EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: WASTED LOVE, C Venues, Aug 20 2011

Kevin Sherwin

The setting of John and Gerry Kielty's Wasted Love - a group therapy session - immediately brings to my mind the 2009 Fringe production of Conor Mitchell's Have A Nice Life, my favourite of all the shows I've seen in my three years attending the Fringe. It seems an unfair comparison to make, given how much I enjoyed that, although it soon becomes clear that this show can more than hold its own.

We meet a group of disparate, desperate losers in love, and over the course of an hour learn (through song, of course) a little more about their situations, quirks and in one case, fairly grotesque sexual fetishes. And the songs are of a very high standard, but particularly memorable is one from the perspective of a stalker, and is sung with psychotic, hilarious intensity by John McLarnon (excellent throughout) along with the rest of the cast right into an unsuspecting audience member's face. It's a fantastic number, and while it is arguably the high point of the show, the rest aren't too far behind; the enormously likeable Sally Egginton's rousing gospel-infused song is one I would be only too happy to hear again.

There are other standouts (Ruthie Luff has more than a touch of an Amy Winehouse vibe, while Scott Gilmour's five-second appearance almost steals the show) but is at its best when performing this terrific score as an ensemble, and deserve all the praise they may get at the upcoming MTM: UK Awards, where the show is nominated in several categories.