one4review | On 03, Aug 2025

The performers promised at the start that “we would love the opening number” and we did and every number thereafter.

A show of original music taking us through a journey of a West End/ Broadway star from the nervy first auditions to seeing your name emblazoned above every other name and ultimately becoming the esteemed (and feared Diva) along the way were tales of superfans, stand ins and co-star woes. Every tale and song were executed brilliantly.

4 performers were joined on piano by musical Director and Writer Alexander S Bermage.

Samantha Dorsey kicked us with the first solo and alongside her incredible vocal range, her comedic timing was impeccable, and she pulled this off brilliantly for the entire show.

Joel Benedict and his stories of competing with a malfunctioning piano had the audience impressed by his changing keys and comedy timing.

Rory Connolly sang about life as a stand in, in a performance that truly tugged at the heart strings and made me cringe recalling the times, I may have pulled a face upon hearing the main performer was having a night off.

Finally, Emma Ralston, a homegrown talent treated us to brilliantly natural performance throughout and her vocals finished the show off perfectly with “the Divas in the house”

A well written, clever, engaging show that will have you rooting for the performers in every pitch perfect number.

****1/2
Reviewed by Lou Heathcote

Gilded Balloon at the Museum
17.45 (1hr 10mins)
until 24 August (not 6, 13 or 20)