Will Pickvance: Wonky
★★★★☆ Inviting
Summerhall (Venue 26): Thu 1 – Mon 26 Aug 2024
Review by Hugh Simpson
Will Pickvance: Wonky, at Summerhall Old Lab throughout the Fringe, is a charming, inventive and diverting show, guaranteed to cheer up even the most jaded Fringe-goer.
Pickvance writes, directs, performs, plays the piano and generally comes across as an exceptionally good egg. Often, a solo show with the performer doing everything (other than Finlay Murray’s impeccable technical direction) can come across as self-indulgent, but here everything is pitched just right.
Will Pickvance promo shot for Wonky. Pic: Peter Dibdin
This is the case even though the focus of the show is Pickvance’s own musical life – accompanying his father’s singing, playing in a backing band for an unlikely Elvis tribute act, serenading the members at an exclusive Highland members’ club.
The stories are accompanied by his signature piano playing, improvising on familiar themes, combining Gershwin with Beethoven, or Delilah with My Favourite Things. The conceit at the start is that being a travelling pianist is like going on dates, but Pickvance’s relationship with his piano is clearly a long-term and mutually beneficial one.
He is, of course, based at Summerhall, and it is heartening to see a show at the venue that mentions its uncertain future. Not that this is done in a blatant or angry way; rather, it is in the same cheerful, slightly self-deprecating manner as everything else.
undeniable rhythm
As usual, the audience are side-on to Pickvance; we watch his hands as he plays, he turns to speak to us even as he gets to the difficult bits. The fact that he often speaks and plays at the same time gives the show an undeniable rhythm.
It doesn’t seem to matter whether the audience is huge or sparse, or composed largely of adults or children. Although this show does seem more grown-up than some previous ones. Not that there is anything unsuitable for children here (the recommendation is 8+), but there is a wistful, almost elegiac feel to some of it.
The overriding emotion, however, is simple joy in watching Pickvance as a raconteur and a pianist.
Running time: One hour (no interval)
Summerhall (Old Lab), 1 Summerhall, EH9 1PL (Venue 26)
Thursday 1 – Monday 26 August 2024
Daily (not 12, 19) at 5.55 pm
Details and tickets at: Book here
Website: www.willpickvance.com
Facebook: @ pickvance
Instagram: @ willpickvance
Will Pickvance promo shot for Wonky. Pic: Peter Dibdin
ENDS
