The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – The Power Behind the Crone, 22nd August 2017

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Late night last night so not too early a start for our first performance of the day, Hint of Lime’s production of The Power Behind the Crone at Four @ Assembly George Square Studios, at 12:00 noon on Tuesday 22nd. Let’s read the blurb: “Alison Skilbeck’s serio-comic celebration of Shakespeare’s older women, directed by Tim Hardy. ‘There are no good parts in Shakespeare for older women’. Professor Artemis Turret, played by Alison Skilbeck, sets out to refute these words in an illustrated lecture. Her old chum, international star Dame Bunti Smart, who was to perform the speeches, lets her down. Professor Turret is forced to unveil her own hidden theatrical talents in seven wildly contrasting roles. Skilbeck’s five-star Mrs Roosevelt Flies To London had a near sold-out run at Assembly last year.”

If this is half as good as it sounds, it’s going to be absolutely brilliant! The premise sounds so funny and a good performance should make this magic. Check back around 1.15pm to see what we thought. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

The eloquent Artemis delivers a cracking lecture and we hang on her every word. There’s an element of Joyce Grenfell to her character, and all her crones are beautifully delineated! Charming and funny, and critically fascinating too!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Spank! 21st August 2017

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Now it’s time for the show that we look forward to the whole year round. It’s the irrepressibly brilliant Abigoliah Schamaun and the amazingly wonderful James Loveridge hosting Spank! at Belly Dancer @ Underbelly, Cowgate, at midnight on the night of Monday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “Spank! returns for an incredible 14th year with sexy hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. With the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don’t miss the ‘best wild night out’ (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival!”

This will be our first of three visits this week, and for this first one we hope to be accompanied by our friends Lord Liverpool and the Countess of Cockfosters and their entourage. Check back around 3am (or maybe early on Tuesday morning) to see who were the guests, who got naked and how much fun we had. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

So to my surprise the hosts were Danny O’Brien and Eleanor Conway – and they were great. We had an amazing nine acts, including The Establishment, Saskia Preston, Olaf Falafel, Danny McLaughlin and Sean Patton. The naked promo was by a doctor promoting the Anthony Nolan trust. We think we may have seen him before. All in all an amazing show, and we didn’t get back to the hotel till 3am.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – DROLL, 21st August 2017

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As a scholar of the old English Literature (well, I was once) and someone who’s fascinated by the history of the theatre, it sounds like this next show should be dynamite. It’s DROLL at Space 1 @ theSpace on the Mile, at 22:05 on Monday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “In 1642, theatre was made illegal. Theatre didn’t die. The award-winning Owle Schreame theatre company present a chaotic and semi-improvised selection of rough, wild, raucous and bawdy, short (illegal) plays from the 16th and 17th centuries. Unperformed for almost 400 years, Drolls were the farcical, chaotic mini-productions held in secret during the outlawing of the theatres, usually finishing with the cast getting dragged to jail. Every performance is unique. Described as innovative, interactive and genuinely engaging, ‘this rare oddity of a production is bacchanalia, call-the-police, drunken theatre: not to be missed. Don’t’ ***** (Guardian).”

I’m hoping for some bawdy fun but also for something that will make this a unique entertainment – not sure what that might be! It’s spelt with capital letters online, so I’ve kept with that formation, but I have no idea if it’s necessary! Check back around 11.15pm to see whether it ticked all the boxes. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

That was absolutely fascinating. The humour of John Swabber, a tale of ridicule and adultery performed with gusto and the first time these pieces have been performed since the 17th century. Remarkable on many levels, and it makes you want to find out more about the drolls. Go see!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Tez Ilyas: Teztify, 21st August 2017

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Next up is a comic whom we saw earlier in the year and I am officially a major fan – I mean, Tezbian. Yes, it’s Tez Ilyas: Teztify at Beside @ Pleasance Courtyard, at 20:30 on Monday 21st. Read the blurb: “Tez Ilyas feels like he’s constantly on trial. It’s time to teztify against all the assumptions the world has of him. Armed with his trademark cheek and uncompromising approach, don’t miss this slick, smart and typically subversive show. Star of BBC Radio 4’s TEZ Talks, BBC Two’s Live from the BBC and BBC Three’s Man Like Mobeen. ‘Ilyas has a slickness more reminiscent of US comics, and the gags to back it up’ (Guardian). ‘Radiantly entertaining’ **** (Times). ‘A vital discussion of some of the most difficult issues facing this country’ **** (Telegraph).”

