Category Archives: Edinburgh Fringe

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – if I live until I be a man, F**king Legend, For The Love of Spam, Yes We’re Related, Mary Mary Quite Contrary, American Two in One Comics, and Tales From a British Country Pub

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If I Live Until I Be a Man, TheSpace on The Mile.

4-stars

The historical event that we all know of as The Princes in the Tower is one of history’s more tragic yet strangely intriguing episodes. It’s hard to imagine how two brothers aged 9 and 12 could cope with being locked away for several weeks, completely ignorant of what’s happening in the world outside. Fortunately, they can trust that Uncle Richard will look after them until the time is right. Deliberately anachronistic, the production also recognises the fate of children throughout the world in war-torn zones. Rae Bell and Sophie Falvey play the two princes through a series of children’s games, sibling rivalry and the delusion that one of them, Edward, would eventually become king. It’s an excellent mixture of claustrophobic playtime and an uncertain future, performed with a child-like sense of fun and fear – it’s a clever, inventive idea that works very well.

F**king Legend, Pleasance Courtyard.

3-stars

I’m not giving away any spoilers when I describe this as a show about a cis white straight man, written by a cis white straight man, performed by a cis white straight man. After all, that’s how Olly Hawes introduces his own show. It’s a dramatic monologue in two separate parts, delivered with fourth wall-breaking irony throughout. The first part takes us on a stag weekend that gets out of hand, and the second – I must confess I didn’t entirely understand the second, but I sense that’s the intention, as a metaphor for the destruction of the planet through climate change. The message, as I see it, is that the only people who are going to put it right are the f**king legends amongst us. An extremely innovative show, performed with unpredictable vigour, which leaves you with much to ponder about afterwards.

For The Love of Spam, Pleasance Courtyard.

I think if you were to ask most Brits what they know about Guam they’d look at you with the blankest of blank faces. Sierra Sevilla tells us so much about her home island, including its to-and-fro occupation by Japan and the United States, its languages, its culture and climate – and its love of Spam. Nothing to do with emails, the Guamanians would be lost without Spam, especially when the typhoons extinguish all the power; it’s their go-to comfort food. If this sounds like a bizarre basis for a show, you’re probably right; but Sierra presents her background, her life experiences, and primarily her LOVE OF SPAM so endearingly and positively that this is a pure delight and the surprise hit of the Fringe so far. And you’ll be desperate for a taste of Spam afterwards!

Yes We’re Related, Greenside at Riddle’s Court.

4-stars

Bereavement can hit different people in different ways, as Purple Doors Productions’ Yes We’re Related shows with a mixture of the surreal and the silly. It’s one year since Sara and Saskia’s mother died, and there’s to be a party (yes really) to mark the occasion. Sara, Saskia and Mark (Saskia’s fiancé) haven’t seen each other since the funeral, but it’s clear that Sara hasn’t coped well. She’s living in a tent and keeps a captive squirrel, Gerald, at home, believing it to be the spirit of her late mother. Things can only get better, they say; but boy do things get messy first. Creatively written by Florence Lace-Evans, and with three excellent performances from Ms Lace-Evans, Eleanor Griffiths and Jack Huckin, this is a quirky, fun and unpredictable look at one way of handling grief.

Mary Mary Quite Contrary, TheSpace on The Mile.

3-stars

A curate’s egg if ever there was one! Mary Whitehouse stalked the media sniffing out filth wherever she smelled it – and frequently when it wasn’t even there. In reality, she was a deeply religious, reserved woman who enjoyed something of a power fetish; in Francis Yorke’s imaginary rewriting of the Mary Whitehouse story, that wasn’t the only fetish to which she was partial. After a run-in with the DG of the Beeb, Mary is challenged to edit a documentary about Swingers, and what she witnesses and experiences has – shall we say – a very major effect on her life. I’m sure Mr Whitehouse would have been grateful. This isn’t a perfect production by any means, but, boy, can Mr Yorke write a showstopping tune! The show is full of truly engaging, funny and melodic songs, which do what a good musical should do – either drive the narrative forward or fill in our understanding of the characters. There’s one song in particular that’s gloriously sung about the challenges and sadnesses faced by a trans character and it’s stunningly beautiful. The story is a sheer flight of fantasy that’s as far from reality as it’s possible to be; and some of the scenes are clunky and underperformed. But I really loved the songs!

