2020: The Musical

a Fit The Mould and Thistle And Rose Arts production

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 | Underbelly Cowbarn| 14th - 27th August | 3:55pm

You think you know this story, but you don’t.

This brand-new musical celebrates human joy and resilience in all its forms. From the West End stage to the shelves of Lidl, care homes to the corridors of power – these are the uplifting and unexpected true stories of everyday heroes as you’ve never heard them before.

Featuring truly UNPRECEDENTED levels of talent, you’re invited to a heart-warming, toe-tapping, show-stopping party. And unlike Downing Street, everyone’s invited.

  • ★★★★★

    “This is not a morbid musical about the pandemic, in fact it feels like therapy as this amazing cast brings some light-heartedness to a year where we had to adapt to a new way of life.”

    One4Review

  • “Impressive”

    The Stage

  • ★★★★★

    "A musical for all, with superb music, direction, acting and story… sensational musical moments… This show certainly won’t be forgettable."

    ThreeWeeks

  • “The young cast performs with gusto”

    The Guardian

  • ★★★★

    "Mould’s performance is absolutely outstanding... truly an uplifting take on those long months of Covid lockdown in 2020."

    Broadway World

  • "With excellent music by Richard Vanryne and fantastic performances, 2020 The Musical is a great concept… Mould’s writing and performance are exceptional, and I can’t wait to see what she does next."

    Lost In Theatreland

  • ★★★★

    "A heartwarming and entertaining musical that tracks the events of the Covid pandemic through some of the most affected communities... some of the funniest, joyful, laugh-out-loud song and dance numbers I’ve seen in a while."

  • “Celebrates human resilience in every form”

    West End Best Friend

  • ★★★★

    “Hilariously charming with a hopeful feel”

    Broadway Baby

  • ★★★★

    "‘2020: The Musical’ is a polished, energetic show with its heart in the right place… impressively executed, with sharp choreography, and some exceptional harmonies."

    EdFringe Review

Get the sneak peek…

Meet the Creative Team

Natasha Mould, a white woman with long dark hair, stands for a performer headshot in front of a beige, blurred background. She is slightly smiling into the camera, wearing a polka dot tea dress. Her head and shoulders are in frame.

  • Writer/Director/Choreographer

    Natasha Mould left the West End cast of 9 to 5 just before the first lockdown, covering and playing Doralee Rhodes, the Dolly Parton role, at The Savoy Theatre. As a hugely successful performer her further credits include:

    Jemima and Rumple teaser in CATS, Penny Pingleton and Tammy in Hairspray, Cha Cha and Patty Simcox in Grease, BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, Martha in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Mrs Worthington In Me and My Girl, Annie Get Your Gun, ITV's Xtra Factor, and Dance Captain in 'Strictly Confidential' UK Tour directed by Craig Revelhorwood.

    Choreographic experience include: BBC's Strictly Come Dancing (2013/2014/2015/16) &'Before We Grow Old' Mozaics (music video)

    Assistant Choreographer to Matt Flint for BBC's Children in Need. Guest Choreographer for Pasha Kovalev’s Tour ‘Dance the night away’.

Richard Vanryne, a white man with a ginger beard, stands with his head and torso in frame against a plain grey background. His arms are folded and he's wearing a black crew neck top. He is smiling into the camera.

  • Orchestrator

    Coming from a highly musical family, Richard Vanryne played trumpet from a young age in various brass, wind and jazz bands, and began his lifelong obsession with composition and production. Whilst studying music production at the University of Kent, Richard ventured into the world of musical theatre and began working with writers to produce pieces for various dance shorts. After 10 years of balancing a full-time business role with music, he took the leap and left the corporate world to enable him to fully focus on music production. Since then he has arranged and written for musical theatre, scored a number of short films, produced and signed albums with music libraries, and mixed and mastered music for various singers and songwriters.

Audience Reviews of 2020 The Musical

  • This is a fantastic show! I was slightly concerned, before seeing it, that the content would feel dated and that I would be sitting through recycled old jokes about lockdown that we've heard a million times before, but it somehow managed to find a new take on the covid crisis, one that was both emotionally familiar and laugh-out-loud funny.

