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Post by zahidf on Aug 5, 2023 14:32:41 GMT
Saw Grand Old opera Hotel and Adults at the traverse theatre. Both excellent
Jesus, Jane, mother and me at the pleasance, really intense and well acted monologue
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 5, 2023 22:05:58 GMT
Day 2.
My Dad Wears a Dress at Underbelly Cowgate.
Coffee Kid at Underbelly Cowgate.
Durham Revue: Death on the Mile at Underbelly Cowgate.
The Revel Puck Circus at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows.
Certain Death and Other Considerations at Zoo Playground.
Tartuffe, The Imposter: A Feminist Reimagining at theSpace at Surgeons Hall.
I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at Gilded Balloon at the Museum.
The first two shows of the day - My Dad Wears a Dress and Coffee Kid - were both five stars for me and the early highlights of the festival.
In My Dad Wears a Dress, Maria Telnikoff takes a look back on her childhood growing up with a transgender parent. Frequently laugh out loud funny, this is a whirlwind, anarchic retelling of tales from Maria's school days.
In Coffee Kid, we meet Beanie. the love child of George Clooney and a Nespresso machine. The show follows the surreal adventures of its half human, half coffee machine protagonist. Síomha McQuinn has created a work of comic genius.
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Post by kz on Aug 5, 2023 22:43:49 GMT
Day 2
Afrique en Cirque- African music, acrobatics and dance. The music being performed live as part of the show brought something special, as well as an incredibly good contortionist. Unfortunately, it started 45 minutes late so many people had to leave early or not see it at all. It seemed like everything at Assembly on The Mound was running late today which just throws off the military planning needed for the Fringe.
Police Cops: The Musical- this was hysterical, laugh out loud funny the whole way through. Extremely silly and over the top. Credit to a very talented understudy who seemed to have saved the day for the show today (explained in a pre-show announcement). We loved it!
Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time- I don't often see the "big name" comedians so this was a bit of a treat (thanks to discounted Local Resident tickets). The show is centred around the death of his young brother which he acknowledges is a dark topic for a comedy show. Lots of humour and big laughs through palpable grief. I left feeling a bit wrung out but well worth a watch.
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Post by adambrown76 on Aug 5, 2023 23:26:43 GMT
Ringer by Hughie Shepherd-across at the Underbelly Bristo Square was hilarious, dark, sharp writing and great performances. A great send up of Hollywood and scandal culture.
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Post by NorthernAlien on Aug 6, 2023 0:39:55 GMT
Day 2 Afrique en Cirque- African music, acrobatics and dance. The music being performed live as part of the show brought something special, as well as an incredibly good contortionist. Unfortunately, it started 45 minutes late so many people had to leave early or not see it at all. It seemed like everything at Assembly on The Mound was running late today which just throws off the military planning needed for the Fringe. It's not been quite that bad - but almost everything I've seen has started late yesterday and today. Which made the walk between Surgeon's Hall and the EICC a bit more frantic than it was supposed to be! The show I saw last, last night finished a solid 15 minutes later than it should have - good job they're running trams through the night on Fridays and Saturdays!
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Post by kz on Aug 6, 2023 8:03:29 GMT
NorthernAlien the other 5 shows so far ran a few minutes over each, but nothing like the 45 minute delay yesterday. I'm doing the run to from the EICC later today. Yes, thank goodness for the trams (didn't think that was something I'd ever be saying in Edinburgh!!).
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 6, 2023 21:57:34 GMT
Day 3.
Das Weben at Greenside Infirmary Street.
The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much at Pleasance Courtyard.
Four Felons and a Funeral at Pleasance Courtyard.
We'll Have Nun Of It at Underbelly Cowgate.
The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria at Pleasance Dome.
Pleading Stupidity at Pleasance Dome.
Ulrooj Ashfaq: Oh No at Assembly George Square.
Trash Salad at Pleasance Courtyard.
Standout shows from today (with Trash Salad still to come) include We'll Have Nun Of It where a vibrant cast of actor musicians tell the story of a group of friends navigating convent school life in the sixties. What an original score this new musical has, brilliantly played by the talented cast.
The ensemble storytelling in The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III was right up my street. Such a fascinating and little known story that if it wasn't based on true events would sound too far fetched. Played for laughs for the most part but it packs quite a punch as it builds to its conclusion too.
Also loved Ulrooj Ashfaq's standup show in what's her festival debut.