American Two in One Comics, Laughing Horse at the West Port Oracle.

Winging their way from New York and New Jersey come Chris Warren and Mark Henely to form a double-bill of American comedians for a late night show. Linked by the common factor that they both have gay dads – although that doesn’t play much part in the proceedings – they’re two likeable guys who bring good-hearted warmth to a chilly Edinburgh evening. Chris has a more structured set, with a series of separate stories and jokes, including the pleasures and perils of converting to Judaism at the age of 28. Mark has a more free-flowing style where comic ideas merge together over the course of his set; he takes on board the audience’s reservations (if they have any) about America, and we accompany him on a journey through a series of dating escapades. I felt that the small venue and audience limited the guys from showing us the full extent of their acts, but it’s a fun, friendly and cool way to spend a comedy hour.

Tales From a British Country Pub, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.

4-stars

Armed with just his guitar and the occasional backing track, Chris Sainton-Clark takes us on a musical journey to his local country pub in Norfolk to meet the typical customers whom we can all recognise from any pub. Lotharios, losers, smart-arses and therapists, they’re all there, as Chris treats us to a dozen or so superb comedy songs that he delivers with verbal dexterity and a real feel for traditional folk music. This is a much funnier show than you might imagine, and the audience were frequently howling with laughter. Terrifically inventive comedy mixed with superb musicality – a brilliant way to end the day.

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 14th August 2024

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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!

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – i am george massey, Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act, Nettles, Hardly Working, and Nick Schuller: Still Dry White

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i am george massey, TheSpace on The Mile.

Out of Context Theatre’s i am george massey provides a terrifying insight into how easy it is for someone to fall into the rabbit hole of depression and radicalisation. Childhood trauma results in his never fully coming to terms with who he is; he takes the counselling that is available but the degree to which it helps him is questionable. Suffering bad side effects of Citalopram, he posts a cry for help on the Internet, and it is Stan who answers and gives him support. But the Stans of this world can have ulterior motives. Raising very pertinent issues that affect us all, this is an emotional, gripping and powerful play; technically flawless, and immaculately written and performed by Stephen Dee.

Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act, Assembly Rooms.

4-stars

Nigel Miles-Thomas leads us through Sherlock Holmes’ greatest cases, his friendship with Watson, his enmity with Moriarty and his final days of retirement. But there’s also a fascinating glimpse into Holmes the Man, with a moving portrayal of his childhood days; the cruelty of his father and suffering of his mother. Mr Miles-Thomas takes on dozens of characterisations through this absorbing piece with a wonderful range of voices and accents, and I was hooked on his every word. It also made we want to go back and re-read all the Sherlock Holmes stories for myself. Truly engrossing!

Nettles, Greenside at George Street.

Alyona takes us through a history of her past sexual encounters, prompted by the possessions in an unknown man’s suitcase. It’s a patchwork of tales, loosely linked; and her memories suggest that all these encounters haven’t really made her at all happy. Jacqueline Lipman gives an intense performance but the show lacks substance, light and shade; and I confess I couldn’t quite put my finger on quite what it intended to achieve.

 

Hardly Working, TheSpace on The Mile.

Charity wanders into the bar where Lois works in order to hand in her CV – but she’s left it behind. Nevertheless, she gets a job and they strike up a relationship – with Charity making all the running. Lois moves in with Charity in Charity’s parents’ seven bedroomed house. This is wealth beyond Lois’ imagination. But she is uncomfortable at having everything bought for her – so starts to go flat-hunting without Charity’s knowledge. She’ll be happy at that, right? The powerplay between the two characters makes for an interesting subject, and the conclusion it draws is that the rich partner is only in it for the power and domination over the poor partner. Nothing really to do with class, as the blurb suggests, just money. Sadly, however, it’s very poorly presented, including an agonisingly slow process with a small whiteboard that the poor actor who plays Lois constantly has to rub out throughout the play, replacing Now with Then and back again, ad infinitum. That needs to be replaced with something that changes more quickly (a simple lighting change could perhaps suffice?) There’s a totally superfluous male character whose relevance never becomes apparent. There’s also some disappointing stagecraft – items that fell off the bar counter in one scene stayed on the floor for the rest of the play, whether or not it was now or then. Hopefully it can be tightened up during its run.

