one4review | On 25, Aug 2026

An energetic debut at the Fringe from a young crew full of energy, enthusiasm and, most importantly, plenty of ideas. Hopefully, there is a lot more to come from this talented group. I thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted and irreverent spoof of the iconic Baywatch series. It may lack the polish and production values of some of the more established, high-budget Fringe productions, which is ultimately why I’m giving it four stars, but there is a real sense of fun here that is difficult not to enjoy.

From the outset, Spraywatch embraces the ridiculousness of its source material and runs with it. The story quickly departs from the familiar tropes of the original Baywatch, becoming far more entertaining, considerably less cringeworthy and significantly funnier than you might initially expect. While the swimsuits and ‘bouncing’ remain firmly in place, they are presented with genuine purpose and considerably more tact than the premise might suggest, all wrapped up in a deliciously satirical and scandalous package.

The production has an infectious energy that comes from its young cast. The writing, vocals and acting all carry that raw enthusiasm you would expect from a newer company, but I found this to be part of the show’s charm rather than a drawback. There is a genuine feeling that everyone involved is having an enormous amount of fun, and that enthusiasm quickly spreads to the audience.

There are certainly moments where a little more polish wouldn’t go amiss, but I would much rather watch a production overflowing with ideas and enthusiasm than one that is technically perfect but lacking in personality. Spraywatch has character in abundance. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and neither should the audience.

What particularly impressed me was how effectively the production takes something as iconic, and arguably as ripe for parody, as Baywatch and turns it into something that feels distinctly its own. There are plenty of knowing nods to the original, but you don’t need to be a dedicated Baywatch fan to enjoy the show. The comedy stands comfortably on its own.

Shows like this are exactly what the Fringe is for. A young company has taken a fun idea, thrown itself into it and created something entertaining for an audience. That’s precisely the kind of emerging talent we should be supporting, and I hope the team takes everything they’ve learned from this debut and comes back with something even bigger and bolder.

Spraywatch may not have the budget of some of its Fringe neighbours, but it has something arguably more important: enthusiasm, personality and a cast that clearly wants to be there. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on what this team gets up to next.

****
Reviewed by Mike
TheSoace at Niddry Street
Until 29 Aug