This time around I went to see Edges, which runs until 25 June and then goes to the Grahamstown Festival. Edges is a song cycle, which means there is no dialogue, so if you're not really into that type of thing then I doubt you'll enjoy it. But, if you think you'd like it then there is something for you in it, no matter who you are. All the songs are about growing up and the issues we deal with, but they address so much more than just puberty and young love; they also speak of the trials we go through as adults.
The four cast members are in their 20s and, after speaking to them, I realised that what they performed was incredibly emotional for them. They had to come clean about the issues in their lives at that time so that they could bond together. I was told that at times someone would break down and not be able to continue because of the emotions swirling around within them. This is evident in the performance; there are so many emotions going back and forth that you can't imagine what is going on in the actor's mind. And considering they only started a month ago, it is amazing to see where it is already.
Edges was written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul when they were still back in university and were frustrated that they hadn't got the parts that they wanted in a performance. The show then got a "cult" following, as Roland puts it. The show has never been on Broadway and yet something about it still makes people want to audition to be part of the show as well as part of the audience.
As I have said, you definitely have to like this sort of thing to enjoy it and you have to be in the right frame of mind as the majority of the songs are about love. I will admit that I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but that may be simply because of "where I was mentally and emotionally" that night.
It may be a gamble, but a gamble you definitely ought to take.
