Category Archives: Theatre

Edinburgh Fringe 2023 Reviews – Loft Clearance, Long Long Long Live, Adam Flood: Remoulded, Kevin Precious: The Reluctant Teacher and Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes

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Loft Clearance, Greenside @ Nicolson Square.

A fascinating spoken word journey through one woman’s experience of having to clear a loft. Eileen Mahony shares with us some of the extraordinary discoveries she has made lurking in those boxes – plus hints on dealing with photos, collections and all those little personal nostalgic memories that inevitably get teased out of our brains if we’re challenged to throw out things that remind us of our late loved ones. Plus, the difference between collecting and hoarding – and I’m pleased to announce myself as very much on the collector side! Engaging and thought-provoking, and it’s something that most of us will have to contend with at least once in our lifetimes.

3-stars

Long Long Long Live, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

Three mini-plays on the themes of homelessness, poverty, and injustice, all set against the millions of pounds that were spent on the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen last year. There’s a lot to think about in these short plays, and they set us an emotional challenge which continues long after you’ve left the theatre. It’s a small studio, but the talented group of three make the best of the space available and tell the stories with technical skill, humour, and commitment. I admired and appreciated the fact that they modulated their voices for a smaller acting space, rather than shrieking into our ears like some other acts.

4-stars

Adam Flood: Remoulded, Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive).

Adam Flood has spent £350 on a voice-changing device and he’s not afraid to use it. In an hour packed with fast and funny material, he takes us on a tour of his childhood and early adulthood, remembering the people and the experiences that brought him to where he is today. He has a brilliant gift of garnering notable facts about the random people he talks to in the audience and bringing them back into his material later on in the show. At the end of the show, he also lets us in to the lies that he has told during the last hour which is revealing to say the least! Extremely funny, with a superb lightness of touch, I reckon Mr Flood could be One To Watch.

Kevin Precious: The Reluctant Teacher, Laughing Horse @ The Counting House.

Kevin Precious has a wealth of experience as a school teacher and reveals the truth about the teaching experience – from dealing with disruptive, disrespectful kids and ghastly colleagues to the future of teaching and how we can con fresh meat into taking these appalling, low-paid roles under the pretence of making a difference. An assured pair of hands, Kevin takes us through the highs and lows of his profession and makes those of us who are not teachers very grateful for our career choices.

4-stars

Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes, The Stand Comedy Club.

Mark Thomas on his usual blistering form with a show chock-full of anti-Tory sentiment (phew!) and some superb material regarding the death of the late Queen. In these very troubled times it’s important to give vent to a voice that is so far from the pap-consuming, Lee Anderson-worshipping fodder that we see everywhere in the media, and question the garbage that we’re all being fed. Terrific stuff.

N.B. We arrived twenty minutes before the show and were told it was “standing room only”. Really? I don’t recall paying half-price tickets for a sub-standard show experience? Yet another example of Edinburgh Fringe shows disrespecting their audiences by over-selling the venues. Would you expect to stand if you’d booked a table in a restaurant? No! Then why should it be different at a comedy show. Poor form! (Actually, a better analogy is standing for an hour train journey – no one thinks that’s acceptable, it’s a sign that the trains are badly run!)

Edinburgh Fringe 2023 Reviews – 33 to 04, DNA, The Stall, Best Man, and Frank Sanazi’s Comedy Blitzkrieg

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33 to 04, The Space on the Mile.

Being trapped in a lift for any length of time is always a nightmare scenario – and if you don’t get on with the person you’re stuck with it must be ten times worse. Miss Arnott is a feisty determined 67-year-old on her way to theatre for an urgent, life-saving operation; the doctor accompanying her is aloof and seems uncaring. But both have deeper aspects to their personalities, which come to light through the inevitable conversations they have over the course of the hour in the lift. A smart idea, and very nicely performed, especially by the actor who plays Miss Arnott. Creatively and entertainingly written, this is an enjoyable and thought-provoking start to the day. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t a patient be accompanied to theatre by a porter?

3-stars

DNA, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

Dennis Kelly’s DNA was written for the National Theatre Connections in 2007 and is a much studied work at GCSE. It’s a wide-ranging and action-packed play about a group of lawless, dangerous and largely unlikeable school students who go too far with their bullying games, with disastrous consequences. It exposes the ease with which new generations of feral violent warlords can be created out of reckless kids lacking a moral compass – and yes, I know I sound like a right old fuddy-duddy. The University of Southampton Students Union’s production is well performed on the whole by a large cast but some of the performers could do with modulating their voices more as the room is too small and confined for the loud volume of hysterical shouting and screeching that the play requires, which made it quite a trying experience and detracted from the enjoyment of the play.

The Stall, The Space @ Niddry Street.

Our hero – simply referred to as Son – receives a text from his father suggesting that they go out for a day of flying. The text reminds Son of the day when he was 16 when his father – who was a fighter pilot – took him up in his plane for the ride of his life. Part of this amazing experience was one particular magic moment – doing “The Stall”, a manoeuvre when the pilot deliberately loses power and sends the plane vertical to give anyone in the plane the feeling of freefall. The son doesn’t bother to respond to the text as he was going to go round to see him later that day anyway. But when he gets to his father’s house, there’s a shock in store. An intense and poetic play that conveys the message that if you love someone, make sure you tell them, as you might not get another chance. Written, performed, and directed by Jack Twelvetree, it’s a moving, tightly packed play, succinctly and powerfully told. It will remind you of your own memories with your long lost loved ones, so be prepared for a potential emotional rollercoaster.

