The Real Kyle McCarren review – musical eulogy to lost bandmate strikes a chord

Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Andy Roninson’s tribute to a friend who died aged 21 combines original rock, soul and folk songs in a considered exploration of grief They say don’t speak ill of the dead – how about singing instead? Based on real events, this new US musical is designed as a loving but warts-and-all eulogy.

His friend and bandmate Kyle, who died out of the blue at the age of 21, was a rock for him, says creator Andy Roninson .

“But in a Sisyphus way.” Roninson narrates and plays the keys in a concert-style show that mostly unfolds in the days just after the death.

It’s that strange period where a private sense of loss collides with congregation and you see the deceased through the eyes of mutual acquaintances, which can be jarring.

This is exactly Andy’s experience as he’s outraged to find another so-called “best friend” Liam (Vincent Jamal Hooper) delivering a speech at the memorial, while tiptoeing around Kyle’s formidable mother (Jaygee Macapugay) and encountering Kyle’s ex (Sarah Coffey).

Each of them has a solo tribute, covering a pleasing variety of rock, soul and folk (Coffey’s plaintive ballad stands out).

Sean McVerry , who wrote the music and lyrics with book-writer Roninson, is ever-present as Kyle himself, frequently ribbing Andy.

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