Edinburgh Fringe 2024
Oxford Alternotives: A Cappella Off the Rails!
Oxford Alternoatives
Genre: A Cappella, Live Music
Venue: theSpace Triplex
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
The Oxford Alternotives are back for their 12th Fringe run with a new show. It’s entertainment for all ages, as they cover contemporary and classic tunes in a choreographed and fun presentation.
Review
The Oxford Alternotives a cappella are back for their 12th Fringe run with a new show. It’s entertainment for all ages, as they cover contemporary and classic tunes in a choreographed and fun presentation.
The Oxford “Alts” are a large-scale, 16-member performance ensemble, with a mixture of new and returning members. They are considered one of Oxford University’s finest mixed voice a cappella groups, and its longest-running student a cappella group. Formed in 1993, the Oxford Alternotives were created as an alternative to and an escape from Oxford’s prominent chapel choir scene. The Alternotives have grown to prominence over the years, competing on BBC1’s Pitch Battle and regularly performing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They reached the UK Final of the International Championships of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), the competition that inspired the hit movies “Pitch Perfect”.
For this Fringe appearance, there have brought a new show that highlights each singer and tells the story about his or her journey. The program opens dramatically with “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, sung with lush harmonies. From the movie “Cars”, “Life Is a Highway” by Canadian musician Tom Cochrane elevates the energy, with the audience joining in the rhythm by clapping along. There are emotional and sensitive performances of current hits, including the Billie Eilish tune “What I Was Made For” from the Barbie movie and Coldplay’s “I Will Try to Fix You”. Other songs are from Queen, The Weather Girls and Britney Spears. Jazz stylings work their way into some of the arrangements, as well as full choral sounds. As with many collegiate shows, there are song mashups, combinations of multiple tunes woven together. There are some musically surprising endings, which are very effective. The finale of “It’s Raining Men” is loads of fun.
The music is infectious. The soloists are strong singers, and the solos are well-distributed among group members. The arrangements are all written by group members. They are very well-suited to this ensemble, and nicely constructed to ensure that background vocals do not overshadow the melody.
A cappella is very challenging. Singers have to listen to each other to stay in tune and find that synergy and symmetry to deliver a blend. The “Alts” work together well, vocally supporting the soloists and understanding group dynamics.
Visually, the performers move effectively to the music. The choreography is appropriate to each song without extra and unnecessary dance moves, often seen in other collegiate ensembles. The colour theme of purple and black is well-distributed in various wardrobe accents, from a simple bow tie to a stunning silk blouse.
And, of course, there are the humour elements, with small costume pieces and routines amongst the singers.
The performance is delivered with humour and heart. It is clear that the singers and passionate about their work and are truly enjoying the experience.
This is a show for all ages, for all generations. The enthusiasm and joy transmitted by these talented young singers will send you on your way humming with a smile on your face.