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Post by kz on Aug 6, 2023 23:07:35 GMT
Day 3
Big Fish- Fairly reliable performance from the Royal Conservatoire. The live sound effects were a nice touch but it's a tricky show to stage, especially with limited resources at the Fringe. Nice performances from the male leads. Quite an emotional show, despite its limitations. Nothing ground breaking but an enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours.
Chris Grace: As Scarlett Johansson. A mix of humour, self-deprecation, emotion and messages about racism and hypocrisy. A strong one man show offering. He came out afterwards to meet people, for the fans in the audience.
Actually, Love- One of the two Theatre Goya shows at the Fringe this year. A two person musical which was well acted and sung. I enjoyed the messaging without feeling lectured. Some real humour as well as touching moments.
A Comedy of Operas- this one was just not for me. Five very talented opera singers but I couldn't find the comedy in it (all done through physical comedy). I had gone in expecting a fusion of opera and pop/rock, but it was mainly performances of well known arias with a couple of pop songs thrown in. I actually found it quite hard to listen to at times, with the power of the soprano voices together. The EICC was far from sold out so I'm not sure the lack of energy from the audience helped.
Anita Wigl'it: Funny Girl- Another poorly sold show, maybe a third full which was a shame. A few lip syncs, some silly crass comedy, costume changes and interaction with the audience. Then a heartfelt, emotional personal story followed by an extremely impressive musical performance that was a really touching surprise.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical- another safe, reliable option at the Fringe. Great fun, funny and impressive as usual. Tonight's show was themed around a prison break.
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Post by kz on Aug 7, 2023 23:22:23 GMT
Day 4 Larry Dean: Work in progress- great Scottish comedian working through new material. Very, very funny and kept an early afternoon audience engaged the whole way through. Bacon- I booked this on the recommendation of Dave B. It was incredible! So impactful, with amazing performances from both actors. Left feeling completely emotionally wrung out. Would definitely endorse the recommendation for others. Potty the Plant- I'd booked this before seeing hadeswasking 's review. I felt very similarly, most of the humour just didn't work for me. Some of the audience seemed to really enjoy it though. The Hunchback of Notre Dame- well worth the journey out of the city centre. An exceptionally high standard for an amateur production (despite the slightly off-putting mix of accents). The two male leads were excellent and the choral singing was powerful and impressive. I absolutely love the music from this show and this production definitely did it justice. Back to work for the rest of the week but hoping to have another couple of weekends at the Fringe so will keep an eye out for more recommendations from others.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 8, 2023 7:35:06 GMT
Day 4.
Big Fish at Assembly Rooms.
Ants at theSpace on the Mile.
Ted Hill Tries and Fails to Fix Climate Change at Assembly George Square.
YUCK Circus at Assembly George Square.
Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose.
Bad Play at theSpace at Surgeons Hall.
And Then The Rodeo Burned Down at theSpace at Niddry Street.
Drop Dead at theSpace at Niddry Street.
Big Fish was a great way to start the day with another excellent production from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Plenty of the audience on their feet at the end.
Ants at theSpace on the Mile was one of those unexpected gems of the festival. Three junior employees are tasked with brainstorming ideas overnight for ways in which their company can increase its profits in the next year. The play for the most part is a riotous sendup of the business world. Barely a line goes by that doesn't generate laughs from the audience. The ludicrousness of the ideas, none of the employees really having the faintest clue what the company does, or what they even do within it, only adds to the farce of it all. The characters are well defined among the chaos and the ending is surprisingly heartfelt. It would benefit from a slightly longer running time, I believe this is an abridged version for the Fringe, but the potential in this graduate company from The University of Leeds is clear to see. Three terrific performances and a zinger of a script make for a hugely enjoyable 50 minutes.
Locomotive for Murder was a great improv show I'd happily revisit that really went to town on incorporating every little detail gleaned from several audience members.
Finally, with one of the cast indisposed, kudos to the team of Drop Dead for pulling out all the stops to go ahead with some last-minute changing of roles and the producer stepping in. It made for a pretty memorable performance last night, building to a finale with some of the funniest genuine corpsing I've seen on stage as the cast struggled to hold it together. As one of the company put it at the end, "Thanks for coming and for none of you walking out on whatever that was!"
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Post by lightinthedarkness on Aug 8, 2023 10:34:43 GMT
Grubby Little Mitts: Hello, Hi - Really funny stuff, a sketch comedy show by people from the 'No Rolls Barred' YouTube channel. Had the audience laughing the whole time with quick-fire sketches. Very minimal audience interaction stuff if you're worried about that.
