Tag Archives: 2024

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!

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 9th August 2024

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More adventure awaits us, let’s have a look.

Here’s the schedule for August 9th.

11:30 – no one is coming to save us, Pleasance Courtyard. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Maddy is worried that no one is having fun at her party. Her sister Lily is worried that the world is falling apart. As this group of friends gather on a mountaintop, watching the sunset, a wildfire sparks in the forest below. They drink beer and talk nonsense while the flames race toward them. From award winners Pepperdine Scotland and playwright Lewis Hetherington, this world premiere is about young people finding fragile hope in the face of an overwhelming environmental threat, carrying the flickering flame of belief that things might yet be alright.”

A serious play to start the day – and there’s no more serious subject than the future of the planet. Exploring this issue through theatre is a constructive way to kick start discussion. I’ll be fascinated to see from which angle this play approaches the subject.

15:40 – Duck, Pleasance Courtyard.

“It’s the summer of 2005, England prepares to win the Ashes and Ismail (Smiley to his friends), a British Indian schoolboy, is about to become the youngest ever player in his elite public school’s First XI cricket team. He sets his sights on immortality, breaking the school batting record and getting his name into Wisden. But things are about to heat up. From award-winning playwright maatin, Duck is about adolescence, the pressures of sporting competition and finding your identity in an environment that doesn’t cater for difference. Recipient of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund 2024.”

You don’t often get plays based on a cricketing theme, so this promises to be something a little unusual. Sporting ambition and fitting in are things that many of us can recognise in ourselves, so hopefully this will be an entertaining and enlightening piece of writing.

17:20 – FUFC, TheSpace on the Mile.

“FUFC is a heartfelt, poignant and semi-autobiographical play exploring a world upended by the shocking news of a prostate cancer diagnosis. Set on a muddy football pitch under a hungover council sky, FUFC captures a heartwarming moment of genuine connection between two old friends. This touching play reminds us that even in our darkest moments, the bonds of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit can bring hope. This intimate theatrical experience speaks to the challenges, hopes and camaraderie that unite us all.”

And now another sports themed play, this time football. I think we can make a stab at what the letters in the title stand for! I’m hoping for an emotionally charged piece of theatre that’s not afraid to be brave where it comes to dealing with cancer diagnosis.

19:35 – Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers, TheSpace @ Surgeons Hall.

“Thot. Noun, informal. Definition: a person who has had many sexual encounters – the exact opposite from the kind of nerdy gaymer Ajahnis is. But after attending a rave and attempting his first death drop… he literally dies. When he awakens at the gates of Gay Heaven, a mighty, flighty and unabashedly white-y God reveals that Ajahnis does not have enough ‘Homo Points’ to enter. So through a series of sketches, the little twink relives the gayest age, 22, to prove that he belongs. Witness the HOMO, or suffer the FOMO.”

I’ll be honest, gentle reader; I’d never come across the word thot before (but Urban Dictionary confirms the definition above), but the main reason I plumped for this production was because the phrase “witness the HOMO or suffer the FOMO” made me laugh out loud. Let’s hope it’s a good sign for the rest of the show!

21:00 – Dan Tiernan: Stomp, Monkey Barrel Comedy.

“2023 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and ‘Mancunian wild-man’ (Guardian) returns with show two, following a totally sold-out debut last year. ‘A potent, original fount of gags’ **** (Scotsman). Former BBC New Comedy Awards winner and English Comedian of the Year winner. ‘A furious yet friendly, thrilling ride’ **** (Telegraph). ‘A powerhouse performance backed by solid writing’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). As seen on BBC’s QI and Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. ‘A stand-up set for stardom’ **** (List). ‘Furiously fun’ (Guardian).”

Dan Tiernan has rapidly made his mark on the comedy world with his hilarious, in-your-face style that I’m sure will keep the audience on the edge of its collective seat for a surprising and exhilarating hour of entertainment!

23:00 – It’s OK, I Still Think You’re Great, TheSpace @ Symposium Hall.

