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REVIEW | Potty the Plant, Wilton's Music Hall
- Harry Brogan
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review
Potty The Plant is a delightfully silly and irreverent comedy musical currently playing at Wilton’s Music Hall. The show is an hour-long adaptation of the 2017 award-winning short film of the same title with book & lyrics by Aeddan Sussex, Baden Burns and Sarah Burns and music by Baden Burns.
Set in the chaotically underfunded Little Boo Boo General Hospital, the story follows Nurses Mel (Stephanie Cubello), Steven (Sam Ridley) and Dave (Joe Winter) as they start to investigate the odd vanishing of children during blood test day… could it be the gothic, red & black cape wearing Dr Acula (Ash K-B)? The sweet cleaning lady Miss Lacey (Lucy Appleton) who’s in a weird, power-unbalanced relationship with the doctor does not believe so, and looks for comfort in Dr Acula’s office plant Potty (a puppet operated by Baden Burns who lends his hand and his voice to the friendly potted plant), that happens to be madly in love with her, of course.
The cast is simply hilarious and their chemistry is palpable. The trio of nurses brings chaotic energy, with constant costume changes, ridiculous choreography, and consistently funny little moments, even in the background of major scenes. These subtle gags and visual easter eggs make it a joy to watch, which is rewarding to the audience members who keep their eyes flying across the stage and the multiple talented performers. The humour goes from clever puns to downright silly running gags, but it all works so perfectly. It’s fast, it’s ironic, and it never tries to be anything other than what it is: an hour of carefree unseriousness and simple fun.
The music (by Baden Burns) and lyrics (by Aeddan Sussex, Baden Burns and Sarah Burns) are irresistibly catchy and you can’t help but clap along. The whole cast have great vocal abilities, the voices blend well together when the songs, in the best musical theatre fashion, explode into a big harmony.
Ash K-B as Dr Acula commands the stage during their solo songs, with strong vocals, very clear diction and a natural charm for making things funny yet maintaining a weird vampiresque aura.
Baden Burns is a magnificent puppeteer as Potty, with only a mouth, eyes, and two leaves to work with, he somehow gives Potty an impressive emotional range.
The set and the costumes are simple but they work with the style of musical comedy Potty The Plant is at heart, a higher quality or budget would create a stark contrast with the silly, almost Youtube skit style of gags it presents.
The set and costumes are minimal but perfectly suited to the show's absurd, sketch-comedy tone. A higher production budget might actually detract from the charm, reminiscent of a lovingly crafted YouTube comedy special from the 2010s. The audience can’t hold their belly laughs, and the show doesn’t give you a moment to wipe a happy grin away from your face for the full hour it has your undivided attention. Potty The Plant is a light piece of comedy musical theatre that’s needed in an art form that sometimes takes itself a little too seriously, it’s ok to go and enjoy yourself for a quick and silly 60 minute
The audience reaction says it all: belly laughs, spontaneous applause, and no opportunity to wipe the happy grin off your face. Potty The Plant is a joyful, high-energy burst of musical comedy that lasts just long enough, 60 gloriously goofy minutes. In a theatrical landscape that can often lean into heavy themes and self-seriousness, this show reminds us how good it feels to laugh, loudly and often.
★★★★
Potty the Plant plays at Wilton's Music Hall until Saturday 28th of June before playing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
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