Staging a show at the Edinburgh Fringe is an impressive undertaking at any age, but for the young cast members of Baby Shark and the Mystery of the Sphinx, aged just nine and eleven, it’s an extraordinary achievement. Their willingness to interact with the audience, and their commitment to coming on stage in costume to perform for a live audience is fantastic. The show’s heart lies with these young performers, and they are its most endearing quality.
The production draws on the global phenomenon of the Baby Shark song, a clever move given its near-universal recognition among young children. The familiar melody, woven into the show’s interactive moments, guarantees a few smiles and plenty of audience participation. For much of the runtime, the children in the audience seemed happily engaged – clapping, dancing, and watching the characters with interest.
The story centres around a quest to uncover the culprit behind the disappearance of the Sphinx, blending songs, magic tricks, and audience clues along the way. The opening scene involving a live violin rendition of Baby Shark is a captivating opener, but beyond that, the narrative feels undercooked. Scenes jump between ideas without a strong thread to pull them together, making it tricky to follow at times, especially for adults seeking a coherent plot.
Technical issues further hamper the storytelling. The fuzzy sound from some of the mics means that some lines, particularly from the younger cast, are lost, and during the magic tricks, the combination of movement and muffled delivery makes it difficult to grasp what’s being revealed. This is a shame, as the children’s enthusiasm for magic tricks deserves to be heard clearly.
That said, the atmosphere in the room is buoyed by the novelty of seeing young actors take on such a public role. For many children in the audience, seeing peers on stage is inspiring in itself. With more rehearsal time, a tighter script, and improved sound design, this could evolve into a sharper and more engaging piece that both entertains and supports its young stars.
As it stands, Baby Shark and the Mystery of the Sphinx is a cheerful, if uneven, family offering. The production’s greatest success is giving its young cast a platform to shine, and that’s something worth applauding.
