Raising Kane, Assembly George Square Studios.
David Shopland takes us through the highlights of Orson Welles’ life and career, including the War of the Worlds fiasco, his relationships with other theatre and movie makers, and, of course, Citizen Kane. It’s an absorbing presentation, and you feel you get to know a little of what Orson Welles the man must have been like – his character’s personality somehow emerges through the artificiality of the story-telling. The show has a surprise up its sleeve, but you certainly won’t hear what it is from me – and no, it’s not Rosebud. Engrossing, entertaining and very well put together. An excellent way to start your Fringe afternoon.
Dough, Pleasance Dome.
Almost from the moment he is born, our hero sees his life framed by money – whether he is making it or losing it (more likely the latter, he’s not to be trusted with dough), or whether others around him are doing better or worse than him. David Lescot’s smartly written play follows his fortunes through his parents, his lovers, his daughter and his colleagues. You come away from the play with a slight feeling of stasis, as the end takes us back to the beginning, and there’s been no real progress – as the character himself admits, at the end of his life he’s not really achieved anything. Thus the message of the play – if there is one – is that nothing has changed; no matter what your connection with money is, it doesn’t make that much of a difference. The staging is simple but effective and the performances from Zach Lusk, Matthew Brown and Hannah Mitchell are clear and enjoyable, although I would have liked it more if their voices hadn’t been quite so loud! These three actors know the art of projecting their voices in a large theatre – so I recommend you sit towards the back!
Nobody’s Talking About Jamie, Underbelly Cowgate.
Definitely a contender for Best Title in the Fringe, Nobody’s Talking About Jamie, written and performed by Jamie Finn, is inspired by his own close friendships with women, and examines the loss felt when platonic friendship ends. Dumped by his beloved Cordelia for someone with a better personality, Jamie seems condemned to spend every New Year’s Eve in front of the telly watching Jools Holland with his mum. But surely life has more to offer than that? In what sounds like a personal confessional, but is actually a very cleverly written and structured play, we meet Cordelia, Lily, Maxine, Lily’s best friend Alison and Cordelia’s new beau Warren. At first, Jamie is the epitome of the self-deprecating beta male, but you soon realise he’s much more resourceful than that. An extremely funny play about love, friendship, rejection and spin bikes; plus some superbly pitched songs that dovetail perfectly into his story. It’s a brilliant comedy performance!
The Way Way Deep, Underbelly Cowgate.
You can’t keep Patrick McPherson away from creating his one-man poetic monologues; hot on the heels of last year’s Colossal, in The Way Way Deep he plays Ben, out at a work’s pub night when he suddenly recognises his old childhood friend Jack. Ben and Jack were inseparable from the age of 6 till they left school, and then drifted apart, as you do. But Ben can’t wait to catch up with someone who played such an important and formative role in his boyhood development, and bask in his reflected glory, if only for a night. But the fun turns to tragedy due to a stupid, thoughtless incident. Mr McPherson has such a strong stage presence and enviable story-telling skills; he is a perfect wordsmith with a deft lightness of touch. Perhaps less complex than Colossal, nevertheless it’s still delicately written and emotionally performed.
Richard Cobb: Couple’s Massage, Laughing Horse @ City Cafe.
Two days before their wedding, Richard Cobb and his bride-to-be had still not booked their honeymoon. She wanted to go to Cuba, he wasn’t sure because there had been severe weather and he didn’t think they’d see it at its best. He was right, but she still wanted to go – so they did. This is an account – amongst a lot of other little side stories – of their holiday experience, culminating in a less than relaxing couples’ massage. Richard is an engaging storyteller and has excellent presence and stage authority, and this is an entertaining hour of gentle comedy, if a little light on the belly laughs. With some more telling and dangerous material, he could have a great future, but for now, it’s all just a little safe for me.