On Your Bike - Absolutely excellent musical! The company were similarly brilliant, they're also doing 'Jingle Street' which I'm now planning to see soon. Really very funny and the music was super catchy. The only problems I had with the show (weird pacing) would be easily fixed by a longer version of the musical, which I hope comes about. Sadly only about a third full yesterday.
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 8, 2023 10:47:23 GMT
The only problems I had with the show (weird pacing) would be easily fixed by a longer version of the musical, which I hope comes about. Sadly only about a third full yesterday. Apparently, there are rules with the length of time for a musical at The Fringe. I'm not sure exactly what those rules are however it's the reason that the musical Six (which I've yet to see) is very short in length. It's because it started at The Fringe.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 8, 2023 11:54:46 GMT
The only problems I had with the show (weird pacing) would be easily fixed by a longer version of the musical, which I hope comes about. Sadly only about a third full yesterday. Apparently, there are rules with the length of time for a musical at The Fringe. I'm not sure exactly what those rules are however it's the reason that the musical Six (which I've yet to see) is very short in length. It's because it started at The Fringe. That can't be a general rule, there are full length musicals at the Fringe every year. I saw one, Big Fish, yesterday which had a run time of two hours 20 minutes (including a 5 minute interval). Seeing A Chorus Line later in the festival which has a two and a a half hour slot. A run time of an hour is obviously more typical at the Fringe (and probably preferred by venues) but there are exceptions.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 8, 2023 16:56:52 GMT
I once had the displeasure of a full length production of Bare
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 9, 2023 7:49:54 GMT
Day 5.
Please Leave (A Message) at Underbelly Cowgate.
Lucky Pigeons at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows.
CSI Crime Scene Improvisation at Underbelly Bristo Square.
God Catcher at Underbelly Bristo Square.
Sugar and Blood at Zoo Playground.
Trust at Zoo Playground.
Living with Skeletons at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose.
Julia Masli: Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha at Monkey Barrel Comedy.
Julia Masli, as in 2022, provides one of the most unique and memorable experiences at the Fringe. Her new show develops from teasing audience responses, with her striking attire and array of facial expressions, into a strange kind of group therapy session for the sharing of problems and provision of kindness. As the hour unfolds, the trust placed in the audience - and collective bond between everyone in the room - becomes ever stronger. The atmosphere increasingly celebratory and eventually euphoric. The whole thing is an uplifting, joyful and surprisingly moving experience to be part of. A clowning show that's as compassionate as it is mischievous and absurd.
Equally compelling is Tinted Theatre's Sugar and Blood at Zoo Playground. Building on a solid debut with Bathroom Confession last year, this is a terrific piece of new writing. A murder mystery set in 1903 that feels fresh, contemporary and exciting. This stylish production from four LIPA graduates has plenty of twists and turns, captivating performances, and a couple of nicely judged songs that added a sense of foreboding. The suspense and intrigue builds to a deliciously dark, satisfying conclusion. One of the highlights of the festival so far. Every Fringe itinerary could benefit from a spoonful of Sugar and Blood!
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Aug 9, 2023 18:26:47 GMT
Here are some short reviews of everything I saw at the Fringe this year It's a Motherf**king Pleasure - Really enjoyed this, in my top 3 from everything I've seen. Funny satirical show about blindness and ableism. Highly recommend getting a ticket to this if you can. 35MM: A Musical Exhibition - Student production from the University of Nottingham. I like the score, but overall not the slickest, with some struggling to hit notes here and there. Hunchback of Notre Dame - Pleasantly surprised by this. I knew it was a score I loved going in, but wasn't expecting the cast to have such fantastic vocals - especially Lewis Kerr who was Quasimodo. Also really liked Camila Lopez's Esmeralda, played very differently from other productions I've seen (and vocally maybe not quite as strong), but very endearing. Drunk Woman Solving Crime - live podcast recording featuring special guest Mhairi Black. 'solving crime' is a bit of a loose interpretation of what they do, but still a fun show! Priya Hall: Grandmother's Daughter - not a laugh out loud kind of stand up show, but still very enjoyable. CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation - this one feels a bit hit or miss depending on what the audience suggest the occupation and murder weapon to be. The show we went to was decently funny, but the audience suggestions weren't the greatest base to start off with. Cam Gavinski: Bonheur - very extreme opener which had me worried that the rest of the show would be like that, but thankfully it calms down a fair bit and becomes a lot more entertaining. Quite risqué and will probably not be for everyone, but we thought this was really very funny (and actually an absolutely mortifying story I would never want anyone to have happen to them). Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder - Super fun show with a great score. Very slick and polished. Looking forward to seeing this transfer to London (hopefully!!) Shamilton! The Improvised Hip Hop Musical - I quite liked this. It was really impressive what the cast were able to come up with on the fly. Would love to go back and see them do another celebrity. We'll Have Nun Of It - booked this on a whim because I saw a recommendation further up the thread and I like actor musician shows, but didn't really enjoy this. The songs were mostly good and the singing and instrument playing were also pretty good, but I thought the story was quite weak and was a bit bored. F*ckboy Fairytales - Play/story time vibes. Fairly simple, but a story I'm sure lots of us can relate to. Vittorio Angelone: Who Do You Think You Are? I Am! - Another of my top 3 things that I saw at the Fringe. Genuinely one of the funniest sets I've seen. Big fan, highly recommend. (Although I know the show is sold out for the rest of the run I believe he's adding a few extra shows) Hello Kitty Must Die - really didn't like this. The score was so-so, with some more catchy tunes than others, but I just didn't like the book or direction at all. I thought this was meant to be empowering Asian women, but the main character mainly just has things done to or for her. She complains about all these stereotypes and then mostly has a white man save her lol. The cast were also kinda meh for me. -- So many more shows I wish I could have seen, but alas not enough time
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Post by zahidf on Aug 9, 2023 22:38:58 GMT
Play wise, Ben targets lorenzo was superb. Well worth catching in London in Sept
Also, England and Son with Mark Thomas had a great performance. And Lady Dealer
Seconded as to how good Julia Masli is
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 10, 2023 8:00:01 GMT
Day 6.
Brave Space at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows.
Be Home Soon at Greenside Infirmary Street.
24, 23, 22 at Underbelly Cowgate.
Salomé at Bedlam Theatre.
Sanctuary at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows.
Marcus Brigstocke: Cheese and Whine at Pleasance Courtyard.
Bill's 44th at Underbelly Cowgate.
Wham Bam Thank You Mam at Just the Tonic at the Grassmarket Centre.
I started the day revisiting one of my favourite shows from last year's festival. Brave Space is a unique circus experience, with the audience gathering on the edges of the stage where the cast emerge from under a white canvas. The canvas is then raised into the air and the audience climb underneath and its in this intimate and unique setting that the show then takes place. The audience are sometimes standing, sometimes sitting down and at one point even lying down, as performers soar above our heads or perform within touching distance in the centre of the tent. It's a magical experience.
Bill's 44th is certainly a unique Fringe production. Described in the blurb on the Fringe website as a "puppet tragicomedy for adults", we're introduced to Bill on his 44th birthday as his plans to celebrate slowly unravel. The show is mesmerising without a word being spoken. It's both funny and sad, reflecting on loneliness, and becomes increasingly surreal as it progresses. Bill reminded me a little of a cross between Mr Bean and Unlucky Alf from The Fast Show! The most striking feature about this show was just how enthusiastic and engaged the audience were, cheering Bill on at every turn! All in all, the show provides a quintessential, one-of-a-kind Fringe experience!
The standout show from yesterday though has to be Be Home Soon at Greenside Infirmary Street. It's a beautifully told reflection on memories and what we call home. With a cast of three, we meet one character in two different scenarios, meeting a girl in an art gallery and moving to France with her four days later, and meeting another girl who's his new flat mate at the digs they happen to be moving into together in the UK. The two women never meet but the sequence of events and the mystery of what happened in France that brought Raf home is slowly unravelled. From this relatively simple premise, a moving story unfolds, often filled with humour. The characters here are so well drawn and likeable, the chemistry between the three performers so tangible, and the whole thing so enchantingly written and filled with such warmth, it packs quite the emotional punch as it reflects on the importance of savouring every moment of life. Ultimately, the play asks whether memories and dreams can be every bit as vivid and cherished as real life. A tender triumph.
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Post by NorthernAlien on Aug 10, 2023 10:42:49 GMT
Things I have seen so far which I recommend. Some of these end very soon:
The Tragedy that Befalls the Dastardly Crew of the Kakapo - The Space at Surgeon's Hall. Massively silliness as a new company leans into every pirate fiction trope going.
The Brief life and Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria - Pleasance Dome. A (mostly) true story from WW2. Mostly played for laughs, except in a few very serious moments that then hit extra hard. Gorgeous use of music.
MEMBER - Gilded Balloon Teviot Place. A very, very tough watch. Based on the real homophobic assaults which occurred in Sydney in the 1980s and onwards, the performer (one man, accompanied by an on-stage celloist) weaves an incredible tale, of deeply toxic masculinity, and finding your place in the world. As I say - and the performer acknowledges - a very tough watch, but very important, I think.
