Fantasy World Adventures Mega Park! The Musical - Edinburgh Fringe Review

Review by Mark

Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review

FWAMP! Theatre Company brings a rollercoaster of fun with Fantasy World Adventures Mega Park! The Musical a delightfully chaotic, underdog comedy that delivers genuine belly laughs and a brilliant score. Like any good coaster, there are peaks and troughs. 

Photo by Abby Swain.

Co-created by Abbie Freeston and Matthew Stanley, this fun show follows the trials and tribulations of Fantasy World Adventures Mega Park! theme park. Teddy Mega is newly appointed CEO of the park after his father is nobbled. Teddy wants to make his mother and his father's legacy proud, but he has his own dreams, and that is to play the theme park's infamous mascot. It's a great concept and one that, for the most part, lands pretty well. Some moments feel a little underdeveloped, and some of the storylines could do with a little more expansion for the audience to really feel the emotional beats of the story. The central romance between Teddy (Owen Wardle) and Pippa Robins (Meave Gallagher) could do with more development, both in script and performance, to ensure the connection really pays off. It tails off a little, so it doesn't feel like the real connection it should have.

The musical score is superb and, for the most part, works cohesively with the production to transport you to the world of Fantasy World Adventure Mega Park. It has to be said that the highlight of the production is its extremely catchy opening number, which does a swell job of setting the scene - we left singing the song, which has remained in our heads for the rest of the evening! Another musical highlight is the left-field song about the clap where the Princesses and Princes have been sleeping around with each other and have given each other the clap! You really have to see the show to get it, but it's a hilarious standout number. 

The cast of 10 are committed to the fun and play into the zaniness of the show. Every performer offers fantastic vocal work, delivering solos and ensemble group numbers with great clarity. There's also strong movement choreographed by Abbie Freestone (who also directs). Owen Wardle is a commanding leading man, delivering strong vocals and acting through song with believable skill. Maeve Gallagher is left a little in Wardle's shadow initially before coming into her own as the piece developed. 

Gee Case Watson has an excellent stage presence as Barb and practically steals the show, getting some really fun moments to showcase her skill as an actor and singer. The same can be said for David Bygroves as Jason, the work experience who gets truly stuck into all of the park's activities! Bygroves brings some big laughs and brightens the stage in every scene he is in. Eliza Fox Mella, as Charlie, has a vibrant stage presence throughout. She is the sort of performer you have to keep one eye on because she's always giving something. 

We would love to see this show develop further and strengthen, which it undoubtedly will over time. Hopefully there's a great future life after the Fringe run. This exciting company based in Leeds has a clever concept that is relatable and a show that is undoubtedly so much fun. You can't help but be swept along for the ride and leave smiling (and with the theme song on loop in your head!). Whatever the future holds, you will want to be first in line to ride this wave.

Photo by Abby Swain

⭐⭐⭐

Fantasy World Adventures Mega Park! The Musical runs at theSpace on the Mile until Saturday 29th August. For tickets visit https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/fantasy-world-adventures-mega-park-the-musical