Nick Schuller: Still Dry White, Laughing Horse at the Eastside.

4-stars

Still Dry White is the perfect name for Nick Schuller’s show, as he’s extremely dry, does stay quite still during his performance, and – well you can guess the rest. He has a fantastic delivery style, very unhurried, careful and measured, with perfectly chosen words; the result is that the sting in the tail of many of his jokes comes totally unexpectedly and twice as funny. Not afraid of a pause in delivery – always the sign of a confident comedian – Mr Schuller has some brilliant material that frequently goes close to where angels fear to tread, but always stays on the funny side. An extremely enjoyable and surprisingly piquant hour of comedy.

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 13th August 2024

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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!

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – Tim Biglowe: Grease Monkey, Gang Bang, Emma Sidi is Sue Gray, Chloe Petts: How You See Me How You Don’t, Nina Gilligan: Goldfish, and Finlay Christie: I Deserve This

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Tim Biglowe: Grease Monkey, PBH’s Free Fringe at Whistlebinkies.

3-stars

What’s the proper name for a sell-out show that’s free? A free-out? That was the case for our performance of Tim Bigelow’s new show Grease Monkey. Trying to define his inner “bloke”, he tells us all about being brought up in Wimbourne, moving to London, and then finding his inner PartyBoy in Berlin. But now he’s a mature married man, he has to find a proper job and what could be more blokey than working as a mechanic? But is he the ideal fit for the role? You’ll have to see his show to find out! Tim Bigelow has an enormously welcoming and inclusive style, with lots of terrific material and a fluid, confident delivery. The show is pitched perfectly to the – out of necessity – intimate audience set-up. And it has a very clever and engaging finale which is just about as blokey as you can get. A name to watch out for in the future!

Gang Bang, Pleasance Courtyard.

3-stars

A Mafiosa family escape from America and end up in Blackpool – it’s an easy mistake. But when Godfather Don Lambrini croaks, he passes on the boss mantle to the unlikely Al, much to the fury of his heir apparent. But Al is a blunderer more than a murderer, and mayhem ensues. It’s a ridiculous idea and the script is full of ridiculous humour; a mixture of surreal, slapstick and the downright silly. There are lots of amusing characterisations and humour derived from the show’s deliberately unlikely locations. The play could be trimmed down a little, and does begin to run out of steam towards the end, but I found the performers and the laughs very endearing, and, frankly, I loved it.

Emma Sidi is Sue Gray, Pleasance Courtyard.

Not sure I knew quite what to expect from this hour of character comedy but Emma Sidi’s caracterizacion (Spanish – it will make sense if you see it) of Sue Gray is creative genius. I’m not going to tell you more about her portrayal because the surprise is very much part of the appeal of the show. We learn about Sue’s previous posts in the Civil Service, the ministers she likes, the ministers she doesn’t; what she really thinks about Sir Keir Starmer and what happens at the office water cooler. There is some audience participation, brilliantly set up and which adds an inspirational level of comedy. Exactly what the Fringe is all about – I laughed from start to finish!

Chloe Petts: How You See Me How You Don’t, Pleasance Courtyard.

4-stars

It must be miserable to be trolled online simply for being who you are and what you look like; and that was an experience that Chloe Petts unexpectedly found herself facing. But she has turned that experience into a great new show, which encompasses her appearances on Sky Sports News, her schooldays with best friend Britney and the pitfalls and pleasures of using the Clarks foot measuring appliance. She has a superbly confident and likeable style and delivers her sharp and pinpoint accurate comic observations with immaculate timing and star quality. A must-see!

Nina Gilligan: Goldfish, Just the Tonic Nucleus.

3-stars

Nina Gilligan’s new show Goldfish is, as always, full of hilarious observations about life from the viewpoint of a menopausal woman, including the sexual apartheid practised by GPs, fancying men under 30, and still being subjected to a mental mother. But there’s also a serious side to the show, with her health issues and an account of a sexual assault at a Corporate Event. So there’s a sweet and sour aspect to this show; although one’s main memory at the end of it is a live goldfish singing on stage with backing bubbles. Laughter contrasted with the unwelcome advances of a sexual predator.