Also a quick mention for Paul Zenon, buried away in the nightclub room of a boutique hotel on George Street in the New Town, who is doing a 'work in progress' of a thing about the adverts you used to get in the back of comics when you were a kid. Deeply, deeply nerdy, in the best possible way.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 11, 2023 7:47:51 GMT
Day 7.
Edges at Assembly Rooms.
Happier Daze at theSpace on the Mile.
Home at Pleasance Courtyard.
The Rejects at theSpace on the Mile.
NewsRevue at Pleasance Courtyard.
Salamander at Assembly Roxy.
Annabel Marlow: Is This Okay? at Pleasance Courtyard.
Ed: The New, Totally Unofficial, Ginger-Inclusive Parody Sketch Show at Zoo Playground.
The standout show from yesterday has to be Home by Temper Theatre. Home follows the character of Imogen on a transformative voyage to her childhood home in the Fens while dealing with depression. Confronted by a succession of extraordinary visions and haunting nightmares, the story intertwines vibrant folklore with Imogen's own long-buried memories.
It makes for a kaleidoscopic piece of physical theatre, set to a pulsating soundtrack with stunning lighting design, breathtaking movement and a set that belies the Fringe staging. Home is as slick as it is beautiful, as exhilarating as it is intense. Zoe Villiers has an impish charm as Imogen, with facial expressions that convey so many feelings with barely a word being spoken. She's quite mesmerising to watch. The instant full standing ovation the cast received was well deserved.
Also bringing the audience to their feet was The Rejects at theSpace on the Mile. This play follows five candidates for a job who bond over drinks after the gruelling selection process as they wait to hear the outcome. This was a riot from start to finish, laugh-out-loud funny with relatable characters who are much more the focus of the piece than the send-ups of the hiring process and working conditions which bookend the play.
It was also great to catch the second of the two shows by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Edges is a song cycle rather than a conventional musical and in this production the order of the songs has been changed. I really enjoyed hearing Pasek and Paul's gorgeous score being performed by a terrific cast of four that exude star quality.
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Post by joem on Aug 11, 2023 22:06:12 GMT
Arrived today, great to see Edinburgh so much cleaner than last year although pedestrians are still treated abominably. Their safety and mainly convenience are completely of no interest to the authorities.
Attendants
Three young female flight attendants sing, mime and impersonate passengers and other characters whilst telling anecdotes about their working lives with Applesby Air - an airline which sees Ryanair as too posh. A fun watch with three hard-working actresses attacking their parts with gusto. Rather short though, at a mere 20 minutes, and it is more revue than play, you could mix the different scenes around and it wouldn't affect the outcome.
Meet Me By The Stranger
Three same-sex couples on the verge of breaking-up have unrelated trysts by a statue (known as The Stranger) somewhere in northern England but their lives overlap to add to the problems. Some good lines and acting but it does end up being a bit like "A Midsummer Night's Dream" without the jokes.
On The Evils of Tobacco
A version of Chekhov's short story. This is a one-man show, with very little actually said on tobacco, and Andrew Hogarth gives a good account as the battered husband seeking solace away from his overbearing wife (or so he describes her) in lecturing students and getting his woes off his chest. Some improvisations with members of the audience (yours truly included) gives it some extra chance/variety along the journey.
Did You Eat?
What starts as a simple tale of the differences between Korean and American cultures - the phrase "Did You Eat?" covers a whole multitude of meanings in Korean - and the experiences of a Korean immigrant to the US, develops into a family tale and ultimately a harrowing account of abuse and the appalling manner in which Korean girls were (hopefully in the past tense) treated and discriminated against for the "crime" of not being boys. A committed and impassioned performance from writer Zoe Kim in this one-woman show which left some of the audience in tears.
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 11, 2023 23:04:38 GMT
Day 8.
Fladam: Green Fingers at Pleasance Courtyard.
Break Up with Your Boyfriend at Pleasance Courtyard.
Looking for Giants at Underbelly Cowgate.
Isabel Klein: Showstopper at Gilded Balloon Teviot.
Circa: Peepshow (Club Remix) at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows.
The 7 Fingers: Duel Reality at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows.
Sophie's Surprise 29th at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows.
Fladam's musical comedy hootenanny was one of the highlights of the 2022 Fringe so I had to check out the duo's new family musical, Green Fingers. Full of zany characters, catchy songs and a heartwarming message about acceptance, it's great fun. Flo and Adam are such likeable performers, it's a joy to watch them on stage.
