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\n\t\tOhio is Francesca Moody\u2019s next production \u2013 and it is nothing like I thought it would be (Picture: Oliver Rosser)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tOhio is Francesca Moody\u2019s next production \u2013 and it is nothing like I thought it would be (Picture: Oliver Rosser)<\/p>\n
Baby Reindeer<\/a> and Fleabag<\/a> are known around the world as genre-defining TV shows. But they began life on the Edinburgh Fringe<\/a>\u2019s cobbled streets, with flyers, persistence and a revolutionary spark, under the direction of Francesca Moody Productions.<\/p>\n I expected Francesca\u2019s next trick to embody her last name like the predecessors: something dark, twisty and uncomfortable. But Ohio, running at the Edinburgh Fringe right now, is nothing of the sort.<\/p>\n Toe-tapping, chest-pounding folk music is not a genre I can usually abide by. So when a hugging couple (I could sneak a glimpse of them backstage from my spot) beamed onto the stage with a guitar, I sank in my seat \u2013 worried at how a crowd in Scotland would receive a hippy-clappy American hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n Silly me. Far from it: Ohio turned out to be a heartwarming, raw, and deeply personal story of Obie-winning indie-folk duo Shaun and Abigail Bengson, as told by them. Light-hearted release cut through any threat of a saccharine toothache like a jug of peppermint mouthwash. Phew. <\/p>\n Ohio tells the story of Sean\u2019s degenerative hearing loss and his journey away from God, told through song, poetry and theatre.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t As his deafness progresses with the story, syllables are left off on-screen captions, and the sound of their voices blur into a microphone, imitating his ordeal in that moment. <\/p>\n It\u2019s one of the most powerful depictions of a disability I\u2019ve ever seen on stage, putting us into his shoes without shoving trauma down out throats (as the Fringe quite likes to do these days).<\/p>\n While Baby Reindeer tackles a big, crazy story, Ohio is a no less honest expression \u2013 but tackles human struggles, and finds beauty and hope within and despite of them.<\/p>\n Through song, this duo express themselves like no one is on the receiving end: there are no rigid choruses, verses and genre conventions, but a meaningful, spine-tingling sound. One poignant moment is the duo\u2019s song for Mrs Wean, who helped Sean hear past his tinnitus as a child, told through his gravelly and beautifully strained vocals, and a genuinely brilliant melody.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Meanwhile, Abigail\u2019s voice is nothing like I\u2019ve ever heard. It\u2019s a yodelling, entrancing cross between Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and even, dare I say it, Enya. Her vocals and chants, recorded and played back during the show, are as eerie as a viking war cry and convey messages of longing, sadness and hope in a single note.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sean\u2019s reading of his dad\u2019s final ever sermon as a pastor before his deafness took hold of him, like it will eventually do to him, made me cry. I\u2019m left wondering when Sean\u2019s last show will be. When will be his last Neil Young or Bob Dylan listen before the little hairs that give life to his ears lay their weary heads?\u00a0<\/p>\n But if the spirit of Ohio is genuine \u2013 which I believe it is \u2013 then I have hope that this remarkably talented couple will find beauty and meaning even when the performance is over. <\/p>\n Ohio will be ringing in my ears for some time.<\/p>\n Ohio is on at The Edinburgh Fringe at Assembly Roxy Upstairs for the rest of August at 3pm. Tickets here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Got a story?<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n \t\t\tComments Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ohio-EDFRINGE2025-image-by-Mihaela-Bodlovic-4-29d7.jpg\")
\n\t\tOhio is an exploration of Shaun Bengson\u2019s degenerative hearing loss (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ohio-EDFRINGE2025-image-by-Mihaela-Bodlovic-11-fcce.jpg\")
\n\t\tBut it\u2019s also joyful and filled with hope (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ohio-EDFRINGE2025-image-by-Mihaela-Bodlovic-18-1660.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe vocals were phenomenal (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: I watched a woman orgasm on stage and it wasn\u2019t even awkward<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: \u2018My comedy show is usually illegal \u2013 I can\u2019t wait to let loose in Scotland\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n