The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – The Meeting, 21st August 2016

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Time for another play, and this one sounds like a situation we can all recognise; The Meeting, produced by At Large Theatre Company, at Grassmarket 2@ Sweet Grassmarket, at 21:30 on Sunday 21st. This is how the blurb describes it: “That meeting that we’ve all been to. The one featuring an array of interesting colleagues that make up an office workplace; the crazy one, the grumpy one, the smart-ass one, the eager beaver and the long suffering glue that holds the place together. This piece brings these characters together in a meeting scenario where they can lay all their craziness out on the table. Until it takes a nasty turn and the flip chart gets it!”

Written and directed by Gráinne Curistan, and with a cast comprising: Ann Hogan, Elaine Reynolds, Gillian Fitzgerald, Daniel O’Brien, Kate Feeney, Michael O’Kelly, Brendan Rooney and John O’Rourke. When I told Mrs Chrisparkle what this play was about she shuddered with anticipatory fear. Hopefully there’ll be some shuddering due to laughter too. Check back around 10.30 to see if we’re still shuddering and by then the preview blog for our final show for Sunday should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

It’s been a very long time since I’ve been to a work meeting, but boy did that bring it all back! From the vacuous ditsy one to the up-herself officious one and everything else in between – this is full of excellent observational comedy and the toe curling embarrassment of recognition. I was kinda hoping for a bigger bang at the ending perhaps but it was still great fun and beautifully performed.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – Luke Kempner: Judi Dench Broke My Heart, 21st August 2016

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Having seen Luke Kempner perform The Only Way is Downton a couple of years ago I am sure we are in for a treat with his latest show, Luke Kempner: Judi Dench Broke My Heart at the 10 Dome @ Pleasance Dome, at 19:00 on Sunday 21st. This apparently is what we can expect: “Impressionist and star of The Only Way Is Downton, Luke Kempner, can’t wait to marry Judi Dench. But has Britain’s most celebrated thespian only been acting like she’s in love? Will they be getting a honeymoon room with a view or is Luke’s sky about to fall? Our hero is joined by a stellar cast of celebrities on a quest in the name of love. As seen on Murder in Successville (BBC Three), Luke Kempner’s Impression of 2015 (ITV2) and Drunk History (Comedy Central). ‘A remarkable tour-de-force’ **** (Telegraph). ‘Gloriously funny’ **** (Independent).”

Mr Kempner is a brilliantly funny performer and has an alarmingly accurate ear when it comes to his impressions. I can’t help but think that Dame Judi will turn him down – but who knows? Check back around 8.15 to see if we need to buy a hat and by then the preview blog for our next show should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

Never sit in the front row…. Yes I ended up being the new Chaser on Luke Kempner’s game show – he said my chaser name had to be alliterative – so meet Chris The Crustacean! And I had to give the world my Judi Dench impersonation… A new career beckons (NOT!) As for the show – it’s brilliant. Luke’s voices and mannerisms are very accurate and effective, and it was a very funny show. I really liked how he kept fighting his inner Les Mis performer (and failing). Absolutely top quality fun!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – The Club, 21st August 2016

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And now for a bit of theatre – although, by the sound of it, not terribly serious theatre. Our next show is The Club, at the Billiard Room @ Gilded Balloon Teviot, at 17:00 on Sunday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “Phoenix Nights meets The Sopranos. One night in London’s legendary 90s club, The Tardis. If you were there you wouldn’t remember anyway… George is facing closure unless he pays the mother of all rent demands. Fortunately, The Tardis is having the party of the year tonight. Only problem is, George is also due money to feared gangster Dave Sharky, who’ll stop at nothing to crash the party and take the club for himself. A new dark comedy from acclaimed Edinburgh writer Ruaraidh Murray. ‘Terrific’ **** (Scotsman). ‘Irresistible’ **** (Herald). ‘Bravura’ **** (Metro). ‘Comedy gold’ **** (Stage).”

I’m looking forward to this a lot because it sounds absolutely hilarious. Quentin Tarantino meets Irvine Welsh apparently. Just hope I can understand the accents! Check back around 6.15 to see if it was as funny as it sounds and by then the preview blog for our next show should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

It had to happen – the first show we’ve seen that we didn’t like. It didn’t help that we had to sit at the back because there’s no rake in the front rows; and also it was very stuffy in there; but we also thought it was quite poorly written, didn’t really hang together (we heard the staff say as we left that it had finished 9 minutes early so maybe they missed a chunk out) and it just seemed very dated and irrelevant. Don’t particularly mind bad language, but it wasn’t very wittily done. Ruaraidh Murray acts in his own play with Mark Farrelly, and their performances are good, but as for the rest of it, ah well, never mind!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – The Oxford Imps: Hyperdrive, 21st August 2016

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Here’s another first for us – our first foray into the world of improvised comedy. Following personal recommendation – so it had better be good – we’re seeing The Oxford Imps: Hyperdrive, at Sportsmans @ Gilded Balloon Teviot, at 15:00 on Sunday 21st. Here’s the blurb from the Edinburgh Fringe website: “Improv meets technology in this show from Oxford’s legendary improvisers! Hyperdrive is jam-packed with special tech features that combine to create a one of a kind, unforgettable hour of comedy made up entirely on the spot. Scenes, characters, and stories come to life based on an audience volunteer’s Facebook. We surprise someone somewhere in the world with a serenade over FaceTime, power up a state of the art remote-controlled drone, and more! Bring a phone/tablet for special features. Suitable for tech geeks and computer illiterate alike. ‘Dynamic and talented’ ***** (Oxford Mail). ‘Devastatingly funny’ ***** (EdFringeReview.com).”

