We did it!!!  

We enter an old wooden hall turned over to percussion instruments: a wooden centaur wears a snare drum; gongs and cymbals are arranged by size on racks. Light bounces off brass and makes wood glow. An Imaginarium of Musical Wonders!

The socially-distanced, semi-circular seating feels like an orchestra set up – especially as each seat holds a simple musical instrument: a shaker, two wooden blocks or sticks, or maybe a triangle. I find myself overthinking which seat to take based on that low level anxiety about being expected to interact. I settle for a triangle in the back row. Others make their own choices, with laughter, discussion and a level of engagement rarely seen in an audience before the show even starts. 

My love of music started early in church and school, participating in music for the delight of it. While I have since risen to the giddy heights of being a professional performer, I believe that just making music with other people is balm to the human spirit. Clearly, participation is going to be a part of this experience. 

Uke Can Do It is as much about participating as it is about Nino Raphael, the solo performer in this show. But Raphael is absolutely the Maestro of this Imaginarium. Opening with an introduction into his home, he takes us on a gentle musical journey. Featuring flashbacks to music teachers from the past, auditions, partnerships formed then abandoned then reunited, lockdown creative paralysis – it is just a delight all the way.  

This show has a narrative arc and plenty of character and theatricality to make it a show in its own right. Designer David Conroy collaborates with interactive tech – the kind of things an audience doesn’t notice but without which a show would not be complete. Essential stuff! I absolutely love the lighting effects. So much ingenuity.

It’s not all sweetness, there are a couple of dark moments but very relatable ones.

This show to me is peak Fringe. Experimental, original, in a quirky venue, challenging but most of all delightful. I am so pleased it was able to go ahead under Level 2 restrictions because I couldn’t have had a better intro to this year’s Fringe. Quite a hard act to follow! 

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