Jess Robinson Elton Reimagined is a show which celebrates the icon that is Elton John Through the voices of equally iconic women – From Britney to Barbara and from Lily Allen to Raye.
Jess Robinson is clearly a talented performer, and from the moment the audience entered the theatre she created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Rather than waiting for the show to begin, she greeted audience members as they found their seats, chatting with some and helping to create a relaxed and friendly environment. That connection with the audience continued throughout the performance and added to the show’s charm.
The standout element of the evening was Robinson’s voice. A powerful singer with a vocal style well suited to musical theatre, she effortlessly tackled Elton John’s songs. She introduced the idea that the iconic women’s voices are different voices are constantly living in her head, an amusing and intriguing concept that gave the performance its unique identity.
As an impressionist, Robinson showcased her considerable versatility. Some of the impressions were instantly recognisable, capturing not only the singers’ voices but also their personalities and mannerisms. Others, however, didn’t quite land in the same way, and there were a few where I wouldn’t have known who she was portraying without the introduction beforehand. While this didn’t spoil the performance, it meant that some moments were more effective than others.
The comedy followed a similar pattern. There were some genuinely funny jokes and clever observations, but not every punchline landed as strongly as it could have. Occasionally the humour felt a little understated, meaning you had to listen carefully to catch the payoff.
For me, the second half was the stronger of the two. Robinson appeared even more confident and settled into the performance, building towards an impressive sequence in which she seamlessly switched between 20 different voices within a single song. The speed and precision of the transitions highlighted the skill behind her performances and provided one of the evening’s biggest talking points.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and original show that showcased Jess Robinson’s vocal ability, engaging stage presence and versatility as a performer. Although not every impersonation or joke was equally successful, there was enough talent and creativity on display to make it an entertaining evening, with the second half proving to be the highlight.
Review by Serwah O’Neill
Jess Robinson Elton Reimagined is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. To find out more and book tickets check it out here.
If you like this review you might also like my review of Operation Mincemeat, Titanique and Beetlejuice.