Monthly Archives: August 2015

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – I Went To A Fabulous Party…

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I remember thinking, whilst I was combing the pages of this year’s Fringe brochure and carefully looking at the majority of the entries online, that there wasn’t much in the way of outrageously funny comic plays this year. And that was the main reason I alighted on I Went To A Fabulous Party… – it seemed one of the few adult plays that you would just expect to be a downright laugh. Here’s what the blurb says about it: “A party amongst friends gets saucy when two newcomers challenge the dynamic at married couple Matt and Lee’s. Booze flows, perceptions are upset and the guys get naughty. Apparently prudish Chris has long-held unrequited feelings for Lee; daddy (bear) to the gang Tom has been dumped; self-obsessed gym-bunny Paul has invited fresh-faced twink Josh along for a night he’ll not forget; and Matt’s new colleague Darren certainly makes his presence known. Camp, lively and fun, And Davies’s new gay comedy delivers sexy laughs – and maybe a bit of nudity too.”

So, in the words of The Flintstones, I think we’re in for a gay old time. Sadly I read some of the reviews from its recent brief run at the King’s Head and, for the most part, they weren’t very complimentary. I have a horrible feeling I might find it just a tad under-subtle, both in terms of its sexual content and its humour. From what I’ve read that “bit of nudity” is actually, quite a lot of nudity. No problem with that at all, provided it’s there for a reason – and laughter certainly counts as a perfectly good reason. I don’t think I’m that easily shocked – I guess time will tell! It starts at 22:40 at C too Main House, so check back again around midnight to find out how I survived. And the preview blog for our final show of the day should be available too.

Update:

There’s the germ of a very good play here, but I felt it just didn’t quite make the mark. Whilst Young Josh’s baptism of fire into the world of big gay boys (so to speak) worked very well, and Tom’s contributions to the play make positive observations about body image (no gym bunny he) many of the other characters relied heavily on stereotypes for easy laughs. Nevertheless it’s very well acted, and nicely breaks a number of classic rules in an inventive production. And well done to “Fireman Nick” for being a good sport!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Funmbi Omotayo: Legal Immigrant

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There’s something very exciting about going to see a live comedian who you don’t know that well but suspect will be spectacularly funny. One such show for me will be Funmbi Omotayo: Legal Immigrant, and here is the promotional blurb so you can get a better feel for what’s in store: “As recently seen on BBC1’s The John Bishop Show, Amused Moose Laugh Off Winner Funmbi brings his highly anticipated solo show to the Fringe. It’s the story of a 10 year old boy leaving Hackney for Lagos… Delivered in his charismatically calm and collected manner, this promises to be a debut not to be missed. ‘Plenty of original insights and honest home-truths to enjoy’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘A charming young comic… he’s got the jokes to back up his charm. Soon, he could be playing to thousands’ (Time Out).” We did indeed see him for those few minutes on the John Bishop Show and that was what decided me to book. But much more than that I cannot say until after we’ve seen him! The show is on at 21:00 at the Gilded Balloon Study at the Pleasance Dome so check back after 10.00 to find out how good he was. Our next preview blog will be available too.

Update:

A very charming and likeable chap, Funmbi delivers his material at a relaxed pace and it feels like a nice evening in with friends. Nice observational comedy, a smile with the occasional sting in the tail. He challenges some notions of racism which works well, but I think he could push the boat out even further sometimes. Enjoyable show.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Odd Shaped Balls

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Last year in Edinburgh we caught the excellent one-man play Away From Home which tackled the subject of homophobia in sport, specifically football. This year, Paper Plane Theatre are offering something that sounds quite similar – Odd Shaped Balls, only this time it’s rugby. Here’s what the blurb says: “Odd Shaped Balls tells the story of James Hall, a promising rugby player whose life is turned upside down when he is outed as gay. With his life crumbling down around him, does James have the courage to not only be true to himself, but also be a role model to others? This moving and thought-provoking piece is a play for our time, full of wit, pathos and humour. It’s a story that needs to be told, a story that asks; how you would feel if your sexuality prevented you from playing the sport you love?”

