sarah blanc{extravote 5} From It Started With Jason Donovan's earliest outing - a 20-minute version performed just a year and a half ago - this piece has always been a guaranteed crowdpleaser. And this is definitely the most fun you'll have at a dance show during this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

 

The audience enters to see a stage littered with Jason Donovan memorabilia and costumes, with 'Nothing Can Divide Us' playing in the background as Sarah Blanc personally greets each audience member as Kylie or Jason. But don't worry: for people unfamiliar with the days of Scott and Charlene in Neighbours (or who have forgotten, or perhaps blotted out the memories), Sarah offers us a recap of those days and of who Jason Donovan is - in all his mulletted glory.

Kudos to Sarah for taking a childhood fixation with Jason Donovan and not only creating a show around it, but also taking the time to make damn sure it works. With her natural comic gift, she draws on Kylie and Jason's story as well on Jason's later life to extract key life lessons and relationship and life advice while taking us through her own love life from the early days, infatuations and relationships, warts and all. Little is held back: she relives her exuberant reaction to a Valentine's Day card from her first Jason (boyfriend), while her response to their subsequent breakup is something to savour.

It Started With Jason Donovan is absolutely hilarious, while Sarah Blanc is endearing, adorable and kooky in her earnestness throughout the show. It's a show which deserves a huge audience to respond to Sarah's energy - and there is some very fine dance as well, including a beautiful duet between Sarah and Jason Donovan himself.

This is a show for anyone who's ever loved, ever lost, or even just simply wants a really good laugh. And hey, New Art Club? Watch out, you've got serious competition here from Sarah Blanc!

 

It Started With Jason Donovan is at the New Town Theatre every evening at 8.45pm until Thursday 27 August.
Running time: 50 mins
Tickets & details: tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/it-started-with-jason-donovan