We sent our reviewer James to watch The Bob Ross Effect

For me, The Bob Ross Effect is the perfect Edinburgh Fringe show. Quirky, unique, full of art and story and song, gently sweeping the audience up to become part of the piece and fully engaged for the full hour and ten minute run time. Perfectly pitched by an experienced performer, Sarah-Louise Young, full of easy charm and overflowing with talent, it is a great big hug of a show, and one I would very happily return to. This is not to say that it shies away from the big questions, but it tackles them with heart and always holds the audience safe. I adored this show.

Standing outside the Piccolo Tent in George Square Gardens waiting to go in we were handed our A4 clipboards, paper and crayons. I got chatting with a stranger about which colours we each had, if we could share and swap, and what we might be using them for. And this interaction I think exemplifies the power of the show. As the rain gently went from drizzle to a more insistent thrum, we shared a brolly and kept chatting. The community that we would all become under the canvas of that make-believe circus tent and on the make-believe canvases in front of us, through crayons and tales and music, was already forming. 

If you are familiar with Bob Ross, then you will find his warmth infused throughout the piece and delight in this heartfelt homage. If you had no idea who he was until today, this is the perfect introduction. As well as Bob, along the way you’ll meet a couple of other colourful characters as Young deftly weaves three apparently disparate, but very resonant tales together. And all the while you are invited to take your crayons and draw, no pressure, as if you were a child again, simply taking joy in the creation of things.

I must just mention the beautiful original songs composed with Jordan Paul Clarke which punctuate the piece. Young’s incredible voice, which folk may remember from her previous work, An Evening Without Kate Bush, once again soars and serves to skilfully anchor the different threads together through these musical interludes.

I cannot recommend this show highly enough. Get yourself down to George Square Gardens and let The Bob Ross Effect work its magic on you.

Rating: ***** 5 stars

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