Monthly Archives: August 2017

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – The Tinder Tales, 25th August 2017

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Our next show is quite short but hopefully it’s none the worse for that. It’s the King’s Players’ production of The Tinder Tales at Mint Studio @ Greenside @ Infirmary Street at 17:20 on Friday 25th. Here’s the blurb: “A narcissistic toothbrusher. A guy who wants to be his dog. A girl still attached at the umbilical cord to her mother. Who is the Tinder match behind your screen? What would you do if it was you? Based on real life interviews about online hook-up misadventures, The Tinder Tales explores the highs and lows of the contemporary dating scene. We invite you to join us on an (optionally) interactive series of fly-on-the-wall dates where we explore the awkwardness, hilarity and horror that anonymity seems to breed.”

I’ve absolutely no experience of dating apps so I’m expecting entertainment and education in equal measure! I’ve read a review that looks very promising, although I’m wondering if it might feel a little static. Check back around 6.15 pm to see what we thought. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

A very intriguing little play, with individual stories of Tinder success and failure (mainly failure, tbh) delivered smartly by a talented troupe of young actors. I liked the fact that some accounts wrong-footed the audience when you realise the sex of the actor isn’t always the sex of the story teller. Recommended!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Anna Morris: Bitchelors, 25th August 2017

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For our next show we’ve got a comedy that sounds like great fun. It’s Anna Morris: Bitchelors at Ballroom @ Voodoo Rooms at 15:10 on Friday 25th. Take a look at the blurb: “The critically acclaimed character comic and creator of last year’s award-winning sell-out wedding comedy It’s Got to be Perfect returns. Morris revives 2014’s sell-out Would Like to Thank, as four characters compete at the Woman of the Year Awards, hosted by Georgina the Bride and judged by you. A Scouse Mumtrepreneur, a darkly secretive baker, a glamorous deadly foreign correspondent, an anti-marriage activist. Four women, one award, who wins? You decide! ‘Morris has the X Factor’ ***** (EdinburghGuide.com). Best Show 2016 ***** (FunnyWomen.com). ‘Wildly inventive and intelligent’ **** (ScotsGay.co.uk). **** (Stage). **** (Herald). **** (Skinny).”

I’ve never seen Anna Morris before but her Youtube videos are hilarious. Check back around 4.30 pm to see if we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Indeed, as expected, this was hilarious. She has great interaction with the audience and I loved how information she gleans early on in the show comes back as useful material for later characters. Her voices work really well too, including a very accurate scouse accent that wasn’t over the top. Hugely entertaining!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Dickens for Dinner, 25th August 2017

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Next up we feel like having a literary laugh with a group of actors we’ve already seen once this week. It’s Dickens for Dinner at +1 @ C venues – C (sounds more like an algebra sum than a venue) at 13:30 on Friday 25th. Here’s the blurb: “The cast of the sell-out Shakespeare for Breakfast are inviting you back for dinner with a Dickensian twist! Join us for a deliciously daring look at this classic British author, with a feverishly funny flavour. Who says literature can’t make you laugh? Sit down for a truly surreal repast. Dickens goes delirious. Bring your Great Expectations to see what the Pickwick Papers have been raving about. Free soup!”

We enjoyed last year’s Shakespeare for Breakfast so much that we had to book again for this year – and on the strength of that we’re giving their Dickens a chance too. It will be interesting to see if there is equal scope to tease humour out of the old Victorian – but if anyone can, the SfB team can! Check back shortly after 2.30 pm to see how much fun it was. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

It was exactly as you’d expect – all the fun of Shakespeare for breakfast, with added Christmas Carol. They put such energy and anarchy into their shows that they’re simply irresistible. Another winner!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – NSFW, 25th August 2017

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For our first show on Friday – and it’s actually on in a respectable morning slot – it’s the alarmingly entitled NSFW at Upper Thrust @ theSpace on Niddry St at 11:25 on Friday 25th. This is how the blurb describes it: “’The articles are shit. No offence, Charlotte. But no one buys our publication principally for the literature. I think it’s important to recognise that.’ Lad’s mag Doghouse is in trouble: after a topless image of an underage girl is featured, her furious father threatens to bring down the magazine. Fired from Doghouse for making this mistake, Sam interviews for a job at women’s fashion weekly Electra but quickly discovers unsettling parallels between the two, forcing him to choose between compromising his values and yet another unpaid internship he cannot afford. Not I Theatre present a dark satire on media.”

