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The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 16th August 2024

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What’s on the slab today?

Here’s the schedule for August 16th.

11:50 – Lost Girl, Underbelly, George Square. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Birdy is 19. She’s too old to beat boys up in the playground or skip maths. But she wishes she wasn’t. Until, by chance, she unearths a family secret. One that’s been buried since 1930s Cairo. One that her grandfather would rather stay hidden. But for Birdy this might be her chance to right the wrongs of the past, and prove maybe she isn’t so useless after all? From award-winning playwright Amy Lever, Lost Girl is an exploration into Jewish-Arab heritage, the expectations of womanhood and family.”

Starting the day with what sounds like a serious and thought-provoking play; they say the sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons but no doubt it happens to the daughters too. Hoping for a well-written piece with some strong acting.

14:00 – A Montage of Monet, Greenside @ George Street.

“Monet’s paintings are world famous. We all know his water lilies, but how much do we know of the man? This new play explores his life and loves: his two marriages, the devastating death of his first wife, followed by the erratic behaviour of his lover and the desperation prompting his suicide attempt. We become privy to his thoughts on fellow impressionists and how he coped with his failing eyesight, which tormented him. It could have stopped him painting… or did it? This one-man montage of his life will be performed by award-winning actor Stephen Smith.”

Having seen Stephen Smith’s One Man Poe yesterday, he’s back with an insight into Monet; and I must say I’m looking forward to this a good deal as I don’t know much about Monet the Man.

15:50 – Naughty or Neurodiverse – Magic from Another Planet, theSpace on the Mile.

“Mind-reading and unbelievable trickery abound in this exploration of how autism and magic make anything possible, with rising star Angus Baskerville. Angus was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD at age 15, and his school years were a struggle. But, learning and performing magic has turned his life around and his first solo show at the Fringe delves into that journey. You’ll be asking yourself ‘how did he do that?!’ at every turn in this family-friendly show that brings the superpowers of neurodiversity to life.”

I’m all for getting to see young people in the early stages of their careers and I’m really looking forward to seeing Angus’ particular slant on magic in this show. Does neurodiversity equal superpowers? We’ll find out!

17:45 – Sam See: And I Can’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, Laughing Horse @ The Counting House.

“In December 2023, Sam See left his home country of Singapore and moved to London because clearly, now’s the best time. Why would anyone choose to leave the warm beauty of Asia and come to the damp and the cold of the UK? Find out about his world of propaganda movies, speculative fiction and Exception Promise, all in this hour of stand-up that’s not as long as the title of this show. ***** (OnTheMic.co.uk). **** (Fest). **** (TheAge.com.au).”

Sam See is a new name to me, but I’m intrigued by his back story and no doubt there’ll be some entertaining comparisons between luscious Singapore and the chilly UK!

20:50 – Shower Chair, Greenside @ George Street.

“Writer and comedian Ben Fallaci strips down and gets vulnerable while recounting how he lands broken and stuck in a geriatric shower chair. With irreverence and self-deprecation, Fallaci adds humour to a tale about a toxic friendship, slippery events, and a broken ankle. Where better to come clean than in the shower?”

An unusual premise for a play, but you can see how being stuck in a shower chair could be a metaphor for where you are in life. Hoping for some good writing and performing!

22:10 – Notice Box, Greenside @ George Street.

“Musical sketch comedian Simon Hennessy has over 360k followers and 30 million likes on social media, where viral characters like Remy and Adam from Bumble filmed on his smartphone have made him an internet sensation. Since going viral he has sold out venues across the UK and Ireland, but he remains chronically online. Be honest, so are you. Watch him perform his hour of songs, sketches, and stand-up all about the tantalising and terrifying world of the notice boxes in each of our pockets, then immediately return to the safety of your phones.”

Simon Hennessy is another new name to me and I confess I haven’t caught any of his online content, so this is hopefully a lucky punt. We are all heavily reliant on our notice boxes and I’m sure there’ll be lessons for us all in this hour!

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

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – Dummy in Diaspora, The Book of Mountains and Seas, Nerine Skinner: The Exorcism of Liz Truss, Leni’s Last Lament, Ghost Light, and MILF and the Mistress

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Dummy in Diaspora, Zoo Playground.

