Carrie: The Musical
★★★★☆ Electrifying
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152): Mon 17-Sat 22 Aug 2026
Review by Eilidh Sim
Carrie: The Musical from the Edinburgh University Footlights at Paradise in Augustines is a gory and emotional adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, with book by Lawrnce D Cohen, music by Michael Gore and lyrics by Dean Pitchford.
A cast of 15 tell the story of social outcast Carie, who discovers the power of telekinesis in the week leading up to her senior school prom. Set in 1974, Carrie struggles with her mum’s strict rules around religion at home, and the wrath of her bullies in school. As the days count down to Prom Night, things only get more out of hand.
A scene from Carrie: The Musical. Pic: Emily Sharp.
From the get go, the cast establishes a high energy and excitement to the stage, which pushes the idea of school kids ready to leave school. The opening number ‘In’ performed by the whole cast, launches the musical into its high energy which stays with the show until the very end.
Lucy Walker is a magnificent Carrie White, using the full range of emotions over the musical. Walker allows Carrie’s vulnerable and timid traits to shine through during songs like Carrie and Why Not Me?, and shows the depth to Carrie’s character and the truth of her internal anger in other numbers such as The Destruction.
thoughtful
Tilda Dyer is captivating as the thoughtful and sweet Sue Snell, who tries her best but doesn’t always succeed in making the situation better. Dyer has successfully characterised Sue, which can be seen through her incredible voice during her musical numbers such as Once You See, where the acting choices made towards her character are made clear.
Carri’s mother, mother, the strictly religious Margaret White (Hannah Whelan), is a powerful presence throughout the play. Appearing only in the scenes at home, her presence and influence is felt at home and at school. Her anger and desire is shown though numbers like And Eve Was Weak and When There’s No One, where Whelan’s abilities really shine through.
Rosie Wilkinson dominates the stage as popular mean girl Chris Hargensen, who always has her say. Wilkinson’s characterisations reveals Chris’s true motives and how cruel the character truly is. Wilkinson’s phenomenal singing voice brings her arrogance of her character out front in numbers such as Do Me A Favour and A Night We’ll Never Forget; while finding a gentler aspect during the end of The World According To Chris, where you can see that there could be a lot more going on than meets the eye.
A scene from Carrie: The Musical. Pic: Emily Sharp.
Compassionate Tommy Ross (Jack Thomas), is the opposite of the other boys in the class, being kind and caring towards Carrie. Thomas successfully brings out the idea that, despite being a popular star athlete, he he has an emotional side. It’s a realistic portrayal and his emotion shines through in his astonishing rendition of Dreamer in Disguise.
Miss Gardner (Chloe Brandwin) is Carrie’s biggest supporter, and goes out of her way to make sure she is okay. Brandwin is fierce in her portrayal, while also showing a quieter and more timid side to her character throughout the production.
a sense of community
The ensemble are energetic as classmates and another teach, creating depth to the school scenes and allowing for a sense of community within the play. Although not carrying the leads, they all have strong singing voices which effortlessly bend together, which allows for a beautiful performance.
Directors Hannah-Rose Laverick and Aoife Hallett, make effective use of the minimal set design, with only bits of stage furniture on an otherwise bare stage differentiating the different scenes. Melody Cheng’s choreography impresses throughout, specifically during prom night, where the cast can be seen to perform stunts while also roaming the stage.
A scene from Carrie: The Musical. Pic: Emily Sharp.
Costume managers Charlotte Delahunt, Mabel Russell-Douglas and costume assistant Thea Lindow, have thoughtfully created outfits which fit the mid Seventies timeframe, with each character’s revealing something about them.
A live band off to the side of the stage, under musical directors Pen Hughes and Kieran Penman give the production added depth. And despite a number of minor technical microphone issues on the night Æ was in, the cast’s energy never falters.
Carrie: The Musical is an electrifying production, providing new life into the already loved novel.
Running time: Two hours and 30 minutes (including one interval).
Paradise in Augustines (Sanctuary), 41 George IV Bridge EH1 1EL (Venue 152).
Monday 17 – Saturday 22 August 2026.
Daily: 6.15pm.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.
EU Footlights website: edfootlights.squarespace.com/
Facebook: @edfootlights
Instagram: @carrie.footlights
Instagram: @eufootlights
TikTok: @carrie.footlights
Linktree: @footlights2425.
A scene from Carrie: The Musical. Pic: Emily Sharp.
ENDS
