Simon Ward reviews String V SPITTA at the Soho Theatre

Written and performed by Ed MacArthur (String) and Kiell Smith-Bynoe (SPITTA) and with George Chilcott’s direction keeping the mayhem just this side of chaos, this new musical comedy is an utter delight from start to finish. Normally the very idea of a kids’ birthday party is enough to make any grown adult reach for the hidden stash of booze behind the jelly and ice-cream. Add to that the dread of audience participation, and one feels the performers have set themselves a challenge in attracting audiences in the cut-throat world of the Edinburgh Fringe. However, initial misgivings should be discarded as their charm, wit and ingenuity manage to lower the defences of even the shyest of audience members to hilarious effect.

The conceit, carried on throughout, although with a few well-timed fourth-wall-breaking snatches of meta-theatre as well, is that we are all attendees at Anastasia’s sixth birthday party. She is the daughter of an absentee Russian oligarch and his wife, and the party is taking place in their West London mansion. The birthday girl is designated as one of the audience members. On the night I watched it the hilarity began (and the nervous energy of the performers grew) as the lady picked out forgot to play along when she was asked about her age… So we are all Anastasia’s friends, with the exception of one lucky person who is nominated as her menacing Russian bodyguard. The evening proceeds with songs and magic – real songs and real magic tricks. And slowly and delightfully, the story behind our hosts’ unlikely partnership emerges.

String, or Mr Silly String to give him his full title, is the doyen of West London children’s parties and has that lucrative patch of bankers and oligarchs seemingly sewn up. That is, until an upstart rival emerges – SPITTA – from the grimy, urban East End. He has infiltrated the kids’ consciousness on TikTok. String, in an attempt to save his career, and employing some very funny subterfuge, manages to persuade SPITTA that they are both required to entertain Anastasia and her pals. The songs are brilliantly done, reworking nursery favourites at breakneck speed and with topical jokes added. The gags also flow fast and furious while the barely-controlled madness of dealing with live, clueless audience members left me breathless with laughter. Both performers are warm and you can’t fail to be beguiled into getting involved. You might even find yourself a little moved as well. For anyone who has endured a real children’s party, or who has one to look forward to, they will never be viewed in quite the same light again. This deserves to be a huge hit.

String V SPITTA runs at Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE on 5th, then 8th to 10th August and afterwards at Pleasance Courtyard (Above), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ from 18th to 26th August as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023.