Monthly Archives: August 2018

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Holy Sh*t, 22nd August 2018

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Our first play for Wednesday sounds like a classic black comedy – the kind of thing Joe Orton would have relished. It’s Brick Fox’s Holy Sh*t, at The Annexe @ Paradise in the Vault, at 11:20 on Wednesday 22nd. See the reviews in the blurb: “In a desperate last-ditch attempt to save their underfunded and dwindling church, two priests come to the conclusion that the best way they can raise funds is by selling the one resource they have in abundance: bodies from the church graveyard. A decision that finds them under the gaze of the law and in too deep. Six feet deep. A new black comedy play from Royal Holloway University of London’s student theatre company Brick Fox.”

Is this a risky booking? Maybe. First one of the day too, might be too much to ask. We’ll see. Check back around 12.30 pm to see if we went and how much we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Sometimes the Fringe throws up unexpected moments of pure joy. That was one of the funniest shows I’ve seen for ages, truly tasteless and utterly hysterical. Some brilliant performances too. This really deserves a life after the Fringe. See it if you can!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Danger Strip Show, 21st August 2018

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Our last show of the day could either be fantastic (in a naughty way) or dire. It’s Danger Strip Show, at Piccolo, Assembly George Square Gardens, at midnight on the night of Tuesday 21st. This is the blurb: “The most jaw-dropping, mind-popping, eye-watering experience of this year’s Fringe! With unbridled attitude, this firecracker of a show performs death defying stunts while honouring the world’s oldest artform (striptease) for your entertainment. Risk ass-essment required! Presented by Chaz Royal and The London Burlesque Festival.”

It ought to be superb, but the first time we came to Edinburgh we saw the Chaz Royal Best of Burlesque show and it was the worst burlesque I’ve ever seen! Five years on, we’re giving them the benefit of the doubt – and I am curious to see how they combine the danger aspect with the striptease! Check back around 1.30 am (or maybe tomorrow morning!) to see if we managed to stick with it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

A very satisfying mix of burlesque and the more dangerous circus skills, like fire eating, glass eating, and sticking pins through your skin. Presented with humour and chutzpah, and a very enjoyable way to round off the day.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Hillary’s Kitchen, 21st August 2018

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I don’t know… you wait all week for some political satire then two of them come along at the same time. Next up is the Cambridge Road Players’ production of Hillary’s Kitchen, at the Grand theatre @ TheSpace at Surgeon’s Hall, at 22:15 on Tuesday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “Hillary Clinton and other influential women from history sit at her kitchen table in the days following the 2016 presidential election result, drowning their sorrows in chardonnay and trying to work out where it all went wrong in this Fringe debut comedy from playwright Emily McDermott. Join these women as they discuss the state of the nation’s politics and attempt to navigate the world of the bedroom, the boardroom and the downstairs toilet for the twenty-first-century woman. In vino veritas!”

For this to work, I guess the impersonations and the script both need to be spot on. If they are, I predict a riot! I love the idea that the great and the good all sit around in Hillary Clinton’s kitchen. Smacks of Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls? Check back around 11.30 pm to see how good it was. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

It is a 70 minute play, but we, along with six other audience members left halfway through because we’ve never seen such a poorly written, poorly acted play – apart from the actor playing Virginia Woolf, you were excellent. Words fail us. Even if the rest of it were to have picked up enormously, life’s just too short.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Lolly Jones: Fifty Shades of May, 21st August 2018

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In these troubled times we can’t have too much political satire and I’m hoping this show is going to overflow with it. It’s Lolly Jones: Fifty Shades of May Downstairs @ Assembly Roxy, at 20:50 on Tuesday 21st. Let’s see what the blurb has to say: “Lolly (BBC Three/Comedy Central) lampoons political figures in this character comedy/burlesque hybrid show. As Theresa May, she will taunt and tease in Brussels and in fields of wheat. Featuring footage of Liam Hourican as Jacob Rees-Mogg (Murder in Successville/Tracey Ullman’s Show). It’s Downing Street on poppers, with a P45, suspenders, and a chunky metal necklace! Also featuring Lolly as Angela Eagle, Arlene Foster (DUP) and as a saucy Nicola Sturgeon. ‘A blast to spend an hour with’ (Scotsman). Top 10 Best Shows of 2017 (Funny Women Awards).”

