What’s in store for us in Edinburgh today?
Here’s the schedule for August 13th.
10:00 – if I live until I be a man, theSpace on the Mile. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:
“1483: The young princes Edward and Richard are taken to the Tower of London by their uncle Richard in preparation for Edward’s coronation. By the end of the summer, Richard III is crowned and the boys are never seen again. A comedic, playfully anachronistic, unsettling exploration of childhood during perpetual war, this play traces the 15th century through modern America, imagining the princes’ final months as they fight, play, and await coronation or execution.”
The story of the Princes in the Tower is one of the most uncomfortable and tragic tales in English Royal history. The idea of taking this story and adapting it to a different situation sounds inventive and potentially fascinating! I look forward to seeing how this works.
12:20 – F**king Legend, Pleasance Courtyard.
“A show about socks and sex and loving someone even though they’re quite annoying, and buying tat on holiday, and fear of death, and cognitive dissonance, and whether or not it’s an issue that you’re watching the world burn and all you can do is try to find meaning in the dancing of the flames, and also is it even possible to be a good man? Olly returns to the Fringe with a one-man, rollercoaster show that cuts to the core of modern masculinity. ‘A performer sure to find greatness’ (AYoungerTheatre.com)”
I guess this will be about the nature of an ordinary hero; or, I could be completely mistaken! There’s only one way to find out.
14:10 – For the Love of Spam, Pleasance Courtyard.
“A comedic, multi-sensory, participatory one-woman show dedicated to two things: canned meat and colonialism. Find out how this (delicious) canned meat symbolises modern-day colonialism and threatens the very livelihood of a whole civilisation in these West vs East political games. Can this formerly Catholic, angry and God-fearing woman help educate (and feed) the masses, all while “liberating” her island? Performed by CHamoru/Filipina theatre maker Sierra Sevilla, originally from the island of Guam and passionate about shifting immigrant narratives. Recipient of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund 2024.”
Another show which takes a concept and then applies it to a much wider scenario. I have no idea what the link between Spam and colonialism might be – looking forward to finding out!
20:15 – Mary Mary Quite Contrary, theSpace on the Mile.
“Born in Edwardian England, Mary Whitehouse was a religious moral campaigner and thorn in the side of the BBC in the 1960s and 70s during its modernisation from its formal and staid outlook when it began in 1923. The social and sexual revolution in the swinging 60s and 70s demanded greater freedoms for people who wanted pop music, fashion and consensual sexy fun. So how did Mary end up at a fetish party in a swingers club, and what happened? Brand-new spoof adult musical with a “happy ending”!”
I’ve always been fascinated by censorship and indeed spent a couple of years researching stage censorship as a postgraduate. There was a time when Mary Whitehouse, her ultra-traditional values, and her sanctimonious National Viewers and Listeners Association were everywhere in the media. Personally, I rather doubt that Mary did ever end up at a fetish party, but you have to admit it’s a funny idea. Let’s hope it works well!
22:00 – American Two in One Comics, Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle.
“America is the land of the free, home of the brave and homeland of two of the freest, bravest men to ever live: Mark Henely and Chris Warren. These men have taken their stand-up comedy all over the USA and are now bringing their talents to Fringe!”
Two names brand new to me, but Chris’s have always got to stick together, so I’m happy to take a lucky punt on these two guys and hope their humour crosses the pond successfully!
23:35 – Tales from a British Country Pub, theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.
“Join comedy musician Chris Sainton-Clark as he takes you through his troublesome and hilarious experiences of working in British pubs. Hear stories of compulsive liars, disruptive youths, clinical oversharers, fruit machine addicts and much more. Each of these songs has a satirical and scathing outlook at British pub culture that will leave you thinking, ‘I know that person’ or maybe… ‘I am that person’. Armed with just a guitar, a whole lot of sarcasm and many musical stories, Tales from a British Country Pub is sure to keep you entertained.”
And here’s another Chris who is new to me; having been brought up as a kid in a village pub the idea of this show was very appealing and I reckon this show will nudge a few memories of my childhood!
Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!