3-stars

Essa tells the story of his young life in America, his early understanding that he is gay, his first sexual encounters, his family life and other formative experiences. Esho Rasho, who also wrote the play, has an excellent stage presence and fully inhabits the character and gives a sensitive and powerful performance.

P.S. The performance we saw was ruined by engaging a stage photographer who, having moved some audience members out of their original seats so that she had a clear view of the stage, snapped away throughout the whole show so that it was impossible to concentrate. So when Essa was talking emotionally about his mother’s breast cancer, and even the death of the family cat, the noisy interruptions prevented the flow of emotion to reach the audience from the stage. I understand the desire to have production photos to promote the show for future audiences, but it is so disrespectful to the audience actually present.

The Book of Mountains and Seas, Pleasance Courtyard.

Archie and Andrew were going to get married, until, still young, Archie died a hero’s death saving others. Andrew is slowly getting over it, but his father, Raymond, is obsessed by Archie’s old Yelp account, the only thing that wasn’t deleted from Archie’s phone, where he reviewed 179 restaurants in New York. A fascinating and creative look at dealing with grief, it also raises very important issues about the social media presence of someone who has died, respect for their privacy after death, and continued relationships between the living who have no choice but to move on. This beautifully written and performed play touches the heart but is also full of laughter. Moving and inventive, yet still incredibly funny.

Nerine Skinner: The Exorcism of Liz Truss, Just the Tonic at the Caves.

Welcome to the ceremony where Nerrine Skinner will finally have the presence of Liz Truss exorcised from her body and brain. It’s a very amusing idea, and Ms Skinner does a terrific Liz Truss impersonation – her takes on Angela Rayner and Nadine Dorries are pretty good too. Plenty of audience participation if you’re sitting towards the front, so be warned! Sadly, although there is a lot of content here, most of it provokes the occasional wry chuckle rather than wholehearted laughter. I really wanted to enjoy this more than I did, but many of the comic ideas just peter out without achieving much.

Leni’s Last Lament, Assembly Rooms.

4-stars

If there are two cultural icons whom we still associate with Nazi Germany, all these years later, they are Marlene Dietrich and Leni Riefenstahl. Falling in Love Again kicks off this extraordinary and provocative piece of theatre, which places Riefenstahl under the spotlight, taking us through her immensely successful and skilful career, and trying to come to a conclusion as to what extent she was culpable of what today we would call enabling or inciting Nazism. Jodi Markel gives a strong performance as Leni, showing her part in making Nazism palatable to the ordinary people of 1930s Germany, and requiring us to make an instant choice as to whether we don a Nazi armband – purely for the purposes of the show, naturally. The play confronts us with the reality of the growth of the Far Right today, and observing the reactions of one’s fellow theatregoers is a vital aspect of the production as a whole. Uncomfortable and challenging; but what is theatre for, if it doesn’t sometimes make us squirm in our seats?

Ghost Light, TheSpace at Niddry Street.

4-stars

From the pen of Ian Tucker-Bell comes Ghost Light, a new Orange Works production, an atmospheric and thoroughly spooky ghost story set in Victorian London. Henry Webster joins the London Ghost Club seeking inspiration to write a ghost story of his own. There he meets Edward Price, who lives in the boarding bouse of the widowed Mia Sands. Webster also takes a room there, where he is astonished to discover the ghosts of two children who seem to be lost and scared of the dark. But who are these children, what is the secret of the locked door, and what part does resident John Henning also play in the ghosts of the household? Eerily staged in almost complete darkness save for a few lamps – or ghost lights – the tension kicks in within the first few seconds and doesn’t let up until all the secrets are revealed. Thrillingly acted by Philip Holden, Nick Blessley, Bizz Portlock, Pierse Stevens and Ian Tucker-Bell himself, this is a strong, old-fashioned ghost story in the finest Victorian tradition; and it’s just as well that it’s not on too late at night, or no one would get any sleep!

MILF and the Mistress, The Space at Niddry Street.