4-stars

Best Man, Underbelly George Square.

John and Rebecca have taken the plunge and got married, and who better than John’s best friend Cathal to be his best man? Trouble is, Cathal has a few unresolved issues himself, and there’s been a free bar… Colman Hayes gives a great performance as Cathal, and the premise for the show is excellent. Audience members are likely to be picked on as wedding guests, and don’t think that sitting further back will keep you safe – there are no hiding places from Cathal’s roving microphone! Mr Hayes has to keep one step ahead of the script as he never knows what curved balls the audience members/wedding guests might send his way, and I should imagine that no two performances are ever identical. That live, semi-improvised atmosphere does give this show an extra kick. However, that said, it does slightly lose its way as it progresses. Cathal’s breakdown takes place quite slowly, even though you can tell it’s coming a mile off. The play could do with being ten minutes shorter and a bit snappier. But it’s still a lot of fun nonetheless.

3-stars

Frank Sanazi’s Comedy Blitzkrieg, Frankenstein Pub.

It’s been a few years since we last saw Frank Sanazi and he’s still the same old lovable extreme fascist cabaret artist he ever was. His Rat Pack musical parodies are just hilarious, and he has you in the palm of his hand from the start as he sings Third Reich to the tune of That’s Life. He’s accompanied in this bizarre bunker blow-out by his friend Dean Stalin, and Sir Spliff Richard, who sings, inter alia, his eurovision hits Congratulations (Allegations) and Power to all my Friends (Showers with all my friends) – if Cliff Richard’s management know about this I do not know how they are getting away with it! On a serious note, in these near-fascist times where our governments are getting more and more right wing I think it’s important to ridicule characters like Hitler and laugh at them so that we don’t take them seriously. The danger lies where a character like Frank Sanazi is actually quite an engagingly entertaining and funny guy and we do genuinely find him quite lovable – and that’s a problem. There’s nothing lovable about Hitler, but there are masses of opportunities to ridicule and belittle him. Nevertheless, it’s a very funny act and it’s carried off with true Germanic aplomb!

4-stars

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 17th August 2023

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Have I got some Edinburgh shows for you? Yes, I have! And another friend to meet!

Here’s the schedule for 17th August:

11.40 – Loft Clearance, Greenside @ Nicolson Square. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“What do we keep? What do we let go? Join Eileen as she rummages through a hundred years’ worth of possessions that have accumulated in her loft. It’s like finding an old diary but in physical form. Will she cling on? Or will she let go? But where will these pieces of her go to? Enjoy 50 minutes of light-hearted despair as the clearance unfolds.

As someone who’s not very good and getting rid of those things I don’t need any more, I’m hoping to pick up some advice and tips!

13.40 – Long Long Long Live, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

“We invite you to watch our very raw, honest and unfiltered tragicomedy show. A somewhat parody of the hypocrisy of human beings in today’s society. Particularly on the 19th September 2022, when our show takes place. While nearly 200,000 million British pounds were spent on the Queen’s funeral, the UK was approaching its highest level of inflation in the last four decades. We want to laugh, cry and scream about the cost of living with you before we’re all dead. New writing. New creatives. New perspective. A sincere reflection of our own experiences. Join us!”

It’s unsurprising that the cost of living crisis should raise its ugly head at Edinburgh, and I need to see how it is incorporated into this play. Still haven’t decided if the “live” in the title is pronounced with a long or short i!

15.20 – Adam Flood: Remoulded, Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive).

“Ay up ducks, it’s me (fella doing the show). An hour of stand-up about reinvention with a few tricks* up its sleeve. Last year I had an award-nominated work in progress, so this is gonna be decent I reckon, especially if you come. Get on Stoke-on-Trent’s premium cultural export, in my debut show. Critics are already calling it ‘please stop emailing’ and ‘unsubscribe’. Seen on ITV2’s The Stand Up Sketch Show. Winner: Bath Festival New Comedian, 2022. BBC New Comedy Award nominee, 2019. Amused Moose Best Edinburgh Show nominee, 2022. *Spent whole budget on an autotune pedal.”

Adam Flood seems like a likeable enough chap so I’m looking forward to seeing what he does!

16.45 – Kevin Precious: The Reluctant Teacher, Laughing Horse @ The Counting House.

“Kevin Precious used to be a teacher. He enjoyed the teaching part. He just didn’t enjoy all of the other stuff that went with it. So he decided to leave and get his life back. Join him as he explores the foibles of his former profession including the odd pedagogical swipe (phew!) in the process. ‘Instantly recognisable stage presence and boundless wit’ (Leicester Mercury). ‘Kevin’s stage charisma and poise set him head and shoulders above the previous acts’ (Times).”

We’ve seen Kevin Precious a few years ago working this material up into a show and he’s a very funny guy! I’m sure there will be lots of laughs here.

22.15 – Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes, The Stand Comedy Club.

