlesque artists and a couple of travellers who are heading to some exotic island for a many-years delayed honey moon. And of course, an Australian.
Ah the fringe – hey?! Aiden assures us that they are a super successful professional artist with loads of great reviews and that the other show “Big Gay After Party” is going off. But a combination of venue, timing and all other alchemical things beyond and artists control at Edinburgh Fringe have bought us to this moment. It’s quite magical. We get an original song all about non-binary joy to give us more of a taste from the actual show.
Aiden Saddler believes in the power of yes. A big part of his show is a riff on an impending apocalypse, and we all get to decide how the world ends. I love the way they recalled many of the details we all spoke about and then improvised these details into a finale song – including how we imagined the world to end. They say people arrive at the theatre as individuals and if the show is great, we leave as a community. Aiden Sadler, thanks for making us all feel welcome and giving us conversations to savour and a night to remember. You had to be there!
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