“It’s Tibby’s 25th birthday and she is throwing a big party: after years, her friends from uni are coming together — and they are all doing better than her. It’s OK, I Still Think You’re Great is a sparkling three-hander about friendship, friendship breakups, breakup breakups, drama, drama kids, queerness, being an immigrant, rejection and William Shakespeare. Also, about the emotional roller-coaster of being in your mid-twenties and having no clue about pretty much anything ever.”

I’m expecting this to be one of those postgraduate productions where young people work out all their angst about the future – and if it’s done with a lightness of touch and well-written humour, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be a terrific way to end the night.

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

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – Jess, Fan/Girl, Come Dine With Me: The Musical, Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations! and Adam Flood: Back of the Spoon

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Jess, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.

3-stars

We often forget that those who work very long hours in the NHS with highly responsible jobs make huge sacrifices in order to perform their miracles. Take Jess, for instance. She’s a cardiothoracic surgeon – much to the enormous pride of her mum. She’s good at her job and she’s motivated and devoted to helping people and saving lives. But when endless late night urgent operations mean she can’t go home to enjoy the delicious meal that her partner has worked hard to provide; or when she works so hard that she doesn’t notice her mother’s declining health, you know something is just not right. Stephanie Perry gives a moving, heartfelt portrayal of Jess, juggling the needs of the NHS with her own relationships and desires. A simple story effectively told.

FAN/GIRL, Summerhall.

3-stars

Bryony has always loved football. Fortunately, they didn’t mind you wearing team shirts at primary school, so whilst her friend Martha sported an Arsenal shirt, Bryony stayed a little more non-committal with an England strip. Stephen’s frankly rubbish at football, but that doesn’t stop the two of them from being Best Friends. But when primary gives way to secondary, girls’ football is not an option and new bestie Elle encourages her to use make-up to become more feminine and to conform with the sexual stereotypes that are so influential, even at that very young age. What is a Fan/Girl to do when all around her are the trappings of fashionable girlhood but all she wants to do is pray to her hero Eric Cantona? Bryony Byrne’s Fan/Girl is an unpredictable, inventive plunge into 1990s schooldays, with the audience invited to join in with soccer matches, application of cosmetics and “becoming” several cultural heroes of the time: it was my honour to be granted the non-speaking role of H from Steps (as well as the Gascoignesque water squirter and match commentator!) Lots of fun and games but also making some serious statements about how girls are channelled in one direction rather than giving them the freedom to make their own choices.

Come Dine With Me: The Musical, Underbelly Bristo Square.

4-stars

We all know the format for Come Dine With Me the TV show – four diametrically opposed chefs “entertain” the others during a culinary soiree, followed by a grumbling session when they say how awful the others’ cooking is, and begrudgingly offer a subsequent score out of ten. If everyone’s nice to each other it’s no more than pap TV. If, however, there’s a bit of resentment, jealousy or – dare I say it – sabotage, up go the viewing figures and another series gets commissioned. Come Dine With Me The Musical takes this very idea, as our boisterous and ambitious producer, Mary, accompanies the team of Roy (camera) and Teddy (sound) to the backwater village of Little Stonking, to record the efforts of pretentious Barbara whose meals are all in French, vegan Ernest, pork pie king Duncan and Janey – who just happened to know Teddy at school. When the courses start to take a taste for the worst, is sabotage on hand, and if so, who is to blame? Aaron King and Sam Norman’s musical is full of entertaining tunes, and some terrific performances, notably from Harry Chander as Teddy, Kim Ismay as the hilariously affected Barbara, and Danielle Coombe as Mary. Nothing too challenging, just a feelgood musical with lots of humour – and a happy ending!

Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations!, Underbelly Bristo Square.

4-stars

You certainly get great value for money from a Rhys Nicholson gig; from the moment they come on stage, they barely take a breath, with their wonderfully funny observations from the best way to scare a straight man to how you get your revenge on your relatives when their kids jump on your bed at 5am on Christmas Morning. A very slick and shrewd operator, the hour flies by with apparent effortless ease – but I expect it takes a lot of skill and planning to deliver a set this smoothly. Very funny indeed – highly recommended.

Adam Flood: Back of the Spoon, Monkey Barrel Comedy at The Tron.

