How To Win Against History - Bristol Old Vic REVIEW

Returning nearly a decade after its original Fringe debut, How To Win Against History is back with a sequined vengeance in a new 2025 production at the Bristol Old Vic. Directed by Lisa Spirling and featuring a lively four-piece band under Dylan Townley’s baton, this glitter-drenched, campy musical explores the brief and bewildering life of Henry Cyril Paget, 5th Marquis of Anglesey – aristocrat, aesthete, and all-around enigma.

There’s no denying the show’s charm. With fabulous, over-the-top costumes, toe-tapping tunes (especially the earworm Mainstream Entertainment, cheekily reprised at curtain call), and a hard-working trio of performers who generate infectious energy, it’s easy to see why this production earned a standing ovation even on a Tuesday. The band’s onstage presence and choreography are delightful additions, further zhuzhing up the already whimsical atmosphere.

However, for all its sparkle, the show falters where it might have soared: story. Given that Paget’s family destroyed most of his records, it’s understandable that narrative structure is hard to come by – but the result is a 90-minute romp that occasionally feels aimless. It’s high on quirk and low on cohesion, leaving audiences entertained but perhaps unsure what, if anything, they’re meant to take away.

Technical hiccups also disrupted the flow, with recurring microphone malfunctions for the lead. These were handled with humour (even a purpose-made sign to signal crew intervention), but still broke the rhythm and undercut key moments.

Despite its flaws, How To Win Against History is a spirited, affectionate ode to a historical oddity – and it’s tailor-made for an Edinburgh Fringe audience. It may not win against history every time, but it certainly wins over a crowd.