- Into a square little American town rides a guitar-playin’, motorcycle-ridin’ Elvis-style character who shakes up the place and changes everyone in it. All Shook Up is a hip-swivelling musical comedy bursting with comic one-liners and packed with classic Elvis rock ’n’ roll hits — Jailhouse Rock, Teddy Bear, Hound Dog, Devil in Disguise, Heartbreak Hotel, It’s Now or Never, One Night With You, and of course All Shook Up. Performed by Nelson Youth Theatre all the way from New Zealand, this company was described by The London Times in 2019 as having “embodied the true spirit of the Fringe.”
I’m always keen to see youth theatre at the Fringe, so this was an easy choice for me. I was curious to see what this talented international group would bring to the table — or rather, to the stage — and they arrived with a fairly large cast, impressive for a Fringe production.
The opening was a little tentative. The main male lead’s vocals were slightly on the weaker side, and I even spotted a techie discreetly switching off the air conditioning unit to cut down on background noise. But about ten minutes in, something clicked — and the whole show kicked into gear. From there on, the performance just got better and better.
The production delivered a love story, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, it gave us a joyful mash-up of romance, rebellion, and community spirit, all wrapped up in vibrant choreography and infectious rock ’n’ roll energy. The singing and dancing flowed seamlessly, and the staging made clever use of the space, giving it the feel of a fully professional show.
One standout for me was the performer with blonde hair in a polka dot dress. She had a magnetic stage presence and an ease with both her acting and her movement that drew my attention every time she stepped into a scene.
It’s a shame this was their final day at the Fringe, because I could happily have seen it again. Nelson Youth Theatre brought skill, personality, and fun to the stage — a reminder of why youth theatre is such a joy to watch and nurture.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
About the Author