I ended the day with a triple bill of circus on the Meadows. Circa always deliver the goods and in Peep Show (Club Remix) they offer up another full throttle hour of stunning acrobatics. The 7 Fingers' new show, themed around Romeo and Juliet, especially the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, is equally epic with a thrilling fusion of circus and dance.
The main highlight of today for me though has to be Showstopper by Isabel Klein, not to be confused with the improvised musical of the same name! Isabel plays a spoof version of herself and introduces the audience to a famous Hollywood actress who can't wait to showcase her talents to the audience. From treating us to a showreel of her screen work, to a little live rollerblading, not to mention demonstrating her acting prowess on stage (with a little help from audience members). She even takes time to pause the show to sign autographs and write short pearls of wisdom for some of her adoring fans! As more and more things start to go awry though, doubts set in. Can Isabel pull it together and make it to the end of the show for her big musical finale? Showstopper was such a blast, you could feel the enjoyment in the room as the audience were roped into helping with the variety of showcases for Isabel's talents!
I've got two more days in Edinburgh before taking a break and heading home for a few days, then returning on Friday 18th.
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Post by mkb on Aug 12, 2023 0:46:09 GMT
While five days at my second Fringe have been mainly enjoyable, there wasn't the thrill and excitement experienced on my virginal visit in 2019. In fact, having seen just 21 shows this year out of 3,013 (just 0.7%), my FOMO has transmogrified into WBAA (why bother at all?). There is way too much on the menu, and the process of trying to plan selections becomes all-consuming.
The Fringe also comes with a plethora of minor irritations to test one's patience:
- Unreliable running times and starting times, and some very poor organisation - Mad dashes across the city seemingly always fighting against a tide of tourists walking in the opposite direction - People standing still or dawdling on over-crowded pavements - The roadworks on North Bridge - Trying to navigate the various obstacles in your way on the Royal Mile - No reserved seating - Being made to queue outdoors unsheltered from either rain or scorching sun - Terrible signposting - Venues that are like a sauna inside - at one they actually turned OFF the AC as the show started and it must have hit 35C by the end - Most volunteers are lovely, but some are on a power trip and some seem to have taken the art of passive aggression to Jedi level
Some good and worthwhile shows had very poor turnouts. There seems to be nothing on the official website to list shows starting in the next hour that have last-minute discounting. It's left to half-price ticket booths and hawkers on streets, which is a very 20th-century solution.
Having learned some examples of the economics of putting on a show here, the whole festival seems to be a very Tory operation. The Festival venues and the hospitality industry are raking it in at premium price levels, while performers often earn so little that they make a net loss over their month at the Festival.
I am grateful for having seen some unique and rewarding shows, but, with five days for two people costing us £750 each (for train, accommodation and shows), I am not in any hurry to return. I think a five-year break for me is in order.
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Post by mkb on Aug 12, 2023 1:16:17 GMT
Shows seen this week, with genre in brackets:
Five stars: In Loyal Company (Theatre)
Four stars: What Girls Are Made Of (Theatre) Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening (Theatre/Cabaret) Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder (Theatre) After The Act (A Section 28 Musical) (Theatre) The Van Paemel Family (Theatre) The Quality of Mercy: Concerning the Life and Crimes of Dr Harold Frederick Shipman (Theatre) The Portable Dorothy Parker (Theatre) Luke Kempner in Gritty Police Drama: A One-Man Musical (Theatre) A Manchester Anthem (Theatre) The Stand's Pick of the Fringe (Stand-up comedy from Jay Lafferty, Tom Houghton, Micky Bartlett & Jo Caulfield)
Three stars: Amy Wright - Live in Consett (Stand-up comedy) Ay Up, Hitler! (Theatre) Dom – The Play (Theatre) Sean and Daro Flake It 'Til They Make It (Theatre) Ronnie Golden: Allo Keith! Remembering Barry Cryer (Comedy/Cabaret) Rossini: Stabat Mater (Classical choral concert) Adults Only Magic Show (Magic with nudity)
Two stars: Dough (Theatre)
One star: TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] (Theatre)
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Post by kz on Aug 12, 2023 13:09:49 GMT
Back out last night for a couple more shows.
Dogfight- I was so disappointed with this one. I love the music and it was great to have a small live band, but it was a very amateur production with some of the cast really struggling vocally. It felt under-rehearsed with quite a few moments where the timing was off. The saving grace was the performance from the two leads- the actor playing Rose in particular, who acted and sang well.
American Idiot- Really enjoyed this. Energetic cast who sang well and seemed to be having a great time. Lots of mic issues and the track was generally too loud for the vocals, but a solid performance of a show I love.