Lucy Kirkwood’s play first hit the stage in 2012, so I’m presuming it’s well tried and tested – in fact, I’ve just seen some reviews of the original production and it sounds extremely good. The performers are Alexander Lopez, Joe Callanan, Laura Pieters, Matt Aldridge, Chris Alldridge and Grace Arnold. Check back around 1 pm to see if we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

A really clever, sharply written play, beautifully performed throughout, which makes you think about magazine journalism, and not in a positive way. I particularly liked how the woman working for the men’s magazine had to abase herself to survive, and then the man in the woman’s magazine is confronted with the same issues. Very funny too. A great way to start your fringe day!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – This Is Not Culturally Significant, 24th August 2017

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For our last show of the day, we’re continuing with the potentially shocking stuff, with This Is Not Culturally Significant at the Auditorium @ Gilded Balloon at the Museum at 23:45 on Thursday 24th. And here’s the blurb: “A brutally intense, darkly comic one-man show that unveils the compulsive and eccentric nature of humanity. This thunderous, high-energy piece of theatre is performed entirely nude and combines dark clowning and deeply grotesque bouffon to create sharp political comment on contemporary society. This is a show for thrill-seekers. It is uncomfortable to watch and mesmeric, leaving audiences’ emotions balancing on a knife edge. From a mendacious Spiritualist Lecturer to a despondent American porn star on the brink of her retirement, over 10 characters take the audience on a journey from emotional despair to helpless laughter.”

A friend saw this in London a few months ago and really enjoyed it, so I booked on the strength of his recommendation. It sounds like it will be very funny as well as very challenging, and apparently Adam Scott-Rowley gives a true tour de force! Check back around 1 am (or maybe tomorrow morning!) to see how we got on. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Well there’s no doubting it’s a tour de force, Adam Scott-Rowley gives a performance of amazing commitment and total engagement. It was a little like watching a naked Mr Bean at his most flummoxing. The characterisation is excellent, and the interweaving stories do progress. It was a little repetitive at times and occasionally I slightly lost interest. But that’s experimental theatre for you, and it was a fascinating experience.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Sweatshop, 24th August 2017

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And now, as they used to say, it’s time for something completely different. It’s Sweatshop at Palais du Variete @ Assembly George Square Gardens at 22:00 on Thursday 24th. Here’s the blurb: “Briefs Factory present a late-night extravaganza, Sweatshop, hosted by the impeccably coiffed master crooner Mikelangelo. Grab yourself a knock-off drink and clock into the Sweatshop. Experience the production line of cabaret, circus and party tricks manufactured in difficult and dangerous working conditions before your eyes, featuring the Briefs Factory workers. This is a sweaty, uncompromising performance, brought to you by the team that brought you Briefs and Hot Brown Honey. Violate your senses. Dance it out.”

I’m expecting “extreme”. Extreme comedy, extreme circus, extreme burlesque. Apart from that, your guess is as good as mine. I’ve seen some of Mikelangelo’s videos on Youtube, and I confess I’m a little worried. Check back around 11.30 pm to see if my concerns were justified. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Some of the audience reviews for this show were negative and said this was tasteless. I can only say, they didn’t get the joke. I thought this was a brilliant array of acts, including the gorgeous Lada Redstar who brought politics into burlesque in a way I had not expected. There was also a hilarious hoop act to the soundtrack of Popcorn  – and there’s a good reason for that – the chicken demolishing Gingzilla and the unforgettable Betty Grumble. She’s not called International Sex Clown for nothing, and she displays a lack of inhibition that’s second to none!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Abigoliah Schamaun: Namaste, Bitches, 24th August 2017

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And now it’s time for yet another favourite performer – fresh from last night’s Spank! (You love it!) it’s Abigoliah Schamaun with her show Namaste, Bitches at Belly Laugh @ Underbelly, Cowgate at 19:40 on Thursday 24th. Let’s take a look at the blurb: “What’s the point in pursuing enlightenment when you could just put your feet up and knock back a bourbon? And what passes for happiness these days? Abigoliah is a certified Bikram Yoga instructor; she’s run marathons and Tough Mudders, participated in Crossfit competitions… Why would she bother when you’re just as likely to find those sweet endorphins at the bottom of a pint glass? She dissects mankind’s relationship with wellness and happiness; a show for anyone who’s paused on a treadmill or over a shot glass and wondered ‘wait… what am I doing?’ ***** (ArtsAwardVoice.com).”