I’ve never heard of Lolly Jones but her awkward burlesque promo photograph was all I needed to give this show a chance – I reckon it will be either equally awkward or absolutely sensational. Check back around 9.15 pm to see how great (or otherwise) she was. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Hilarious and inventive mix of satire and burlesque. Where else will you find the Prime Minister pleasuring herself with an EU flag? Escapist nonsense that makes the world of politics look not quite so terrifying!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Gayface, 21st August 2018

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Described as an outrageous farce, our next play is Seeing Other People Productions’ Gayface at Perth Theatre @ TheSpace on North Bridge, at 16:05 on Tuesday 21st. This is what the blurb says: “Everything in Hal’s life is looking up. He was just cast as the lead in a new play with a well-known director, a friendly co-star and a hot gay playwright. Only one problem – they all think he’s straight. Can he keep up the ruse? Chet Wilson’s newest play takes a hard look at the hairy underbelly of theatre, body acceptance and the politics of Gayface.”

Seeing Other People Productions is a new company based in Portland, Oregon, and this play is based on Chet Wilson’s own experiences of the casting process and issues of body acceptance. This sounds like just the kind of play the Edinburgh Fringe was made for. Check back around 5pm to see what we thought of it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Absolutely brilliantly written play, extremely funny and terrifically performed. Really makes you think about the part sexuality plays in both the casting process and the acting process. Highly recommended.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Tonight with Donny Stixx, 21st August 2018

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This is the second production that we will be seeing produced by the much respected Fear No Colours group. It’s Tonight with Donny Stixx at The Studio @ TheSpace at Jury’s Inn, at 13:40 on Tuesday 21st. This is what the blurb says: “Superstar Donny Stixx is finally in town! Prepare to be amazed and expect the unexpected as Donny goes down in history as the greatest magician of our time! But please, no questions about the incident at St Joseph’s. Donny is doing this his way and, besides, no price is too high for superstardom. Philip Ridley’s spectacular tale of Donny is a rollercoaster ride of emotion, both darkly hilarious and gut-wrenchingly honest. The play is a companion piece to Dark Vanilla Jungle, performed by Fear No Colours in 2016 to great critical acclaim.”

This does sound like one of those interminable American news-cum-satire shows that seem to be everywhere nowadays – however, I know it’s nothing to do with that at all, but a wannabe magician who’s done a terrible thing. but what? I really don’t know what to expect, but knowing Fear No Colours, I’m sure it will be thought-provoking. Donny Stixx is performed by Chris Duffy. Check back around 3.15 pm to see what it was like. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

That’s a fantastic, frenetic, disturbing performance of enormous skill and power. You’ve heard the phrase, “a one-man tour de force”? Well that doesn’t do it justice. Spellbinding, and really deserves a life after the Fringe.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Olaf Falafel – There’s no I in idiot, 21st August 2018

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Olaf Falafel was a guest on one of the Spank! shows we saw last year and he was absolutely hilarious – a Viking with no sense of personal boundaries. So our next show is Olaf Falafel – There’s no i in idiot at The Main Room @ Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, at 12:15 on Tuesday 21st. Here’s the blurb says: “Critically acclaimed idiot Olaf Falafel is back with another hour of inventive jokes, audience participation and the very loosest of themes. You’ll laugh, you’ll be confused, you’ll enjoy most of it. ‘A wonderful hour of professional silliness’ (List). ‘A barrage of absurdist humour and sharp one-liners’ (EdFringeReview.com). ‘Olaf Falafel is an idiot, and wouldn’t have it any other way’ (Steve Bennett, Chortle.co.uk). ‘Refreshingly odd’ (iNews.co.uk).