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Post by curiouskc on Aug 12, 2023 20:31:31 GMT
Just back from a week at the Fringe and wanted to share my Top 5 highlights -
Oscar at the Crown - I've seen this getting sniffy reviews from some critics, but please ignore the miserable old sods. In the packed show I attended the audience were thrilled and enraptured. Oscar is an immersive Spiegeltent show which transports its audience to a dystopian future where society's outcasts have sought refuge in a secret bunker they have converted into a hedonistic nightclub. A newcomer arrives during an evening dedicated to celebrating the life and works of Oscar Wilde. The singing, dancing and costumes in this show are spectacular, and the way the standing audience are moved around by the chorus makes for an intoxicating spectacle.
The Ice Hole - This is one of the easiest shows to recommend. Just pure invention and delight from start to finish. In this physical comedy, two men speaking mostly in goobledegook, go on a chaotic journey across Europe with all their set and scenery (and sometimes costume) being rendered with hundreds of pieces of cardboard. It has to be seen to be believed how invested you will become in this wacky cardboard world and its characters. This is absurdist theatre magic at its best.
Lachlan Werner: Voices of Evil - The gem of the festival for me. A late night show for an intimate audience in the cellar of the Pleasance Courtyard, this puppet horror/comedy was brilliantly crafted and breathtakingly performed. 'Lachy' is introduced as the shy queer impending virgin sacrifice of the muppet witch Brew who invites the audience to take part in her satanic ritual to summon a demon. A first time Fringe performer, Lachlan Werner is one of the most multi-talented acts I've ever seen in a one-man show - an astonishing ventriloquist, he is also exceptional at improvisational comedy, physical comedy, acting and singing. Seek this show out! It's a demented little masterpiece.
Luke Wright's Silver Jubilee - A performance poet veteran of the fringe, if you've not seen him before then this anniversary show is the perfect introduction as Luke delves into his personal origins and produces new verses that are characteristically funny as ever while also being deeply moving and bursting with humanity.
Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder - Yeah, believe the hype. This is a dynamite must-see show.
Have a great Fringe if you're still there or yet to go!
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Post by joem on Aug 13, 2023 0:33:06 GMT
Today's haul.
Boudicca
A modern take on the events following the historical Boudicca's widowhood and dispossession, in this case as owner of a business corporation, but only up to the moment of her triumphant repossession. The revolt against Rome does not feature. Starts off well but tends to become rather shouty and melodramatic.
The Humans
Despite this Tony winning play by Stephen Karam (Best New Play 2016) being well acted and staged I'm afraid I find it rather pedestrian. One of those American plays that passes me by, I can't quite see the point of it.
Mr Fox
A one-man show with Polis Loizou writing, acting and telling the classic folk tale about a werefox is told in an updated version using a framing device of a fallen aristocrat being interviewed by an (unseen and unheard) blogger on an incident with his female research assistant. In a style reminiscent of the great Vincent Price, with many wry asides and snide remarks complementing the story, this was a pleasure to watch and the opening and closing music was the folk-song "Reynardine" which roughly tells the story of Mr. Fox. The Fairport Convention version, with Sandy Denny singing, is particularly recommended..
Two-Gun Cohen
Although this is mostly an account by a colourful real-life character of his exploits - born to Jewish refugees in Victorian London in the late 19th century, involved in petty crime, then farming, trading and bizarrely becoming a General in the Chinese army - with occasional prompts from the British Hong Kong CID chief incarcerated with him in a Japanese camp, it still works a treat. Jonathan Meyer is a pugnacious, sort of Bob Hoskinsish, Morris Cohen. A bit shaky on lines at times but a good watch.
Dinner at Ondine's was a highlight. One of the best restaurants in town, with excellent seafood and friendly staff.
