Posts Tagged ‘edinburgh festival’
Festival fringe review – Games
Games is described in the publicity as a play set against the background of “Europe is fractured; economies faltering. Anti-Semitism and right-wing populism are surging.” Recognise any of that today? With unintentional timing, Games tells the true story of the talented female Jewish fencer, Helene Mayer, struggling with herself as a Jewish sportswoman representing Germany…
Read MoreFestival fringe review – Elise
If this is the standard of production from a young troupe of actors, writers and directors, the future of British theatre is in safe hands. Elise tells the story of the troubled life of Elise Cowen, a member of the Beat generation of the 1950s. Whilst alive she was troubled by mental health issues and…
Read MoreJust William appears at this year’s Fringe
Just William is one of the enduring fictional characters of the 20th century, and he’s appearing at the Fringe this year. Shedload Theatre is currently bringing Richmal Crompton’s Just William’s Luck to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, running until 26 August, at Underbelly. Crompton’s beloved stories of the invincible William Brown burst to life in an…
Read MoreFestival fringe comedy review: Jason Byrne
A Fringe stalwart and deservedly sold out many nights, Jason Byrne is the archetypal Irish stand up. He berates life, his idiosyncratic working class childhood and then picks on a few brave souls in the audience to tease, mock and generally make them the butt of a stream of jokes. His quick wit and the…
Read MoreFringe review: Paul Merton’s Impro Chums
Paul Merton may be best known as a team captain on Have I Got News For You, but he’s also one of the country’s best improvisational comedians. He and his highly professional Impro Chums take genuine audience suggestions (unlike some impro shows) and create hilarious scenarios of random nonsense that are guaranteed to have you…
Read MoreEdinburgh Fringe: Baby Wants Candy review
Sold out for the past three years, Baby Wants Candy’s improvised show is a Fringe classic. Performed by six energetic Americans, the show I saw was Papa Peea – a play on the new Mamma Mia movie, with roles reversed so the debate is who is the mother of the young lady in question. As…
Read MoreEdinburgh Festival Fringe: Newsrevue is still one of the best
Newsrevue is an annual fixture which deserves its plaudits and awards, and this year’s offering is flawlessly delivered by four professionals who are as comfortable singing as acting. Piano is a tad too loud on occasions, but I’m being picky. There’s no shortage of material this year so the political satire and wry view at…
Read MoreEdinburgh Festival Fringe: Tape Face
Come see Tape Face, they said. We saw it when it first came to the Festival and it was brilliant, they said. He must be exceptional because he won America’s Got Talent, they said. Of course, they said all of that before we had been to see one of the worst shows I’ve ever seen.…
Read MoreEdinburgh Festival Fringe review: Marcus Brigstocke
So, apparently, it’s time to establish, for once and all, what’s good and bad about life and its major players. Here you find Lucifer appearing in person, complete with red face, menacing horns and astonishingly white shiny teeth. Topics covered include everything from gender fluidity to utterly British foibles, the demise of Theresa May, and…
Read MoreEdinburgh Festival Fringe review: Brexit
Brexit has slick performances and a decent enough script, but the venue is uncomfortably hot and it feels like it should be an evening performance. All that said, if you like Yes, Minister-type humour, and are as sick of all the Brexit lunacy as I am, you’ll enjoy it. Could have done with being 15…
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