Mismatched

Mismatched is a rather stunning musical cabaret that looks at mismatched couples and the songs that they may sing together. Expertly performed by Penny Shaw and Robert Hoffman, with musical direction and accompaniment by Tommaso Pollio - this is a show that despite its relative simplicity, feels like it belongs more in a concert hall than in a small venue at the Girls School - so you feel like you a privy to an extra special treat.

Penny Shaw and Robert Hoffman have amazing voices, both with beautiful tone and great range and they blend beautifully together. Opening with the lightly operatic “Oh Happy We” from Candide, we spend a happy hour with a variety of ‘unlikely’ couples and a couple of fun diversions. Highlights include “Have You Met My Wife?” and “It’s Never Too Late”, as well as a very funny look at Downton Abbey, which culminates in a gender flipped rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. Another special treat is Penny’s tribute to her home in Fremantle - a very cute parody of a very famous song about another seaside town.

Most performances of this show take place in the Girls School’s Library - a very comfortable, if compact, venue. The matinee was in ‘Home Economics’, where the heat knocked out keyboard channels and caused some other grief. These fabulous performers continued with good grace and delivered outstanding performances in a three-piece suit and faux fur as though conditions were perfect.

Mismatched is a great way to add some class to your FringeWorld choices. A very funny, brilliantly sung, little extravaganza.

Kimberley Shaw

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