Just an ordinary suburban housewife, Ali lives with her wife, two sons, and various assorted pets. Successful (enough) at work, successful (enough) in her relationship, she’s as happy with her homelife as she might ever expect to be. Except that – if she were to take the time to analyse it – she’s just a bit bored, a bit unfulfilled; a bit too vanilla where she might just possibly be mint choc chip at the very least. With no desire to jeopardise her marriage, or be unfaithful, she just fancies a bit of BDSM. The prospect rather terrifies her, but with safe words at the ready, is there any harm in it? Jennifer Vuletic gives a sensational performance, full of vulnerability, daring, irony and a huge amount of humour in Jane Montgomery Griffiths’ hilarious yet moving one-woman play. It captivates you from the moment Jennifer Vuletic walks on stage and you remain hanging on her every word until the very end. Fantastic!

The Edinburgh Fringe All Month Long – 14th August 2024

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What’s on the slab for today?

Here’s the schedule for August 14th.

11:30 – Dummy in Diaspora, Zoo Playground. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:

“Poetic, hilariously relatable and raw coming-of-age tale of a Middle Eastern American boy, Essa, whose parents are refugees. Essa confesses the experience of growing up in a country that doesn’t have a place for him. Join Essa as he navigates sexuality, religion, the English language, the fleetingness of youth and a nicotine demon that won’t leave him alone. In a solo play told between different ages throughout his life, Essa gives us a soul-stirring exploration of identity and the pursuit of self-discovery in a world that feels indifferent. An honest testament to the eternal quest for belonging.”

I don’t think I could comprehend the sheer misery and confusion of being a refugee, and this sounds like the kind of play that should get across some of the concerns and agonies that are part and parcel of that status. One of those experiences that will hopefully broaden the mind.

13:05 – The Book of Mountains and Seas, Pleasance Courtyard.

“In this new play from award-winning writer Yilong Liu, a California dad arrives in New York to visit his late son’s last boyfriend to propose an impossible mission: visit all 179 restaurants reviewed on his son’s popular Yelp page in one weekend. What ensues is an adventure filled with clashing cultures, unlikely friendships, and the review of a lifetime.”

This sounds like a voyage into sheer fantasy and a most unusual and inventive topic for a play. If it works it should be brilliant!

14:40 – Nerine Skinner: The Exorcism of Liz Truss, Just the Tonic at The Caves.

“Debut hour from Funny Women Content Creator 2023 runner-up and Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist. In 2022, politically unaware Nerine Skinner went viral for her parodies of Prime Minister Liz Truss. Outlasted in Downing Street by a lettuce, Liz Truss’s political relevance faded and the country moved on. But Nerine didn’t. Through hilarious, original, oddball characters, award-nominated political parodies and heartfelt storytelling, this is the story of Nerine trying to let go. Examining how holding onto the past and her unconventional upbringing led to an unhealthy codependency with the former Prime Minister.”

A bit of a punt here, as I haven’t seen Nerine Skinner’s Liz Truss comedy parodies – but judging from the promotional photo alone I think this will be hilarious!

17:25 – Leni’s Last Lament, Assembly Rooms.

“In Leni’s Last Lament, which swept top awards at the United Solo Festival, Hitler’s controversial filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl, attempts to sanitize her past. Comic and timely, this play will shock and delight you.”

Another very clever idea for a play. It will be fascinating to discover to what extent Leni Riefenstahl was exploited by the Third Reich, or was she as guilty as the rest of them? Another one of those plays that should plug a gap in one’s general knowledge.

19:20 – Ghost Light, theSpace @ Niddry St.

“’I think if you’re going to write a ghost story worth its salt you must experience ghosts for yourself’. In 1865 Henry Webster joins the notorious London Ghost Club, hoping to meet and be inspired by Charles Dickens. There he encounters Edward Price, who draws Henry into investigating a haunting at a lodging house belonging to the widowed Mia Sands. At night, the ghosts of two young children wander the house in search of light – while fearing what waits for them in the darkness. Why would a ghost be afraid of the dark?”

I was very impressed with Ian Tucker Bell’s play Locusts at last year’s Fringe, and this is his latest play, so I’m keen to see more of his writing talent! I’m expecting this to be a rather traditional Victorian ghost story – we may have to keep the light on overnight!

20:20 – MILF and the Mistress, theSpace @ Niddry Street.