I’m really looking forward to this one – Tez makes such a brilliant connection with the audience, pointing out all the racist pitfalls that lurk beneath the surface of our modern society. It’s an hour of new material, so check back around 9.45pm to see how much we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Tez on brilliant form- making some very hard points, sometimes to shuddering effect. Very funny, and very memorable.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Bin Laden: The One Man Show, 21st August 2017

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Sometimes when you see a title, you just know you have to go and see that show. That was definitely the case for me with Knaive Theatre’s production of Bin Laden: The One Man Show at +2 @ C venues – C, Chambers Street, at 18:30 on Monday 21st. Let’s take a look at the blurb: “‘Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to show you how to change the world…’ The world’s most notorious terrorist tells his remarkable, provocative and multi award-winning story. After a critically-acclaimed USA tour, this incendiary, intelligent show provides fresh perspective; creating a space for debate and dialogue within the unthinkable. Critic’s Pick Of The Fringe Award (Hollywood Fringe Festival 2016). Outstanding Actor in a Drama (San Diego International Fringe Festival 2016). Broadway Bobby (BroadwayBaby, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013). Top 5 Theatre Shows at the Fringe (List, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013).”

I’m sure this is going to have an element of the ridiculous about it – at least I hope so – but I’m pretty sure it’s also going to have its serious side too; and I do hope that rampant numbers of innocent deaths aren’t going to be comic material. We will see. Check back around 7.45pm to get our instant reactions. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

There was nothing ridiculous about this tour de force. Sam Redway plays Bin Laden taking the audience through the most powerful lecture and re-enactment of the birth of Al-Qaeda and it’s not only a mesmerising piece of acting but a daring challenge to the audience to examine their own motivations. In his place, would we – could we – do what he did? The answer is not straightforward.

Added to all that, I ended up playing the part of the founder of Global Jihad, Abdullah Azzam. That was a personal challenge, and I rather enjoyed it! Yet another must see show.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – The Delights of Dogs and the Problems of People, 21st August 2017

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Sometimes at the Edinburgh fringe, it’s the shows with the most ludicrous titles that can offer the best drama; and that’s what I’m hoping for with Rosalind Blessed’s play The Delights of Dogs and the Problems of People at ‘Studio’ @ SpaceTriplex, at 16:00 on Monday 21st. This is what the official blurb says: “Terror. Joy. Rage. Jealousy. What does it cost to love? When does partner become possession? What is the price to be free? Who is gonna let the dog out? A harrowing but darkly funny look at the descent of a loving relationship into misery and abuse. There is a dangerous animal in the house, but it’s not canine.”

I think this may have legs, if you’ll pardon the animal analogy. I’m looking forward to seeing how the delights of dogs can affect the problems of people, so check back after it’s finished at around 5.30pm to see if we enjoyed it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Utterly shattered. A totally convincing portrayal of a relationship irreconcilably broken down even though he thinks he can keep it going by being practical and supportive. It’s way beyond that. The delights of dogs can mask the holes in the relationship…. or they can make them worse… Superbly performed, with some gentle fourth wall breaking; I say gentle, James said I was a F*** ing prick for not going on late night drinking with him. Not my fault. He caught me unawares. Another must see if you’re up at the fringe.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Two Little Boxes, 21st August 2017

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I’m very fond of contemporary dance and for some reason we’ve only got two dance shows booked this festival, and the first one Really Nice Theatre Company’s production of Two Little Boxes at Emerald Theatre @ Greenside @ Nicolson Square, at 13:50 on Monday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “A wordless blend of mime, clowning, dance and acrobatics, Two Little Boxes is a brand-new piece by Reallynice, exploring the construction of masculinities in young men. Suitable for the hearing-impaired.” Not that informative, there’s much more interesting information about the show if you check their website.

