If you’re looking for pure, unadulterated joy at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, All Fired Up: The 80’s Mixtape Musical delivers it in spades. This high-energy production from Box Jelly Theatre, fresh from a sell-out Australian tour and an award-winning run at Adelaide Fringe, bursts onto the stage with sequins, sweatbands and a whole lot of heart.
Set in a whirlwind of neon nostalgia, the story follows Tammy Tooth, a woman in the throes of a midlife crisis who finds herself transported back to 1987 via a magical mixtape. There, she meets her teenage self and begins a journey of rediscovery, soundtracked by the era’s most iconic female artists. Think Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Pat Benatar, all brought to life by a powerhouse live band and the sensational vocals of Roz Pappalardo, who also plays DJ Neon, the show’s wise-cracking radio host and spiritual guide.
Rachel Terry and her real-life daughter Scarlett lead the narrative with warmth and humour, portraying a mother and daughter navigating the parallel challenges of puberty and perimenopause. Their chemistry is palpable, and the Back to the Future-style twist adds a clever layer to the storytelling. While the plot occasionally feels rushed, I wanted more time to delve deeper into the emotional beats, it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise exhilarating hour.
The music is the star here. From the moment the audience enters to the sound of soaring 80’s power ballads, the atmosphere is electric. The band is tight, the arrangements are faithful yet fresh, and the vocals are consistently impressive. It’s easy to imagine this show expanding into a full-length musical, with room for even more of those irresistible hits.
A standout feature is the community engagement programme, which invites women over 40 to join the cast on stage for the final fifteen minutes. It’s a heartwarming and empowering touch that perfectly encapsulates the show’s message: reclaiming joy, smashing stereotypes and dancing like nobody’s watching.
All Fired Up is incredibly good fun and if you love 80’s music, this is the show for you.
