In Ohio, The Bengsons deliver a transcendent piece of musical storytelling that is as heart-wrenching as it is life-affirming. Presented by Francesca Moody Productions and piece by piece productions, this intimate folk concert-theatre hybrid is a masterclass in vulnerability, artistry and sonic innovation.
Married duo Shaun and Abigail Bengson, making their Edinburgh Fringe debut, invite audiences into a deeply personal narrative that explores faith, loss, disability and joy. Directed with sensitivity by Caitlin Sullivan, Ohio is described by its creators as an “ecstatic grief concert”, and that phrase captures its spirit perfectly. It is a show about death, yes, but also about choosing life in the face of inevitable decline.
The story centres on Shaun’s experience growing up as the son of a Lutheran pastor, and his journey through degenerative hearing loss, a condition inherited from his father. Abigail contributes with warmth and wit, but it is Shaun’s story that forms the emotional core. Through looped folk music and poetic monologue, the duo craft a soundscape that is both haunting and celebratory. Clever descriptions of tinnitus and the impact of hearing loss on musical perception are rendered with startling clarity, making the invisible feel tangible.
Audience participation is gently woven into the fabric of the performance, creating a communal atmosphere that feels sacred. The music, composed and performed live, is rich with layered harmonies and rhythmic complexity. It’s not just accompaniment, it’s the narrative itself. Every chord, every lyric, carries emotional weight.
What makes Ohio truly remarkable is its refusal to wallow in despair. Instead, it sings of resilience, of finding beauty in brokenness. The Bengsons’ chemistry is magnetic, their talent undeniable. This is theatre that doesn’t just entertain, it heals.
With its roots in American indie-folk and its heart firmly planted in human connection, Ohio is a triumph. It’s a show that deserves to be seen, heard and felt. At 75 minutes, it’s a brief encounter with something profound.
