one4review | On 01, Aug 2025

The Black Blues Brothers return to Edinburgh with Let’s Twist Again! It’s listed as a brand-new show but is a bit more like an evolution of previous outings. Don’t fret; at no point will you be disappointed, and if you’ve seen previous shows and returned for more, you’ll get exactly what you came for, and first-timers will be absolutely blown away by this showstopper of a production.

Once the show gets underway, the energy is infectious; you’ll be clapping, whooping and gasping at the amount of sheer physical feats on display. The scene is set by a smoky train station; our cast are waiting to catch a train, and one member of the ensemble is facing a case of a broken heart with the ex screaming down the phone; his companions need to cheer him up while they await their train. And of course, how would you cheer up a pal who just had his heart torn apart? A human pyramid, whilst backflipping, of course. Who needs a plot when the gravity-defying feats speak for themselves? From hoop jumps, chair stacking, and limbos (not sure how anyone gets that low) to a skipping routine you really must see to believe, these five performers deliver with undeniable charm.

I saw their 2023 show, and I must say here that a number of moments did feel familiar, especially wooing the audience member. The core of the show is the same, but again, that makes it no less entertaining. Long-time fans may just find the ‘brand-new’ aspect a touch generous.

I defy anyone not to love this show; it’s seamless teamwork and crowd-pleasing comedy, and it’s almost impossible not to get your toe tapping and your hands clapping, and when they leave the stage, you aren’t sure where the time went. This troupe knows how to thrill its audience.

*****
Reviewed by Matthew
Underbelly – McEwan Hall
15.30 (1hr)
Until 25 Aug