3-stars

Adam Flood’s new show is entitled Back of the Spoon because when you look at the back of a spoon it gives you a distorted image of reality. I had expected it to be similar to Back of the Net as in scoring a goal, but seen in terms of cutlery – what do I know? Recently single again, he’s still living in the same place – but, of course, it now feels different. The other major element of the show is his father, who has recently been revealed to be a secret serial Trip Advisor reviewer, where everything gets five stars; must be a contented chap. Adam Flood is a naturally funny guy, with a confident delivery and a very likeable stage persona. For me, in this show, his material was a little lacking, and it didn’t have quite the same laugh-a-minute quality as before. But he can’t hide his quick wit and attention to detail which comes to the fore with his excellent crowd work, ensuring you have a good time.

 

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – Bailey Swilley: Gimme a Sign!, Common is as Common Does: A Memoir, Rob Auton: The Eyes Open and Shut Show, Pillock, Robin Grainger: Refurb, and A Play by John

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Bailey Swilley: Gimme a Sign!, Laughing Horse at the Three Sisters.

3-stars

It’s not a coincidence that that you enter The Wee Room at The Three Sisters to the sound of Ghostbusters, because Bailey Swilley’s Gimme a Sign is all about ghosts – even those who are still alive! Bailey is a terrifically authoritative storyteller, and everyone present was caught up on her stories about her family life (part American, part Taiwanese), her parents, her grandparents, and the wonderful boyfriend whom everyone loved except her. She has a very entertaining raconteuse style, dotting her reminiscences with funny stories but also not shying away from the emotional pitfalls that come from loving someone who is no longer with us. There’s also a salutary tale about why you should never attend a funeral without underwear. Effortlessly enjoyable!

Common is as Common Does: A Memoir, Zoo Southside.

3-stars

21Common’s new show seems a little perplexing at first. We’re clearly in the Wild West, all blue jeans and Stetsons, with a bunch of guys and gals all ready for a spot of line dancing. The Man introduces us to the main players of the piece: himself – naturally; The Woman – second fiddle but she has her uses, The Rascal – an unpredictable cove who might or might not kill you, and The Boy – definitely at the bottom of the pecking order (for now). Through various songs and various scenes, some of which are in Cowboy Country but some are in any deprived estate you might find in the UK, we see poverty and violence, forming a stark contrast with our rather romantic view of an old John Wayne western. The most striking (literally) scene is where The Man physically abuses The Woman (on video) whilst she sings Dusty Springfield’s You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me to him; it’s an awful, horrible moment – and then you realise how powerful that image is. All this story is told through the narration of The Man, mixed with song and dance. Think TV’s Shameless but with a western twist set to contemporary dance. Very clever indeed; sometimes a little scruffy around the edges, but it produces impactful theatre.

Rob Auton: The Eyes Open and Shut Show, Assembly Roxy.

4-stars

One thing (there are others) that unites all of Rob Auton’s shows is that you never know quite what to expect. Even when you’re halfway through the show, you still don’t know what’s ahead in the second half. I think Mr Auton likes to keep us on our toes; but possibly not as much as he likes to keep himself challenged, always coming up with brand new ideas from which to launch a show. Early on in The Eyes Open and Shut Show Rob invites us to close our eyes and listen to his instructions – following thoughts around the body and enjoying how comfy our eyes feel. But there’s no point my giving you any more details about the act; it’s of such a philosophical slant that it would be impossible for me to provide a description anywhere near it. Rob Auton is always a man of whimsy more than stand-up jokes, and he always makes you see familiar things from an unusual angle. A class act!

Pillock, Assembly Rooms.

4-stars

Meet Pillock – his name for himself, not ours; a jobbing actor who’s happy to take the unimportant minor roles so long as there’s a bit of cash coming in. Projecting ADHD in his every move, he hurtles around from one end of the stage to another, dropping his little gossipy bits of information, purely confidentially of course, whether it’s via the medium of a downward dog or a Grindr swipe. Into his life comes Eugene; handsome, mature, rich – what’s not to like? Pillock tells us about their slowly evolving relationship, including the fact that there’s three of them in this set-up – the other being Eugene’s late husband Peter. Where will this journey take them? Only Pillock has the answer. This is a beautifully written monologue, both hilarious and sad in equal measure, delivered with a lively joie-de-vivre and masses of energy by Jordan Tweddle. Simply but effectively designed, the text is full of wonderful comic observations; one that stood out for me was the reason why you can’t consider ADHD to be a superpower. A great piece of writing and a very fine performance. Highly recommended!

