EDINBURGH 2023: Review: KATHY AND STELLA SOLVE A MURDER, Underbelly

With book and lyrics by Jon Brittan and music by Matthew Lloyd, Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder was a huge hit at the Fringe in 2022 and is back at a bigger venue in 2023. Kathy (Bronté Barbé) and Stella (Rebekah Hinds) are best friends living in Hull who run a wildly unsuccessful true crime podcast. Kathy is an anxious person who still lives with her parents and dropped out of university and Stella sleeps on her sister's sofa and occasionally works in the family pub.

The pair are obsessed with a true crime writer called Felicia Taylor who single-handedly solved a serial killer case, a man known as 'the decapitator' many years ago. Keen to get her attention, they go to a book signing hoping that she can boost the profile of their podcast. Taylor is dismissive of them but the following day the women learn that Taylor has been murdered- and they're part of the investigation. 

Their involvement in the case and determination to solve it themselves leads to a huge boost in followers which comes with the good as well as the bad. There are supportive fans, hateful misogynists and those who get just a little too obsessed.

The songs are brilliant and the ensemble cast are fantastic, taking on multiple roles throughout. The writing is razor-sharp, twisty and a lot of fun. 

At its heart, Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder is a musical about friendship and how growing up doesn't necessarily mean growing apart. There are also severed heads, brilliant choreography and three references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. What more could you want in a musical?

Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder runs until 27 August

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