Finlay Christie: I Deserve This, Monkey Barrel Comedy 4.

4-stars

Fast becoming one of our biggest rising stars in comedy, Finlay Christie’s new hour of comedy celebrates being a young cis white male, whilst always poking fun at himself, at his privilege, both in education and money, and his woeful attempts to write rap as a 16-year-old. Exuding confidence, but in a likeable way rather than a Boris Johnson way, he has that marvellous ability to lead an audience down the exact garden path that he chooses, and can hold our attention even through silence – which is always the sign of a tremendous comedian. It takes a very skilful comic to present a sequence explaining mansplaining without infuriating the women in the audience – and he gets away with it beautifully. Great crowd work, superbly self-deprecating and, above all, extremely funny.

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 12th August 2024

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What’s in store for us in Edinburgh today?

Here’s the schedule for August 12th.

10:20 – i am george massey,   theSpace on the Mile. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“What does it mean to be English anymore?… Strawberries? Scones? Jerusalem?… What is England now? This is George’s story: powerful, shocking, radical. a story of childhood joy, passionate relationships, and how he slowly falls down the dark rabbit hole of radicalisation. Manchester born and bred, George tries to manage his loneliness and depression through his phone. A lifeboat that helps him to not feel alone. Social media can bring you to the surface, or it can take you deeper into the depths. An immersive monologue that treads the boundaries of dark comedy and tragedy.”

The rise of radicalisation, through subversive social media, is a fascinating subject and I hope that this meaty-looking play tackles the subject head on. I’m expecting this to be a very hard-hitting watch.

14:25 –  Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act, Assembly Rooms.

“Revealing the man behind the myth… exposing the great detective’s fears and weaknesses, the devastating consequences of the dramas of his formative years, and unexpectedly, his cutting sense of humour. It is 1916. Drawn from two years of Sussex retirement for the funeral of his friend, Dr Watson, Holmes returns to Baker Street to resolve The Last Act. A theatrical evening then unfolds, with 14 characters, all played by Nigel Miles-Thomas. Features cross-examinations and heated arguments between Holmes and Watson. Written by Conan Doyle expert David Stuart Davies and directed by award-winning Gareth Armstrong.”

Time for a spot of dignified, traditional theatre in the company of Nigel Miles-Thomas, and the character of Sherlock Holmes, who continues to intrigue and delight us more than a century after Conan Doyle wrote his famous exploits. I think this will be smart, satisfying and tremendously well done.

16:15 – Nettles, Greenside @ George Street.

“Alyona is in her mid-twenties and has no place to settle down. She is invited to stay at Giovanni’s Sloane Square house for a night… without his knowledge. Intrigued and excited by this rich man’s world, Alyona searches through his possessions, with some of his belongings bringing flashbacks of past experiences. Now, feeling vulnerable, Alyona lets you into parts of her identity, sexuality, and daydreaming fantasy world.”

This sounds like another hard-hitting play that should expose the reality of the vulnerability of young people in desperation. Hopefully it will be well-written and acted.

18:05 – Hardly Working, theSpace on the Mile.

“Trust, truth, and tequila. Could you date someone of the opposite class? Does class actually determine politics? What happens when the patriarchy walks into a bar? Hang on, this was meant to be funny… After a preview showcase at Bristol Old Vic in June, this new play by Jessie Millson follows a queer relationship blasted apart by politics and pranks. We are placed between worker and slacker, between filthy rich and stinking poor, between staying or going as the bar between Charity and Lois becomes a bigger and bigger boundary. Do you serve to live or live to serve?”

This play poses some interesting questions! Britain is still riddled with class issues, and they’re not going away soon. I’ve really enjoyed Jessie Millson’s writing in the past and hope this will be equally as entertaining!

20:00 – Nick Schuller: Still Dry White, Laughing Horse @ Eastside.

“Dry (adjective) – a subtle, ironic or matter-of-fact joke or sense of humour. If you like dry humour, see Nick Schuller at the Edinburgh Fringe. Dry (adjective) – an alcoholic beverage that is not sweet. Depending on how the show goes, Nick may drink a lot of still dry white.”

Nick Schuller arrives in Edinburgh from Australia, where he has been making quite a name for himself in comedy festivals. I’ve seen a couple of videos of his work and I’m expecting this to be extremely funny!

Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!

 

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – Dissociation, Fifty Minutes to Save the NHS, Rebels and Patriots, Martin Rowson: Shred the Front Page, Run, and Randy Feltface

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Dissociation, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.
4-stars

Reuben Wade’s Dissociation is a powerful and intriguing play that separates the two aspects of an individual with dissociative identity disorder. Rod is perplexed by the presence of his other half, Todd, until Todd starts showing him the way to lead a more fulfilling and successful life. Deliberately ambiguous, it messes not only with the concept of time, but also with your head, as you try to fathom exactly what is going on here. It’s the kind of play that leaves you thinking for hours afterwards. Superbly acted by Christopher Patrick Mullen, Keith Conallen, Heather Michele Lawler and Kimberly Fairbanks. Well worth catching if a production comes your way!

Fifty Minutes to Save the NHS, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.

4-stars

50 Minutes to Save the NHS? It can be done, if you allow Dr Phil Hammond and Dr Clare Gerada to take control of policies. In an extremely funny rattle through all the problems that beset our beloved health service, they highlight the ridiculous underspends and mis-spends, the obvious ways in which prevention is better than cure, and how the Clangers can provide the key to a happy and healthy life. Packed with fascinating insights and – despite the seriousness of the subject – frequently hysterically funny, this is a must-see for everyone.

Rebels and Patriots, Pleasance Courtyard.

3-stars

Floating Shed Theatre – a British/Palestinian/Israeli acting company – have created a bleak and hard-hitting play based on the lives of those teenagers who are conscripted into the Israeli Defence Force. Each of the four characters in the play face the horrors of war in different ways, and it shows the potentially disastrous effect on both their physical and mental health. Nadav Burstein, the writer, was conscripted into the IDF, and the events of the play stem from his own experiences and those of his colleagues. There’s so much to say about the IDF, and this play goes part of the way to tell those stories. Very emotional and effective, well acted and with some very harrowing moments.

Martin Rowson: Shred the Front Page, The Stand Comedy Club 5 & 6.

4-stars

Armed with just his shredder and a projection screen, cartoonist Martin Rowson takes us on a journey through all the newspapers and magazines with whom he has worked; more than you can shake a stick at, in fact, and most of whom he left by being given the sack. Fortunately, there’s always a new publication to try his hand at. Entertainingly illustrated with both his own work and some of history’s cartoon trailblazers, Martin’s reminiscences are funny, astonishing and sometimes just simply bizarre. A tremendous raconteur, and not afraid to tell it like it is!

Run, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.

3-stars

What starts as a charming and touching story of first love and sexual awakening turns sour as a young man is chased after using Grindr, beaten up and ends up in A&E. Taylor Moore gives an excellent, word-perfect performance in a tale that’s both touching and terrifying. The text was occasionally a little difficult to follow, and I felt only sporadically comes to life, sometimes being a little – dare I say it – dull. But Mr Moore makes the very best of the text he is given!

Randy Feltface, Assembly Rooms.
4-stars

There aren’t many puppets – spoiler alert: he is a puppet – that can command the massive stage of the Assembly Rooms Music Hall venue, but Randy Feltface is one such specimen. What you might get if you cross Australian cultural attache Sir Les Patterson with Zippy from Rainbow, Mr Feltface is a hilarious and endearing creation, who has mastered the combined arts of puppet crowd work and satire. He wrung every conceivable comic possibility out of the idea of “First Banana”, and the huge audience hung on his every word.

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 11th August 2024

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A comedy-heavy day today, but what is on the slab?

Here’s the schedule for August 11th.

11:15 –  Tim Biglowe: Grease Monkey, PBH’s Free Fringe at Whistlebinkies. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Begin your festival morning with Tim’s new, high-energy stand up show. Starting married life living on a canal boat, this laidback hippy panics – and takes a job as a mechanic. All to be viewed as a “proper married bloke”. Can this calamitous captain become a grease monkey? Or will his in-laws’ dubious scheme offer him a way out of the rat race? ‘Assured the audience they were in a for decent night’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘A rare breed indeed. Great jokes among well-crafted stories’ (Indie Comedy Review).”

