Ctrl+Alt+Deceit! – Ed Fringe 2024

Ctrl+Alt+Deceit!: Upper Theatre (Thrust) – theSpace @ Niddry St

21st August 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ctrl+Alt+Deceit! follows dowdy, kind, trusting, lonely, technologically naïve Aunt June, desperate to connect with her niece Andy. Andy suggests that June fill her time by finding friendships online, however matters take a strange turn after June unwittingly finds herself on the Dark Web and befriending a low-level drug ring. Set to an upbeat funk/pop score, this new production by the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society, focuses on the relationship between Andy and June, who share a mother/daughter-like bond.

This is a clever and original concept. Jessi Rogers steals the show as the gullible, slightly awkward but loveable Aunt. She delivers the lines with good comic timing and vocally is strong. Another great vocal performance comes from Ava Fitzhugh. It is also brilliant to see an onstage live band – something not many shows at the Fringe have.

The story itself plods along quite nicely with a clever/cruel trick at the end. Unfortunately, there were lots of tech issues with the handheld microphones and the production could perhaps work better without them anyway so the actors could show more expression. The original songs by Ariella Gordon are performed well and have catchy lyrics. The set list feels very fresh and modern.

Ctrl+Alt+Deceit! is a good example of a Fringe musical – the audience isn’t quite sure what they’ll expect but that’s the beauty of it. With good vocals, a clever and original story and talented young cast this is a fun show to catch at this year’s Fringe.

For more information and tickets click here.

AD – PR invite in exchange for a honest review.