Described as “Every musical theatre kid’s dream come true” on posters scattered around Fringe 2025, this statement is entirely correct. For those who love karaoke, musical theatre, or singing your heart out for no need of embarrassment, MASSAOKE: Sing the Musicals is perfect for you!
With a live band, consisting of Nicholette Chew (vocals), Josh Taylor (keys & vocals), Io Kaloudi (bass guitar), Laurence Owen (guitar), and Ben Cullingworth (drums), the team host a marvellous sing-along to some of the musical world’s greatest hits. This ranged from older musical songs like ‘Do-Re-Mi’ from The Sound of Music, ‘Time Warp’ from Rocky Horror Picture Show (instantly getting everyone to stand up and dance!), and ‘Singin’ In the Rain’; to newer musical songs from The Greatest Showman like ‘The Greatest Show’ and ‘This Is Me’, Frozen’s ‘Let It Go’ (there was an inexplicable spotlight on the 13 dads in the crowd to sing to this as best as they can), and of course, Wicked’s ‘Defying Gravity’ that got everyone trying their best to sing Cynthia Erivo’s famous vocal performance.
While the show may have been aimed at children, with Chew consistently addressing the small number of young audience members, it was ironic to see that the audience was mostly filled with families with older children, elderly couples, and adults who grew up on musical theatre. I think this goes to show that musical theatre can really adhere to anybody, with everybody being able to find solace in the words of musical songs. There was an undeniable sense of community created in the Udderbelly’s audience, as we all sang together – sometimes in tune, and other times, we left it to Chew’s impressive vocals.
As the audience shouts and cheers for one more song during their last Fringe performance, they opt to end their set with Queen’s renowned ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, after announcing that this Fringe show is only a preview of their actual two-hour show. Using this song to end the show was perfect, evoking emotions unlike any other while audiences reminisce over the past hour of singing songs in unity.
Image by John Kye, provided to The Student as press.