“Oh for God’s sake. I have done this for 38 years. A career full of the usual stuff, telly, awards, radio. Also court cases, sacked politicians and Guinness Book of World Records certificates. You either like me or you don’t. If you don’t know what I do, ask an old person. I rant, tell jokes, sing some songs, swear a lot and urge the audience to join the comedic equivalent of the Red Army Faction. Basically don’t come if you’re a Tory unless you actually want to be a hostage. Everyone else welcome. Everyone else loved.”

We saw Mark Thomas live for the first time last year and I was blown apart by his skill and material – and it’s so good to have a decent comic with his heart in the right place – and a fondness for old music hall songs!

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

Edinburgh Fringe 2023 Reviews – The Misunderstanding, Letter to Boddah, The Last Flapper, Best Comedy Show Edinburgh Fringe (Ben Clover), Unstitching, 1 Tent 4 Girls, and Perfect Pairing: A Wine Tasting Dancegustation

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The Misunderstanding, The Space Triplex.

A modern adaptation of Albert Camus’ 1943 play, Le Malentendu, Martha and her mother keep a respectable little hotel, but have a small, secret peccadillo; they kill their lodgers for their money, in order to realise their dream of moving to the seaside. But what happens when the next “perfect” guest who comes to stay is their long lost (and not recognised) son/brother? It’s a challenging, complex play, simply staged, and Unexpected Places productions make a good stab at presenting it. Perhaps a little over ambitious, but the intrigue of the story keeps your attention.

3-stars

Letter to Boddah, The Space @ Surgeon’s Hall.

Billy and Tink are locked in the disabled toilet at Tesco; they’ve got a bomb and they’re not afraid to use it. Actually, they are very, very afraid but, even though they are best mates, they have to keep up the pretence of bravery and commitment; until something snaps and they pour their hearts out to each other, confessing the abuses, fears and desperations that have blighted their lives. The Boddah in question refers to the imaginary friend of the late Kurt Cobain, who wrote him a letter as a suicide note. Kyle Fisher and Jordan Reece play the unlikely terrorists with huge conviction and energy, and Sarah Nelson’s play is smartly, humorously and emotionally written. No wonder it was a huge success at last year’s Fringe.

4-stars

The Last Flapper Greenside @ Riddles Court.

Zelda Fitzgerald arrives for her doctor’s appointment at the sanatorium but he has been called away on urgent business which gives her the opportunity to ransack his office, steal his cigarettes and read and amend her medical notes. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, she tells us about her journey to where she is today – her relationships with her parents, her own creative life of dance, and her infatuation with F. Scott Key himself. It’s an immense performance from Catherine D Dubord, who is totally on top of her game as Zelda – confiding, joking, and literally hysterical. The Clover Studio is an over-hot claustrophobic little place – the show needs a bigger venue to accommodate her terrific performance.

4-stars

Best Comedy Show Edinburgh Fringe, Laughing Horse @ 32 Below.

With a typically understated title, the hugely likeable Ben Clover returns to the Fringe with a nifty set of funny routines, including handing over dubious goods for cash deals at tube stations, the aftermath of the pandemic and how to write an Amazon review. We had seen some of the material before but that was at a Work in Progress show, so that doesn’t count! Fresh and funny, and a superb engager with the audience so that we all have fun together!

4-stars

Unstitching, The Space @ Niddry Street.

Ruby Shrimpton presents herself as a young woman desperate to make contact, to express herself and to reach out and offer us a thread to grab hold of, something we can both identify with. Eurovision is obviously her chief passion (and why wouldn’t it be?) but she also packs each sequence with tons of “fun facts”, bizarre worries, and unconfident asides. “Is this boring?” she asks; “You can leave if you like…” The ultimate deconstruction show, where Ruby picks apart every yarn that holds her together, and several that don’t. If you’re a Eurovision fan, you’ll have loads of fun identifying songs, dance routines, and statistics. If you’re not, you might find this a bit of a hard graft. I really admire what she is trying to achieve with this show, and it’s almost certainly different from any other show you’ve ever seen. It feels thoroughly experimental; if you like that vibe, you’ll love this show.

3-stars

1 Tent, 4 Girls, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

If you’ve ever gone on a camping holiday – especially in the UK – you’ve almost certainly gone on a camping holiday in the rain. Rosalie Roger-Lacan’s entertaining new play follows Sam, Lily, Rosa and Ruby as they brave the natural beauties of North Wales with a tent that only has Norwegian instructions and a quickly fraying sense of community friendship. There’s lots to recognise in this fun play; somehow petty jealousies, sensitivities and frustrations all get aggravated when you’re freezing cold and drenched. The play is perhaps a little long and a little repetitive, but the characterisations are all excellent, and the team of Ella Hakin, Evie Cooper, Alice Bebber and Bethan Owen make a formidable ensemble.

3-stars

Perfect Pairing: A Wine Tasting Dancegustation, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

Geelong’s Attitude Dance Company has come up with a quirky and pretty much unique entertainment; pairing four different contemporary dance pieces with four different wines. Admittedly, this sounds somewhat gimmicky, but – guess what – it really works! A talented group of four dancers – Sarah Glynne, Tara O’Donnell, Monique Powe and Xavier McGettigan – perform four widely different but smartly choreographed and executed dance routines, accompanied by a Cava, a Rosé, a White and a Red. And it’s a thoroughly enjoyable, relaxing and civilised way to end the evening. Better than you might imagine!