    Bianca

  • This is a superb show, the best we have ever seen at The Fringe and we've been coming for years. GO SEE IT. All the performers are terrific, the pace is lively, the message upbeat. The actress playing Emily is ready for the Broadway or West End stage. So is the show!

    Kenneth McGruther

  • Brilliant show looking back at 2020! Laughed out loud, good songs, acting and dancing. Hilarious characters in the old people and ex-PM! :D Go see it!

    M.

  • Excellent show with an extremely talented cast! Heartwarming and cheesy!

    Louise Edwards

  • Can't recommend this highly enough...would not have been out of place on a West End stage. A multi-talented small cast each playing multiple parts, weaving their way through the madness that was 2020 with emotional intelligence, wit and immense humour. A real belly laugh with a powerful message.

    Rachel Wilson

  • Absolutely incredible musical full of so much talent, laughter and surprises! The cast were outstanding and super professional. I'd recommend this to all visiting the Fringe festival this summer!

    Laura Smith

  • Omg this show is amazing! One to definitely go and watch. The cast are all incredible and very funny, There we’re some really tender moments especially the old folk tap dance. Boris - what a true likeness! Well done to each member of the cast true professionals. . I really hope it gets to the West End. It soooooo deserves to be there.

    CJ

  • This show totally captured our hearts. The timing felt just right for revisiting the iconic year which unexpectedly changed all our lives so dramatically. Top notch acting, singing and dancing and an excellent Boris impressionist complete the package and tie it all up with a metaphorical big bright bow. I predict that this will follow in the footsteps of Six the Musical, emulating its meteoric rise to West End, national and international success. I really hope I'm right!

    Julia Bolden

  • I was so thoroughly impressed with this show!! I think every single person in the UK can relate to this show due to the nature of the topics covered during a time when all of our lives had been affected. All of the performers are so incredibly talented. I was laughing, crying and also was reminded of this very strange time and felt inspired to continue to live everyday and to never take freedom, family and fun for granted!!! I cannot wait to see this show on the west end in time to come!! If you are at the fringe, please go and see this show!! The Boris Johnstone character was so on point!!! Well done everyone in the cast and team, you certainly made my fringe this year!!

    Claire Hall

  • What a fantastic show!! This heartwarming, giggle inducing, relatable musical is a fantastic watch at this years fringe! It covered so many areas of lockdown that I’m sure the whole audience could relate to, the magic of the main actors, the heartwarming moments, feel good songs, thought provoking songs were all fantastic. This is a very well written, consciously thought out, hilarious and tear jerking show and I’m so glad we went to see it!

    Sophie

  • WOW! This show was an amazing tour of the "wonderful" 2020! The songs were very catchy and the acting, dancing and singing was outstanding by all!! 5 stars from me!

    Katie C

  • I loved loved loved it! How to produce such a hearted and hope giving show with that theme, incredible. Every minute was worthwhile and absolutely amazing and talented cast as well. Thank you!

    Esther Schneider

  • Wow! This show is West End material. Very professional, well written, inspired and creative, it resonates with anyone who lived through 2030 in the UK. A must see. Sparkling!

    Linda Gaskill

  • Must see show! Fantastic music cast and choreography. As an American from Los Angeles, was also a history lesson

    Terry Bavaro

  • Well performed and very much enjoyed.

    Cameron M

  • Very enjoyable time, excellently written and performed. The male and female leads are standout - particularly impressed by 'Emily's' vocal range and 'Adam's' physical comedy instincts. Not to mention the Boris Johnson impression is uncanny. Book it in and see it. We all need to process some things from that year and this is cheaper than group therapy!

    Matt Woodrow

  • Nice show, some excellent songs, very entertaining, recommended.

    Andrew Davies

  • Absolutely loved this musical!! Very funny and witty! The cast had perfect comedic timing, vocal ranges and dancing skills! Its hard to pick one stand out moment but definitly has to be the boris johnson impressionist! I was near in stitches everytime the cast member was on stage. Lots of tender heartfelt moments and something we can all relate to. The songs were banging and here's hoping they're uploaded somewhere!

    L Callaghan