The second annual Colchester Fringe Festival was held the weekend of 20-23 October and it was packed with events and performances covering dance, theatre, comedy, drag, poetry, music, children’s shows and more, turning shops into stages it had something for everyone. Shows were fairly priced or were free and pay what you can afford.
Grapevine went to see the premier of ‘Juno and the Jetpacks’, a one-woman performance at The Headgate Theatre, by Fizz & Chips Productions.
Juno and the Jetpacks have been successful in their music career after their first album, but it’s been two years since their last single and Juno has got writers block.
We meet Juno at 1am and she is still up, not sleeping as she’s trying to compose the next hit. It should be so easy to write a break-up song, but it’s been two weeks since her and vanilla Stephen have split and nothing creative is happening.
Getting tired and delirious due to the late hour, a few funny lyrics come out in what she admits is a bad song, particularly as it’s about menstrual cramps sung in a jazzy sexy way, however she sends it to her manager regardless, just to show she’s trying.
We follow Juno over a period of time as she’s tries different techniques to find creativity and being reflective on her life, she creates songs to suit her mood and her thoughts. We learn about her frustrations of being bisexual with the constant stigma and stereotypical comments people make and how it affects her emotionally. Although there are not the only reasons she is sometimes a not a good friend as she misses birthdays and falls out of favour with her group of friends.
The tracks are performed along the timeline of Juno’s story and are a mix of styles and emotions. Some are funny: ‘When things are bad, go to the club’…and generally get drunk and have fun. She produces a heavy metal track when she is angry about the world and how she is treated. She feels she is either not gay enough or not straight enough to fit in, but as the story unfolds and her creativity is inspired by her feelings. She works through her emotions through song and she becomes happier and more confident belting out her final song about ignoring people’s sexuality. It’s a great pop track and we know it’s going to be a hit.
Described as a musical experience and it is. It’s fun, funny, heart-warming and entertaining. Lindsey Woods is an engaging talent with a fabulous voice.
This review appearedon GrapevineLIVE
Links:
Fizz & Chips Production
Headgate Theatre
Colchester Fringe Festival