Robin Grainger: Refurb, The Stand Comedy Club 2.

Wasn’t it Fred Astaire who said – and I think it was – pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again? That’s basically the premise of the brilliant Robin Grainger’s new show Refurb – those moments in life when you think you need to have a bit of a smartening and shaping up to face the new challenges of life. Robin’s challenges started early – three months early in fact, as that is how much gestation period he and his mum missed out on. The perils of prematurity are the starting point for a lot of his issues – which have very much influenced his approach to life. Needing physiotherapy sessions as a boy, hiding away from school sports, and being too scared to go on the slide in the park – he’s needed a lot of Refurbs to get to his current happy status. Mr Grainger has that rare gift of being simply, innately funny; the comic observations start from the first second and don’t let up till the final minute. He populates his ideas with marvellous moments of local colour; they’re not vital to the thrust of his comic argument, but add brilliant side-insights – for example, his re-enactment of phoning his mum in the wilds of Aberdeenshire creates a hilarious image of windswept isolation. Refurb is beautifully structured – all the ideas littered throughout the show come together in the final moments to make a very satisfying whole. And he’s spot on about toilet seats. It’s a privilege to spend an hour in his company.

A Play by John, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.

As you enter the auditorium, Matteo is busy with his woodwork. Noisily banging nails into chipboard, he seems to know what he’s doing – but it’s not as good as the finished piece of work on the far side of the stage. When Reggie joins him it becomes clear that they’re building their own coffins; they toy with each other over the idea of killing each other too – makes sense, I guess, in an unconventional way. And if you’re going to be building your own coffin, there’s only one likely outcome at the end of the play. Mule Productions’ A Play by John has the germ of an idea for a great play, but it’s not quite there yet. Inspired by the likes of Pinter’s Dumb Waiter and Beckett’s Godot, you can see the tensions between the two trapped characters with no obvious way out of their emotional and physical cul-de-sac; but as the play currently stands, it suffers from a lack of subtlety and a prolonged, awkward ending. It needs to make more of the realisation that they are characters in a play, and it would be far more effective simply with less shouting. It’s a clever idea, and not without its charm, with good performances from Marc Wadhwani and Jules Smekens.

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 7th August 2024

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More adventure awaits us, let’s have a look.

Here’s the schedule for August 7th

10:25 – Jess, TheSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“They say loneliness is the leprosy of the modern day. A poignant, meaningful and honest insight into the life of a woman experiencing loss and heartbreak. Meet Jess – she’s a cardiothoracic surgeon, her mum calls her a “career woman”, her boss is a bully, her girlfriends left her and all Jess wants to do is f*cking change her life. ‘From the very beginning, Jess is a production that is unafraid to engage with the uncomfortable’ ***** (Upper-Circle.com).”

Most early(ish) morning plays in Edinburgh are meaty and serious, and this one sounds no exception. Imagine being as successful as being a cardiothoracic surgeon, and yet you’re still subjected to having a bully for a boss? No wonder the NHS is in turmoil. Eyes down for some no-nonsense, hard-hitting drama.

12:10 – Fan/Girl, Summerhall.

“Sparked by a conversation with a childhood friend that unearthed a long-forgotten obsession with football, Bryony wondered why all the girls she knew stopped playing football in their teens. It’s 1998: Geri Halliwell is leaving the Spice Girls, David Beckham is wearing a sarong, and somewhere in England a 10-year-old Bryony is pretending to be Eric Cantona. An absurd and tongue-in-cheek ride through British adolescence set against a backdrop of 90s football and pop. Directed by Fringe First winner Ben Target and packed to the brim with playful audience interaction, 90s bangers, clown comedy and drag.”

Ben Target’s Lorenzo was one of the Fringe highlights from last year, and I can imagine him injecting quirky life into this entertaining-sounding play, where football meets pop and every youngster has their soccer hero. I’m expecting this to be a thoroughly enjoyable production!

14:20 – Come Dine With Me: The Musical, Underbelly, Bristo Square.