4-stars

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 16th August 2023

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Have I got some Edinburgh shows for you? Yes, I have! But we also have some time to catch up with friends.

Here’s the schedule for 16th August:

10.05 – 33 to 04, The Space on the Mile. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“A young English doctor rushes an elderly Scottish lady onto a lift, taking her to surgery many floors below. The only problem being that a few floors from their destination, the lift breaks down. Over the 40 minutes they’re stranded, their attempts to keep occupied lead them to argument, board games, chocolate bars and eventually honesty, both to themselves and each other. 33 to 04 is a snappy, but at times contemplative comedy about ageing, death and Double Deckers.”

Putting a young and an old person together in a confined environment can often create sparks, so it will be interesting to see how this unlikely couple fare together. Hopefully it’s both funny and life-affirming.

11.35 – DNA, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

“Paperlight Theatricals makes its grand return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe! This dark and intriguing show involves a group of teenagers covering up the death of a friend. However, when things go awry, they must decide what defines them. Will they submit to their animalistic nature or forge their own sense of morality? Dennis Kelly’s DNA is reimagined through the lens of physical theatre, in the style of Frantic Assembly, to give new life to this classic piece of modern theatre.

Sounds intriguing! Is this going to be a kind of Lord of the Flies experience?

13.10 – The Stall, The Space @ Niddry Street.

“A story of love, loss and how to let go, The Stall, an original one-act play written and performed by award-winning actor Jack Twelvetree, cuts to the heart of the human experience as we follow a son navigating his way through the journey of grief. First performed at His Majesty’s Theatre, Australia in 2021, this heartbreakingly raw and beautifully acted play reminds us to cherish the time we have with the people we love.

I’m expecting something very hearfelt and emotional here!

14.50 – Best Man, Underbelly George Square.

“Cathal is 30, flirty, and having a breakdown at his best friend’s wedding. A dark comedy about relationships, regrets and getting left behind. A best-man speech that goes completely off the rails, and you’re in the congregation at the wedding watching it all unfold. Written by Mikey Fleming and Colman Hayes. Directed by Mikey Fleming. Performed by Colman Hayes. ***** (TheReviewsHub.com). ‘[Colman Hayes] is superb’ (NoMoreWorkhorse.com). ‘Funny, dark and maybe a little too real’ (HeadStuff.org).”

I have every expectation that this will be hilarious, so I’m really looking forward to this!

21.00 – Frank Sanazi’s Comedy Blitzkrieg, Frankenstein Pub.

“Experience a full-on comedy attack of the senses as Frank brings his unrelenting mix of dark humour and extreme renditions back to the festival, in his new home within the vaults of the Frankenstein Pub. Together with a special guest, expect a night to remember as Frank mocks dictatorship through satire and hilarious musical numbers. If you can’t laugh at Frank, then what is there left to laugh at? ‘He will leave you in stitches. The jokes are relentless’ (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). ‘It’s all brilliantly stupid, fantastically wrong and ridiculously funny’ **** (Scotsman).”

We saw Frank Sanazi a few years ago when he hosted his Iraq Pack show – it’s in incredibly bad taste but it’s absolutely hilarious. Can’t wait!

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

Edinburgh Fringe 2023 Reviews – Mirandolina, In Conversation with… Jack Monroe, The Real William Shakespeare… As Told by Christopher Marlowe, Olaf Falafel: Look What Fell out of My Head, I Killed My Ex, Paved with Gold and Ashes and Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England.

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Mirandolina, Hill Street Theatre.

A bright start to the day with Theatre in the Square’s production of Carlo Goldoni’s Mirandolina in the version by Ranjit Bolt. Originally written in 1753, this is a gem of a comedy that mocks hypocrisy, class and the role of women in society and is neatly performed by its cast of eight. It’s funny, revealing, and features a superb performance by Samantha Charles as Mirandolina herself. If for no other reason, it’s worth seeing just to fill one’s knowledge gap of eighteenth century Italian drama. Great fun!

3-stars

In Conversation with… Jack Monroe, The Stand’s New Town Theatre.

Several things strike you about Jack Monroe after listening to her being an interviewed for an hour. Firstly, as she herself admits, she is intensely chaotic; autism and ADHD almost certainly guarantee this. Secondly, she has been nearly destroyed by online trolls who continually find ways to undermine her and destroy her confidence. Perhaps most of all, it’s her genuine humility and honesty that comes through with every sentence she utters. When someone tells a story about something that Jack Monroe has done or has written, which has transformed another person’s life, she takes no credit for it; saying it’s purely down to the individual’s bravery and she’s just a tool in a toolbox. She’s very open about her alcoholism, and how she has spent over two years in recovery; and she says she does not attend too many personal appearances because she fears the repercussions from her haters. She needn’t have worried today. A hero for our time.

4-stars

The Real William Shakespeare… As Told by Christopher Marlowe, Greenside @ Riddles Court.