I love Abigoliah, she’s feisty and funny and fearless and all the other F words! I’m really looking forward to seeing her do her one-woman show because I bet it will be three parts goofy to one part sheer intelligence – or will that be the other way round? Check back around 9 pm to see how much we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

A really great show from Abigoliah, mixing together so many threads and creating a delightfully surprising finale that will satisfy her childhood dreams. Very funny, but also rather moving, it invites you to analyse your own definitions of happiness and enlightenment, and appreciate how others see those hard to attain things. All that, yet it’s refreshing and bubbly and laugh out loud. We loved it. You should go see it!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Kev’s Komedy Kitchen – The Second Cumin, 24th August 2017

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Time for what I am sure will be another comic highlight of the week, it’s the return of Kev’s Komedy Kitchen – The Second Cumin at Just the Cask Room @ Just the Tonic at The Mash House at 15:40 on Thursday 24th. Here’s the blurb: “’A masterpiece of performance and comedy’ (NottsComedyReview.wordpress.com). More culinary television show shenanigans from the hapless but award-winning Kevin Dewsbury and put upon producer Will Hutchby. Can Kevin finally get his career on track and exorcise the demons of the past? It’s just a cooking show after all! Plus we may get to find out what has been going on in the world of unlikely Italian chef Michelli Newelli! ‘An underground hit!’ (HuffingtonPost.co.uk).”

We saw the original Kev’s Komedy Kitchen twice; once at Edinburgh last year, then again at the Leicester Comedy Festival in February because it was so more-ish. I can’t wait to see what horrendous things will be going on again in Kevin’s Kookery world, and whether Will will keep his temper under control this time. Check back around 5 pm to see how much fun it was. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Another beautifully crafted dollop of Kookery magic from Kev’s kitchen; this year he’s risen again (like a soufflé) after a much needed rehab, I mean retreat, and is flogging his inspirational Kevjuice to anyone who’ll listen to his daft jingle. Will is still trying to hold it together whilst accidentally promoting Kev’s main komedy rivals. A lovely parody of the TV cookery show genre, this one has a delightfully surprise ending that you definitely won’t see coming. Only a few days left to catch this show  – what are you waiting for?!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Black Mountain, 24th August 2017

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After a lot of comedy it’s about time we saw something substantial and meaty and I think this will fill the bill! It’s Paines Plough’s production of Black Mountain, at Roundabout @ Roundabout @ Summerhall, at 13:25 on Thursday 24th. Here’s the blurb: “Rebecca and Paul are running away. Away from memories and mistakes. They’re trying to save their relationship. They need time and space. An isolated house in the country is the perfect place to work things out. But you can’t run forever. Especially when you’re being followed. Black Mountain is a tense psychological thriller about betrayal and forgiveness by Fringe First winner and recipient of the prestigious Harold Pinter Commission, Brad Birch.”

This sounds like it should be very eerie and suspenseful as well as serious and substantial! It stars Hasan Dixon, Katie Elin-Salt, and Sally Messham. Check back around 3 pm to see if we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

My word but that was suspenseful! All credit to the fourth member of the cast, the lighting technician, for adding such an eerie and often scary atmosphere. A beautifully written and constructed play that sends shivers up your spine and has a brilliant, dramatic climax that could be interpreted in so many ways. Absolutely top performances and riveting drama.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Joby Mageean and Edy Hurst: Dead Nice Boys, 24th August 2017

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After a full evening of comedy, we’re starting off the new day with – more comedy! A free show from a couple of guys who look funny on paper, at least! They’re Joby Mageean and Edy Hurst: Dead Nice Boys, at Upstairs Bar @ Laughing Horse @ Southside Social, at 12:00 noon on Thursday 24th. Let’s take a look at the blurb: “Edy Hurst and Joby Mageean are great friends and great comedians. This year they’re putting both to the test by sharing an hour at the Edinburgh Fringe. Joby Mageean is Leicester Square Act of the Year and Chortle’s Comedian to Watch 2017. ‘Actual proper gags… and charisma to spare. He should go far’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Hilarious gags and brilliantly written songs’ (ThreeWeeks). Edy Hurst is winner of Tickled Pig and has appeared on BBC Radio Lancashire. ‘A manic ball of comedy energy’ (Gigglebeats.co.uk). ‘Joyous comic to behold’ (ManchesterWire.co.uk).”

Always a risk when you take a punt on new comedy, but here’s hoping for a good show. Check back around 1.15 pm to see how much we laughed. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Not for nothing are they called the Dead Nice Boys – and they’re not even dead. Really enjoyed the show; Joby has brilliantly funny material and a very winning personality that we both found very engaging. Edy has some delightfully stupid comedy songs and a great new way of performing James Bond themes. Definitely two guys to watch and I hope we get to see them again soon!