Sounds like we need to make sure we’re fully batteried up with our technology before coming to this show! I understand that no two shows are the same – in fact, they may well be extremely different each time. I’ve seen good and bad reviews, so I expect this could be a real marmite production… Check back around 4.15 to see if it was tasty or disgusting! By then the preview blog for our next show should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

Well I think anyone who gave that a bad review must have been really unlucky. The guys are really talented and so quick-witted to come up with these extraordinary sketches on the hoof. I chickened out of offering my Instagram and Facebook accounts to them but actually they don’t take the mickey out of them… too much. I can see why no two shows would ever be the same. Very funny, very enjoyable!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – M.I.S. – All Night Long, 21st August 2016

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For our first foray into the world of Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus this Fringe, our next show is M.I.S. – All Night Long, produced by the Danish Physical Theatre company, Don Gnu, at Dance Base, Grassmarket, at 13:00 on Sunday 21st. This is how it’s described on the website: “DON GNU are decked out in hand-knit socks and worn-out sandals and on the hunt for that dang thing called self. In a hard-boiled mix of jackass stunts, slapstick comedy and raw physicality, three men start their hunt. Outside their comfort zone and coming to grips with their inner beast, the Latino lover, the pushover, the best buddy and others enter a quiet battle for man’s right to be himself. A backdrop of absurd film projections and live club music set the scene for the characters’ physical endeavours – all night long!”

The “M.I.S.” part of the name stands for “Men in Sandals” and this apparently is the third part of a trilogy – and we haven’t seen the first two parts, so I hope that won’t matter! I’m expecting a lot of comic/physical theatre about what it is “to be a man”. Check back around 2.15 to find out if I discovered anything that I didn’t already know! By then the preview blog for our next show should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

That was absolutely great! An hour of constant surprises, performed with huge expertise and accuracy, terrific character, mutual challenges and loads of fun. It starts before it starts and it ends after it ends, if that makes sense. And yes, it did tell me more about what it’s like to be a man, with the macho rivalries, petty one-up-manships, gang mentality and a hundred things you can do with a plank. On our performance, there was a problem with the music – it failed halfway through – and the guys dealt with it immaculately. Highly recommended and very very funny.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – Present and Correct, 21st August 2016

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So that was Saturday, here comes Sunday! For our first show of our second day, we’re starting with something (hopefully) funny, Present and Correct, produced by Dead Duck Productions at the Laughing Horse @ City Café, Blair Street, at 11:15am on Sunday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “Present and Correct returns for their fourth year at the Fringe, following a five-star show in 2015! Have you ever wondered what life is like for the stripper inside a cake? Ever wanted an owl that corrects grammatical mistakes? Or wanted to learn to drive on a space-hopper? Maybe you just want to see someone rant about a plastic kettle on Antiques Roadshow. This show has got it all! Get ready for original, energetic, and downright hilarious sketches from Present and Correct, as they bring you a masterpiece of sketch comedy – it’s not to be missed!”

I must say I like the sound of all those sketches! We’ve not seen Present and Correct before but it sounds like they’re very original in their material. I’ve tried to find out a bit more about the people behind it – but to no avail! Check back around 12.30 to see if we laughed and by then the preview blog for tomorrow’s second show should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

A really likeable sixsome of young performers give us a very fast and pacey sequence of sketches, nearly all of which gave us great laugh out loud moments, or if not left a nicely uncomfortable lump in your throat – the Happy Days healthcare system sketch being a case in point. I particularly loved the idea of the girl in the cake – very clever! A perfect way to start the day – and if they keep coming back to the Fringe I’m sure we’ll see them again!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, 20th August 2016

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And we’re quickly at our last show of our first day – John Ford’s tragedy ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, first performed around 1633. It’s being performed by Wanton Theatre, at Paradise in Augustines, Chambers Street, at 23:15 on Saturday 20th. Here’s what the website has to say about it: “Wanton Theatre presents this Jacobean parody of Romeo and Juliet: incest, passion, blood and a disembodied heart create a ritualistic spectacle that questions the bounds not only of conventional theatre, but also of conventional morality.”