Shaul Ezer’s play starts from a clever premise; that the plays of William Shakespeare were actually written by the Moroccan ambassador Ahmed Bilqasim and were translated into English by Christopher Marlowe, at the same time that he was writing his own plays – which accounts for the similarities between The Merchant of Venice and The Jew of Malta, for example. It’s nicely performed with a charismatic performance by Nicholas Thorne as Marlowe, and Kirsty Eila McIntyre as Laura, who’s writing a thesis on him in the present day. Unfortunately the play itself is a little underwritten and not that interesting – a musical jester interrupts the flow from time to time and I found my attention was distracted. I must admit, that this particular venue (the Thistle Theatre) has poor sightlines if you’re not in the front row which also makes it harder to get involved in the show. Certainly a germ of a good play here, but not quite there yet.

Olaf Falafel: Look What Fell Out Of My Head, Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree.

An hour in the company of Olaf Falafel never fails to be entertaining and his latest show is packed with silly jokes, stupid games and lots of laughter. With many of the show’s threads being similar or identical to last year’s show, I wonder whether the always ecstatically hilarious Mr Falafel might be starting to be come a little formulaic. Either way, the man’s a genius.

4-stars

I Killed My Ex, The Space @ Niddry Street.

As you enter the auditorium, Tina and Lola are shifting a dead body under cover of darkness; Tina is wearing a bridal dress spattered with blood. As the story develops we discover that her wedding day came to an unhappy end when she was jilted at the altar by Matthew, who decided he needed to “find himself” on the beaches of Greece instead. Tina has other ideas about how to deal with Matthew – or was it Lola? It’s a brilliant set up and starts so promisingly. However, the plot development and the writing are both very disappointing, and apart from an agonising crossing-your-legs moment (especially if you’re a man), it fails to realise the potential of those opening few minutes.

Paved with Gold and Ashes, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

In 1911, the deadliest industrial disaster in New York City took place, with 146 people dying in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire – either from the fire itself, the smoke inhalation, or by jumping to their deaths. Paved with Gold and Ashes tells the story of five women caught up in this awful event. The rabbi’s daughter Rose, the two sisters Lucia and Rosaria, the fiancee Ida and the optimistic Annie, all give us insights into their private lives; their hopes, dreams and aspirations, their home and family lives, and all the little things that keep them going. ThreeDumb Theatre’s production of Julia Thurston’s play seizes your emotions and lays bare the personal tragedies that befall these women, and stokes your fury at the injustice, and their impotence to save themselves. What the Fringe is all about, an unexpected treasure trove of writing and acting excellence. Stunning.

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England The Space @ Niddry Street.

Everyone remembers that famous picture of the England football fan who stuck a flare up his backside during the Euros; it was funny, it was moronic, it was dangerous! Alex Hill has written and performs in this extraordinarily insightful play, getting into the character of a man who might do such a thing. It shows football supporting as a group binding exercise, a way of making sure you can finally “belong”; you have to be in – the only alternative is to be out, and no one wants that. However, you can never be sure about the other members of your group – their motivations might not be the same as yours. Billy and Adam are inseparable from childhood until Billy’s uncontrollable passions and behaviour start to push Adam away. Still, it’s just a game – isn’t it? An incredibly moving story, but also riotously funny and totally believable. The Les Miserables sequence is pure joy. Alex Hill plays Billy in a hugely engaging, athletic and boisterous performance which knocks your socks off. Terrific play, terrific performance; bring tissues. A must-see!

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 15th August 2023

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How about a list of today’s shows?

Here’s the schedule for 15th August:

10.35 – The Misunderstanding, The Space Triplex. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Happiness awaits Martha and her Mother. They just have to kill to get it. This adaptation of Camus’ absurd play sees the prodigal son return to a troubled home and a sister who longs to escape the banality of her world. ‘A crime is a crime, the only thing that matters is to know what you want.’ Martha longs to be by the sea, Maria wants love, Mother wants nothing more than to rest and Jan wants to be welcomed into his family’s arms. But in life, no one gets what they want. Even murder can become tedious.”

I’m not familiar with the Camus original, I regret to say, but it does sound like a delightfully absurd story! Looking forward to this.

12.00 – Letter to Boddah, The Space @ Surgeon’s Hall.

“Another chance to see the Broadway Baby Bobby Award Winner Best Theatre Show at the Fringe 2019. In the disabled toilet in Tesco we meet Billy and Neil. Wearing combats and carrying enough explosives to blow the place sky high they examine life and attempt to decide whether violence is the only way to be heard. With a title inspired by Kurt Cobain’s suicide note this is a darkly comic exploration of the lives of young working class men in austerity Britain. ‘One of the most powerful shows I’ve seen in years’ (TheWeeReview.com).”

I had originally booked another show for this timeslot but when I read the passionate reviews about Letter to Boddah, I realised I had made a mistake by missing it out. It does indeed sound like a very exciting drama!

13.45 – The Last Flapper, Greenside @ Riddles Court.

“Is she mad… or just angry? Alone in a mental hospital, Zelda Fitzgerald, icon of the Jazz Age, asks the questions her doctor should have. Did F Scott steal her words? Did he claim she was insane just to gain his freedom? Can a woman ever decide her own fate? In this poignant, playful, and candid one-woman show, Zelda finally gets to tell her side of the story. Performed by award-winning Dallas actress Catherine DuBord, and directed by award-winning Texan Lydia Mackay, this historical play wrestles with issues that are anything but history.”

