Members of Out of the Blue were in the audience at the performance I attended, showing solidarity with their friends in The Oxford Belles. I understand they have collaborated together previously, and it’s something they should consider for a future Fringe. I would imagine it would be a little bit like that time the West End casts of Six and The Choir of Man came together at West End Live. OOTB has a higher profile, partly because of their participation in the fifth series of Britain’s Got Talent: I didn’t know The Oxford Belles have been going for longer than OOTB. The Belles were formed in 1995, and OOTB didn’t come along until 2000.
Their 2025 Fringe show had a celebratory atmosphere to it, whether it was to counter the troubles in the world on an international stage or to provide Fringe audiences with some escapism. If anything, there could have been a bit more variety in the choice of music – not that Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ sounds anything like Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’ – but there was only a very brief speech halfway through before the tubthumping anthems began again. It was more of a wild ride than a pleasant journey.
In the end, though, the finger and foot tapping in the audience, including from your (by this point in the Fringe) rather weary reviewer, spoke for itself. I bagged a seat in the ‘centre section’ but I’m not sure the choreography and blocking fully took into account an audience sat on three sides, with most if not all members looking directly ahead, as though this were a proscenium arch theatre. Still, there’s no doubting the seemingly limitless energy of this group who can dance as well as they can sing.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Oxford’s leading all-female and non-binary a cappella group return to the Edinburgh Fringe with a thrilling set of empowering anthems. This season, The Belles are celebrating their 30th anniversary and they are bringing their most riotous show yet: get ready to be Saved by the Belles. A real-life pitch perfect experience, their show features captivating choreography and plenty of pop tunes, from Lady Gaga to Billie Eilish. A kick-ass show for the whole family – because feminism is for everybody!
Chloe Cameron (Co-President) Alto 1
Hilary Yu (Co-President) Soprano 2, Vocal Percussion
Faith Caswell (Musical Director), Alto 1, Vocal Percussion
Evie Gilder (Treasurer), Bass
Ania Savage (Belle-fare Officer), Soprano 1
Bella Cox, Bass
Eugenie Ng, Soprano 1
Izzy McElvanney, Alto 1
Rhiannon Green, Alto 2
Thaejus Ilango, Soprano 2
Venisha Nembang, Alto 2
Vrinda Mahtani, Soprano 2
THE OXFORD BELLES: SAVED BY THE BELLES
theSpace @ Niddry Street at the Edinburgh Fringe
18 to 23 August 2025
