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A Musical of Beauty and Grace (like Miss United States) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Miss Congeniality: The Unauthorised Musical Concert | Jencapella | Annexe at theSpace @ Symposium Hall

Updated: Aug 19


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With original songs and plenty of sparkle, Miss Congeniality: The Unauthorised Musical Concert brings the beloved 2000 comedy hit film to life in a fresh, fast-paced retelling. If you don’t know already, the story follows FBI agent Gracie Hart—brilliant, blunt, and hilariously out of her depth—going undercover at a beauty pageant. The cast dive headfirst into the chaos with musical numbers that are as iconic and playful as the film itself. It’s a cult classic reimagined for the stage, Fringe-style.


I’ve watched the musical theatre market for years, wondering when someone would finally turn Miss Congeniality into a stage show. With the surge of comedy film adaptations – Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, Mrs Doubtfire, Clueless, I could go on and on – it felt like a glaring omission. But now, thanks to Jencapella, it’s here.


Written during lockdown and brought to life at the Fringe by Jen and her friends from Monklands Light Opera, this production is a testament to the power of just having a go. Who better to support you through the wild ride of creating and staging a new musical than your mates? And it shows – this cast is passionate, committed, and clearly having the time of their lives.


Making the leap from amateur dramatics to the professional stage takes courage, and they do it with beauty and grace – just like Miss United States. Standouts include a wonderfully sharp portrayal of ex-pageant queen Cathy Morningside and a powerhouse performance from Miss Texas (that voice—wow!). But honestly, the whole cast shines. Their camaraderie is palpable, and when I caught up with them after the show, they were glowing with pride for their writer and director.


You all know I love amdram—not just because it’s fun, but because it builds something deeper: a community, a family. And that spirit is front and centre in this production. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

 

The Arts Business Top Tips


1.        Choose Something Familiar


Jencapella have been very smart here in writing a musical based on a movie that is so widely recognisable. And there is a reason that most of the shows we see on the West End are adaptations of films and books.

Why?

  • A recognisable title draws instant attention

  • Audiences already care—use that emotional connection in your work

  • It’s easier to market when people know the source as you can deduce exactly who your target audience is and create campaigns around them


2.        Build with Your People


This production was clearly a wonderful team effort from the Monklands Light Opera Society. When you’re making something new why not use people who are already a well gelled team who you can trust.

Why?

  • Collaborations with people who live local to you can cut costs and allow for more in person meet ups, essential in theatre making

  • Working with friends has an automatic built-in support network for when things get scary

  • It simply means you’re not alone, and your community can share the highs and lows

3. Share the Load

There is a lot to get done when taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and having spoken to Jen afterwards she told me that one thing she would do differently in the future would be to share the load throughout the team.

Why?

  • If you ask for help early you’re less likely to get to the point where you feel like you’re drowning

  • Delegating tasks means you can focus on the bigger picture

  • It can be incredible reword to but your trust in others to bring their strengths to the table


4. Make It About the Journey

For any company or show, big or small, the Edinburgh Fringe is a huge learning experience and I guarantee however many times you do it, you will always learn something new every time.

Why?

  • The Fringe is a testing ground for new and experimental work so use it to learn, adapt and grow

  • Keep it simple, scale it appropriate to suit budgets and venues, and most importantly, have fun

  • Celebrate every step of the process, not just the final show

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