Not since the days of The Brass Band (or Bent Brass as they were know when touring Australia) who stormed the comedy world back in the early 80s, selling out venues at all the major festivals including many extended tours of Australia, have my ears been so delighted at the twisted renderings of modern music to the arrangement of a brass quintet.
The five players in standard formation of two trumpets, french horn, trombone and tuba gave us very loud and fast versions of classics such as Take On Me, All By Myself, Livin’ La Vida Loca and I Feel Good, plus a number of songs from artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Guns ‘n’ Roses and Michael Jackson.
The format of the show is a very subtle advertisement for merchandising (three CD’s £10 each or £25 for the set either after the gig or at the box office), with random letters from the alphabet being chosen by the lone female member of the troupe (trumpet) doing the duty of letter holder, and songs based on those choices being played.
If you are of a nervous disposition or have sensitive hearing, I’d recommend sitting at the back as, like all brass players, a volume control is not included. I should also warn you that there are a number of painful puns during the between song banter. The almost full house were stamping their feet and cheering at the end of the show and perhaps an encore could be considered next time? I do recommend seeing this show and, if any entrepreneurs are reading, book them on a tour of Australia as they will sell out a theatre restaurant for months!
PS you can find samples of their work on the interwebby thing at www.oompahbrass.com
Visit the Edinburgh Fringe website for booking details