REVIEW: Under The Influence
Star review: ★★★★★
After becoming a viral sensation, identical twins Carine and Frances Gilbert just finished their run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and are now in London for a strictly limited time.
The twins end up in couples therapy as the world’s most co-dependent non-couple. The session erupts into a hilarious musical intervention and a reckoning that threatens to collapse their lifelong duet.
Written by Shona Maule, with book and lyrics by Carine Gilbert and Frances Gilbert, and directed by Georgie Rankcom, Under the Influence is a fast-paced, 60-minute show that never outstays its welcome. At the heart of the show is the twins' undeniable chemistry; their comedic timing and genuinely great vocals feel completely natural, making them an absolute joy to watch.
The story weaves the twins comedy together with original songs that are catchy, clever, and seamlessly integrated into the plot rather than interrupting it.
A standout moment is the song "Mirror & Shadow," which is beautifully performed and serves as one of the key points where the show reveals a more vulnerable side. Shona Maule is fantastic as Kate, adding even more comedy to the dynamic while also playing live on keyboard.
Although the story is delightfully funny, chaotic, and unapologetically silly, the humor lands brilliantly. Beneath all the silliness there is also a surprisingly touching story about sisterhood, co-dependency, and the struggle to find one's own identity. One of the production's greatest strengths is how effortlessly switch from comedy to something genuinely heartfelt within such a short runtime.
The staging is simple, a small stage with only a keyboard, a coach and some small elements such as a microphone. But it works, the production doesn't require extravagant elements because the performers and their chemistry are more than enough to carry the show.
While the storyline is fairly light, and a touch more depth around their individual identities could have amplified the emotional payoff, these minor critiques hardly detract from the experience. A few of the deliberately childish jokes may not land for every audience member, but the overall silliness is a major part of the show's chaotic charm.
Under The influence is playing until 26th September at The Kings’s head Theatre. More information can be found https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/under-the-influence-jzdy
