What’s lined up to entertain us in Edinburgh today?
Here’s the schedule for 7th August:
10.50 – Alan Turing – A Musical Biography, Paradise in Augustines. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:
This musical, composed by Joel Goodman and Jan Osborne, with a new script by Joan Greening is a journey through the extraordinary life of Alan Turing. Alan was a genius whose brilliant code breaking brain saved approximately fourteen million lives in WW2. It takes us on a journey through the loss of his closest friend, his romance with a fellow worker, the moment he realises how to beat the Germans and the growing awareness of his homosexuality. His treatment after the war was truly appalling and this brilliant, funny man was left in despair.”
Sometimes a musical is exactly what you need to tell an important story in a direct and effective way – I’m hoping that will be the case with this show!
12.40 – Alison Skilbeck’s Uncommon Ground, Assembly Rooms.
“A play about six wildly different people, coping and connecting during one year on the Common, telling their unexpected tales of love, life, death and downright dottiness, while a seventh character lurks mysteriously. Directed by Gareth Armstrong, with music by composer Simon Slater (Constellations) and lighting design by Mark Dymock (Once). With the world premiere of her latest play, this is Alison’s fifth time performing at Assembly. She is the writer and performer of three critically acclaimed plays: Are There More of You?, The Power Behind The Crone and Mrs Roosevelt Flies to London.”
We always catch whatever Alison Skilbeck is doing at every Fringe and she never fails to fascinate and entertain. I’m sure this will be another winner.
16.00 – Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening, Assembly Rooms.
“The 1930s star of musical comedy tells her story. Funny, revealing and bursting with songs from Noel Coward to Kurt Weill. Directed by award-winning cabaret artist Sarah-Louise Young. The superbly gifted actor/singer Lucy Stevens with pianist Elizabeth Marcus, the creators of Kathleen Ferrier Whattalife! ‘Funny, touching and uplifting – a must see!’ ***** (LightMusicSociety.com).”
I was brought up on the music of Gertrude Lawrence and am really looking forward to this show. Here’s hoping that Lucy Stevens can bring the spirit of Miss Lawrence to life! Anything involving Sarah-Louise Young is Entertainment Gold, so this should be great.
18.00 – Rahul Somia: Find Me a Wife, Hootenannies @ The Apex.
“Rahul is single. He lives at home in Leicester. His parents are relaxed about it. Rahul believes they need to get more serious. They need to get their act together and find him someone. Join Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2023 nominee Rahul Somia as he takes a deep dive into his love life, cross-examining every aspect from his Indian heritage to his career as a teacher.”
This one is a bit of a lucky punt because I don’t know much about Mr Somia but I love the idea that you’re annoyed with your parents because they haven’t married you off yet!
20.10 – Pear: But Braver, Underbelly Cowgate.
“Winner – Critic’s Choice Award, Perth Fringe 2023. Last year, 6 foot 7 identical twins, Patrick and Hugo McPherson, brought their debut sketch comedy show, Pear, to Edinburgh. An award-winning, sell-out tour across the UK and Australia then followed with the boys heralded as ‘like Reeves and Mortimer at their best’ (TheRecs.co.uk) and ‘hilarious from start to finish’ ***** (MervsPOTFringe.com). This year? The same. But braver. So leave cowardice at the door and then enter for a riotous and original hour that’s ‘relentlessly packed with jokes’ ***** (ThreeWeeks).”
It’s now an unwritten law of the Edinburgh Fringe that you must see anything with Patrick McPherson in, which includes this double act with his twin Hugo. Last year’s Pear was one of the funniest shows of the Fringe, and I have every expectation this will be too. I do hope they reprise their Twins theme from last year – Are there any twins in?
22.15 – Ay Up, Hitler! The Space @ Surgeon’s Hall.
“The untold “true” story of what happened at the end of WWII. After losing to the Allied Forces, Hitler and his cronies manage to escape Germany and go into hiding in the last place anyone would think to look… Yorkshire! Swapping the Hugo Boss for flat caps and wellies, and adopting strong Northern accents, Adolf and the lads meet down the pub to plan their epic comeback: Operation Fourth Reich!”
I booked this show because it sounded humorously ridiculous – since then I’ve seen a preview video and I think I may need to have a few drinks before seeing this. It’s either going to work magnificently or fall flat on its face!
Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!