Review: The Singer, Traverse Theatre | Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Travfest26
- Lisa in the theatre
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 minutes ago
A new musical with music and lyrics by Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall has had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this month. The Singer, based on the short film by Cora Bissett and Jamie Rea premieres at the Traverse Theatre, where it plays until Sunday 30th August as part of TravFest26. Read my review below.
The Singer (musical) ★★★★☆
Review: 13 August 2026 | Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
When deaf songwriter Joe (Jamie Rea) meets down-on-his-luck busker Andy (Dylan Wood), the two bond over their love of music and form an unlikely songwriting partnership.
Based on the short film by writer/director Cora Bissett and performer Jamie Rea, The Singer is a kinetic new piece of gig-theatre that blends BSL (British Sign Language), creative captions and spoken English to create a show that equally showcases the live music experience for both the hearing and deaf communities.
This creative new musical, boasting original music and lyrics by multi-award-winning Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, had its world premiere at the Traverse Theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this week, where it plays for the full month of August, followed by a small Scottish tour in September.
As you would expect of a co-production with the remarkable Glasgow-based Solar Bear theatre company (who have created this show in collaboration with Dundee Rep Theatre and Aberdeen Performing Arts), The Singer weaves its inspiring story using an inclusive mix of deaf and hearing actors.
Jamie Rea plays Joe, a young deaf man who loves music and who yearns to perform it. He experiences music physically, feeling rhythm through his body by use of large thumping speakers and a special vibrating backpack. A skilled lyricist, could he be the secret weapon that failing rock star Andy needs?
A vulnerable yet determined character who is constantly fighting for a chance to be seen, Rea's Joe is an unforgettable protagonist for a musical theatre story played with assured confidence here by the brilliant Rea.
At one point during The Singer, Rea breaks the fourth wall to teach the audience a children's song. If there's anything more beautifully moving than a full auditorium, silently moving their arms and hands in unison to a KT Tunstall original song, then I've yet to experience it. I had to choke back tears.
Rea is joined on stage by Scottish musical theatre superstar Dylan Wood, who plays Andy, a former rock singer balancing family commitments with a desire to be a star. Wood's charisma and soulful voice are as electrifying as always. He's an effortlessly believable rock star.
As a central duo, Rea and Wood are magnetic.
The small company is completed by Hannah Jarrett-Scott and Petre Dobre, who provide spoken and BSL narration, and who play various supporting characters in the story. At times, some of their over-the-top caricatures fall dangerously close to being absurd and feel out of sync with the otherwise authentic show. But mostly they are fabulous. Dobre is an engaging BSL storyteller, while actor-musician Jarrett-Scott lays down yet another standout performance. Her voice on the KT Tunstall songs - of which she takes the lead on many - is a match made in heaven.
Tunstall's original songs are arranged for the stage by Musical Director Michael John McCarthy, who, along with sound designer Garry Boyle, have expertly crafted a unique experience. They finely balance the levels to, at times, allow the bass to drown out the lyrics. Normally a cardinal sin in musical theatre, here it permits a hearing audience some idea of what it's like to experience music from a deaf perspective. It's all so well done.
While the core plot of The Singer is a little predictable, the way the story is realised, using inclusive language and creative performance techniques, is a triumph. Yes, the end is downright unbelievable, but it's also the perfect fantastical finale for a blistering, uplifting ride of a new musical full of genuinely brilliant new songs. With gorgeous performances from four fine Scottish actors at the heart of the show, let's hope we hear more from The Singer. ★★★★☆
The Singer is at Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh until Sunday 30th August 2026
It then plays The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen (9 – 12 Sept), The Citizens Theatre in Glasgow (15 - 19 Sept) before returning to Dundee Rep Theatre (23 – 26 Sept), where it previewed.
Read more reviews from TravFest26 here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/blog/tags/travfest26
Find all my Edinburgh Fringe coverage here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/edinburgh-fringe
Writer and Director of The Singer, Cora Bissett said:
“I am delighted to bring The Singer to Dundee, the Edinburgh Fringe, and audiences across Scotland this summer. The show was inspired by watching lead actor Jamie Rea perform in BSL to music at his drama school showcase, an experience that opened my eyes to the many ways Deaf people can connect with music. What began as a short film during lockdown has long been destined to become a full-length stage production.
“I’m thrilled that KT Tunstall has come on board to write songs for the show, bringing her wealth of songwriting talent as well as her decades of life experience as a world-renowned artist. It has been a total joy to collaborate with her on this project.
“This production brings together some of Scotland’s finest actor-musicians alongside outstanding Deaf artists.
With the support of Andrew Panton, Dundee Rep Theatre and Solar Bear, in collaboration with Aberdeen Performing Arts, we have a unique opportunity to create a groundbreaking music theatre project uniting Deaf and hearing artists in a way not seen before in Scotland.”
Award-winning singer KT Tunstall said of The Singer:
"The Singer is a project that resonates so deeply with my own life experience; following my own passion for music and the struggle to make it happen, along with growing up with a profoundly deaf younger brother - and later in life experiencing losing half of my own hearing.
"I am very excited to see what we can do with this truly original story on stage."
Artist, Jamie Rea said:
“I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to be working alongside two legendary Scottish women, Cora Bissett and KT Tunstall. What an incredible opportunity to collaborate with such inspiring artists!
“I am also delighted to welcome Benedetta Zanetti as our BSL Associate Director. Her talent and vision will be invaluable to this project. And, as always, it is a joy to have Petre Dobre involved - working with him is always something I look forward to.
“Together, we are bringing an extraordinary team of creative minds together to tell a powerful and exciting story. The talent, passion, and energy in this room are truly inspiring, and I cannot wait to see what we create together.
“Music, theatre, and creative collaboration have always been at the heart of what I love. To have the chance to combine all of these passions in one project feels incredibly special. I am beyond excited to get started on this journey and cannot wait to share this story with audiences.
“Watch this space - it's going to be something really special!”
Jennifer Bate, Solar Bear Creative Director, said:
“The Singer marks a defining moment - both for Solar Bear and the Scottish arts - gig theatre that blazes with BSL,
Deaf culture and extraordinary talent, delivered on some of the biggest stages in Scotland. This show is produced after decades of education, exploration and championing with, by and for Deaf artists. We advocate for Deaf stories to be seen, heard and valued. Today we are standing on the shoulders of all those who came before, those who pioneered for equality, quality access and inclusion. This is a showcase of that time, energy and passion.”
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