The Singer
★★★★☆ Ebullient
Traverse (Venue 15): Thurs 6 – Sun 30 Aug 2026
Review by Hugh Simpson
The Singer at the Traverse is a joyous, energetic piece of musical theatre that is going to win many friends.
With a book by Cora Bissett (who also directs) and music and lyrics by KT Tunstall, it is presented by Dundee Rep and Solar Bear in collaboration with Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Jamie Rea and Dylan Wood. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
Andy (Dylan Wood), a once nearly-famous singer-songwriter now down on his luck and busking, meets Joe (Jamie Rea), a young Deaf man. Joe responds to the music in ways Andy could never have expected (although he thinks Andy’s lyrics are ‘shite’) and soon they are writing together.
While at times the story is decidedly formulaic (you could set your watch by the various triumphs and setbacks) and it does fall into the trap of being straightforwardly ‘inspirational’ occasionally, there is also so much to love. There’s a crackling energy about it, the writing is sharp, emotional and deeply felt, and Tunstall’s songs are well integrated.
raffish charm
Rea’s performance is excellent, with the character’s sneaky wit and exasperation contrasting with the sheer joy embodied in his signing to the music. Wood, meanwhile, has a winningly raffish charm as the unreliable, self-obsessed Andy. The growing connection between the two of them is beautifully played (even though you can guess it isn’t all going to be plain sailing.)
Hannah Jarrett-Scott and Petre Dobre, meanwhile, play a variety of other characters, notably the ‘Oracles’ who are Joe’s grandparents, with Jarrett-Scott adding greatly to the production’s musical impact.
Jamie Rea, Dylan Wood & Hannah Jarrett Scott. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
Musical director Michael John McCarthy and sound designer Garry Boyle do justice to Tunstall’s music, while the lighting of Emma Jones helps give the production a real air of spectacle. Jenny Booth’s design seems to turn the whole stage into a speaker cabinet, enhancing the feeling that for once that ‘gig theatre’ description might be accurate.
Bissett’s direction fizzes with life, while BSL is completely integrated into the play itself (Benedetta Zanetti is the associate BSL director). The captioning of Daniel Hughes is particularly imaginative and creative.
There is a gleefully righteous persistence to this production that overcomes the predictability of some of the narrative. Plus it’s so much fun. This is going to be a massive hit.
Running time: One hour and 25 minutes (no interval).
Traverse (Traverse 1), 10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED (Venue 15).
Tuesday 4 – Sunday 30 August 2026.
Tue – Sun: See website for details.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.
Tickets direct from venue: Book here.
Dundee Rep website: www.dundeerep.co.uk/
Facebook: @DundeeRep
Instagram: @dundeerep
Linktree: @DundeeRep.
The Singer on tour in September 2026
Wed 9 – Sat 12 September 2026
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Tue 15 – Sat 19 September 2026
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Tickets and details: Book here.
Wed 23 – Sat 26 September 2026
Dundee Rep
Tickets and details: Book here.
Jamie Rea & Dylan Wood. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
ENDS
