Potty The Plant
Wilton’s Music Hall
Book By Aeddan Sussex, Baden Burns, and Sarah Burns.
Directed by Baden Burns.
When mysterious events begin to occur at Little Boo Boo’s General Hospital, a ragtag bunch of
dysfunctional nurses - and a singing, talking, tap dancing, Potted Plant - must pull together to save the day.
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Hello my freaky darlings! And welcome to an Echo Theatre Reviews… Theatre Review!
When deciding what my first review as an independent reviewer should be, there was no doubt in my mind that Potty the Plant, a show I saw almost two years ago at Edinburgh Fringe, was the perfect choice.
It’s a show I was truly excited to see again, having loved it the first time, but of course being something already beloved can pose a few challenges.
Over the years casts change, scripts are altered, and the memory of something extraordinary can be disappointing a second or third time around. Potty the Plant, however, is nothing short of magic on stage no matter how many times I see it.
Miss Lacey (Lucy Appleton) and Potty the Plant (Baden Burns)
It’s a master class in puppetry, dark humour, and original song writing, and I loved every second of it. The tunes are exceptionally catchy, incredibly funny, and also surprisingly heartwarming in places, each one a testament to their composer, Baden Burns.
Baden also plays the titular Potty the Plant, and has the metal of a man I feel could cope with anything. He spends most of the show in a box, giving an impressive voice to his counterpart, and genuinely had me forgetting that the main character of this show is a puppet! It takes a true master to have an audience seeing past the man to the plant, but Baden makes it seem effortless.
“I find each time I see it that I don’t want it to end.”
The hapless nursing trio of Mel (Stephanie Cubello), Steven (Sam Ridley), and Dave (Joe Winter) were a delight to behold as a team, and every time they stepped on stage it brought a smile to my face. Whether it was to throw in some harmonies over another actor’s song, or to deliver some truly memorable moments, I was always pleased to see them. Stephanie also has some of the best facial expressions in the business, and had me howling with laughter with nothing but a look, the mark of a true comic.
Miss Lacey (Lucy Appleton) was delightfully sweet, painfully naïve, and with a singing voice that made me want to “Awww” audibly. Lucy’s performance was brilliantly understated, and I found myself wanting to protect Miss Lacey from the evils around her because Lucy was such a sweet performer to watch on stage.
Nurse Dave (Joe Winter), Dr. Acula (Ash K-B), Nurse Mel (Stephanie Cubello), Miss Lacey (Lucy Appleton) Potty (Baden Burns), Nurse Steven (Sam Ridley).
My star of the show this evening simply has to go to the person who had me rolling with laughter one minute, cursing their name the next, and applauding so hard my hands hurt at the encore. Ash K-B, who played Dr. Acula was sublime to behold in action. With a singing voice that was impressive, the comic timing of one of the greats, and just the right dose of slime ball, I couldn’t fault anything they did on stage this evening.
The only thing I find disappointing about this show, is that it isn’t three hours long, because the production as a whole is so enjoyable, I find each time I see it that I don’t want it to end.
My one recommendation, my freaky darlings, is that if you hear the name “Potty the Plant” whispered amongst theatre circles, GO and see it. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Potty the Plant runs until June the 28th at Wilton’s Music Hall in London, before a run at the Edinburgh Fringe, which will be something you won’t want to miss!
Potty The Plant Creative Team
Book by Aeddan Sussex, Baden Burns, and Sarah Burns
Music by Baden Burns
Lyrics by Sarah Burns, Aeddan Sussex, and Baden Burns
Produced by Sarah Burns
Assistant Produced by Stephanie Cubello
Directed by Baden Burns
Assistant Directed by Aeddan Sussex
Musical Direction by Zach Burns
Sound by Malcolm Bayne
Potty - Baden Burns
Miss Lacey - Lucy Appleton
Dr. Acula - Ash K-B
Nurse Mel - Stephanie Cubello
Nurse Steven - Sam Ridley
Nurse Dave - Joe Winter