“Take a bunch of tuneful strangers. Mix in a dollop of behind-the-scenes skulduggery, a Sound Man playing detective, a sprinkling of star-crossed love, and plenty of juicy arpeggios. Marinade, cook for 60 minutes… and serve hot. The result is a mouth-watering fusion dish, combining the beloved TV show and a sumptuous original score to form Come Dine With Me: The Musical – a winning recipe that will delight even the pickiest palate! (Warning: May Contain Spice.)”

Something of a risk with this choice, as five years ago Come Dine with Mr Shakespeare was one of the worst shows of that year’s Fringe. Still, five years is a long time and hope springs eternal. Actually, turning TV’s Come Dine with Me into a musical sounds like a winning formula. Fingers crossed.

20:25 – Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations!, Underbelly, Bristo Square.

“On this, the year of our Lord 2024, it’s a brand-new, hour-long, stand-up comedy concert from your ol’ pal Rhys Nicholson. Only a coward wouldn’t attend. Winner: Most Outstanding Show, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022. As seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Roast Battle UK, The Stand Up Sketch Show, Taskmaster Australia and Netflix. ‘Skilful, elegant and perfectly crafted stand up’ ***** (Scotsman). ‘This is a genuinely great stand-up comedian at work… awe-inspiring to watch’ ***** (Time Out).”

Rhys Nicholson has a very good reputation, but to my great surprise, we’ve only seen him once, as a guest performer in a 2015 Spank! show – ah, how we miss Spank. That was nine years ago – and Mr Nicholson has come along way since then. I’m sure this will be a great show.

22:05 – Adam Flood: Back of the Spoon, Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron).

“The wonky and worried award-winning comedy of the Stoke-on-Trent urchin returns after last year’s successful debut. The Times – Top 3 Rising Stars of the Fringe. Holding a spoon up to society and himself, expect high-energy stand-up, laced with real voice notes. ‘Despicably multi talented’ (Ivo Graham). ‘Extremely funny, with a superb lightness of touch’ ***** (TheRealChrisparkle.com). ‘Highly highly recommended’ **** (Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of The Fringe). As Seen On ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show. Top Picks of the Fringe (British Comedy Guide). Winner: Bath New Comedian of the Year 2022.”

Oh look – another quote from me! We saw Adam Flood for the first time last year and were extremely impressed, as you can see. His crowd work is second to none and I know we’re in for a brilliant hour.

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

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 6th August 2024

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What’s in store for us in Edinburgh today?

Here’s the schedule for August 6th

10:45 – Bailey Swilley: Gimme a Sign! Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“In this vulnerable yet irreverent debut, Bailey Swilley shares how she got through the darkest time in her life – the death of her father – with the help of family, pop culture and an obsession with looking for signs from ghosts. Come for the sweet stuff, stay for the weird facts about celebs!”

So here’s an up and coming comedian of whom I know very little – but if you can’t take a risky punt at Edinburgh, where can you? Family, grief and ghosts? That basically covers everything that life has to offer. I’m quite partial to believing in ghosts myself, so I hope to find someone who’s also prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt!

12:30 – Common Is As Common Does: A Memoir, ZOO Southside.

“Fringe favourites 21Common return for a dance spectacular, mashing karaoke carnage and feats of physical endurance with chucking-out time at the Grand Ole Oprey. Using tropes of Western movies, it explores how poverty and violence shape a man. This is a deep and dirty dive into a family circle that more often resembles a ring of fire. Part saloon (there’s crooner country classics), speakeasy (brush/scuffing danceathons) and bare-knuckle boxing ring (it’s going to kick off`), join us in our Wild West sitting room with the ones who spit. Part of MadeInScotlandShowcase.com”

That’s a very full description of a Fringe show! Essentially I’m expecting a rather immersive dance show that blurs the boundaries between other art forms – and with a bit of Yee-ha! thrown in! It’ll be fascinating to see exactly what it’s all about.

14:15 – Rob Auton: The Eyes Open and Shut Show, Assembly Roxy.

