Camille O'Sullivan: Loveletter

Didn't know much about this - had no expectations one way or the other - so found it very entertaining, emotional, reminiscent of the Rose/Joplin on one song, but a lot of lyrics lost in the telling. Can't believe the sound system wasn't already perfectly tuned to Camille's requirements as this wasn't a preview (as another reviewer said, the hand motions were really distracting) and too much mumbling to the front rows of the audience between songs (friends/family?) - sitting higher up, felt a bit excluded. So very quirky, but packed a punch and I love artists like Camille who firmly put their own idiosyncratic stamp on covers. The frequent references to other lives lost in the Wars were very emotive. I hope the youngsters in the audience got it. Overall a great show.

Have seen Camille a number of times over the years and sad to say the show has got progressively worse. This year she started 30 mins late -so ran on by 30 mins- not good if you’re on a schedule of shows! Her act is now a bit old hat and contrived but worse her voice was really cracked and she sang each tune in the same screechy shouting pub singer style. Some beautiful songs ruined for me I’m afraid, would’ve left early if I could have got out! Saying all that she does have a crowd of faithful fans who love the show whatever….

I have been a fan of Camille for many years. Always see her when she comes to Edinburgh. Have lots of her CD’s. Unfortunately this show was not up to scratch for her. It started 30 mins late which was not good and not the first time for this run. Still didnt have the sound balance right. She has a wonderful voice but I feel that if this was the first of her shows you had been to, you might not be rushing back. However I still love you Camiile. Pefhaps you need a break after losing so many friends.

Camille has a strong following but isn't for everyone. Quite a few left our show - and I felt stuck and would have preferred be anywhere else. She mentioned being out late the night before and certainly seemed the worse for wear on Sunday.
She doesn't so much sing as interpret, often whispering the words and changing the melody, but the interpretations start to sound the same after a couple. Give it a miss unless you're a fan

I decided to see Camille based on the raving reviews of her past shows. Even before the show, I met more than a few of her fans telling me how wonderful her shows were.

Well, perhaps it was preview night but:
1. The show started 30+ minutes late! I have never attended any Fringe show that was delayed so long!
2. She had really odd hand gestures only to realise that she was actually asking her technical team to raise the volume, reverb, etc, etc!
3. I'm not sure if it is her style, or this new show was designed to be performed in such a style, but what I saw was more like someone in a rehearsal - not sure what the next song was, not sure what the lyrics were, not sure how the microphone wires navigate around the stage, etc.
4. All the songs had pretty much the same tune so after the 3rd song, it was just more of the same.

She has a wonderful voice, but I would not recommend this show unless you are her fan.

Voice: 5/5.
Performance: 2/5.