Playing With Myself- Edinburgh 2006
The life of a jobbing actress is no bed of roses
and this light hearted and
Jaunty musical comedy is a diverting look at the tribute
bands, temping jobs and
kid’s parties on one 28-year-old’s CV.
The double-entendre of the title is thankfully confined to
the odd faked orgasm before a couple of numbers. This is a
show carried by th 13 songs, prompted by scenarios
Such as a filmed sex scene or a rift with a jealous lover.
Sarah Desmond
delivers the dialogue with energy.
The songs range from the addictively sentimental to the
fast-paced, a comic high point occurring right at the end
in a duet with a hand puppet. Desmond’s voice van be tender
and wistful, perhaps losing volume at moments of intimacy
but flexible throughout.”
William McEvoy The Stage Aug 14th
Playing With Myself- Edinburgh 2006
Now don’t let the title put you off (or turn you
on, depending on the type of person you are), this show
certainly isn’t what you expect. Not the porn show that I
was dreading, instead it’s almost a one woman musical
(apart from the bloke on the keyboard who had a few lines
to say) which is actually rather good. Well acted,
well-sung and some very quick costume changes meant that
even those who were probably just there for the cheap
thrills enjoyed themselves (though perhaps not in the way
they were expecting). Definitely not to be missed, you
won’t be disappointed.
Three Weeks ****
Playing With Myself – Edinburgh 2006
Playing With Myself is a one woman (and a
pianist) ‘adult musical comedy’ about an actress in her
late 20’s who is struggling to get enough acting work while
at the same time trying to earn enough money to survive by
doing other jobs, plus she is trying to keep her boyfriend.
The show starts with Sally getting ready to do some
waitressing….we see her as part of an ABBA tribute band, a
party clown, a Cinderella and finally rehearsing a sex
scene. Will Sally be able to keep her integrity as well as
her boyfriend through this difficult time? Will she decide
that she’ll never be famous and just marry her boyfriend
and give up the acting lark? The show is performed by Sarah
Desmond, who does a massive job in the show, as there are
songs (in a variety of styles but mostly Broadway
show-stopperish stuff), a couple of dances and a costume
change at least at the end of every scene. …..Sarah managed
to smile and sing with such a strong voice.
The show is mostly a comedy, but there are a few scenes
where you worry for Sally and I’m sure the ending would
have the audience divided as to whether her decision was
the correct one. You can’t see it here but it is a show
that deserves to get a bigger
Run somewhere (Melbourne Fringe, are you listening?)
The groggysquirrel- Australian arts on line.
Playing With Myself - Edinburgh 2006
“Tonight, we turned right on to the street
outside our flat. Three fliers and four minutes later we
had made it as far as Candlemaker Row and before we knew
it, had been ushered into Greyfriars Kirk House by the
piano player of a cut-price show, which was due to start in
minutes. I’m happy to report that Playing With Myself was a
hit in mine and Steinunn’s book. Go see it! The music, the
lyrics, the story and, of course, the performance were all
first class.”
Peter Pan - Camberley 2006 “Its Pan-tastic!”
“Another character who was on the stage for too
brief a time was the dotty mermaid- alter- ego of the
gorgeous Mrs. Darling- played with relish by Sarah Desmond,
The youngsters in the audience really seemed to take to
her.”
(Camberley Star. Joanne Jones)
Volpone- City Life Magazine 2004
The show's real stars are the chorus trio of
Sarah Desmond, Tom Godwin and Dominic Burdess, who inject
some much needed fun into the proceedings.
Volpone- The Independent 2nd Nov 2004
Volpone’s entourage, originally a dwarf, eunuch
and fool, here transformed into “dude”, “nun” and “nurse”.
They play bit parts in his grand plan as well as clowning
around with the knockabout physicality of comedia
dell’arte, adding, in the Musical interludes, some good
imitations of bad Italian television. The more grotesque
the humour, the more bizarre 17th century Venice becomes.
Lady Macbeth Rewrites The Rule Book 2001
Some cuts are called for. Especially to the
exposition and bigger soliloquies. Sarah Desmond bears the
brunt of these, and acquits herself admirably.
(James Mullighan ‘The Scotsman’ 26th Aug 2001)
A healthy dose of girl power and swashbuckling… Brought to
the fringe by Broads With Swords. This bawdy romp blends
the hi-octane world of computer games with a clever
reworking of the Bard’s work….. The portrayal of
emancipated heroines is superb right down to the initial
self- doubt and drunken bitchiness….a fine performance. ***
As You Like It -Shakespeare As We Like It 2000
Naomie Harris’s beautifully played lower middle
class Phoebe making a bridge between the courtiers and
Sarah Desmond’s truly rural Audrey.
(Gerry Parker- New Vic Bristol)
An Ideal Husband- Sheringham 1999
“Sarah Desmond’s Lady Chiltern was the best I
have ever seen or heard. All too often this character comes
across as a sententious prig, with an impossibly
restrictive view on morality. Miss Desmond made her more a
creature of flesh and blood and was able to mitigate some
of the more cringe making sections of her dialogue……She
came over as a loving wife, whose affection any man would
wish to retain. She also looked the part, tall, slim and
elegant, with graceful movements.
(Michael Keene)
The Boyfriend “Capturing an innocent age” 1999
As the Heroine, Sarah Desmond is most appealing.
She sings beautifully and makes the famous “I should be
happy with you……” into a poignant song of young love. (John
Smart)
Free As Air –Sheringham 1998
“Sarah Desmond avoids all mawkishness, sings
quite beautifully and makes a vivid impression as the
yearning young Molly.”
(The Stage)