Written by Richard Sheridan in response to his own experience when an openly gay rugby player joined his rugby club but was later rejected by the team captain; and also based on the real life story of Gareth Thomas, it sounds like a really interesting play and I’m hoping it’s going to pose lots of difficult questions and maybe suggest some answers. James Hall is played by 21 year old Matthew Marrs on his first visit to the Fringe. Paper Plane are a relatively new theatre company that aims to provide creative innovative and original theatre that explores interesting and relevant questions and themes, and support and work with emerging theatre makers to create a platform for their work to be seen. I wish them well on their quest, and I am sure this play will be ideal for their vision. It starts at 19:15 at the Space Triplex Studio, so please check back around 8.15 for our instant reactions, and to find out what we’re up to next.

Update:

That’s the way to play a one-man performance! Brilliant characterisations and voices, bags of attack and a really thought provoking play that managed to be funny as well as moving. Excellent job!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Russell Hicks – Big Mouth Strikes Again

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First of all, let’s have a read of the blurb: “American smart ass showcases the wit that got him described as ‘a mix between Jack Dee and Dennis Leary’ (BroadwayBaby.com). This show has it all: humour, madness, imagination and the ability to take a punch.”

Here’s one show I am absolutely determined to go to, come hell or high water. We saw Mr Hicks at one of our Screaming Blue Murder nights in Northampton and he was absolutely amazing in that he spent the entire set reacting to the crowd and barely dipping into any of his prepared routine. I was determined to see him again. And thus it was that we arranged to see him at the Edinburgh Fringe last year in his Unprepared show. Trouble is, it was our first night and we’d been up so early, and we were really tired and…so we didn’t turn up.

So this year we’re definitely going to turn up, otherwise I’m going to give the poor guy a complex. And I’m really looking forward to it! He’s on at 17:00 at the Laughing Horse at the Free Sisters, 139 Cowgate. Check back shortly after 6pm to make sure we really did go. And also check out what it is we’re seeing next!

Update:

We really did go this time! And I would guess about 20% of it was prepared material. I loved the disconcerting “backward” start, and the way he creates a cast of characters from various members of the audience. Today we had Marketing Student who couldn’t come up with a strategy, Bournemouth man who sounded more Hoots Mon than you’d expect from Dorset, and Aragorn, who could almost kill a man with a camp flick of a punch. But it was his girlfriend who had a surprise up her sleeve. Mr Hicks has eyes in the back of his head and misses nothing. A brilliantly inventive approach, breaking all the rules because that’s what they’re there for! An hour stuffed with laughs from unexpected places. Great stuff!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Comfort Slaves

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One of the definite hits from last year’s Fringe was In Your Face’s fantastic Trainspotting, which is on again this year. We decided not to see it again as it’s important to keep having new experiences wherever possible, although if you haven’t seen it, I would definitely recommend it to you. However, this year we have Comfort Slaves, a brand new piece of immersive theatre directed by Craig Boyle, director of Trainspotting – and that’s why I’ve chosen to see it! Here’s the blurb: “Our culture and society is becoming, anaesthetised, dumbed down and depressed but we need to wake up. This new piece of cutting edge immersive theatre from Craig Boyle, the director of five-star Fringe 2014 hits Trainspotting and Lieutenant of Inishmore, immerses your senses in the immediate and intimate. Each performance is unique. He wants you to feel something raw and alive. If you want to know what bold and original Fringe theatre is, then this is for you. ***** (ThreeWeeks), ‘Highly recommended show’ (FringeReview.co.uk, Lieutenant of Inishmore 2014). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com, The Hardman 2013).”

Here’s a further description, from Immersive Acting Movement’s website: “Peter’s wife is pregnant and missing. His sister Sarah is about to go on TV’s talent show. Her boyfriend Gavin is paying back a debt. He’s working for Mr. Jerry Logan MP for Paisley. Mr Logan’s a powerful man who thinks he can get away with anything. Even kidnapping a pregnant woman who claimed he raped her when she was fourteen.” I’m expecting this to be really hard-hitting and all-engrossing – the video trailer is very suspenseful and eerie. I don’t think this is going to be a comfortable watch, but then, isn’t that what the Edinburgh Fringe is all about? It’s on at 15:15 at the New Town Theatre – Kitchen, and I think it’s going to be a promenade performance, much like Trainspotting was. Looking forward to the challenge! Check back around 4.30pm to see what we thought, and by then the next preview blog should be available.

