Tony Norman’s reflective and deeply moving original musical ‘Vagabond Skies’ is a product of commitment and dedication to giving one of the world’s most universally revered artists, Vincent Van Gogh, a voice.

Alex Bloomer is deeply vulnerable in his portrayal of Van Gogh and his mental decline during his later years. With pastel lighting and the sunny glow images of the Yellow House on the screen, Bloomer shows through glinting eyes the newfound and fleeting hope of an artist reaching for the stars. We watch in horror as his fate we know all-too-well plays out before our eyes; his portrayal of Van Gogh’s mental breakdown is darkly immersive. We cannot draw our eyes away as he spirals in a fit of rage, clutching his ear to block out screeching strings and whirring dissonance.

The relationship between Van Gogh and his brother Theo is the beating heart of this production. The emotional and moving song ‘Brother of Mine’ frames the narrative, acting as a refrain to portray the  unwavering bond between them. Francesca Leyland gives a powerful performance of Theo’s wife Johanna as she vows to secure Van Gogh’s legacy. Maren Ovida’s voice is mesmerising and her performance emotional and sincere in her performance of Van Gogh’s mistress. The entire ensemble move in perfect harmony, switching characters at lightning speed.

Focusing on the last ten years of Van Gogh’s life, scene switches and time jumps are often disorientating, explained by the production being a condensed form of the original for the Fringe. Songs such as opener Underground are hard to follow without prior knowledge of intricate details of his life. The title track and ending sequence however is a hauntingly powerful testament to Van Gogh’s timelessness.

On-screen animations of Van Gogh’s images immerse us completely in his mental state, seeing the world through his eyes. The constant backdrop changes the mood and tone instantly through the switch of a painting. The sound design is striking, with whirring and ringing noises to imitate the mental breakdown that leads to him cutting off his ear. ‘Vagabond Skies’ allows us to not be limited to admiring his art but placed inside his mind.

‘Vagabond Skies‘ is at Gilded Balloon at the Museum – Auditorium until Thu 21 Aug 2025 at 21:00