Dressed in glittering glasses and parked behind a piano, musical comedy star Alice Keys brings her hit London show to Edinburgh for 60 minutes of pure feel-good energy. Part interactive romcom and part Elton John tribute, this high-spirited production takes audiences on a silly, song-filled journey down the yellow brick road in search of love, laughter, and a happy ending.
Would you mind giving us an insight into what your show/event/performance is?
Rocket Fan is a one woman show told/sung and played on the piano by me, Alice Keys. It’s a completely original romcom told through characters and – in case you hadn’t guessed it – the songs of Elton John. It’s a 50/50 split of very silly comedy and songs you’ll know. It’s an hour of total escape.
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
I’m a cabaret performer and singalong pianist based in London and just knew I had a story to tell with Elton’s music. It took several years of talking about ‘my Elton John show’ before I found the time to sit and write it, and so I’m thrilled to finally be taking it to Edinburgh.
One of my favourite recurring moments of my work is singing the line ‘it’s a little bit funny’ and everyone in the venue of every age and demographic replying in unison ‘this feeling inside!’ at the top of their lungs. I wanted to take that moment – which is magic every time, a moment of total connection and group joy – and double down on it.
I took a WIP version of the show to the Camden Fringe, where it was seen by David Hardcastle (director of last year’s winning Fringe show, Baby Doomer by Sam Nicoresti) and David proposed working together. His review of the show and process is this: “I first saw Rocket Fan at a very early stage & when it was already very funny & very silly. Since then we’ve mostly been trying to make it even funnier & sillier. I think we’ve succeeded.”
How does it feel coming to (back to) the Fringe?
This is my first time heading to the Fringe as a performer, which feels crazy to say after being on the cabaret scene for so long. I’m really excited to be taking Rocket Fan up there, and have stayed pretty open with what to expect.
The chance to do back-to-back performances is a dream – no amount of working on a show can beat getting it out there and doing it. I have the benefit of a wide circle of friends and performers who have all been able to give me advice. That said, the advice has been wide-ranging and often contrary, so I think it’s safe to say that every experience of the Fringe is unique.
With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?
My show sits between genres – part comedy, part musical, part theatre. Hopefully this means there’s something for everyone. You might come along because you’re an Elton John fan (you’ll find some Easter eggs if you are), or you might not care about Elton John at all but want an hour of uplifting comedy. Or you might want a break from a wonderful but heavy show you’ve seen and the chance to get lost in a romcom.
It’s a full narrative show in which you’re taken through an original story and end up rooting for one of two outcomes – audiences have so far been 50/50 split on their desired outcome, with strong feelings on either side. No spoilers here, I promise.
On that, is there anything in the production or production team’s backgrounds which influences the way the show is performed or told?
Rocket Fan uses everything I’ve learnt in decades on the cabaret and live music scene. There is singing and playing the piano because that is my skillset (no coincidence that Elton John was my artist of choice). But perhaps more importantly my career has been audience interaction and comedy timing night after night for years and it was really satisfying to apply everything I’ve learnt to a structured show.
The places I work (singalong venues and leading choirs) are all based around music and connection as a cathartic release, and so that was the driving motivation behind the show. It’s a space to feel good, to be entertained, to laugh and sing.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
My dream is that everyone leaves buzzed full of endorphins from singing together. It’s a bold statement, as I know that some people reading this will see ‘singalong’ and shudder. And you can certainly enjoy Rocket Fan without singing a single note – it’s comedy and story.
But as a choir leader and singalong pianist I love a rousing crowd number. One of the opening lines is ‘if you hear a song you know, singalong’ and a beautifully surprising number of the audience end up joining in.
I live for that one person who only ever sings in the shower, and by the end of Rocket Fan finds themselves belting out I’m Still Standing without any self-consciousness, walking out still humming it.
Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?
My ideal audience is a pair. One has come because they love a singalong, or because they love the idea of fun and feelgood romcom. Or because they’re an Elton John fan.
And they’ve brought along a pal or partner who has no idea what they’re about to see and is sitting idly scrolling their phone, indifferent until the lights come up and they politely put it away. And, an hour later, they are BOUNCING out of the venue high on laughs, pop songs and ridiculous characters. It’s a stealth show – you don’t see the full circle story until it hits you, and you don’t think you like Elton John as much as it turns out you do, after twelve bangers are snuck into the story and you’ve found yourself humming along to all of them.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
I like to step out and give my brain something completely different. Last year I took a historical walking tour of the Vaults under Edinburgh and it was absolutely fascinating and really good to be in a different headspace. Though it came complete with some pretty grisly stories, so it was great to get back to comedy shows that night. A good balancing act.
I’m a big fan of Tim Benzie – seeing Solvealong-a-Murder-She-Wrote last year was the proof I needed to bring Rocket Fan up. It was (and I hope he won’t mind my saying this) in the same category of “delightfully silly”.
I also love mixed bill shows as a helpful guide to who you might want an hour of. I saw Hannah Byczkowski do a hilarious slot as part of ‘Best Of The Queer Fringe’ last year (also a show I recommend, a night I frequent and enjoy in London year-round) and it made me want to go and see more of her.
Alice Keys: Rocket Fan will run at Venue 24, Coorie at Gilded Balloon Patter House
Runs: August 5th – August 17th at 19.40pm
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