Review: (Toronto) Mute - The Musical (Fringe)

Back to HS
by Beat Rice

As many people know Fringe shows are selected at random, giving opportunity to a range of artists from professional to amateur. The company of Mute: The Musical would fall under the latter.

The production resembles a middle school level play, complete with a cardboard set and an awkward start. 

Mute tells an unoriginal story about a new girl who is bullied by the popular girls and attracts the attention of one of the cool guys who has a history with the lead popular girl who is the meanest of them all. The personas are as cliché and predictable as the dialogue and lyrics. 

Bullying is a serious issue in schools. I appreciate the intention of an anti bullying message in a show that appeals to young people, and told by young people. Even the metaphor of finding your voice (literally) has some merit when we talk about self esteem and confidence. 

But this message was not communicated in the lacklustre performances. The performers were unable to fill the space of the Randolph with their voices even with the entire ensemble singing. I could barely make out the solos. There was no show program so I am unable to identity where the performers hail from. I am confident that they have had training because most of them kept their dance shoes/character shoes on between dance numbers. I bet with live mics they would take the house down. In another show.

Unfortunately the talents of the cast were lost, in this poorly written and directed musical.

July 2 - 13