For better or worse, this show fully encapsulates what it’s like to watch Love Island. On the one hand, it’s very entertaining; there’s an array of great fashion on display, there are charming characters you can’t help rooting for – and irritating characters you’ll enjoy rooting against. On the other hand, there are far too many names to actually care about any of them, the storylines feel clunky in a way that makes it easy to drop your attention, and the whole thing goes on simply far too long. Overall, a frankly too perfect representation of British reality television.
Aca-Villa: The Love Island Musical is exactly what its name suggests – an acappella parody of ITV’s Love Island. Led by our host Iain Pound, Aca-VIlla takes us on an eventful 1-hour series with an array of fresh-faced singles, ranging from the elite posh boy yearning to meet some underprivileged ‘peng tings’ to the future influencer with an infinite supply of brand names to drop. Underneath it all, of course, is a wide-ranging soundtrack of well-timed and cleverly selected acappella hits, that bring a level of pep that the real Love Island cannot claim. It is a tongue-and-cheek production that provides its audience with a chance to laugh at the absurdness of British television culture, whilst forcing them to once again live through it.
The hallmark of a good parody is a cleverly written script, and though the show lags a little under the weight of its allotted time, Aca-Villa certainly has some very clever moments. As the storyline develops across the span of our series, it does a great job of parodying the all-too-familiar tropes and icks that are common in reality dating shows. The story also gives Love Island a fresh revamp, offering a more diverse clientele to the typically one-note programme. As with many parodies, the script may take a little too much pleasure in its often-derisive wordplay, but the sheer enjoyment of the cast helps it get away with this.
As expected, the acappella performances are the real highlight of the show. Utilising a variety of familiar songs and intricate choreography, the show delivers a cheesy, high-energy, musical experience that would give the cast of Glee a run for their money. It is in these moments that the whole cast has a chance to shine, as the harmonies and sychronised movements come together to create a thrilling collaborative experience. However, the full effect of these moments can be a bit marred if you find yourself, as I did of sitting off to the side of the stage rather than facing the centre, where the full force of energy seemed to be directed.
Aca-Villa is a cheeky, uplifting show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, delivered by a cast who seem to thoroughly enjoy every minute of sharing a stage. Though the show is slightly hindered by a stretched runtime and some awkward staging, it is nonetheless a contagiously upbeat experience that is sure to leave you grinning despite yourself. If acappella is your type on paper, then make sure to check it out. Just try your best to get a seat in the middle!