Ambiguous Proposition, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.
Margaret is a well-established employment tribunal judge. She loves her job and she’s heard it all; she knows the tricks of the trade, the delaying tactics, the games that lawyers play. Bradley, her son, finally gets a job – not the best, but it’s a start; and he seems to be getting on well with one of his colleagues, Chloe. But when Chloe alleges sexual harassment against him at work, this has a knock-on effect on Margaret’s position too; resulting in Margaret having the double battle to protect both her son and her own job. An intriguing and engrossing story that plays on our imagination, as we never actually meet Bradley or Chloe, so it’s impossible for the audience to conclude who is telling the truth. Smartly performed by Hilary Cordery; a deliberately inconclusive ending is a little frustrating but emphasises that the play is about the wider side effects of such allegations rather than the outcome of the case. I’m not sure the repeated use of the F word adds much to the play or helps our understanding of the character, and the assumptions of guilt in the story seem a little one-sided. But it firmly holds one’s attention and is a very meaty start to one’s Fringe day.
An Act of Grace, TheSpace at Niddry Street.
A lawyer and a financial services adviser are invited to meet Grace at her grand apartment. The two men knew each other at school and are still knowledgeable about each other’s careers. Grace tells them that she is in need of their services; but then she has a double bombshell to drop – and no one’s life will be the same again! Ottawa Little Theatre bring john Muggleton’s An Act of Grace to the Edinburgh Fringe and it’s a playful, twisty-turny show about devious people who aren’t necessarily what they seem to be. A classic comedy thriller with no ulterior motive than to entertain and surprise its audience. Great fun, elegantly staged, and very well acted.
It’s a Mystery, TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall.
Tim Benzie delivers an interactive and lively comedy lecture on the art of writing and appreciating a good whodunit, taking Agatha Christie as his template classic detective fiction writer, but bringing many other authors and works into the equation. He also has a murder mystery of his own for us to solve, and there’s a helpful dollop of Cluedo in there as well. Light-hearted, constantly surprising, but also full of fascinating facts and recommendations, Mr B also draws conclusions as to why he is so personally attracted to the genre. A terrific entertainment if you’re a whodunit buff, and, let’s face it, who isn’t? Highly recommended!
The Imitator, Assembly Rooms.
Julian Fontalvo takes to the stage to tell the story of his life and how he got to where he is today, from Colombia via New York and Madrid to Edinburgh. He has an extraordinary gift of imitating famous singers – hence the name of his show – not only in their voice, but also in their mannerisms and performance styles; and The Imitator showcases this gift through a selection of dozens of songs and singers, linked by his own narrative. Superb lighting and a strong sound system really helped give the music impact; and the crowd went wild.
Richard Cobb: Running Joke, Laughing Horse at the Raging Bull.
Following on from his Couples’ Massage show, Richard Cobb is back from honeymoon, with all the trappings of marriage now that he and his wife have a dog, and full of his experience of running the Edinburgh Marathon. No stranger to fear, he’s skydived and lived to tell the tale, so the Marathon? Gotta be a cinch – he’d probably nail it in under four hours. Along the way he has some engaging stories about putting off the training until the time is right, and his unofficial rivalry with a blind runner dressed as a dog. Mr Cobb is most at home when recounting memories immersed in angst and guilt, and this show is crammed with such material; it even has the statutory 40-minute-in sad bit. Don’t expect a brash and showbizzy presentation, it’s more like listening to a well-trusted old mate letting you into his secrets. Subtle and wry, this is a finely structured hour of comedy, constantly entertaining and heartwarming.
Garry Starr: Classic Penguins, Pleasance Courtyard.
A Garry Starr show is never just a show. It’s a concept, it’s an event; it’s an exploration of absurdity and trust between performer and audience. In Classic Penguins, Garry takes a shelf full of Penguin paperbacks and acts out a scene that you might just possibly associate with each book title. Just two things to note: the connection between the title and what Mr Starr does (usually assisted by members of the audience) might be very loose indeed. And he’ll be wearing next to nothing; by the end of the hour, all he’s got on is his Elizabethan ruff – he is a thespian of the highest calibre, after all. Even if you’ve seen Garry Starr before, nothing can prepare you for the total batshit craziness of this show. To give you any more clues as to what takes place would be to diminish it for future audiences. No one has commitment to his clowning and physical comedy like Garry Starr. Fearless, frenetic and fabulous!