How To Fix A Fairytale - Edinburgh Fringe Review

Review by Mark and Aimee

Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.

How To Fix A Fairytale takes the well-trodden land of "once upon a time" and hands the steering wheel directly to the audience who drive forwards this fantastical story. Created and performed by Cambridge Footlights alumni Toby Trusted and Julia Da Costa, this 50 minutes show blends quick-witted improv with  musical theatre numbers to deliver a show that has all the ingredients to be successful.

From the moment we meet Trusted and Da Costa, the fourth wall is shattered and this becomes a shared experience between performer and audience. The audience acts as an omnipresent narrative force, shouting out constraints, naming character traits, defining the quest, and guiding the hero and villain toward their inevitable (or completely absurd) happily-ever-after.

Backed by live accompaniment, the duo weaves lyrics into surprisingly slick arrangements of already established well known musical theatre. The problem with the show using these established tunes, it never quite feels spontaneous and almost detracts from the improvisation and where they can take it.

Undoubtedly this is a show with potential and the two performers are richly talented but it to play more into the absurdity of the ideas, often suggestions were rejected simply as they didn’t fit the vibe of the show the performers wanted to create.

⭐⭐

How To Fix A Fairytale runs at Mint Studio at Greenside @ George Street until Saturday 29th August 2026. For tickets visit https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/how-to-fix-a-fairytale