Stepping into this show felt just like Alice falling down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. With its pure quirkiness, the night reminded me of that magical world, led by a performer with a clever smile, bold songs, and a brilliant sense of humour. Will Danes: Presented by Mental Illness at the Greater Manchester Fringe is pure magic.
The venue, The Peer Hat, sets a wonderfully quirky mood to match. It is a weird space filled with funky decorations, from bathrooms covered in graffiti and stickers to broken busts and Victorian lamps. It is the ideal setting for cabaret.
Tackling a debut solo show is a huge deal, but Will Danes pulls it off with wild energy. He brings a Mad Hatter vibe, pulling hilarious faces while strumming his guitar and showing off his classical voice. He kicks off with a song about being left-wing when people assume the opposite. The tunes get cheekier and riskier, but he never loses the room. He pokes fun at religion, modern men, and billionaires with clever rhymes and warmth. Catching up with Will, his mum, and his stepdad afterwards, you could feel the strong family love behind his music.
The lighting was a bit of an issue, as it kept leaving Will in the dark. I would like to see the lights stay on next time. A title rework would also help, as it is really a night of fun songs for people who are not easily offended.
The friendly audience loved every second. In my view, Will smashed it, and I wish him all the best for his future shows!
Now that his run has finished, check out Will’s Instagram (@willdanesmusic) to see what he does next! Plus, there are still 3 days of the Fringe left with lots of brilliant shows, so head to greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk to see what is on.