FRESHER the Musical

It’s unfortunate for the perky young company behind FRESHER the Musical that in the year since their award-winning Fringe debut, the prospect of higher education has, for many, taken a rather dismal turn. The effect is that FRESHER’s light-hearted and well-intentioned romp through first year at university comes across as almost risibly naïve. 

Though the lovable five leads may hail from disparate coffee mug captions—Rah, Northern Lass, Geezer etc—they are united by an impressive dearth of cynicism. Well, this is a musical, but soon all tension disappears as well. The outing of one and the pouting of two others reveal the plot arc in its entirety (Acceptance! Romance!) a mite too early on. 

Still, it’s clear from its title that FRESHER is attuned to the individual for whom a liberal use of caps lock spells not impending DOOM but impending PARTY. And party they do, particularly Daniel Buckley’s standout Rupert, the paunched posh boy whose penchant for rapping provokes some considerable chortles. A well-observed drunken rant set to music by Natalie Bush’s rah Ally is also compelling in a 2am chip shop sort of way. 

Polished, neatly choreographed and impeccably performed, these chipper musical numbers serve to rather drain out the messy reality of first year. They’re fueled mostly by college cliches, Red Bull and a resounding chorus of “These are the best years of our lives!” In the end, FRESHER graduates with a 2.1 in wholesomeness but weathering the real world requires a few more risks.