A Strange Loop is the creation of Michael R. Jackson and tells the story of Usher, a Disney usher, who is attempting to write a musical about what it's like to be black, queer and trying to find his way in life...

As far as musical theatre goes, Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop has it all: Catchy, memorable songs, wonderful cast performances, humour by the bucket load and an original story. But be warned. If you're easily offended then you may find this a little too edgy.

The show's creator Michael R. Jackson wrote the bare bones for what would finally be transformed into A Strange Loop in around 2001. Originally it was a personal exercise, a monologue called Why I Can’t Get Work, that was designed to exorcise the doubts he had about what kind of life he would be able to build for himself with a play writing degree. While not strictly autobiographical, it was the beginning of attempting to capture what it felt like to be a young black gay man finding his way in a world that seemed to have no space for him. As Jackson himself confessed: "I never imagined this musical would be produced. I assumed the theater world would find it too raw, too edgy, too queer, and too black to ever allow it on the stage."

And he's right on all points and the end result is better for it too - something new and exciting in a cliched genre. It's not even overly important that you can follow the story (there's no real outline in the booklet notes) as the songs and performances are strong enough to get you hooked. While it's obviously an album released to appease the fans who have seen the original musical production, it's strong enough to stand on its own even if you have no idea what on earth is going on.

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Daisy May