Edinburgh Fringe 2025
No Strings Attached – An A Cappella Love Story
The Houghtones
Genre: A Cappella, Live Music, Music
Venue: theSpace
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Review
From the London School of Economics, the mixed voice ensemble the Houghtones share scenarios of love and heartbreak in their Fringe debut show, “No Strings Attached”. It is a charming and engaging performance by a talented group.
As they tell us in the show, “people fall in love in many different ways. However, love is all around us”. They go on to explore various dynamics and relationship scenarios through well-known pop songs. But the overarching theme is to live life with no strings attached.
“Kiss Me” by the group Sixpence None the Richer sets the tone of the night and the interplay between prospective partners. There is a funny interaction between sparring women with the song “Loathing” from the hit musical “Wicked”. The ladies have mastered that one. “If the World Was Ending I’d Want to Be Next to You”, originally from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, talks about deep love and wanting to be with someone in any circumstance. It is performed with passion. Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends” is the sad pining of someone who has been rejected but is willing to wait until he returns. The singers address the need for people to sometimes need space from a relationship and be on their own. But then “I Want You Back” asks for the return of the relationship.
The performers have a lovely chemistry between them. No one is trying to out do the other. They work collectively to impart the messages. The costuming shows the continuity – red and black theme but individualized by each artist.
The show is really well rehearsed. There is drama and humour. The movement enhances the story and works well with the dynamics of the lyrics. The voices are perfectly in tune, a necessary skill for good a cappella and really challenging for a group that is acoustic without any in-ear monitors. The solos are shared among the group and all of the leads are strong. This gives everyone a chance to shine. The jazzy arrangements are sparkling and present the songs well, covering what would have been instrumental parts. The balance between soloist and accompanying parts is perfect. We can always clearly hear the solos. The vocal percussionist should have a mic as the rhythms do drive the songs.
And most impressive is that these are students at London School of Economics. It is a world-leading social science specialist university where they study accounting, finance, law, anthropology, history, international relations and more – but not a music specialty. These talented and smart young people have engineered a very creative outlet for their talent. They are having fun and giving the audience a memorable and enjoyable a cappella experience. Bravo!
