Review: How To Win Against History - The Henry Cyril Paget musical by Seiriol Davies | Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025
- Lisa in the theatre
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Seiriol Davies' 2016 Edinburgh Fringe hit 'How To Win Against History' returns to the Edinburgh festival in 2025 to mark the 150th anniversary of Henry Cyril Paget's birth. The new extended edition of the historic musical comedy plays at Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe from 30th July - 24th August following a premier at Bristol Old Vic in June.
How To Win Against History - the Henry Cyril Paget musical ★★★★☆
review: 7 August 2025 | Underbelly George Square, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Henry Cyril Paget was the 5th Marquis of Anglesey and one of the world's wealthiest men, until he blew his family fortune on being fabulous. Henry liked to wear beautiful dresses and perform in his own plays; he even went as far as to convert the family chapel into a theatre. His family thought he was an embarrassment; and when Paget died penniless at just 29 years old, his family burned his diaries, destroyed his letters and tried to erase any record of him ever having existed.
'How To Win Against History' is award-winning writer and performer Seiriol Davies' tragi-comedy musical that attempts to reclaim Paget's place in the history books. It's a true story about not fitting in, and it was a hit when it first premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2016.
For it's triumphant return in 2025, Olivier award-winning producers Francesca Moody have collaborated with Bristol Old Vic Theatre to bring an expanded version of Paget's story back to the fringe to mark 150 years since Henry Cyril Paget's birth. This new version is 1 hour 30 minutes long (no interval) and sees the original lead cast of Seiriol Davies, Matthew Blake and Dylan Townley return to their roles.
The musical begins with Paget being shipped off to posh boarding school Eton, where he didn't have the most pleasant of times. It did take me a good 20 minutes to warm to this musical, so quirky in tone and so alien in subject, it was difficult to relate. The musical uses patter song in parts - that uptempo, rhythmic flurry of words so popular in comedy musicals of the late 1800's and it did take my ears a minute adapt. But the musical style fits perfectly with the time period of Paget's 'scandalous' affairs and the company pull it off with finesse.
The cast are so talented, and Henry's life so intriguing, the story soon drew me in. The two main players (Seiriol Davies as Paget and Matthew Blake as, well, every other key figure in Paget's life) are exceptional. They are supported by bouncy Musical Director Dylan Townley on keys, and a 4 piece live band, who are all thoughtfully integrated into the production.
'How To Win Against History' races through the key moments and relationships of Paget's life, and by the final 30 minutes, the play had me in a chokehold, so invested was I in Paget's fate and so enthralled by these performers. It really is a gorgeous piece of theatre.
The storytelling does feel a little disjointed at times, and we skip over any deep understanding of Paget's motivations, yet through this fleeting celebration of his life we are left in no doubt the he just wanted to be happy. He simply wanted a life that sparked joy.
Paget's story is heartbreaking but hopeful, and it's an inspired concept for an original piece of musical theatre. Dressed here in fabulous costumes by Ryan Dawson Laight, and bathed in exquisite lighting by Robbie Butler, Henry Cyril Paget lives on for 90 minutes each night and wow, does he sparkle. ★★★★☆
How To Win Against History plays at the Udderbelly at Underbelly George Square at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until Sunday 24th August. Find more info below.
Bristol Old Vic and Francesca Moody Productions present
HOW TO WIN AGAINST HISTORY
Book, music & lyrics by Seiriol Davies | with Matthew Blake and Dylan Townley
Directed by Lisa Spirling
How to Win Against History Cast & Credits
Book Music and Lyrics are by Seiriol Davies who also stars as Henry Paget.
Director: Lisa Spirling
Set Designer: Hayley Grindle
Costume Design: Ryan Dawson Laight
Lighting Designer: Robbie Butler
Sound Designer: Dan Samson
Orchestrator: Dylan Townley
Musical Supervisor & Co-orchestrator: Leo Munby
The original cast return with Seiriol Davies as Henry Cyril Paget,
Matthew Blake and Dylan Townley
.
Originally devised by Seiriol Davies, Matthew Blake, Dylan Townley, Áine Flannagan and Alex Swift.
Originally Directed by Alex Swift.
How to Win Against History at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025
30 Jul – 24 Aug
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025
Underbelly, George Square (Udderbelly)
7.15pm | From £11
