Blackbox, Underbelly Cowgate.

In 1849, the enslaved Henry “Box” Brown hid himself in a wooden mail crate and posted himself to freedom, a journey of extraordinary bravery and physical agony that took 27 hours to complete. Rickerby Hinds’ Blackbox, based on Brown’s own testimony and history, takes us through young Henry’s early days, how he became a slave at the hands of various cruel, allegedly Christian men, how he married Nancy and then was separated from her, taking his story right up until his successful break for freedom. Incorporating some very entertaining – and narrative-appropriate – stage illusion, as well as some glorious gospel singing, this inspirational story of survival against all odds is brought to life by Josiah Alpher as Henry and Jada Evelyn Ramsey as the Spirit. Powerful, emotional and engrossing; my only criticism is that the text is very wordy, and at times the story becomes a little difficult to follow; the use of Older Southern American English is a little alien to British ears. Nevertheless, it’s an outstanding performance by both actors and truly drives home the horrors of slavery and man’s inhumanity to man. 4 stars.

Lucas Jefcoate: If I’m Not Somebody, I’m Nobody, Assembly Roxy.

It doesn’t take us long to realise that, despite his initial protestations, Lucas Jefcoate is not an alpha male. Looking a little like David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane cover without the make-up, he champions being a straight male with a feminine side, doing his best to expose toxic masculinity and encouraging men to listen – something most men find difficult! A likeable, engaging presence on stage, he wins our confidence in If I’m Not Somebody, I’m Nobody, but much of his material needs more bite, more killer finishes, and some sharper landings. There’s no doubting that he can deliver great comedy – a few of his routines were very original and very funny, but a lot also didn’t quite get there. To be fair, our performance was hindered by our being a very small audience! His personality is great, and his delivery style is relaxed and trustworthy – he just needs to create some more telling material to start realising his full potential. 2 stars.

FUCCBOIS: LIVE IN CONCERT, Assembly George Square Studios.

It’s the Fuccbois’ final live concert before they all go their separate ways, and 90,000 fans have crammed into Assembly George Square Studios to say goodbye! The foremost feminist boyband play all their greatest hits and they even have a special guest (not that they need her). Bridie Connell’s highly inventive musical satire parodies every element of the boyband genre from the music to the characterisations – one Irish, one Mancunian (at least) and three of them are called Brendan. What it lacks in subtlety (and it lacks a lot of subtlety!) it makes up for with enthusiasm, caricature and sheer pizzazz. The singing and dancing are fantastic and exactly what you would expect of a typical boyband. The Fuccbois are played by four women, Vidya Makan, Clara Harrison, Megan Walshe and Bridie Connell herself, so it’s a double satire on faux feminism and the hollowness of both pop stars and fandom. Massively popular with our audience! 4 stars.

1 Missed Call, TheSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.

Welcome to Chris Duke’s mancave. A place of escape, a place to find himself. Tools, beer, a wrestling belt… clearly, here lives a real man. And indeed he does, although the real man has nothing to do with these outward trappings of what society would like us to think of as being a real man. He may have tidied up all the musical theatre ephemera, and he’s hidden all the poetry, but when it comes to the crunch, he can’t eradicate the real him. You don’t have to be able to put up shelves to care for your family, and you don’t have to be able to fix a car to care for yourself. However, one thing Chris Duke can do is write a great song. 1 Missed Call is a short, musical journey that Chris undertakes, prompted by a checking-in phone call from his mate Colin, which makes him uneasy about batting his friend’s concerns away with just a quick I’m Fine – which I’d guess at least 90% of men do. He hasn’t opened a message from his 18-year-old daughter because he just knows it’s going to be critical of him. However, as he recognises that he can be true to himself AND be a real man at the same time, the shackles of pretence fall and he has the confidence to take that missed call, which will be the first positive step in his new life. My only criticism is that the show finishes too soon! I’m sure there’s more that Chris could share about the newfound him. Featuring some nice audience interaction, a nifty costume change and some officially fabulous musical theatre numbers, 1 Missed Call is an uplifting, positive message that encourages everyone to be themselves. 4 stars.

Collateral Damage, TheSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.

Without Compromise Theatre bring Michael Johnson’s Collateral Damage to the Fringe, a gritty examination of three working-class women in a family torn apart by grief, prison, and alcoholism. When Alex Laing is released from prison, her mum Stacey doesn’t want to know, but her sister Hayley will give her a bed and help her until she can get back on her feet. Stacey has survived the death of her husband and Alex’s imprisonment by turning to the bottle; Alex is desperate to be reunited with her son Andrew, but estranged partner Scott has other ideas; and Hayley just wants to help. Will some form of family therapy get them all back on track again, or is it inevitable that they will simply fall apart at the seams again? Smart writing and exceptional performances by Charley Crooks as Hayley, Erin Clark as Alex and especially Lorna McFarlane as Stacey keep you totally hooked to the story, and willing some kind of reconciliation and happy ending. 4 stars.

Padlocked!, TheSpace Triplex.

Guy is looking forward to his hot date with Fabio. I say date; it’s a Grindr hookup and Guy has unlocked the door, padlocked himself virtually naked to the bed, and Fabio has instructions to let himself into the flat, come into the bedroom, and do whatever he wants with Guy. But you know what happens to the best-laid plans of mice and men? A series of unwanted phone calls from nosy neighbours, hapless colleagues, and his worrisome mum get in the way of Guy channelling his sexy thoughts. And where the heck is Fabio? He’s running out of bondage time… Joseph N Alberts gives a terrific performance as Guy, making sure everything is in place for the arrival of the alluring Fabio, fretting about the constant interruptions. Wearing just skimpy pants for most of the show, and nothing at all for the rest of the time, it’s a brave, committed performance that demands one’s admiration, not only for the nudity, but also for the excellent comic timing and the technicality of the prop handling, which in this case is particularly tricky. Funny, daring, and surprisingly wholesome, as Guy makes amends for all the wrongs he has committed during the day, Padlocked! makes for an adult but strangely thoughtful and tasteful end to the Fringe day. 4 stars.