I’m a big F Scott Fitzgerald fan, so to read the description of this play is both enlightening and disturbing. I’m expecting a great performance from Catherine DuBord and that this will be a strong and telling drama.

16.00 – Best Comedy Show Edinburgh Fringe, Laughing Horse @ 32 Below.

“Woah…! Sheeeeeiiit! Here come dat Ben Clover! Veteran stand-up and award-winner Ben Clover presents his most eighth Edinburgh solo show yet. He got the zizzle-zazzles for ya! ‘A delight’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Comedy gold’ (Bruce Dessau).”

You have to admire the confidence with which Ben Clover named this year’s show! I always like to catch Ben at the Fringe and he’s always got loads of great material, so I’m looking forward to this year’s helping.

19.20 – Unstitching, The Space @ Niddry Street.

“A hilarious and poignant comedy about a girl obsessed with The Eurovision Song Contest. Through spoken word, cynical stand-up, lip-syncing and dancing to Eurovision songs, she tries to find her voice on stage. However, as the show progresses, her facade starts to unravel and she becomes overwhelmed by her inability to organize her own thoughts. ‘An incredibly enjoyable one-woman play about art, the universe, self-expression, and Eurovision!’ **** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk). ‘A dynamic and very entertaining piece, immaculately performed’ (TheReviewsHub.com). ‘A wild, frenetic piece’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘The talented Liverpool-based writer has pulled off something rather fine here’ (TheReviewsHub.com).”

The first of two plays this Fringe to take Eurovision as its main theme, and as a big fan, I’m of course going to see both! Hope this lives up to expectations.

20.50 – 1 Tent, 4 Girls, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

“This firecracker of a comedy explores the relationships between four young women embarking on a disastrous camping trip. What better way to avoid post-graduation anxiety and push through the hellish clouds of PMS than an impromptu trip to Pembrokeshire in the pouring rain? When counting sheep to fall asleep doesn’t work anymore, the girls grab the Argos tent and join them in the fields. This is a comedy made by women, which isn’t about being a woman. It’s playful and sarcastic with a solid dash of chaos, rage and love. The perfect recipe for a storm.”

Having myself suffered an awful camping holiday with three friends when I was a student, I am already feeling their pain. I think I’m going to recognise a lot of the humour!

22.10 – Perfect Pairing: A Wine Tasting Dancegustation, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

“Enjoy four wines paired perfectly with four dance pieces in this original Australian wine-tasting-meets-dance-theatre production. Perfect Pairing invites the theatre-goer’s favourite interval treat into the spotlight and challenges the connoisseur to développé the sensory strength of their wine-tasting talent. In an age where pairing wine with food is reaching its very limits, why not pair the mambo with a merlot, a pop & lock with a prosecco, even chassé with a chardonnay? Don’t think about it too hard, drink some well-crafted wine alongside a showing of some delicious dancing! Assisted by Geelong Arts Centre.”

The second of two shows this Fringe that I’m seeing that combine another art form with food and drink. It’s a preposterous idea but it just might work!

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

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 14th August 2023

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How about a list of today’s shows? There’s a big day ahead!

Here’s the schedule for 14th August:

10.00 – Mirandolina, Hill Street Theatre. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Mirandolina, the captivating landlady of an inn, is wooed by a penniless marquess, a wealthy count and her besotted servant. She enjoys their attentions but values her freedom. When sworn bachelor Ripafratta comes to the inn, can Mirandolina bend him to her will? Ranjit Bolt’s sparkling comedy is translated from the original work of Carlo Goldoni, the 18th-century Italian comic playwright best known for A Servant of Two Masters.”

Goldoni is ace, but I only know two of his plays, and Mirandolina isn’t one of them, so this is a good opportunity to fill a gap in my knowledge!

12.00 – In Conversation with… Jack Monroe, The Stand’s New Town Theatre.

“Food writer and anti-poverty campaigner. Joined the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in 2007 working in their control room. Left 2011, unable to work the night shifts as a single parent with a 20-month-old son. Started writing her blog, A Girl Called Jack, in 2012, in response to a local councillor claiming that ‘druggies, drunks and single mums are ruining the High Street.’ An Oxfam ambassador. Her seventh book Thrifty Kitchen, published January 2023, contains over 120 brand-new, delicious, low-cost recipes, plus money-saving household tricks.”

Cutting down on the Spoken Word shows this year, but we couldn’t resist hearing what Jack Monroe has to say about the world today in person!

13.50 – The Real William Shakespeare… As Told by Christopher Marlowe, Greenside @ Riddles Court.

“’Make my words reside in your language as if they never knew any other.’ Marlowe, murder… Morocco? The truth behind Shakespeare is steeped in blood and political intrigue, but now Christopher Marlowe is ready to tell all. Matchmaker Theatre Productions present a provocative new production that asks: who was the real William Shakespeare? Christopher Marlowe, famed playwright and spy, has the answer. But just how far will others go to protect this secret? ‘Chaotic playfulness… mixing in heaps of Queer history and theory’ **** (CorrBlimey.co.uk, The Masks Of Oscar Wilde, 2022).”

There’s always an abundance of Shakespeare-based shows at Edinburgh and sometimes they’re great and sometimes they’re far from it. Fingers crossed for this one!