The warnings promise us nudity and gore, in that order, so I’m expecting no holds barred in its sheer Jacobean gruesomeness! Seriously, it should be a hard-hitting production of this infamous play, and I will be fascinated to see how they perform it. This is scheduled to be the last performance of the run so I’m pleased we’re going to get to see it just in time. It doesn’t finish until 12:35am but I hope I will still be awake enough to provide my instant feedback, and by then the preview blog for tomorrow’s first production should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

Well that was fascinating! I’ve never seen the play before and now I’d really like to read and study it for myself. The aforementioned nudity was rather tasteful and charming – the gore at the end slightly less so. The production played up the surprising levels of ironic humour and there were a few very good performances. No cast list, so I can’t name names but I thought Anabella, Sorenzo, Giovanni, Vasques and Hippolita were particularly good. A satisfying end to a great first day!

Further update:

I’ve discovered the cast names! So let’s honour Ellie Burke, Joss Gillespie, Louis Catliff, Jack Briggs and Hannah Raymond-Cox for their excellent performances!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – Circumcision, 20th August 2016

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That’s the kind of title that grabs your attention! Back to the world of stand-up (apparently) for our next show, Circumcision, at the Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street, at 21:15 on Saturday 20th. Here’s the blurb: “A show about being circumcised at 27. Exploring sex, sexuality and gender, to try and understand why men don’t talk openly about their bodies. As seen on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. As featured in the Guardian, the Independent and Cosmopolitan. **** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (ThreeWeeks).”

This sounds like a very brave session of stand-up from Dave Chawner, who gets a very good range of reviews online, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about his experiences! Check back after 10.30 pm to see if he really was funny, and by then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

Enjoyable but also challenging stand up show that used Dave’s adult circumcision as the start and end point but took us through personal tales of mental health issues, anorexia, sexuality and the nature of masculinity – whilst never losing sight of the fact that it was all very funny! Really likeable performer and the show flashed past in an instant. Definitely Someone To Watch!

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – Saturday Night Forever, 20th August 2016

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Our first piece of theatre for the week is Saturday Night Forever, produced by Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Joio, at the Underbelly Med Quad, Teviot Place, (Cow Barn) at 19:10 on Saturday 20th. Here’s what it’s about: “A roller coaster ride through Cardiff’s nightlife as gay man Lee breaks up with one lover and resolves never to fall in love again. But when Lee receives an invitation to a friend’s house-warming everything seems ripe for change and it only takes seven hours, a bottle of vodka and the devil on his shoulder for him to break his promise and fall back into the arms of a new admirer. Follow Lee on a journey through the wreckage of past relationships and the early stages of a promising new love affair, but nothing lasts forever.”

It’s hard to tell from that description whether this will be comic or tragic – maybe a blend of the two? I’m presuming the title refers to that brilliant song on the Pet Shop Boys’ Bilingual album. The play’s an hour long, so check back after 8.25 pm to see what it was like, and by then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

Post-show update:

A stunning performance by Delme Thomas that really holds your attention from the very start to the very end. Funny, sad and incredibly moving, this is both a tale of a Saturday night that goes terribly wrong and also an insight into how prejudice and homophobia can destroy lives. Highly recommended. Take Kleenex.

The Edinburgh Fringe One-Weeker 2016 – 47 Shows in 8 Days! First Show – James Wilson-Taylor: Ginger is the New Black, 20th August 2016

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This will be our third visit to the Edinburgh Fringe, having tried a long weekend in 2014 which we loved, and a full week last year which was smashing. In 2014 we aimed to see 20 shows and managed 19; last year we planned on 52 shows and hit 50. This year we’ve set our sights slightly lower, with a Fringe calendar encompassing 47 events, and time alone will tell how well we will do.

As last year, I’m proposing to prepare a preview-type blog post in advance for each show we’re seeing and then add my instant reactions in the few minutes I have afterwards, between shows. I think it’s worked well enough in previous years – but it would be impossible to write a full post about each show, there just wouldn’t be time! I’ll try to make it so that there’s always one preview blog on the go at any one time, so you always know what we’re seeing next.

So to kick off our Edinburgh week, our first show is James Wilson-Taylor: Ginger is the New Black, at the Underbelly, Cowgate (Belly Laugh) at 17:00 on Saturday 20th. Here’s the official promotional blurb: “Join James Wilson-Taylor for a musical history of the redhead as he attempts to end the bullying and rebrand gingers for 2016. Can he make Ed Sheeran less boring? Can he turn Ron Weasley into a sex symbol? And why do people think he’s a vampire? James is the writer and performer of Fringe comedy hits Batfan and I Need A Doctor: The Whosical. Other credits include Newsjack (BBC Radio 4 Extra) and the Musical Comedy Awards 2016 (semi-finalist).”

Think we’re starting our Fringe reasonably gently here with some good-humoured teasing of gingers, which can’t be all bad. I’ve not seen Mr Wilson-Taylor before but I’ve read good reports so I’m looking forward to an hour of hearty laughter. Check back after 6.15 pm to see how it went, and by then the next preview blog should be available to read too.

And if you’re up in Edinburgh, have a brilliant Fringe!

Post-show update:

Well that was great fun!! A wide and inventive selection of ginger stereotypes for James to get his teeth into. I particularly enjoyed Ron Weasley’s reincarnation as a sex God and the round of Hopkins or Hitler – he’s right, it’s definitely got legs. A packed house loved it. First class comedy!