Fringe Music

Sweet Dreams: Songs by Annie Lennox

Assembly George Square

Marianne Gunn

Five stars

Starring as Madonna for his previous two Edinburgh Fringe runs, this year Michael Griffiths is Annie Lennox. A brave move, perhaps, to take on one of Scotland's most successful exports on her home turf but - just suspend your disbelief - and this camp, Australian man makes for the perfect early cabaret slot. Griffiths is not a drag act and - dressed in tight-fitting shirt and jeans - it is quite a feat for him to take his audience on a journey through the highs and lows of Lennox's life. Where his Madonna routine relied on comedy and the occasional cheap gag, there is a different depth to Sweet Dreams: it comes as no surprise when Griffiths admits Lennox was his childhood hero, as the reverence is tangible.

Having previously played in cabaret style bar venues, I supposed my one quibble would be the sound quality within the Bosco theatre tent. At one point during the performance, when the bottles must have been getting disposed of out back, dramatic irony was felt as Walking On Broken Glass was having a power pause before the smashing of glass was heard. As a nostalgic trip, this is an ideal way to revisit the solo work of Lennox as well as her Eurythmics back catalogue - Why, Thorn In My Side and There Must Be An Angel are some of the musical highlights, and some of Griffiths' unique musical arrangements add a new layer of meaning and biographical nuance.

Run ends Monday.