James B Partridge transformed the halls of the Gilded Balloon into a primary school assembly hall, injecting a fantastic sense of nostalgia as he shared some of the most beloved ‘primary school bangers’ to ever exist. From assembly classics to school disco anthems, and even some that would never be approved in a school setting (including a power-ballad version of It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy), James B Partridge proved that even years later, these iconic songs will always hold a special place in our hearts!
The premise of this show is fairly simple: James is taking the audience back to the school assembly halls of yesteryear, complete with the classic “Hello, my name is…” poster that you would see in any classroom, as he invites the audience to become part of the ‘school’ choir, singing along to many of the classic tunes you would expect in a primary school environment. James is not your traditional music supply teacher (although he is definitely the one everyone wants), as he not only plays these classic songs but also includes a wonderful collection of 90s throwbacks, while interspersing hilarious and witty stories from his own life between the tracks being shared. This format tapped into a particular school memory for me, where each class was tasked with putting together a school assembly. I was actually cast as the iconic Tutankhamun and, with heavy guidance from our teacher, we had to create a performance that featured a selection of songs that the audience were encouraged to sing along with. There is something incredibly nostalgic about remembering these performances, where the entire school would be forced to participate in whatever bizarre production our teachers had decided upon. James manages to capture that exact feeling, making the audience feel like they have been transported straight back to their childhood classrooms. James B Partridge also used this opportunity to showcase just how talented a musician he truly is, as he accompanies himself on a range of instruments, including the piano and guitar. Just having to play one of these instruments would fill me with fear, but James seemed totally at ease switching between the two and using them in a range of unique and innovative ways. His ability to combine his musicianship with his comedy makes the entire performance feel incredibly natural, rather than simply being a collection of songs performed one after another. Through his his gospel classics such as Shine Jesus Shine, the incredibly Scottish My Bonnie, complete with the associated actions, samples from tracks by Oasis, Reach by S Club 7, and even the iconic reimagining of It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy mean that there is something for everyone, regardless of how long ago you attended primary school. Whether you remember these songs from school assemblies, discos, family car journeys or simply hearing them repeatedly on the radio, there is an excellent chance that James will perform something that sparks a long-forgotten memory.
One of the strongest aspects of the performance is the audience participation. James does not simply stand on stage and perform these songs while the audience watches; instead, he actively encourages everyone to become part of the ‘choir’. This creates a wonderfully infectious atmosphere inside the Gilded Balloon, with people singing along, joining in with the actions and fully embracing the silliness of the situation. The audience quickly becomes another character within the show, creating the feeling that everyone is back in school together. The comedy is also an important part of what makes the show so enjoyable. James’ stories about his own experiences provide plenty of opportunities for laughter while also creating natural links between the different songs. Rather than feeling like a traditional concert, the performance becomes a mixture of stand-up comedy, live music and nostalgic storytelling. This combination makes the show accessible even if you do not remember every single song, because there is always something else happening to keep the audience entertained. The inclusion of It Wasn’t Me was particularly hilarious for me because, if you ask my mother what my favourite song was while growing up, this would apparently be her answer. This comes complete with the fact that I apparently had my own dance sequence for it! Seeing James transform the song into a dramatic power ballad was therefore a particularly hilarious and nostalgic moment that brought back some very specific childhood memories. It perfectly demonstrates how James can take a song that everyone knows and completely reinvent it while still retaining the fun that made it so memorable. Another particularly enjoyable aspect of the show is how welcoming it feels. You do not need to be a huge fan of musical theatre or even particularly confident when it comes to singing to enjoy the experience. The entire audience is encouraged to participate together, meaning that nobody feels like they are being singled out. During the Fringe, where there are so many intense and challenging shows to experience, there is something incredibly refreshing about spending an hour simply having fun and embracing the nostalgia of childhood.
In conclusion, James B Partridge has crafted an evening celebrating some of the most iconic primary school classics that have held a special place in our hearts, consciously or otherwise, while transporting the audience back to those golden days. Guided through this nostalgic trip by the incredibly talented and musically gifted James B Partridge, this is a show that has everyone in the audience feeling immense amounts of joy, which is particularly important during the stressful, non-stop run of the Fringe! With its combination of nostalgia, comedy, audience participation and impressive musicianship, this is a wonderfully uplifting show that reminds us all that sometimes you just need to embrace your inner primary school child and sing along to the songs you grew up with. I would rate this show 4 out of 5 stars!
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