one4review | On 28, Aug 2026

Ariana Di Lorenzo, aka Ariana and the Rose is an accomplished American singer, songwriter and performer form New York who has performed in the US, Canada and Australia. The petite performer who looks a bit like Barbra Streisand, debuts at the Edinburgh fringe with the Breakup variety Hour.

To begin with, the title of this one woman musical is intriguing as it alludes to a relationship breakup and when you enter, the music of Alanis Morisette’s jagged little pill album is playing which is a clever subtle hint to an emotional breakup, however Ariana doesn’t enter the stage with an emotional gripe, she has a positive outlook and takes you through the six steps of a breakup, drawing upon her own experience as she tells her story in her own unique way.

To set the tone, Ariana sings her opening song ‘I just came to say goodbye’ and wow what a voice! I didn’t expect such wonderful vocals as I sat in awe of listening to one of the best singing voices I’ve ever heard at the fringe.

Ariana then continues going through the breakup steps and there’s a bit of getting to know the audience with some light Q&A, the songs keep coming as the songs ‘I’m fine bitch’, the emotionally amazing ‘I am limitless’, ‘Back in the groove’ and ‘Here I go again’ are a few of the songs that brilliantly compliment the breakup steps. As the despair part of the breakup passes and we move on to the hope and confident stage, the singing is almost like a Disney musical that’s building up to a fairytale ending. One of the songs also reminded me a bit like Gloria Gaynor but despite the irony, it wasn’t ‘I will survive’.

After comparing breakups with the audience, Ariana discusses dating Apps and tells a hilarious story about one of her dates that certainly knows how to treat a lady with some ‘Fine dining!’. Ariana concludes the show and after a bit of dating advice and some food for thought self-reflection, she ends the show with her final song ‘Don’t stop’.

This show is entertaining from start to finish and as the title suggests, it has so much variety. Unlike some shows, Ariana has perfectly managed to combine a breakup story with song and a performance that compliments each element without leaning too heavily on the breakup element. The essence of the show is the quality of Ariana’s voice and how each self-written song compliments the stages of breakup. It honestly feels like you have watched two performances for the price of 1!

Surprisingly on this occasion there was a small audience but she has performed in front of sell out shows which is what I would expect given the quality of the performance. This show seems to have slipped under the radar a bit but it’s a must-see show!

*****
Reviewed by Steve.J.
Assembly Studio 4
Until 31st August
17.20 (1 hour)