Starting the day with a completely lucky punt. I have no idea what to expect with Mr Biglowe but I like the sound of his set! With only 15 seats in the venue, I hope we can get in!

12:55 –  Gang Bang, Pleasance Courtyard.

“In 1945, when Sicilians were pouring onto boats for America, one man by the name of Don Lambrini accidentally boarded an all-inclusive Thomas Cook cruise to Blackpool, England. A mob comedy from the writer of Ringer, Out To Lunch, Goons, Frog’s Legs and Boondocks. ‘A name to look out for’ (Scotsman). ‘Quality new writing’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘A delight’ **** (VoiceMag.uk). ***** (EdFringeReview.com).”

The premise of this play sounds completely hilarious and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Mafia fare amongst the bright lights and subtle pleasures of Blackpool. Let’s hope the writing and performance live up to the idea!

16:15 – Emma Sidi Is Sue Gray, Pleasance Courtyard.

“Character comedian Emma Sidi is back at the Edinburgh Fringe. And now she’s Sue Gray. But who is Sue Gray? Well, she’s [REDACTED]. As seen on Starstruck, Ghosts and Pls Like. ‘Bonkers originality… A-grade stuff, invigoratingly fresh’ **** (Telegraph). ‘You will absolutely love it!’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Top-class character comedy from a comedian at the top of her game’ ****½ (ToDoList.org.uk). ‘A comic of considerable skill… a notch above many of her peers’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). ‘A show so good I wish I could binge watch it on TV’ **** (ThreeWeeks). **** (Skinny).”

As soon as I saw this listing I knew it was a must-see! Emma Sidi is new to me but the idea of an exposé on Sue Gray is comic genius.

19:00 – Chloe Petts: How You See Me, How You Don’t, Pleasance Courtyard.

“After two smash-hit, sell-out runs, Chloe Petts returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand-new show… and this time she’s getting personal. Between her newly found trolls, oldly found school bullies, and an excellent relationship with her food tech teacher, Chloe Petts brings her trademark laddishness to tell you who she really is, all whilst her Head Girl badge glistens upon her chest. ‘Clearly a rising star whose name will soon be in lights’ **** (Evening Standard). ‘One of the most compelling young comics’ **** (Guardian). **** (Metro).”

Chloe Petts is one of those comedians on whom you can always rely to get exactly the right tone and content and I’m sure this will be a great show.

20:40 – Nina Gilligan: Goldfish, Just the Tonic Nucleus.

“Join multi award-winner Nina Gilligan for her hilarious hour of stand-up, Goldfish. Memory loss, health anxiety, goldfish-related trauma. Things you need to remember and the thing you can’t forget. As heard on BBC Radio 4 and voted Best Club Comedian (Chortle.co.uk), Nina is described as a ‘bolshier Mrs Merton’ (Skinny) and known as ‘a vivacious, life embracing performer, with a cheeky, ready wit’ (Scotsman).”

We saw Nina Gilligan for the first time at the Fringe two years ago and she was a complete hoot throughout. The description of her as a bolshier Mrs Merton is spot on.

22:40 – Finlay Christie: I Deserve This, Monkey Barrel Comedy.

“Money, followers, religiously forbidden relationships. Does Finlay Christie deserve everything he gets? At 19, he became the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny competition. His sketches and stand-up have been viewed over 200 million times on YouTube, his debut Edinburgh show OK Zoomer was nominated for NextUp’s Best Show award. TV includes 8 Out of 10 Cats and Stand Up Sketch Show. ‘Outstanding… he will be taking the comedy world by storm, catch him now while you can’ (One4Review.co.uk). ‘The voice of his generation’ (Chortle.co.uk).”

Here’s hoping we’re not all joked out by the time we get to see Finlay Christie’s new show because he’s a fantastic young comedian with a huge future ahead of him. I’m expecting we’ll end the evening on a high!

Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – no one is coming to save us, Lads of the Flies, FUFC, Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers, Dan Tiernan: Stomp, Reginald D Hunter, and It’s OK I Still Think You’re Great

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no one is coming to save us, Pleasance Courtyard.