Update:

Shut in a small kitchen, if you’re looking for an easy ride here, you won’t get it. All sorts of “discomforting the audience” techniques are employed by the deceptively approachable cast, who both mislead and confide in you during the performance. There’s no denying the unpleasantness of much of the material, and there’s also the shock of the sudden ending. The loathsome MP put his arm round me (cringe) but his nemesis shared his apple with me, which I appreciated more. I caused his woman some pain with her shoes, but then, it was her own fault. If none of this makes sense to you, you really need to come and see this memorable and challenging piece of immersive theatre.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Michael Legge: Tell it Like it is, Steve

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Giving ourselves something of a lie-in, our first show today doesn’t actually start until this afternoon! It’s an hour of comedy with the unpredictably spiky Mr Michael Legge. Here’s what the blurb says: “What’s the bloody point of anything ever? I don’t know. What you asking me for? Anyway, that’s my new show. Starts at noon. Bloody noon! Christ. Michael Legge, as seen on The Alternative Comedy Experience, returns with his new show about meeting people and why it’s always awful. Want to meet your heroes? Yes? Considered whether they want to meet you? No? This is the tale about how Michael’s heroes made the mistake of meeting him. ‘Beautifully crafted fury’ (Scotsman). ‘…vitriolic observational stand-up at its finest’ (Chortle.co.uk).”

This is a great subject for a comedy show, because whenever you meet your heroes, they always have a knack of disappointing you. And the opposite is true, if you ever meet people who you have always instinctively not liked or not trusted, they darn well turn out to be nice people! So annoying! We’ve seen Mr Legge once before at one of our Screaming Blue Murder nights in Northampton and he was ace. He’s actually coming back this autumn but on a date that we can’t manage, so I feel entirely justified in spending some of my quality Edinburgh time in his company. He’s wrong, it’s not on at noon, it’s on at 12:10, in the Stand Comedy Club 2, and it lasts for an hour, so check back around 1.15 to find out just how brilliant he was. You can also find out about our next show.

Update:

As suspected, lots of meaty material for an hour full of angry railing against young people, heroes and hero-worshippers, but above all against himself for being a prick. (It’s self-confessed, so I’m not being critical). Ever wondered what a safe-Kettering holiday is? You might find out. Great entertainment, nicely deriding some of the worst aspects of Fringe-life too. Good stuff!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Spank (a second spanking)

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Yes our final show of the night is the second visit this week to the Underbelly Cowgate (Belly Dancer) to see Spank, a riotous few hours spent in the company of James Loveridge, Abigoliah Schamaun, and a host of as yet unannounced guests. If you need reminding, here’s the deal: “Spank returns for an incredible 12th year with sexy hosts, awesome comedians and inevitable gratuitous nudity. You love it! ‘This is what the festival should be about’ (List). ‘Legendary party night … get down there right away!’ (Time Out).”

Who knows what they will have in store for us tonight? I just hope it’s as good as it was last year! We’ll be starting here at midnight and going on till the wee hours. Maybe it’ll be best to check back in the morning for our reactions and to find out where we’ll be starting our Friday. Sleep well!

Update:

Spank (we love it) as funny as always, with our hosts on top form and a bunch of brilliant guests. We enjoyed sketch group Giraffe, Trinidadian Archie Maddocks, John Robertson of The Dark Room (he nicked my beer but was quite nice about it and good old James replenished me with a Sol), Papa CJ, Rhys Nicholson, Ian Smith, and Felicity Ward. The guys all struggled to be heard over the constant chat of a party of Underbelly box office girls who heeded not the beseech to “shut the f*ck up”, but never mind. And kudos to our naked promo, Tom who was representing a musical at 11:30 in the underbelly- but I can’t remember its name! Great night!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Da-Da-Darling

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Seeing as how we’ve been with friends all day and took in a lot of shows earlier on, we devoted a little longer than usual to the experience of Evening Dining Out During the Fringe tonight; but hopefully we’ll all be refreshed and ready to go for our penultimate show of the day – Impermanence Dance Theatre’s Da-Da-Darling. This is what the promotional blurb says: “Seven virtuoso performers combine in a thrilling surrealist piece of dance. A spellbinding and titillating look at Max Ernst’s unnerving collage-novel, A Little Girl Dreams of Taking the Veil, from the glamorous new force in dance-theatre, Impermanence. Created collaboratively by the performers, Da-Da-Darling is dreamlike entertainment full of love, sex and disorientation… Visions of broken milk teeth, fluttering dragonflies, writhing flesh, and a band of leech-charmers appear, as the performers’ bodies, clothed in timeless attire, oscillate between a story of innocence and sin… ‘Poetic, energetic, racy, vintage, stylish … their connection with the audience was electric’ (Simon Casson, Duckie).