This looks very intense and thought-provoking, so I’m hoping for some well-executed dance and some inventive and intriguing choreography. Check back when it’s finished at around 3.00pm to see what we thought of it. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

That was riveting stuff. All the rules of masculinity as played out by the medium of dance. All the aggression, the rivalry, the insecurities, the bravado and the camaraderie; set to an ever changing music track that encouraged the two (brilliant) dancers to explore all their inner depths. Funny, edgy and wonderfully performed. We loved it!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Joe Wells: I Hope I Die Before I Start Voting Conservative, 21st August 2017

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After a late night, it’s a late start on Monday morning, I mean afternoon, with the latest show by Joe Wells, Joe Wells: I Hope I Die Before I Start Voting Conservative, at Sneaky Pete’s, at 12:05 on Monday 21st. Here’s his blurb: “Received opinion says that we become more right-wing as we get older. Joe Wells (support for Frankie Boyle and Alexei Sayle) is determined to grow up without selling out. Joe’s third solo stand-up hour after the critically acclaimed Night of The Living Tories and 10 Things I Hate About UKIP. ‘Some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian’ (Guardian). ‘Recommended’ (Heat). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (Chortle.co.uk). Writer for Have I Got News For You (BBC One) and The Revolution Will Be Televised (BBC Three).”

We saw his 10 Things I Hate About UKIP last year which was a word-of-mouth hit and I wasn’t surprised. Mr Wells has a brilliant turn of phrase for political comedy and he often turns it back on his audience too, so left-wingers needn’t sit there all complacent either. If this is anything like last year it should be a brilliant show. Check back around 1.20pm to see how much we laughed. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Once again Joe Wells has constructed a brilliant piece of comedy that turns all preconceptions on their various heads. Some fantastic notions and observations that make the hour fly by. It’s like watching a master craftsman. Simply superb.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Club Sol Party, 20th August 2017

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We had Party Game this afternoon, and Abigail’s Party earlier on; for our final show today, it’s yet another party with Club Sol Party, at Maggie’s Chamber @ Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters at 00:15 on the night of Sunday 20th. Here’s the official blurb: “The best holiday of your life! Club Sol will transport you to sunny Spain for an evening of comedy cabaret that you will never forget! Your holiday reps, The Mauve Coats, will present to you a host of guest acts picked from the cream of the Fringe’s comic crop as they also deal with the ups and downs of running the Costa’s number one holiday resort. Part cabaret, part sketch comedy, part immersive experience. Prepare for the holiday of a life time as Club Sol brings to you the best night out at this year’s Fringe.”

As soon as I read this description I knew this show was for me. Hi de Hi meets Opportunity Knocks? I’m hoping for an uproariously funny framework presenting a typical late night Fringe revue show. Check back around 1.15am to find out what happened. By then the first preview blog for Monday should be available to read too.

I really enjoyed the trashy holiday vibe for this show. The reps take us through lots of silly games – i blew up a pink flamingo  – and gave my romantic advice for a chat up line for rep Trevor to get it on with Cynthia. Mentalist Ben Dali and comic Natalie Allison were the enjoyable guest artists. Excellent late night fun.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2017 – Abigail’s Party – Comedy Cabaret, 20th August 2017

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Back to the usual Fringe fare with some late-night comedy cabaret courtesy of Abigail and Dave with Abigail’s Party – Comedy Cabaret, at Underbelly Med Quad (Daisy) at 21:50 on Sunday 20th. This is what it says on the website: “Comedy Cabaret hosted by ‘supremely talented comic’ (Time Out) Abigail Burdess and her glamorous assistant Dave! Abigail wrote for the BAFTA-winning That Mitchell and Webb Look and Tracey Ullman’s Show! Dave can’t read! Abigail and Dave invite you to a fabulous comedy shindig of songs, characters and competitions. Jokes! Games! Exclamation marks! Let your inner party animal off the leash! With special guest stars – off the telly – every night! ‘Crazy fun’ (Sara Pascoe). ‘A shitload of fun’ (Robert Webb). ‘The best party I’ve been to in years’ (Lucy Porter).”

Abigail’s Party has been a regular event every month at the North London Tavern, Kilburn, and we went to see it in April. It is of course nothing to do with Mike Leigh’s famous play, but one of those uniquely Fringey comic shindigs where anything can happen. Dave (Abigail’s glamorous assistant) went to my school and owes me lunch. Check back around 11.15pm to see who were the guests and how much fun we had. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

That was enormous fun. Abigail and Dave know how to throw a great party and they’ve got loads of funny material up their collective sleeves. Abigail’s Malania Trump is a work of comedy genius. Guest artiste was the hilarious Sindhu Vee, who had brilliant “Indian family routines” material. An excellent pot pourri of fringey fun. Highly recommended!