REVIEW: Bipolarcoaster, Amanda Andrews, EdFringe 2026 ★★★

A lighthearted and playful show about the ups and downs of bipolar disorder. 

The play follows Amanda, at her first session of a bipolar disorder support group, monologuing to her audience of fellow attendees about her life, her symptoms and the grief that comes along with a life lived with bipolar disorder. The tone of the piece is warm and accessible, while still touching on the more difficult experiences she faces. 

Amanda Andrews is an amazingly talented performer, constantly gripping the audience and singing beautifully throughout, however this play ended up feeling somewhat empty, with a plot that never really went anywhere. I spent the show feeling like I was waiting for something more to happen; something that never came. 

The songs were entertaining but ended up all blending into each other due to the similarities between each of them, in one moment of the show Amanda performed an excerpt from Adelaide’s Lament (Guys and Dolls) which was exceptional in showing off her true talents, but also hindered the production overall by presenting an example of something that musically stood out compared to the rest of the music. 

I also found that while I enjoyed Amanda and her presence as a performer, the show presented me with little to no information about bipolar disorder and how it impacts her, aside from one experience she has had that details her attachment styles. A significant chunk of the show felt as if it was relaying exactly what I already knew about the diagnosis, the manic episodes and the depressive episodes, without ever teaching me more about the lived experience. 

I do have to praise Amanda on commitment to support and solidarity within her experience as a bipolar person, being vulnerable about her experiences and providing resources for those who may also be struggling, having researched and found support specific to Edinburgh and giving out flyers to guide people towards that support. 

This was a show that I felt had an incredible amount of potential and talent, but fell flat when it came to execution. Amanda is a fantastic performer, and I look forward to seeing how her work develops and grows in the future. 

Recommended Drink: A cocktail of medications, prescribed by doctors who aren’t quite sure what would be right for you. 

Performances of Bipolarcoaster have now concluded at EdFringe 2026.