“This is a show about eyes when they are open and eyes when they are shut. With this show I wanted to explore what I could do to myself and others with language when eyes are open and shut. After writing ten shows on specific themes, I wanted to think about what makes me open my eyes and what makes me shut them. ‘A genuine original’ (Guardian). ‘The mother freaking greatest’ (James Acaster). ‘Very hilarious’ (David Shrigley). ‘A genius’ (Bridget Christie). ‘Makes laughter out of wonder. We need him’ (Scotsman).”

In all the world of stand-up comedy, Rob Auton has carefully carved out a unique space for himself; a cross between guffawingly hilarious observational comedy and gentle philosophical whimsy. I can’t wait to see what he’s got in store for us this time!

18:25 – Pillock, Assembly Rooms.

“Pillock has ADHD. His brain works faster than his bowel when he’s had a Babybel. And he’s lactose intolerant. He’s trying to keep his head above water, but he’s drowning in loneliness, hook-up culture and medical role plays. He feels stagnant and it’s going to take more than a yoga class to help. But, when he meets Eugene everything changes. His shot at the sort of love people write poems about. But will he be Mr Right, Mr Right Now or even Mr Wrong? Pillock wants to trust his gut, but his can’t even handle a Muller Corner.”

This sounds like one of those quirky Fringe shows that will either be a sensational new find or something that everyone should have left alone! I’m erring on the Sensational New Find side, and trust that it will be well-written and classily performed comedy.

20:10 – Robin Grainger: Refurb, The Stand Comedy Club 2.

“As seen on The One Show (BBC One), BBC News, BBC Scotland. As heard on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Scotland, Heart, Forth One. Featured in The Telegraph, The Scotsman, Metro, British Comedy Guide, Chortle. ‘It’s dope… it says a lot about what your future will be… as a comedian, you have no choice but to shine’ (Kevin Hart). ‘You can’t fake this level of likability. A magic hour of comedy’ ***** (TheRealChrisparkle.com). ‘An excellent way to spend an hour’ ****½ (One4Review.co.uk). ‘He’s a brilliant stand-up… he effortlessly blends poignancy in with the laughs’ **** (List).”

Oh look – a quote from me! We saw Robin Grainger for the first time last year and I absolutely stand by my five stars for that show, and I can’t wait to see what he’s been brewing up for this year.

22:10 – A Play by John, theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall.

“How is it possible: we all watch this, we all agree, we all shake our heads, yet we all get up tomorrow morning and do it all over again? Matteo and Reggie, fuelled by John’s suggestion, build their own coffins. This new writing unfolds as they grapple with existence, hope and fate. We invite audiences to think about why we’re here and what it all really means, wrapped up in a simple act…”

This play is described as being like a cross between Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Pinter’s Dumb Waiter, both of whom sound fine by me. Surreal and absurd; if the writing and performances are both top quality, this should be sensational!

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

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – Sell Me: I Am From North Korea, Ascension, Love’s A Beach, Stuffed, Our Little Secret: The 23andMe Musical, The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, and Daliso Chaponda: Feed This Black Man Again

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Sell Me: I Am from North Korea, Pleasance Courtyard.

4-stars

A dramatic and moving monologue from Sora Baek, herself a second generation North Korean refugee, who tells the fascinating story of a girl so poor that she offers herself up for sale to raise money for her mother’s medications. It’s a terrifying story of exploitation, and hiding from danger, combined with a substantial element of old-fashioned thrill and quest for survival, as the girl manages to find her way to freedom. Beautifully written and performed; personally, I occasionally found the narrative a little difficult to follow, and there’s also considerable use of the Korean language which (I presume) the vast majority of the audience will not understand. But if ever a production had its heart in the right place, it’s this; and Sora’s character’s story will live in one’s heart and imagination long after the show finishes.

 

Ascension, Bedlam Theatre.

4-stars

The story of Leendert Hasenbosch brought to life in Dan Hazelwood’s eloquently written and wonderfully rule breaking version of Hasenbosch’s own diary. Simply staged but with superb use of the stage, Dan Hazelwood completely convinces as the man punished for sodomy by being abandoned on Ascension Island, together with Conor Mainwaring as his one-time lover Andrew, who floats in and out of his reminiscences. Mr Hazelwood has superb clarity of diction which really helps the text stand out. A very moving portrayal, with a few clever nods to today’s culture, underlining how the prejudice that eventually would destroy his life continues three hundred years later. It’s also extraordinary how the original diary was found and rewritten to deter others from living their real lives; literally a case of rewriting the books to suit the contemporary rulebook. Riveting content, terrific theatre!

