Midnight at the Palace Review at the Edinburgh Fringe

Dirty, good fun hits the Gilded Balloon with Midnight at the Palace, a bold new musical making its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe. However, despite its wild energy and vibrant style, technical hiccups and an overstuffed aesthetic make the show occasionally clumsy and hard to follow.

⭐⭐⭐

What is Midnight at the Palace?

Midnight at the Palace is an in-your-face, camp-infused musical that follows a group of hippies challenging societal norms by forming their own performance troupe. Their journey takes them all the way to Broadway—where, inevitably, they flop. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of major 1960s events, including the Vietnam War and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

At the top of the show, Pam warns us not to be offended...or maybe to expect it. With that setup, I anticipated a riotous, provocative hour. And while the show has moments that lean into that feeling with its sexual themes, I left feeling more dazed than shocked. Despite dazzling costumes and strong makeup design, the emotional impact never quite landed.

At their press night, the production was plagued by sound issues that made the narrative incredibly difficult to follow. Ironically, and almost comically, one actor has a line, “And the sound is spotty.” Many mics were either off or inconsistent, especially with two handheld wired microphones passed around among the cast. As a result, a significant portion of the lyrics and dialogue was lost.

When audible, the music and lyrics by Brandon James Gwinn are clever, punchy, and perfectly in step with the show’s themes. The backing tracks are high quality, and several songs (particularly the opening number) are bona fide earworms and would do very well commercially. A cast recording would no doubt find an audience.

The show also suffers from spatial limitations. With a large cast, bulky set pieces, and numerous props, director Paul McGill’s staging sometimes feels muddled. What seems intended as controlled chaos occasionally slips into actual confusion, with actors tripping over set pieces and the story getting lost in the mess. That said, McGill’s work with the performers shines; he builds palpable energy and crafts smart entrances and exits when things are under control.

Similarly, the cast did a wonderful job with strong energy and enthusiasm. Baylie Carson (Pam) is a standout, commanding the stage with powerhouse vocals and magnetic presence. She shares great chemistry with Al Cammish (Scrumbly), and their duet is a highlight. Gregory Haney is captivating as Sylvester, with a fabulous voice and impeccable comic timing. Andrew Horton as Hibiscus is powerful with a wonderful stage presence. Across the board, the ensemble gives their all and keeps the spirit high.

Is Midnight at the Palace worth seeing?

As a new musical, Midnight at the Palace shows promise. While it’s currently rough around the edges (both technically and structurally) it bursts with heart, camp, and a sense of joyous rebellion. With refinement and a bigger space, it could really shine.

For now, if you can embrace the chaos, it’s a flamboyant, messy good time that will leave you dancing in your seat, like I was. This show has great potential!

Ticket Information and Show Times for Midnight at the Palace.

Midnight at the Palace runs until the 24th of August at the Big Yin at Gilded Balloon Patter House, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Show time is at 9:30PM. Tickets can be accessed through the Edinburgh Fringe website.

Location:  Big Yin at Gilded Balloon Patter House, Edinburgh

Date of Review: 31st of July

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: I was invited to this show on July 31st, 2025 in exchange for a honest review. All views are my own and were not influenced by the invite.