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Post by NorthernAlien on Aug 13, 2023 11:24:11 GMT
While five days at my second Fringe have been mainly enjoyable, there wasn't the thrill and excitement experienced on my virginal visit in 2019. In fact, having seen just 21 shows this year out of 3,013 (just 0.7%), my FOMO has transmogrified into WBAA (why bother at all?). There is way too much on the menu, and the process of trying to plan selections becomes all-consuming. The Fringe also comes with a plethora of minor irritations to test one's patience: - Unreliable running times and starting times, and some very poor organisation - Mad dashes across the city seemingly always fighting against a tide of tourists walking in the opposite direction - People standing still or dawdling on over-crowded pavements - The roadworks on North Bridge - Trying to navigate the various obstacles in your way on the Royal Mile - No reserved seating - Being made to queue outdoors unsheltered from either rain or scorching sun - Terrible signposting - Venues that are like a sauna inside - at one they actually turned OFF the AC as the show started and it must have hit 35C by the end - Most volunteers are lovely, but some are on a power trip and some seem to have taken the art of passive aggression to Jedi level Some good and worthwhile shows had very poor turnouts. There seems to be nothing on the official website to list shows starting in the next hour that have last-minute discounting. It's left to half-price ticket booths and hawkers on streets, which is a very 20th-century solution. Having learned some examples of the economics of putting on a show here, the whole festival seems to be a very Tory operation. The Festival venues and the hospitality industry are raking it in at premium price levels, while performers often earn so little that they make a net loss over their month at the Festival. I am grateful for having seen some unique and rewarding shows, but, with five days for two people costing us £750 each (for train, accommodation and shows), I am not in any hurry to return. I think a five-year break for me is in order. I'm at the Fringe as a Media Accredited Reviewer, but I'm also a theatre-maker (occasionally!), and so I went to an industry event last week, talking about trying to give your work life beyond the Fringe. It was not a good meeting, with a lot of feedback about poor audiences, and not being able to get *anyone* from any part of the industry to come and see your show. It is becoming increasingly obvious that this entire house of cards is unsustainable, and needs a root and branch overhaul. It currently isn't working for performers, reviewers, or audiences. The venues are staffed by volunteers, the press offices are largely staffed by volunteers, and most of the venue technicians are likewise volunteers. Performers are paying venue hire, sometimes a % of box office, and sometimes also a tech fee. As you note, most of the performers will make a loss. From talking to, or noting who other reviewers are, its obvious that a lot of us aren't getting paid either. Ticket costs are actually quite high, IMO, despite what the Fringe Society and Big 4 Venues are desperate to tell you about '2 for 1' deals, and other discounts. If you're not in an 'EdFest.com' venue (the Big 4 plus the Space, Zoo and Just the Tonic), you appear to be very lucky to get any sort of audience at all. So the only people making money here are the venue operators, the food and beverage operators, the Fringe Society (who charge performers and audiences) and, presumably, the EUSA and Uof Edinburgh, who appear to own the overwhelming majority of the buildings that are currently hosting shows - some of which are absolutely not suitable as a performance space. The problems you've pointed out with congestion arise because this city has a population of 500,000 for 11 months of the year, and the infrastructure can cope with them, and the people like me who live in the surrounding Lothians and come in and out of the city for leisure and business reasons. But during the Festivals, that increases to (apparently) 2.7million people. It's no wonder no-one can get anywhere in any reasonable time - especially when about 2.69 million of those people seem to be on the Royal Mile and the Bridges.
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Post by hadeswasking on Aug 13, 2023 12:54:11 GMT
Day 3 for me! (Would have been a few more days in, but got ill and decided against spreading germs)
On Your Bike - This wasn't on my radar but once jingle street had ended the cast mentioned that they were also in this one written and directed by the same people. This intrigued me and when I saw this had returned from winning best musical in 2021 I was sold!
Had all the aspects I loved about jingle street but felt a lot more polished. Same witty/clever lyrics. I love the way the 2 who played supporting roles in Jingle Street were front and centre here.
Much bigger audience for this one as well and they seemed to love it! 4 stars
Andrè and Dorine -
Wow! This was something different for me as I needed a filler between on your bike and hunchback. I'm glad I took a chance on this. Think of it as an extended version of the opening of Up. No wonder it's been touring the world for so long!
Great physical comedy and very emotional. The emotion conveyed through no dialogue and masks is very impressive. Longest standing ovation I've seen at the FRINGE and these 3 deserved it. An hour and a half flies by. 5 stars
Hunchback of Notre Dame - Believe the hype! If you've been waiting for hunchback to finally come to the UK, now is the time!
Lewis Kerr as Quasimodo is captivating with Powerful vocals and perfect characterisation. He embodies the role here! He has got a bright future ahead of him.
Aidan Mcgrath has the booming voice needed for Frollo.
From the opening number I was blown away with the sound that is made by the ensemble. Captivate theatre are now on the radar if this is the quality of performances that come out of their productions. Anything but amateur!
Heavily anticipating a theatre like the Watermill giving this beautiful show a chance and hopefully they cast someone that GETS the role like Lewis Kerr. This performance reminded me why I love musical theatre. 4.5 stars
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Post by FairyGodmother on Aug 13, 2023 14:40:12 GMT
I don't think I'll be able to get a ticket to Kathy & Stella, which is disappointing. Although pleased it's selling so well!
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