If he’s as good over an hour as he is over twenty minutes we’re in for a total treat. Check back around 1.30 pm to see just how entertaining he was. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Olaf’s beautifully constructed hour of fanciful and inventive fun! Sat in the front row and so got involved, but nothing threatening! Really enjoyed it and would heartily recommend!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Dining Al Desko, 21st August 2018

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Our first show of the day is quite early in the morning… and given that we will have had a late night last night, this is a contender for being a No Show on our part. However, I hope I’m wrong, because this has been getting great reviews. It’s the Immediate Theatre Project and Tightrope Productions’ Dining Al Desko at Space 3 @ TheSpace on the Mile, at 10:35 on Tuesday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “Dining al Desko is a sharp comedy about the struggles of office life, told through three darkly hilarious monologues. Julie is the overworked and under-valued receptionist destined for demotion. Trish is the work-shy social media intern rapidly but reluctantly ascending through the business. Tom is the incompetent accountant using the company kitty to bankroll his online gambling addiction. Prepare for a nine-to-five like no other, in this new comedy by Alastair Curtis. ‘Hysterical… a biting satire’ (Sunday Times). ‘Completely astounding’ (Noises Off).”

Office life has always been a great source for comedy, as it’s full of those moments that we all recognise and groan about! Check back around 11.45am to see if it lived up to its promise – and indeed, if we actually turned up. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Alas, this was indeed our first no-show of the week, as feared. Our loss, I’m sure. But last night’s Spank did finish very late indeed!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Spank! 20th August 2018

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Now it’s time for the show that we look forward to the whole year round. It’s the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge and an equally amazingly wonderful female host – not sure who she’ll be quite yet – presenting Spank! at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at midnight on the night of Monday 20th. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 15th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! ‘Comedy and legendary party night… if you haven’t experienced this night, get down there right away!’ (Time Out). ‘It’s raunchy, raucous and ridiculous. Utterly and absolutely hilarious’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Everything you could hope for in a late-night comedy showcase… absolutely must-see show’ ***** (ThreeWeeks). ‘Atmosphere is electric… you just don’t quite know what is going to happen next… superb’ ***** (One4Review.co.uk).”

This will be our first of three visits this week, and to say we’re excited is to say a very considerable underestimate of how we’re feeling. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Tuesday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the first preview blog for Tuesday should be available to read too.

As always an amazing, unpredictable night at Spank! Hosted by James and new co-host Kai Humphries, our guest artistes were Hot Mess, Josh James, Jacqueline Mifsud, and closing the first half Milo McCabe’s brilliant creation Troy Hawke. In the second half we had the pleasure of the company of burlesque performer Freda Love, newbie Sam Campbell and headliner Ivo Graham, whose set included a one-to-one mastermind with front row Steve about US State Capitalss and an educational talk from a lady in the audience about the Lotus Eaters. The naked promo was a couple of people who met during the interval and agreed that if no one else wanted to do it, they would. No other reason. An utterly bizarre, bonkers and brilliant Spank.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2018 – Pangea, 20th August 2018

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For this play, please let me refer you to Wikipedia: “Pangaea or Pangea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras”. Are you any the wiser? We’re next going to see Here It Goes Theatre’s Pangea at Olive Studio @Greenside @ Infirmary Street, at 22:00 on Monday 20th. This is what the official blurb says: “Choice was the problem. Nich is empathetic. Clint is aware. Bume is capable. And Harris is special, he stands out. One heart. Your candidates are ready to demonstrate that they have what it takes to win Pangea’s greatest game show: The Interview for High Office. One Soul. Pangea explores the absurdity of politics in a modern day society by subverting the usual political context. One Mind. There will be pointing, there will be empty statements, there will be no vote..”

This one’s a bit of gamble, but my favourite Fringe show from last year was based on the gameshow format, so I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt! Pangea is written by Lewis Kirkpatrick and the group are all from Goldsmith’s College in London. Check back after it’s finished at around 11pm to see if we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

A satire on the nature of democracy in the reality game show age. At times very funny, at times distinctly disturbing. A great cast did a terrific job, with a lot of physical theatre in a combined space. Unfortunately I thought the play itself was a little slow to start and lost its way a little towards the end. Still, it makes its point and I might have democracy nightmares later on.