Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Low Down
Two Hearts are back and better than ever. The New Zealand comedy pop double act brings laughs, energy, and heart to Pleaseance Two.
Review
Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore are back as the comedy pop-duo Two Hearts with an all-new fringe show, Two Hearts: Don’t Stop Throbbing. The husband and wife pair bring their sharp, observational-comedy songs back to Pleasance Two for a show guaranteed to make you laugh until it hurts.
Musical comedy isn’t new, and in many cases, can feel quite overdone. I’m not here to dis the ‘man with a piano’ comedy show (I’ve reviewed many and loved most), but Two Hearts brings something different. Their stage feels more like a Taylor Swift concert than a basement comedy club. Their music belongs more on the dance floor and less on a SNL sketch. This novel approach to the genre makes them an absolute must see again for 2025.
Precision is not a word often associated with a comedy show. Many of them thrive in the unscripted, improvised nature of the genre. Not Two Hearts. Moore and Daniel operate on perfect timing, tight choreography, and synchronized technical elements. They joke about their ‘pre-recorded backing tracks,’ but they are really something to be marveled at. Every visual is important, and reveals a new layer to the song at just the right moment. The beats often riff on songs we know without crossing the line into parodies.
Much like last years Two Hearts: TIl Death do us Heart, there is a through-line to show. It isn’t just a collection of musical numbers; there is a loose story, and numerous callbacks. As the title suggests, the theme of the show is perseverance, especially in this crazy world we all share. The duo tackles personal growth, female empowerment, and charity-shop donations, all built upon an incredibly inspiring London storefront.
As we all know, the fringe is not an easy beast to conquer. Nowhere else are you asked to perform for a month straight, while also handling your own marketing, tech, and logistics. Without much more supporting evidence, or comparison, I’d declare it the most challenging theatre festival in the world. This is important because of the energy Two Hearts bring to the stage. It’s electric, it’s chaotic, it’s intense, and that’s what makes it perfect. I’ve already mentioned Taylor Swift, but, much like Two Hearts, I’ll slip in a callback. She was celebrated for her resilience throughout her Eras Tour. She hit the road for months, performing a three hour show to sold out crowds. I agree this is a physical feat worthy of admiration. I also believe, however, that the same level of celebration should be showered on Two Hearts. What they bring to audiences day after day is incredible, and who knows, maybe we’ll see them at Murrayfield next year.
