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Writer's pictureJohn Murray

Chemo Savvy Review - By John Murray

In memory of Scots comic actor Andy Gray, Chemo Savvy is a shining light within a dark comedy.

 


This was the play Andy Gray was writing with Alan McHugh when cancer struck rendering the project unfinished until now.  Recast and rewritten for Fringe 2024 in a limited run, the show had sold out before the festival had opened. Grant Stott saw Andy Gray as an inspiration and mentor as well as a dear friend as they performed the King’s Theatre Edinburgh pantomime every year which led to their Fringe collaboration winning a Fringe First with Kiss Me Honey Honey.  More followed until Andy’s untimely death as Grant carried forward on television, stage and BBC radio.  


The name is a play on words coming from a character in a 1950’s TV Western series called The Lone Ranger where in Kemo Sabe means ‘trusty scout’.  To emphasise this the original clip from the series is played on a loop as the audience shuffles in.  


For this all-new play Grant is on stage the whole time and starring alongside them are fellow River City actors Jordan Young and Gail Watson.  So, Grant’s character is diagnosed with cancer while Jordan plays his brother both as a youngster and in the present day.  Gail has several parts but all are distinguishable and I won’t give the plot away as a theatre tour must surely follow the sold-out Fringe success with just ten shows on offer.  


Suffice it to say there is laughter throughout and nostalgic jokes and music all recognisable but never corny.  Performances from all three are excellent within this intimate comfortable venue at the back of the Chambers Street museum.  Tiny references to the great Andy Gray are evident and his smiling face is on that same TV screen on stage as we leave.


This show has been rated ☆☆☆☆


Chemo Savvy ran at Gilded Balloon until the 24th of August.

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