The Year That I Got Younger

The Apex City Hotel on Edinburgh's Grassmarket is a very upmarket affair, and completely at odds with the show that it's hosting – The Year That I Got Younger. If you've never seen a real Irish Gypsy up close and personal, now is your chance. This production is a schizophrenic, charismatic and above all, random piece of musical theatre.

Above all else, this is a story of alcoholism. Aindrias de Staic's crazed and staring eyes dance through the audience as he bares his soul—and a lot of his body—telling the tale of the year he finally gave up booze. But don't be fooled. This isn't a clichéd tale of man against addiction. This is the harnessed chaos of a travelling gypsy minstrel.

The feverish, hyperactive presence of Staic keeps the audience enthralled, and his fractured musical interludes complement the madness of his tale. And it's a tale well told – de Staic's accent has a dirty musicality to it, and serves to mask a filthy wit. We follow him through the loss of his beloved violin, through crack addiction and, finally, to his partial redemption.

It's a comedy with a strong narrative, or a narrative with a lot of comedy. Either way Staic's show is packed full of music, and an engrossing 45 minutes of your time.