15.45 – Olaf Falafel: Look What Fell Out Of My Head, Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree.

“Join the best-joke-list-bothering, holey-cheese-flinging, diaphragm-jiggling comedian as he presents a hostess trolley full of stuff he finds funny. ‘A big, beautiful bearhug of a show’ **** (Scotsman). ‘Visual gags piled on top of other visual gags’ **** (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk). ‘Several gags to rival his best joke of the Fringe in 2019’ **** (GonzoMagazine.co.uk).”

Edinburgh isn’t Edinburgh without at least an hour spent in the company of Olaf Falafel! I’m sure it will be hilarious as always.

17.20 – I Killed My Ex, The Space @ Niddry Street.

“Enjoy a deliciously wild ride on a brand-new play by writer-director Emilie Biason and confess: some exes are better off dead. I Killed My Ex is a hilarious dark comedy following two dear friends, Tina and Lola, who impulsively kill Tina’s ex after he leaves her at the altar, embarking on a hectic journey to get rid of his body. Jump in the dark with your new fav clumsy killers in this funny, provocative social critique, and let’s face it: a woman should never be left at the altar.”

I love a dark comedy – and the premise for this one sounds brilliant. Let’s hope it delivers!

18.40 – Paved with Gold and Ashes, Greenside @ Infirmary Street.

“Based on a true event in New York City, 1911. With immigrants arriving in floods from all over Europe, for many the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory is one of the most coveted places to work. Some say that in America the streets are paved with gold – full of wealth and opportunities. But as these five young women battle poverty, capitalism, unfair working conditions, and – on one fateful morning in March – one of the deadliest workplace disasters in US history, their dreams soon turn to ashes… ‘An unflinching mirror to today’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

This sounds like a good, meaty drama – an account of a historical event that is very relevant to today’s world. Hope it goes well.

22.20 – Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England, The Space @ Niddry Street.

“This is football. This is what defines my happiness. This is what makes or spoils a weekend. This is what fills my soul with joy and despair. Billy is a die-hard football fan. When he goes viral for sticking a flare between his bum cheeks before England’s final, he begins to question his own love of the beautiful game. This new one-man play, written and performed by Alex Hill, asks what it means to be a “die-hard” football fan and explores themes of belonging, tribalism and toxic masculinity.”

As titles go, it’s a classic. Everyone remembers seeing that photo in the news or online – and it will be fascinating to see how the play incorporates it into this examination of toxic masculinity.

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

Edinburgh Fringe 2023 Reviews – Those Who Can’t Do, Santi and Naz, Stark Bollock Naked, The Quality of Mercy: Concerning the Life and Crimes of Dr Harold Shipman, and Andrew Frank: Ecstatic Blasphemy

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Those Who Can’t Do, Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey.

Balancing a life as a responsible teacher on the one hand, and a party larrikin on the other is a tricky business, as Ty Gray’s very funny Those Who Can’t Do shows. Making sure the kids don’t see your social media, trying to avoid being caught out hungover, and avoiding visits from your partygoing mother are all vital personal goals! Ty is a very likeable guy and has some excellent material with some great punchlines. In Saturday’s show he had a very awkward moment when he dropped his glass of water and it smashed everywhere, causing the show to be suspended for a good five minutes; but he used the hiatus as a strength and came back fighting – which a less confident performer would have found a struggle. A strong performer and a funny show!

3-stars

Santi and Naz, Pleasance Courtyard.

The partition of India is a frequent inspiration for drama; and in Santi and Naz it is used as the backdrop for the tale of two best friends. To what extent will they be separated by religion, partition and sexuality? Santi was always fascinated by books and wanting to know more about the world – even though she always expected to spend her life in the village and working with the sugar cane. Naz had no interest in reading; all she wanted was to be Santi’s best friend. But as the two grow older into adulthood, and an arranged marriage is on the cards, what does the future hold for both of them? Rose-Marie Christian and Karendip Phull play Santi and Naz with great conviction and affection, and the text has some beautiful passages of lyrical writing. But it is too long; too much time is spent establishing the girls’ childhood friendship, and the issue of Naz’s sexuality is only lightly touched upon. Enjoyable performances, but it could all be a little tighter and pack a greater punch.

3-stars

Stark Bollock Naked, Assembly Roxy.

Two very engaging performers deliver an innovative and imaginative show about that age old issue of the female body’s ticking clock and the right of the woman to choose her own destiny. The first part of the show involves video and imagery projection on one of their (naked) bodies and is funny, telling and very clever. The second part loses impact as the two performers become the woman’s brain – it took me a long time to realise they were her brain; I thought the unusual headgear suggested her intestines, which made no sense at all. There’s also a very silly song that potentially trivialises the importance of its earlier message – although maybe that was its intent.

A very good idea for a show that starts strongly and then disintegrates as it progresses.

The Quality of Mercy: Concerning the Life and Crimes of Dr Harold Frederick Shipman, The Space @ Surgeon’s Hall.

