Queueing in a secondary line for 20 minutes past the advertised start time had me worried to begin with, but the sheer sprawling size of the gathering crowd shows just how vast Jazz Emu’s reach has gone across today’s Fringe audience. Once we eventually took our seats in Pleasance one, and having seen some really funny online clips of what Emu has up his sleeve, I hoped the show would be worth the wait.
Jazz Emu sets the scene as an open rehearsal in the basement of the Royal Albert Hall exactly one hour before the Royal Variety Show, at the end of which, one performer alone shall be chosen to be knighted by his Majesty. Jazz Emu has some rivals to bypass for the slot and some accusations to beat before he can be knighted by the King though.
This plot does get lost and forgotten about at times throughout the next hour, as Jazz Emu sings songs about snakes drinking 7up (that’s actually Sprite) and not hogging the limelight, while completely hogging the limelight that entertain and baffle in equal measure. But one gets the feeling that’s the point.
The music on display here is fantastic. The coolness that drips from every note and solo is so infectious and really great to watch. Emu himself is a fantastic front man and a brilliant entertainer; managing to be funny and also very on-key and eye catching all in one. His band are fantastic and tight with each other and even get involved in some goofiness throughout the evening.
It’s quite hard to hear the vocals at times against the volume of the live band, but this is helped with large lyrics sporadically splashed on the back screen. This screen is used expertly to add more comedy to what is already a cacophony of laughs, utilising hilarious slides, videos and cameos (one from Sam Campbell is a stand out) to embellish Emu’s eclectic storytelling. On the night there were lots of tech issues, it’s rather obvious they have been happening every night as is wont with the Fringe, but Emu handles them like a pro, twisting them to his side by making jokes and getting laughs out of them.
The piece overall feels half disjointed music jam session and half comedy musical. This isn’t unwelcome, however, and results in an hour of unique Fringe absurdness that delights and satisfies.
Theatre Scotland 
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