Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody @ Assembly George Square Studios
Every vile, voraciously vicious villain must start somewhere, right? It would seem even He Who Must Not Be Named had to learn how to love, live and kiss at a young age – and of course all through song
He who must not be named, the Dark Lord Voldemort has mercilessly raised himself to the steepest ranks of cultures key antagonistic figures. His name, too taboo to be uttered aloud, was one of the key successes of the Harry Potter franchise. He had to start somewhere though right? Had to learn his craft, the urge to slaughter – more importantly he had to figure out how to kiss, with a little help from his fork-tongued friend...
Cameos, rap battles, foreshadowing and more references to the original texts than one of JK Rowling's political tweets – Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody can indeed be enjoyed by all, but only true Potterheads will mine the richness written amid the waffle. Young Tom Riddle, deeply infatuated with a vulgarly chipper Hufflepuff, is agonisingly balancing the desire for power over that of love. Oh, and winning a battle of the Hogwarts bands.
From absurdist to methodical, Voldemort the Musical Parody's comedy is all over the castle. Not inherently weak, it feels like much is crammed into an hour with little room to breathe. Jokes are pelted out with such velocity most of the wittier ones are dashed aside for another, no time to enjoy. Lyrically though, Matthew Patrick Davis, Eric Michaud and Jessica Reiner-Harris rob the most playfully facetious deliveries. Unexpected cameos and character deformations too provide the heartiest laughter.
When Voldemort the Musical Parody succeeds, it casts an imperious curse throughout the audience. They cheer, gasp and burst out in fits of laughter under the control of the cast. However, when it goes awry, the most unforgivable curse is cast, dropping dead. So enemies of the heir beware: while this accessible musical can have fun, it can also splatter messily, just like Troll bogeys.
Voldemort the Musical Parody, Assembly George Square Studios, until 27 Aug, £13
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