Another day of Edinburgh bliss – what’s in store for us today?
Here’s the schedule for 5th August:
11.45 – ELVIS DIED OF BURGERS, Summerhall. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:
“Take a seat at BLINK’s table as the cast spill the tea on their food stories. Watch as they deep-dive into the events at the end of the life of Elvis, the King of Rock’n’Roll, with their signature sensory and often bizarre tangents… Good Food Gospel anyone? ELVIS DIED OF BURGERS has a non-linear narrative. It uses semi-improvised dance, theatre and spoken word to create an exciting, edge-of-your-seat experience for audience and cast alike.”
The BLINK in question are BLINK Dance Theatre, and this sounds like a very intriguing mix of theatre and dance, so it was a no-brainer for us to come and see it!
13.10 – An Interrogation, Summerhall.
“A young detective works against the clock as she questions a suspect who looks like the least likely person to be linked to a murder. He’s a devoted son, a successful businessman and a respectable member of society. But as the minutes tick away, the detective starts to suspect that all is not what it seems… Inspired by real events, the debut play from the Tony Award-nominated co-director of SIX: The Musical is a gripping interrogation drama about power, deception, and our perspectives on the truth.
I’ve got a strong suspicion that this is going to be one of the hits of the Fringe – clearly it’s a powerful play and if they do it well it could be superb!
15.00 – Showgirls and Spies, Pleasance Dome.
“The thrilling true story of Florence Waren, an intrepid Jewish resistance fighter and dazzling showgirl leading a perilous double life in WW2. Working fearlessly for the French resistance by day, Florence takes to the stage alongside icons Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker, every night at the infamous Bal Tabarin. Written by Florence’s relative, the ‘breathtakingly skilful ensemble’ (BBC Scotland) jump cut between worlds bursting with bravery, family and feather boas. With their trademark high production values, the ‘superbly multi-talented’ (**** (Scotsman)) Young Pleasance present their modern take on the glitz, glamour and glare of wartime Paris.”
Another intriguing play, the true story of a wartime heroine written by her relative – that has all the hallmarks of being a gripping drama – here’s hoping!
18.30 – Public – The Musical, Pleasance Courtyard.
“Usually avoid public bathrooms? Here’s one you won’t want to miss! This award-winning new musical follows four unlikely strangers who find themselves trapped together in a gender-neutral public toilet. With an hour to kill until maintenance arrives, the group navigates unexpected challenges, pungent opinions and some seriously sticky conversations. Created by queer-led theatre collective Stroud & Notes, Public – The Musical explores stories of identity, connection and compassion, alongside an electrifying pop/rock score. This will be a trip to the bathroom you’ll never forget! Winner of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund and VAULT Origins Award.
Who can resist the thought of a musical set in a public loo? Let’s hope it’s flushed with success.
20.35 – Bill’s 44th, Underbelly Cowgate.
“New York Times Critics Pick (‘Buoyant, mesmerizing, joy-inducing’)! This poignant, puppet tragicomedy for grown-ups is a wordless spectacle featuring puppetry, raucous balloons, and a cheeky piece of crudité that collide to examine the pitfalls of impatience, the wonder of loneliness, and the universal passage of time. ‘This isn’t the birthday that Bill had hoped to have. But for the audience, his 44th is a gift’ (NY Times). A ‘surreal tragicomedy expertly executed, enormously funny and at times delightfully unsettling’ **** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk). ‘Sweetly hilarious with flashes of bizarre originality’ **** (TheReviewsHub.com). A ‘tender and boozy puppet party’ **** (Guardian).
Here’s another of those shows that is either going to be supremely entertaining or fall flat. But there’s something about this that make me think it’s going to have something of the Avenue Q about it, in which case it should be great!
Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!