The House of Mirrors & Hearts

C
4-30 August, 22.50

The excellent Sell A Door company brings us a powerful new musical by the talented team of Eamonn O’Dwyer and Robert Gilbert. A family is shattered by a tragic event. Seven years on, we see how the death of a family member affects the lives of the ones left behind. A stranger enters their lives and they are forced to confront the past and deal with their demons.

The book is strong and the music, while it does have echoes of Sondheim (and doesn’t quite reach his heights but who does?), is moving and occasionally beautiful. Many new musicals are let down by so-so lyrics but not so here,

In a strong company, Noa Bodner ,as the alcoholic mother, and Rachel Holbrook, as her wayward, damaged daughter, stand out. Like many shows at the Fringe, it would benefit from higher production values, which would allow the company to enhance an already satisfying, intriguing and beautifully performed piece.