Sounds like a challenging piece of dance to me. I’ve seen a brief trailer and it looks rather disturbing, slightly grotesque, but very flowing and expressive as well. The words “tragedy, glamour, violence, spectacle” appear at the end of the video – just like an evening at home, then. Max Ernst was at the forefront of surrealism and Dadaism (hence the title of the dance) – so I expect this will be thoroughly surreal too. There’s only one way to find out! It’s on at 22:15 at the Zoo – Sanctuary, so check back again around 11.30 to see how we got on. And to bid goodnight to Mr and Mrs Flag who by then will have done sterling Fringe service. Mrs Chrisparkle and I have got one more show to see though – so do look at the next preview blog to find out what it is.

Update:

Everything you wanted to know about Dada but were afraid to dance. Technically I thought they were brilliant, bringing a host of emotions and textures to their performance. As for its meaning, well make of it what you will. Certainly there was a lot of sexual exploitation going on, but I felt they were victims to all forces of nature. Complex and confusing, but very good stuff.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – Alex Williamson: That Guy from the Internet

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Time for more comedy and someone who is apparently a Youtube sensation – but I haven’t heard of him. Alex Williamson: That Guy from the Internet is, well, let’s hand over to the blurb: “That Guy from the Internet. That’s what Alex is… But he’s sold out venues across Australia and New Zealand. Get set for the brand new show from the guy the Age called ‘disturbing and distressing’. ‘Wildly entertaining’ (Rip It Up). ‘One of the world’s most promising comedic talents’ (UnderTheGunReview.net). ‘Alex Williamson’s set felt like a generation sticking its middle finger up at politically correct expectations’ (ArtsHub.com.au). ‘You’ll certainly laugh even when you feel bad doing so’ (Newcastle Herald). ‘There’s a reason his shows sell-out consistently. He’s a funny c*nt’ (ArtsHub.com.au).”

I know they exist but I haven’t quite had the time to fathom out the concept of the Youtube performer. It’s an area of the Internet where my brain just hasn’t had the chance to dwell. So I am looking forward to seeing someone who is apparently very famous! So long as he’s funny too, I’m sure we’ll be alright. In fact, I’ve just taken the opportunity to check out a couple of his videos, and he’s very….Australian. But that’s good. Australian can be funny. In fact I’m expecting it to be very rude – we received an email saying the age guidance had been revised from 14+ to 16+, allowing us to cancel if we wanted. We didn’t want. The show’s on at 19:00 at the Gilded Balloon Nightclub, so check back around 8pm to see if he tickled the ribs of these whingeing Poms. Our next show preview will be available too!

Update:

I’m no prude, but I’m speechless. A naturally funny guy but with material so devoid of subtlety, of light and shade. Funny for the first ten minutes as you respond to the shock, then fifty minutes of filthy boredom.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2015 – A Face That Fits

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Back to the drama, and here’s a two-hander that sounds very intriguing – Moon Fly Theatre’s A Face That Fits. Read what they say: “Lights. A young man is sitting alone on a park bench. Enter stranger who requests to draw him. Intrigued, the young man agrees. A Face That Fits is a coming of age story that deals with the clashes of two different generations. Written by Sean Dennis Langtree, a play by Moon Fly Theatre Company making its world premiere at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.”

Sounds deceptively simple, doesn’t it? Apparently the play was inspired by an incident when Mr Langtree was approached by an intoxicated artist on a train, who asked if he could draw him. He said yes. More than that we do not know. A lot I think will depend on the interaction and chemistry between the two actors, Vincent Maguire as “Man” and Mark McMinn as “Boy”, but I reckon this could be a pretty powerful play. It starts at 17:05 at TheSpace @Surgeon’s Hall – third time we will have been there today – and lasts fifty minutes so check back around 6pm for our instant reactions and to see what we will be up to next.

Update:

Well we’ve all come out confused from that play. There are a few options as to what it all meant, but none of them quite make sense. If you understood it, please let us know, thanks.

After further thought I think there’s a decent play struggling to get out, but this wasn’t quite it.