Shipman is in his prison cell, reciting his thoughts into a tape recorder to set the record straight – he doesn’t want to be associated with that louse Ian Brady, after all. His first thoughts are to his mother, who died of cancer at the age of 43, and who suffered terribly from the illness. If only he could have shortened her suffering by bringing her life to an end earlier? This gives him the justification for committing the unspeakable series of murders for which he was responsible, hiding behind the facade of benevolent euthanasia. As his crimes increase, the names of his victims appear on a projected backdrop; eventually you are mesmerised by the sheer numbers involved. Edwin Flay’s magnificent writing allows Shipman’s true motivations to seep out, despite whatever the wretched man may pretend; and his performance as the vain, megalomaniac arbiter of life or death stands out as one of the best I’ve seen for a very long time.

Andrew Frank: Ecstatic Blasphemy, Hill Street Theatre.

Andrew Frank was educated – for want of a better word – at a school – if you can call it that – subjugated within a Christian Fundamentalist church, adjacent to a highway in Arkansas, where their father was the pastor. And if that isn’t a recipe for a disastrous childhood, they don’t know what is. Ecstatic Blasphemy is a hilarious hour revisiting their upbringing, family life, and all the little repressions and – let’s be honest – lies that blighted their childhood. With a mass of very funny material constantly on hand, Andrew is a naturally very funny and ebullient performer whose main purpose on stage is to show the ridiculousness of strict religious adherence, which they do with charm, personality and a huge amount of laughs. Terrific stuff.

4-stars

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 13th August 2023

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Another full day of shows in Edinburgh? Yes, although we are also meeting up with a friend!

Here’s the schedule for 13th August:

11.00 – Wiesenthal, Pleasance Courtyard. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Wiesenthal, by Tom Dugan, performed by Christopher C Gibbs, is based on the life of Simon Wiesenthal, who survived the Holocaust and devoted the rest of his life to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. Filled with hope, humanity and humour, it is the true story of an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. Intelligent, funny, flawed and noble, Wiesenthal was a universal hero. His unbelievable dedication and tenacity over decades is honoured in this play. It takes place on his final day in his Vienna office in 2003.”

Another of these plays that tells a most important story that we must never forget about. If this is well done, I expect it will be very emotional.

12.45 – Tarot: Work in Progress, Monkey Barrel Comedy.

“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 in 2023. This is a work-in-progress show. We’ve made the tickets cheap so you’ve got somewhere to sleep for an hour without having to sell a kidney. ‘Bark out loud funny… the whole show is startlingly live’ **** (Guardian). ‘One of the balls-out funniest show of the Fringe’ ****½ (Chortle). ‘Tarot will not give you nightmares, though you might wake laughing your head off’ **** (Evening Standard). **** (Telegraph).”

This is the first of two shows we’re seeing this year featuring the incredible Tarot pack! We saw them last year and they were brilliant. I have high hopes!

14.25 – The Life Sporadic of Jess Wildgoose, Pleasance Courtyard.

“The creators of smash-hit The Man Who return with an explosive new show. Tarantino meets Pixar in this electrifying thriller, exploring universal themes of ambition, failure, revenge, and high-risk equity trading. Jess has it all – until she doesn’t. After suddenly losing her job, sense of reality, and sexy French beau, Jess embarks on a brutal quest for revenge. With virtuosic acrobatics, live music, and physical theatre, this madcap tragicomedy unnerves and astounds in a genre-defying cinematic adventure. ‘Physical Theatre at its most immaculate’ **** (Scotsman, for ‘The Man Who’).

I admit now, I am much more a Pixar man than a Tarantino one, so I hope this show makes sense to me! We will see! However, we saw The Man Who… last year and thought it was excellent, so we had to give this show a go as well.

16.50 – Giving the Gift of Offence with Martin Rowson, The Stand’s New Town Theatre.

“Multi award-winning political cartoonist, author, ranter, illustrator, broadcaster and poet. In his new show Martin takes us through 40 years of British politics with his personal and cartoon responses to the individuals he has met, including the perennial challenges of working out how to draw the “fresh meat” of each new Prime Minister, alongside the cavalcade of events we’ve all witnessed and he’s depicted. Refreshingly indiscreet in revealing the people beneath the pomp and spin, as well as spilling the beans on the true nature of journalism. This show is fully illustrated.”

I was friends with Martin at school so I am using the show as a shameless vehicle for catching up with him again! But it will be fascinating to hear him talk about his work. I remember seeing the cartoons he did as a teenager and they were brilliant!

20.50 – I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical, Gilded Balloon at the Museum.

“The definitive comedic musical revue revealing all about musical theatre, and the people who love it on both sides of the curtain! Updated version featuring new songs. Lauded with an unprecedented 35 five-star reviews for its previous sell-out fringe and London seasons. ‘Flawless’ ***** (BritishTheatre.com). ‘Sharp satire, undiluted fun’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Delightful’ ***** (BroadwayWorld.com). ‘Hilarious… Wonderfully witty’ ***** (EdinburghGuide.com). ‘Crisp, perfect, immaculate, hilarious. Unmistakable gem!’ ***** (Musical Talk, podcast). ‘Laughs come thick and fast’ ***** (MusicalTheatreReview.com). ‘Loving tribute to world of musicals’ (Matt Lucas). ‘Must-see’ (Tim Rice). ‘Brilliant score’ (Miriam Margolyes).”

A last minute change to the original plan, as the guy flyering for this show did such a good job on me!!!

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