3-stars

A group of friends gather together for an adventure in the forest – some know each other extremely well, some are on the sidelines of the group dynamic. They’re just ordinary young people with ordinary young people’s concerns, interests, and anxieties. Somewhere in the forest a moment of carelessness causes a small fire to take root… and it grows, and it grows. What at one point looks like a grey butterfly is revealed to be a piece of ash; and the fire has disastrous consequences for the group and for one particular individual. Pepperdine Scotland have produced this ambitious and highly relevant play by Lewis Hetherington that considers the problems of climate change and the lengths some people will go to in order to protest and do what they must do to save the planet. A cast of thirteen rise to the challenge of telling this wide-ranging story in a relatively small acting space. With so much content in the play, perhaps it spreads its story a little thin in places by trying to do too much; but its heart is very much in the right place and it’s an absorbing watch.

Lads of the Flies, The Space at Niddry Street.

4-stars

Four young rugby club guys (well, three and Peter) go off on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in the wilds of Scotland and get separated from the rest of their group. Lewis is the team captain and assumes the boss role; his best friend Kieran is his number two. Misogynist Baxter is also a force to be reckoned with. And there’s Peter. This clever play presented by Student Theatre at Glasgow isn’t an adaptation of Lord of the Flies but does cast a nod in its direction, as there are battles for supremacy between the four boys, and also a sexual relationship develops between two of them. To make the gender stereotyping and internalised homophobia even clearer, the guys are all played by female-presenting actors – which brings its own level of hilarity to the proceedings. Extremely funny and very telling, this is a surprise gem of a production.

FUFC, TheSpace on The Mile.

A bad day in goal is one thing; a bad result from the cancer specialist is another. FUFC centres on a 53-year-old man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he talks about with his old mate. The most important message to take home from the production is that if you’re male, and over 50, get a PSA test. As a piece of theatre, I must confess it has a number of deficiencies; but that’s not really the point.

 

Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.

4-stars

I’ve seen many a stand-up comedian, and plenty of sketch groups; but I don’t think I’ve ever come across a solo sketch show before. Thots and Prayers – the meaning is explained right at the beginning if you’re in any doubt – starts with Ajahnis sent to Gay Heaven but his entry is not guaranteed unless he can earn enough Homo Points to be admitted. God’s sense of humour is revealed when He requires Ajahnis to earn those extra points during a series of sketches, where he might increase – or accidentally decrease – his allocation of points. Many of the sketches are very funny indeed; a few don’t entirely land, primarily due to the largely British audience not recognising some of his references. Ajahnis is a naturally very funny person and exudes charisma and confidence. Very entertaining!

Dan Tiernan: Stomp, Monkey Barrel Comedy 1.

4-stars

An hour in the company of Dan Tiernan is always explosively unpredictable. In his new show he takes on the challenges of Danger Can, the perils of Leeds Festival and ends up with a sensational magic trick. With loads of bright and inventive new material and a multiplicity of callbacks, Dan is on terrific form. You can expect a show crammed with laughter and fearless crowd work. Just don’t put your feet on his stage or talk during his act – it really isn’t worth it!

 

Reginald D Hunter: Fluffy Fluffy Beavers, Assembly George Square Studios.

4-stars

Few comedians have the pure physical and vocal authority that Reginald D Hunter has on the stage. In this new show he gives us a few insights into how the lockdowns of a couple of years ago affected him, as well as a series of marvellous comic observations told in his inimitable style – and in a way that no one else simply can. Although he teases us with the possibility that we may be offended by what he says – it’s all done with heart and a great feel for the power of language. To be fair – Kardashians had better watch out. And why the title Fluffy Fluffy Beavers? If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.

It’s OK I Still Think You’re Great, TheSpace at Symposium Hall.

3-stars

A domestic comedy/drama amongst some twentysomethings, Cambridge University’s Heart of Hearts Productions’ It’s OK, I Still Think You’re Great is, rather like the old Jona Lewie song, set in the kitchen at a party. Gin and Tibby used to share the flat but Gin moved out and Anika moved in. Now Gin is back to celebrate Tibby’s 25th. Initial resentments subside, and the play follows the three characters over a busy day and night, with friendships re-established, relationships ended and ambitions realised. To be fair, not much actually happens in this play – most of the action is offstage – but it nicely portrays the desires and anxieties of a group of young women who, in the words of the Fun Boy Three, are Having all the Fun.

