Studio 54

Given the potential around the infamous New York Studio 54, it is a real wonder how such a poor production ever came to light. A paper thin storyline (loosely based on Shakespeare’s Othello) is painfully dragged out for an hour and a half, testing the audience’s patience. Some atrocious acting (not helped by the fact that some actors look bored on stage) and one of the worst soundtracks at the Fringe help sink this production, which becomes more awful and trite with every passing minute.
Although the play happens in Studio 54, the narrative could have been set anywhere in the world, making the setting more of a gimmick and a PR-stunt than anything else. It is a waste to use such an iconic night club and then not use its storytelling potential.
The only saving grace in this whole mess is the moment of realisation by Kieran McGinn’s character, Des Williams, that she is, in fact, alone. It is a poignant, affecting instant, as the drag queen persona takes off her make-up, slowly revealing her male self. It is a nice touch, a small reminder of human pain that is then all but erased by an excruciating finale. We have all been waiting for the fatal moment when Nikita (Hannah Summers) becomes Studio 54’s queen, and when it arrives, it is underplayed and indeed completely underwhelming, leaving you with a sense of wasted time. Without a tune to remember, this vapid musical should be avoided at all costs.

1/5

Adrian G. Velazquez