What’s on the slab for today?
Here’s the schedule for August 14th.
11:30 – Dummy in Diaspora, Zoo Playground. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:
“Poetic, hilariously relatable and raw coming-of-age tale of a Middle Eastern American boy, Essa, whose parents are refugees. Essa confesses the experience of growing up in a country that doesn’t have a place for him. Join Essa as he navigates sexuality, religion, the English language, the fleetingness of youth and a nicotine demon that won’t leave him alone. In a solo play told between different ages throughout his life, Essa gives us a soul-stirring exploration of identity and the pursuit of self-discovery in a world that feels indifferent. An honest testament to the eternal quest for belonging.”
I don’t think I could comprehend the sheer misery and confusion of being a refugee, and this sounds like the kind of play that should get across some of the concerns and agonies that are part and parcel of that status. One of those experiences that will hopefully broaden the mind.
13:05 – The Book of Mountains and Seas, Pleasance Courtyard.
“In this new play from award-winning writer Yilong Liu, a California dad arrives in New York to visit his late son’s last boyfriend to propose an impossible mission: visit all 179 restaurants reviewed on his son’s popular Yelp page in one weekend. What ensues is an adventure filled with clashing cultures, unlikely friendships, and the review of a lifetime.”
This sounds like a voyage into sheer fantasy and a most unusual and inventive topic for a play. If it works it should be brilliant!
14:40 – Nerine Skinner: The Exorcism of Liz Truss, Just the Tonic at The Caves.
“Debut hour from Funny Women Content Creator 2023 runner-up and Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist. In 2022, politically unaware Nerine Skinner went viral for her parodies of Prime Minister Liz Truss. Outlasted in Downing Street by a lettuce, Liz Truss’s political relevance faded and the country moved on. But Nerine didn’t. Through hilarious, original, oddball characters, award-nominated political parodies and heartfelt storytelling, this is the story of Nerine trying to let go. Examining how holding onto the past and her unconventional upbringing led to an unhealthy codependency with the former Prime Minister.”
A bit of a punt here, as I haven’t seen Nerine Skinner’s Liz Truss comedy parodies – but judging from the promotional photo alone I think this will be hilarious!
17:25 – Leni’s Last Lament, Assembly Rooms.
“In Leni’s Last Lament, which swept top awards at the United Solo Festival, Hitler’s controversial filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl, attempts to sanitize her past. Comic and timely, this play will shock and delight you.”
Another very clever idea for a play. It will be fascinating to discover to what extent Leni Riefenstahl was exploited by the Third Reich, or was she as guilty as the rest of them? Another one of those plays that should plug a gap in one’s general knowledge.
19:20 – Ghost Light, theSpace @ Niddry St.
“’I think if you’re going to write a ghost story worth its salt you must experience ghosts for yourself’. In 1865 Henry Webster joins the notorious London Ghost Club, hoping to meet and be inspired by Charles Dickens. There he encounters Edward Price, who draws Henry into investigating a haunting at a lodging house belonging to the widowed Mia Sands. At night, the ghosts of two young children wander the house in search of light – while fearing what waits for them in the darkness. Why would a ghost be afraid of the dark?”
I was very impressed with Ian Tucker Bell’s play Locusts at last year’s Fringe, and this is his latest play, so I’m keen to see more of his writing talent! I’m expecting this to be a rather traditional Victorian ghost story – we may have to keep the light on overnight!
20:20 – MILF and the Mistress, theSpace @ Niddry Street.
“Ali is living the rainbow family dream – but something is missing. It’s a need her wife doesn’t understand, a sexual fantasy suppressed her whole life. Now, suburban swinging, latex and literary eroticism collide, sending her on a hilarious quest to fulfil her darkest desires. A powerhouse solo performance by Australian theatre luminary Jennifer Vuletic, in a darkly hilarious play by Jane Montgomery Griffiths. A story for anyone who wonders if not now, when? ‘Writing is clever, cutting and poignant’ ***** (TheatreMatters.com.au). ‘Brilliant and thought-provoking’ ***** (DarkStoriesTheatre.com.au). ‘Vuletic is magnetic’ **** (Age, Melbourne).”
This feels like a rather bold way to end the evening, but it comes with some terrific reviews, so let’s be daring and give it a try!
Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!