Tit Swingers sails into the Fringe scene with bold and unapologetic swagger, bringing together a crew (audience) of queer, neurodivergent misfits that fall outside of what society deems to be ‘the norm’. With tits literally swinging (thank you Abey Bradbury) it's a chaotic hour of mayhem and mischief, but it doesn't always navigate the choppy waters of the Fringe scene successfully.

The cast are clearly talented, but their voices felt underutilised throughout the show. Sam Kearney-Edwardes seemed better with ballads, where their vocal strengths are allowed to shine, rather than the rock numbers that dominated the score as this fit better with the plot and characters. The show leaned heavily into screaming and high-energy antics, which became overwhelming without sufficient moments of contrast or relief. Given the relatively short run time of an hour, this unbroken intensity made the experience feel unbalanced. 

There were several clever jokes scattered throughout, but many were lost due to issues with diction and projection, with the uncovered drum kit adding to the distortion of sound quality and overpowering the vocals. It seemed at times that the cast forgot the audience hadn’t been previously privy to the script, and as a result, some genuinely funny moments went unnoticed. It is also possible that some of these moments were adlibs and therefore not rehearsed with delivery to an audience in mind. 

A standout feature was the use of projections and the graphic design that filled this space. India Day has provided a unique visual flair that sets the show apart from others in this genre - whichever that may be. It’s clear this production has a distinct identity, though another of its strengths is that it straddles multiple categories, and could be framed in multiple different scenes - a credit to dramaturg Sophie Coward. 

The gig style musical definitely has its charm, especially if you are a fan of its high-energy chaos, however it is very much an acquired taste. The script is undeniably witty, and there’s a palpable sense of fun in the air, but the crassness might overshadow the cleverness for some. With a little more external input, this show could appeal to a broader audience without losing its core identity.

Overall, it felt that "Tit Swingers" was more about the performers enjoying themselves on stage than the audience necessarily enjoying the experience. If you’re in the mood for something offbeat and a little rough around the edges, it’s absolutely worth a shot (just don’t expect a completely smooth sailing)!

This show was reviewed on the 25th August 2024 at Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance Two, Edinburgh.

Review written by Katie-Anna McConnell

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