More adventure awaits us, let’s have a look.
Here’s the schedule for August 25th.
11:45 – Seconds to Midnight, Pleasance Courtyard. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:
“What would you want to say to your best friend if the world was about to end? Exploring queer friendship, platonic love and nuclear anxiety, Seconds to Midnight asks what happens in a world with no consequences. Diving into the parallels between beginnings and endings, we follow Jo and Eddie through the first seven minutes of their friendship and the final seven hours of the world. Praise for previous work: ‘A brilliant addition to the queer theatre landscape’ ***** (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘Tender and original’ **** (Skinny).”
So what would you do if you knew the world was going to end in seven hours? One of those impossible questions, but maybe this play will provide an answer. An intriguing scenario – it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
13:20 – 100% My Type on Paper, C Arts C Venues C Alto.
“Sammy and Clyde are on their first date. It’s cute. It’s awkward. It’s bad jokes and forced laughter. Sweaty hands and wondering who gets the next round. It’s ‘I really want to kiss her’ and ‘I hope he doesn’t try to kiss me’. It’s excruciating, but that’s a first date, right? As Sammy and Clyde get to know each other again, and again, their reality slowly falls to pieces. Missed jokes become hilarious one-liners. Awkward silences become witty repartee. The customers become an audience. Everyone starts watching – and Sammy and Clyde? They become disposable.”
A relatively late addition to our schedule because I just thought this play sounded terrific fun; something of the Truman Show to it, perhaps? Who knows, it will be great to find out!
15:00 – Sameer Katz: Whether Conditions, Laughing Horse @ The Counting House.
“Sameer’s gotten to the age where everyone who says they love him seem to want something in return. Money, babies, his unending devotion! What happened to unconditional love? A Cambridge PhD dropout, Sameer uses his keen observational talent to poke fun at family, friendship and relationships. Sameer has performed across the UK, America and the world. ‘A laugh-packed way to spend an hour’ (Scotsman). ‘A Seinfeld-Lite line in relatable observational comedy’ (Chortle.co.uk). **** (Deadline.com). Two jokes featured in the Times as part of (a guy called) Dave Top 10 Jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe 2021.”
Many a time I’ve intended to see Sameer Katz live – and every time it hasn’t happened! Let’s hope we finally make it this year.
17:25 – Dr Dolittle Kills a Man (and Reads Extracts From His New Book), Underbelly, Cowgate
“You’ve seen him on Countryfile, Blue Peter and that episode of Springwatch that the BBC have tried to scrub (scrub!) from the internet. Now, join Dr John Dolittle, PhD (yours truly and the very same), as he thrills with an animal adventure from yesteryear – before the fame, before the fortune, before they took away his OBE. So come on, let’s laugh, buy his new book afterwards, and dare-I-say-it-yes-I-do have a really great time! Starring Aidan Pittman: ‘Sheer talent… a guaranteed hilarious performance’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).”
I have a feeling this is not going to be Dr Dolittle as we have known and loved him for decades! I’m looking forward to seeing Aidan Pittman’s interpretation!
19:00 – Lorraine Hoodless: DINK (Double Income No Kids), PBH’s Free Fringe @ The Southsider.
“Lorraine has found a new box to put herself in. DINK life is an alternative way of living. Fantastic, free-wheeling and fun, according to Instagram and TikTok anyway… With freedom to do whatever you want with your life, apart from procreate, finding meaning and purpose can lead to a rollercoaster of adventures and massive indecision. Lorraine has yet to embrace this lifestyle. A humorous look at life choices, love and labels. ‘Thoroughly deserves to be seen’ (One4Review.co.uk). Wildcard semi-finalist: Amused Moose New Comedian Award 2020. Semi-finalist: British Comedian of the Year 2021.”
Lorraine Hoodless is another new name to me but I am excited by the prospect of this show, being a pair of Dinks ourselves, I reckon there will be much to recognise!
20:55 – LITTLE DEATHS, Summerhall.
“’This is just the start. Of Everything. Of Us.’ It’s the late 90s. Charlie and Debs have perfected their Wannabe routine. They’re drenched in Impulse Blue. And they’re each other’s everything. But as the world pulls them in different directions, their friendship begins to strain. It dies. Again and again and again. If a female friendship dies many deaths, how many can they survive? Spanning 25 years and the countless lifetimes of one friendship, this new romcom explores the heartbreak of platonic love. Written by Amy Powell Yeates. Directed by Claire O’Reilly.”
How friendship endures across the decades; a fascinating subject to examine in a play. I’m sure this will be both hard-hitting and entertaining.
Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!