The Musically Intriguing Mr Dellamort
“The first marriage is always the silliest!”
Mr Dellamort
The show Falling in Love With Mr Dellamort is sub-titled a Musical Intrigue and we only have to hear a few notes of “To Die For” from Robert Tripolino, with the amazing ethereal Theremin accompaniment (Cornelius Loy) and we are already getting the feels.
Set in mysterious mansion hotel overlooking the sea, the scenario is three invited guests arriving here and anticipating the sexual advances of Mr Dellamore (Robert Tripolino). Sadly all three look a bit desperate. There is Barry (Chris O’Mara) in vest and fringed leather shorts and silly white socks with black boots. Camp gym freak, Barry looks so uncool next to the icy Cornelius Loy.
Mr Dellamort insists that all remove their footwear but they don’t obey him and he doesn’t seem to notice. Maybe the Edinburgh Fringe stage floor at C Aquila (A Latin reference to the Roman Eagle Lodge, the Masonic venue, the musical is situated in) would be hazardous to unshod feet? Trivia point: Interesting, from 1785 the Lodge masons conducted business in Latin.
Natalie Arle-Toyne plays Mina Thompson, the middle aged woman in the red suit, full of pent up desire and Jennie Jacobs is Rhonda Lipson a vampish, junkie in silk leopardskin, high boots and scary make-up, looking for drugs. Despite their odd appearance all three sing exceptionally well the strong songs, composed by Paul Doust. Doust and Jack Feldstein wrote the explicit lyrics which have clarity and exposition. All the guests are arriving for a New Year’s Eve party.
Interrupting the charismatic Mr Dallamort’s plans is an intruder, a woman whose car has broken down or gone off the edge of a cliff, I can’t remember but it doesn’t matter. She has to plead with Mr Dellamort to stay. She is Sue Grimshaw (Grace Farrell) with a large engagement ring and will upset the applecart. I’m starting to get Rocky Horror vibes from this quirky Gothic musical. I hadn’t seen Grace Farrell before but her singing is a strength.
You have the makings of the plot and I’m not going to spoil the denouement except to say there isomer sinister humour and some great duets. I do feel it would be easy to expand the songs to create a musical, more like the usual length of two hours plus the interval, or it may have been truncated for the Edinburgh Fringe time limits. Director Abigail Zealey Bess keeps the show apace for its 60 minutes.
I really enjoyed seeing the wonderfully enigmatic Robert Tripolino in another leading role, whom I last saw as Jesus in the Barbican version of ALW’s Superstar and continuing his inspirational cv from the Maharishi inspired character Ian, in High Fidelity.
Theatrevibe, the site that doesn’t do stars routinely, gives Four Fringe Festival Stars (FFS) to the enchanting Mr Dellamort!
Production Notes
Falling in Love with Mr Dellamort
Book and Co-Lyrics by Jack Feldstein
Music and Co-Lyrics by Paul Doust
Directed by Abigail Zealey Bess
Cast
Starring:
Robert Tripolino
Grace Farrell
Cornelius Loy
Chris O’Mara
Natalie Arle-Toyne
Jennie Jacobs
Creatives
Director: Abigail Zealey Bess
Musical Director: Ben Papworth
Sound Designer: Sarah Weltman
Information
Running Time: One hour
Booking to 24th August 2025
Address:
C Arts, C Aquila
Roman Eagle Lodge,
2 Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh
EH1 2PW
Website: https://www.dellamortmusical.com/
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge at the
C Aquila at 7pm on Wednesday 13th August 2025