 

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 10th August 2024

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It’s still all go, let’s have a look.

Here’s the schedule for August 10th.

11:25 – Dissociation, theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Dual personalities meet but don’t recognize each other. Are they natural enemies in a fight to the death, or is love a possibility? Brilliant ambiguity leaves the audience with a lot to think about. ‘What an amazing ride from start to finish. Everything about this play was totally relatable and thought provoking. Almost like an outer body experience. Just the right amount of comedy/drama.’ Mark Heany.”

Yet another meaty play to start a Fringe day. It sounds like a thought-provoking experience, so we thought we’d take a lucky punt and hope for the best.

13:10 – Phil Hammond and Dame Clare Gerada: Fifty Minutes to Save the NHS, theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.

“Two doctors devise, with your help, a revolutionary health manifesto. Does the NHS need saving, funding or fixing? Will a change of government make much difference? Why can’t we be like Sweden or Singapore? Is ‘Health For All’ an aspiration or a joke? Why are NHS staff so angry and knackered? Do we live too long or not long enough? Where can I buy some end-of-life drugs? Laugh, shout, argue, vote, save the NHS. Seriously subversive. The perfect election wind down. All profits to Doctors in Distress charity.”

We’ve seen Dr Phil a number of times and he never fails to present an intelligent and witty sideways slant at the NHS in all its glory. It will also be interesting to hear his views about how a new government might change things. We’ll see!

15:00 – Rebels and Patriots, Pleasance Courtyard.

“Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not an Arab eyes? Israeli-Palestinian co-creation following four friends and how mandatory conscription to the IDF affects them. One wants to get out, one’s a pilot, one was never drafted, one’s torn inside. A raw multilingual, physical portrayal that exposes the consequences army life has on the mental-health of the teenagers enlisted. It explores themes like protest against war, self-harm and what it means to be Israeli and peace-pursuing; the critical voice for coexistence under the pressures of politically motivated violence. Who’s a rebel? Who’s a patriot?”

This play couldn’t be more timely; and if it’s bold but fair in its approach, it could be one of those productions that stays with you a long time.

16:55 – Martin Rowson: Shred the Front Page, The Stand Comedy Club 5 & 6.

“Multi-award winning cartoonist, writer, performer and poet Martin Rowson will work his way through the day’s papers while he outlines his hilarious and often acrimonious relationship with the dozens of daily and Sunday newspapers, magazines and publications he’s worked for (and mostly been sacked from). Almost everyone except The Sun. Only because they never asked. With the aid of a shredding machine, extremely strong language, unsettling images and brutal assessments of the people who own, edit and gob off incessantly in our “fearless mainstream media”.”

Full disclosure – Martin is an old school friend (both an old friend and an old school) and when we saw his show last year I gave him four stars because it was excellent but I wanted to keep him on his toes. Let’s see if he earns that extra star this year.

19:55 – Run, theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.

“Set over an unforgettable summer and encompassing all of space and time, Run explores what it means to love, to lose and grow from a boy into a man. As a young man’s night unfolds and falls into chaos – some of it real, some of it not – Yonni pulls us into his world. A world filled with school riots, first loves, beached whales, sunshine, cinema, sex, rebellion and political demonstrations. First produced at VAULT 2016, No Frills return with their highly acclaimed production, now starring Taylor Moore (Blood Brothers, Romeo and Juliet, Mary Poppins, Cinderella).”

This sounds like a thoroughly entertaining play about growing up; something we’ve all done (to a greater or lesser extent) so there should be something here for everyone to recognise.

22:00 – Randy Feltface: First Banana, Assembly Rooms.

“The first banana appeared on earth 10,000 years ago. Randy Feltface believes humanity has been in a downward spiral since. The only logical solution is a brand-new comedy show from a felt-faced comedian with an axe to grind. As seen on Netflix and NBC, Randy has spent the past 19 years winning awards and garnering critical praise while amassing a huge, devoted following across the globe. Randy has written and performed a dozen comedy shows, released seven comedy specials, played to sold-out crowds around the world and been nominated for Best Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe.”

Mr Feltface is new to me but he comes highly recommended. This is an additional performance as his earlier Saturday show sold out pretty quickly. I’m expecting raucous hilarity.

Check back later to see how we enjoyed all these shows!