Review – Worst Side Story
Brandon Mannarino and Leigh Qurban have never seen West Side Story. But that doesn’t stop them choosing it as their Fringe show inspiration.
Worst Side Story blends the story of the actors and their characters as they struggle to bring the show together. Opening with a hilarious video montage of the creation of the show, which had the audience captivated, the laughs continued when the actors made their on-stage debut.
Featuring some amateur actors, what should have seemed awkward worked in favour of the show as if it was required that the performers were a bit cheesy and not quite perfectly polished. The humour was spot on. A bit outlandish and crude at times but set up well, earning groans and surprised laughter.
A few musical numbers were used, including a brilliant description of New York and a dance off that had the audience either in stitches or hiding their heads in their hands. And the choreographed fight scene saw one of the actors perform a flying sidekick (with the assistance of stagehands).
The show was performed seamlessly, and both the film aspects and the actors on stage never missed a beat. Even a change of set pieces was worked into the story, with a character specifically devoted to opening and closing the screen, another thing that garnered a lot of laughs from the audience.
A great laugh, and a sold out opening night, Worst Side Story is definitely a show to catch at the Fringe this year.
