This show is probably one of the best fringe shows I’ve seen. Pop Off, Michelangelo! is a musical which first premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe show which was available to watch last year. The show has now started a limited run at Underbelly Boulevard Soho in London. I’ve seen many a fringe show at this point and this show is the most ‘musical’, less ‘parody’ show I’ve seen.
We are introduced to a young Michelangelo and Leonardo, who both confide in each other that they are gay. Realising they wouldn’t be allowed into heaven if they are gay, they decide to go to art school to eventually meet the Pope to ask for God to forgive their queerness. On the way, the two boys start to drift apart and an argument leaves them in a life or death situation. Along the way we meet a range of different characters including Marisa Tomel (she’s Aunt May in the Tom Holland Spider-Man films).
Now, I usually I don’t think highly of Fringe shows. They often either parody an established property or are crude. However, this show is neither instead focusing on telling a fun invent story. The set is well utilised for the area and the difference use of props is well brought together. The songs are either very good or not great, rarely meeting a middle ground: which is not necessarily a bad thing. With more work, this show could be something incredible and tell a compelling historical story (which definitely is 100% true). I also enjoyed the other musical/film references specifically the Fun Home parallel song (which I hope was intentional). All of this made for a great experience.
Max
References:
Westendtheatre (2025) ‘First-look: Pop Off, Michelangelo! in London – Production Photos’. Available at: https://www.westendtheatre.com/293006/news/show-photos/first-look-photos-videos-of-pop-off-michelangelo-in-london/
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