“Ali is living the rainbow family dream – but something is missing. It’s a need her wife doesn’t understand, a sexual fantasy suppressed her whole life. Now, suburban swinging, latex and literary eroticism collide, sending her on a hilarious quest to fulfil her darkest desires. A powerhouse solo performance by Australian theatre luminary Jennifer Vuletic, in a darkly hilarious play by Jane Montgomery Griffiths. A story for anyone who wonders if not now, when? ‘Writing is clever, cutting and poignant’ ***** (TheatreMatters.com.au). ‘Brilliant and thought-provoking’ ***** (DarkStoriesTheatre.com.au). ‘Vuletic is magnetic’ **** (Age, Melbourne).”

This feels like a rather bold way to end the evening, but it comes with some terrific reviews, so let’s be daring and give it a try!

 

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

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – i am george massey, Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act, Nettles, Hardly Working, and Nick Schuller: Still Dry White

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i am george massey, TheSpace on The Mile.

Out of Context Theatre’s i am george massey provides a terrifying insight into how easy it is for someone to fall into the rabbit hole of depression and radicalisation. Childhood trauma results in his never fully coming to terms with who he is; he takes the counselling that is available but the degree to which it helps him is questionable. Suffering bad side effects of Citalopram, he posts a cry for help on the Internet, and it is Stan who answers and gives him support. But the Stans of this world can have ulterior motives. Raising very pertinent issues that affect us all, this is an emotional, gripping and powerful play; technically flawless, and immaculately written and performed by Stephen Dee.

Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act, Assembly Rooms.

4-stars

Nigel Miles-Thomas leads us through Sherlock Holmes’ greatest cases, his friendship with Watson, his enmity with Moriarty and his final days of retirement. But there’s also a fascinating glimpse into Holmes the Man, with a moving portrayal of his childhood days; the cruelty of his father and suffering of his mother. Mr Miles-Thomas takes on dozens of characterisations through this absorbing piece with a wonderful range of voices and accents, and I was hooked on his every word. It also made we want to go back and re-read all the Sherlock Holmes stories for myself. Truly engrossing!

Nettles, Greenside at George Street.

Alyona takes us through a history of her past sexual encounters, prompted by the possessions in an unknown man’s suitcase. It’s a patchwork of tales, loosely linked; and her memories suggest that all these encounters haven’t really made her at all happy. Jacqueline Lipman gives an intense performance but the show lacks substance, light and shade; and I confess I couldn’t quite put my finger on quite what it intended to achieve.

 

Hardly Working, TheSpace on The Mile.

Charity wanders into the bar where Lois works in order to hand in her CV – but she’s left it behind. Nevertheless, she gets a job and they strike up a relationship – with Charity making all the running. Lois moves in with Charity in Charity’s parents’ seven bedroomed house. This is wealth beyond Lois’ imagination. But she is uncomfortable at having everything bought for her – so starts to go flat-hunting without Charity’s knowledge. She’ll be happy at that, right? The powerplay between the two characters makes for an interesting subject, and the conclusion it draws is that the rich partner is only in it for the power and domination over the poor partner. Nothing really to do with class, as the blurb suggests, just money. Sadly, however, it’s very poorly presented, including an agonisingly slow process with a small whiteboard that the poor actor who plays Lois constantly has to rub out throughout the play, replacing Now with Then and back again, ad infinitum. That needs to be replaced with something that changes more quickly (a simple lighting change could perhaps suffice?) There’s a totally superfluous male character whose relevance never becomes apparent. There’s also some disappointing stagecraft – items that fell off the bar counter in one scene stayed on the floor for the rest of the play, whether or not it was now or then. Hopefully it can be tightened up during its run.

Nick Schuller: Still Dry White, Laughing Horse at the Eastside.

4-stars

Still Dry White is the perfect name for Nick Schuller’s show, as he’s extremely dry, does stay quite still during his performance, and – well you can guess the rest. He has a fantastic delivery style, very unhurried, careful and measured, with perfectly chosen words; the result is that the sting in the tail of many of his jokes comes totally unexpectedly and twice as funny. Not afraid of a pause in delivery – always the sign of a confident comedian – Mr Schuller has some brilliant material that frequently goes close to where angels fear to tread, but always stays on the funny side. An extremely enjoyable and surprisingly piquant hour of comedy.

