What’s in store for us in Edinburgh today?
Here’s the schedule for 2nd August:
11:35 – Casting the Runes, Pleasance Courtyard. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:
“Who is this who is coming… you are invited to the edge of your seat, on a journey to the darkest corners of the night… Expert on the so-called supernatural Edward Dunning is a scholar and a sceptic. But when he crosses paths with the mysterious Mr Karswell, Dunning’s life becomes a waking nightmare. Our advice? Don’t come alone… ‘…Horrifically captivating…’ ***** (Skinny). ‘…You’ll curse yourself if you miss it.’ ***** (TheWeeReview.com). ‘…An unreserved recommendation…’ ***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info). ‘…A simply exquisite piece of theatre…’ ***** (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘…Stylish, gripping… impeccably delivered…” ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).”
Sounds like a slightly scary way to start the day! The description of the show states this includes puppetry, which will either work freakishly well or might seem a bit silly – who knows? They’re very good reviews so I have high hopes.
13:15 – Glitch, Assembly George Square.
“10-year high school reunion. Lost dreams. Lost friends. Lost your shit when you reunited with the one. Things should have been better. But life seems to have encountered a glitch. Where do you go from here?”
We all know that moment in one’s life when everything seems to be sailing along perfectly well but then you encounter a glitch; and the key to success is how you deal with it! This play sounds very intriguing and it will be fascinating to find out just how the glitch is handled!
15:30 – Gwyneth Goes Skiing, Pleasance Courtyard.
“She’s the Goop-founding, Door-Sliding, Shakespeare-In-Loving, consciously-uncoupling Hollywood superstar. He’s a retired optometrist from Utah. In 2016, they went skiing. A story of love, betrayal and skiing – where you are the jury. After sell-out London runs, join harbingers of queer chaos Awkward Productions (Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story), original songs by Leland (RuPaul, Troye Sivan, Cher), with a special video appearance by Trixie Mattel (RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 winner), and the singing voices of Darren Criss (Glee, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story), and Catherine Cohen (Edinburgh Comedy Award winner).”
Last year’s Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story was one of the highlights of the Fringe so I have high hopes that the same production team will give us another hilarious and completely disrespectful comedy in a similar vein!
19:00 – Arturo Brachetti: SOLO, Pleasance at EICC.
“Get ready to believe the unbelievable! Olivier Award-nominee and Italian quick-change legend Arturo Brachetti will take you on a magical journey this summer. This jam-packed visual feast sees the Guinness World Record-holder bring over 50 characters to life in front of your eyes; expect astonishing illusions, mind-boggling transformations, sand painting, shadow puppetry and more, against a kaleidoscope of lights and lasers. A bright spark of theatrical wonder to ignite your imagination and illuminate your Fringe! Suitable for all ages, from 5 to 105! **** (Times) **** (Evening Standard) ‘So speedy you gawp in wonder.’ **** (Daily Mail).”
Here’s a show that should be amazing! There’s no quick change artist like Arturo Brachetti and I’m expecting a visually stunning, laugh-a-second extravaganza which will push the audience’s credibility of how does he do it to the limit! Genuinely can’t wait to see this one!
21:30 – Tarot: Shuffle, Pleasance Courtyard.
“The best show of 2019 according to Chortle. The sixth-best show of 2022 according to the Guardian. Come watch us continue our slow descent into mediocrity. They (our parents, partners, children) say ‘sketch is dead’, but if it’s dead then where’s all our money going? A new show from the critically acclaimed, nightie-clad sketch zealots. ‘Bark-out-loud funny… the whole show is startlingly live’ **** (Guardian). ‘One of the balls-out funniest show of the Fringe’ ****½ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Tarot will not give you nightmares, though you might wake laughing your head off’ **** (Evening Standard). **** (Telegraph).”
Welcome back to Tarot; at their best they are unbeatable – last time I saw them I thought they were a little stale, so I hope they’ve got some new material with which to freshen up! I’m sure there’ll be loads of laughs whatever.
23:00 – 1 Hour of Insane Magic, Gilded Ballon Patter House.
“After a sell-out sensation at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023, Insane Magic are back even bigger and even more Insane! Witness some of the most incredible acts of magic from ‘three of the best magicians in the country’ (EdinburghLive.com). Cameron Gibson, Elliot Bibby and Luke Osey return with everything from insane magic tricks and impossible illusions, to amazing acts of mind-reading, this is a show that’s ‘so insanely good’ (WorldMagicReview.com) it has to be seen to be believed!”
Late night magic is always a good way to send you off to bed with a befuddled and bemused brain – and I’m sure these three guys will give us a terrific and hilarious show.
Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!