Love’s a Beach, Pleasance Courtyard.

3-stars

A fascinating insight into how the lives of ordinary people become distorted once they become victims of their own social media success. Ben and Cyrus are in the final round of a TV reality show and boost their social numbers by scheduling a bizarre range of public appearances, from selling adult nappies to guest appearances at an A Level results party. The prospect of an all-expenses month’s stay at a luxury resort in Dubai is temptation beyond endurance for Cyrus – despite the UAE’s lack of LGBT rights. An enforced split between the couple is announced – but is it for real, or just for convenience, a free holiday, and the clicks? After all, they’re both totally devoted to each other, right? James Akka and Iain Ferrier shine as the couple whose relationship strains under the glare of publicity. A clever story, well written and completely believable, performed with fun and panache.

Stuffed, Pleasance Courtyard.

Ugly Bucket Theatre have created a show about food banks – the increasing necessity for them, the ignorant complaints about their users, and the generosity of those who give their time to staff them or their resources to buy the food that goes into them – which is without question a vital topic for our times. They are essentially a clowning company, and their vibrant movement fills the stage to great effect; there is one scene, set as a TV game show where a contestant has to make choices about where their limited finances will go, which works powerfully well. Using verbatim recordings alongside a modern techno throb, sometimes the vital message of the speech gets lost in the noise; and many of the individual scenes went on far too long for me, accidentally weakening the importance of the content in the process. This is a show conceived and performed with the very best of intentions, but the end product is sadly not for me.

Our Little Secret, Gilded Balloon Patter House.

The hit of last year’s Toronto Fringe, Our Little Secret makes its way to Edinburgh in a blaze of glory. The true story of how 31 year old “only child” Noam Tomaschoff discovered that his parents had not been entirely truthful about the circumstances of his birth; his father was infertile and Noam was born through IVF with donor sperm. Not only that, but there’s a WhatsApp group for all the people he had “artificially-fathered”; 39 at last count. That’s some surprise! Obviously, as a natural song-and-dance man, Noam had no alternative but to create a musical about his story; and with the help of composer Ryan Peters and producer Russell Citron, they have made the extraordinarily beautiful and deeply emotional Our Little Secret. The songs are first rate – the one about how the world is made for brothers had me (not very successfully) holding back the sobs. Noam Tomaschoff is a star in the making, filling each number with the emotions that only the person with the true lived experience could completely convey. At our performance we had the additional delight of being in the presence of not only the composer and producer, but also Noam’s parents! I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. It was also sold out – so you need to get your skates on to book a ticket!

The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, Summerhall.

Chalk Line Theatre’s new play, Sam Edmunds’ The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, explores the lives of young people in Luton; partying, the challenge of buying alcohol underage, staying over at their mums’ houses, daring to take that first kiss with the most fanciable girl in town. It celebrates the essential decency of working class upbringings, whilst also facing up to the horrors of knife crime and trying to find the links that join the one to the other. It’s a superbly written play, bringing out the best in people, and given three terrific performances by its sensational cast – Olatunji Ayofe, Amaia Naima Aguinaga and Elan Butler – who bring all the fun, friendship and danger of modern urban living to the Summerhall stage. A fully deserved instant standing ovation showed just what a positive and uplifting play this is. If you’re looking for top-quality work by young actors at this Fringe, look no further.

Daliso Chaponda: Feed This Black Man Again, Underbelly Bristo Square.

4-stars

The ever-reliable Daliso Chaponda returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Feed This Black Man Again – a nod to the title of his first Fringe show 22 years ago – half his lifetime, amazingly enough! He goes back to his early family life before going to university in Canada; explores the world of AI Dating Apps, and tells us of his father’s unfortunate reputation for trying to ban farting in Malawi. Mr C constantly spins off the audience’s reaction and much of the show is based on interaction between us and him with a range of questions and suggestions that always end in a good laugh. It’s not the most challenging humour, nor does it make you see life from a different perspective, but it’s always extremely good natured and very funny.