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Reviews – Tim Biglowe: Grease Monkey, Gang Bang, Emma Sidi is Sue Gray, Chloe Petts: How You See Me How You Don’t, Nina Gilligan: Goldfish, and Finlay Christie: I Deserve This

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Tim Biglowe: Grease Monkey, PBH’s Free Fringe at Whistlebinkies.

3-stars

What’s the proper name for a sell-out show that’s free? A free-out? That was the case for our performance of Tim Bigelow’s new show Grease Monkey. Trying to define his inner “bloke”, he tells us all about being brought up in Wimbourne, moving to London, and then finding his inner PartyBoy in Berlin. But now he’s a mature married man, he has to find a proper job and what could be more blokey than working as a mechanic? But is he the ideal fit for the role? You’ll have to see his show to find out! Tim Bigelow has an enormously welcoming and inclusive style, with lots of terrific material and a fluid, confident delivery. The show is pitched perfectly to the – out of necessity – intimate audience set-up. And it has a very clever and engaging finale which is just about as blokey as you can get. A name to watch out for in the future!

Gang Bang, Pleasance Courtyard.

3-stars

A Mafiosa family escape from America and end up in Blackpool – it’s an easy mistake. But when Godfather Don Lambrini croaks, he passes on the boss mantle to the unlikely Al, much to the fury of his heir apparent. But Al is a blunderer more than a murderer, and mayhem ensues. It’s a ridiculous idea and the script is full of ridiculous humour; a mixture of surreal, slapstick and the downright silly. There are lots of amusing characterisations and humour derived from the show’s deliberately unlikely locations. The play could be trimmed down a little, and does begin to run out of steam towards the end, but I found the performers and the laughs very endearing, and, frankly, I loved it.

Emma Sidi is Sue Gray, Pleasance Courtyard.

Not sure I knew quite what to expect from this hour of character comedy but Emma Sidi’s caracterizacion (Spanish – it will make sense if you see it) of Sue Gray is creative genius. I’m not going to tell you more about her portrayal because the surprise is very much part of the appeal of the show. We learn about Sue’s previous posts in the Civil Service, the ministers she likes, the ministers she doesn’t; what she really thinks about Sir Keir Starmer and what happens at the office water cooler. There is some audience participation, brilliantly set up and which adds an inspirational level of comedy. Exactly what the Fringe is all about – I laughed from start to finish!

Chloe Petts: How You See Me How You Don’t, Pleasance Courtyard.

4-stars

It must be miserable to be trolled online simply for being who you are and what you look like; and that was an experience that Chloe Petts unexpectedly found herself facing. But she has turned that experience into a great new show, which encompasses her appearances on Sky Sports News, her schooldays with best friend Britney and the pitfalls and pleasures of using the Clarks foot measuring appliance. She has a superbly confident and likeable style and delivers her sharp and pinpoint accurate comic observations with immaculate timing and star quality. A must-see!

Nina Gilligan: Goldfish, Just the Tonic Nucleus.

3-stars

Nina Gilligan’s new show Goldfish is, as always, full of hilarious observations about life from the viewpoint of a menopausal woman, including the sexual apartheid practised by GPs, fancying men under 30, and still being subjected to a mental mother. But there’s also a serious side to the show, with her health issues and an account of a sexual assault at a Corporate Event. So there’s a sweet and sour aspect to this show; although one’s main memory at the end of it is a live goldfish singing on stage with backing bubbles. Laughter contrasted with the unwelcome advances of a sexual predator.

Finlay Christie: I Deserve This, Monkey Barrel Comedy 4.

4-stars

Fast becoming one of our biggest rising stars in comedy, Finlay Christie’s new hour of comedy celebrates being a young cis white male, whilst always poking fun at himself, at his privilege, both in education and money, and his woeful attempts to write rap as a 16-year-old. Exuding confidence, but in a likeable way rather than a Boris Johnson way, he has that marvellous ability to lead an audience down the exact garden path that he chooses, and can hold our attention even through silence – which is always the sign of a tremendous comedian. It takes a very skilful comic to present a sequence explaining mansplaining without infuriating the women in the audience – and he gets away with it beautifully. Great crowd work, superbly self-deprecating and, above all, extremely funny.

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!

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.

 

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!