Saturday, December 21

Author: Amy Holstead

Great Women of Folk – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall
Scotland

Great Women of Folk – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Folk musician and singer/ songwriter Elsa McTaggart started of her Fringe 2023 run with a dazzling show. A few technical difficulties during this preview attested that McTaggart does not need fancy projectors and sound systems to shine, only her guitar (and Irish bouzouki). Whilst this was a showcase of great women in folk, McTaggart introduced each song with tales about the women in her own life, such as her mum and sister, which added a personal depth to her song choices. McTaggart started of slowly with “Tulsa Queen” by Emmylou Harris which foreshadowed the great show to come. As she quickened her pace, she showcased incredible playing on all three guitars. She navigated tight-turns with ease and her finger plucking on the bouzouki was especially impressive. Her voice was equally...
I Work in Customer Service but I’m Actually a Pop Star – Blunderbus
Scotland

I Work in Customer Service but I’m Actually a Pop Star – Blunderbus

Glaswegian Barbie on a bus. Amelia Bayler (Scottish Comedy Awards' Best Newcomer) takes the BlundaBus for an energetic combination of stand-up and singing. The venue was the perfect spot to see Bayler who turned the old-style bus into a party bus with her high energy performance. The show was not meticulously put together, but it wasn’t trying to be. Instead, it was a chaotic look into the creative mind and life of Bayler. The moments of scripted comedy, such as her re-enactment of her Skype interview, were funny and relatable, especially to those who have worked in customer service. Whilst spur-of-the-moment conversations with the audience enhanced the enjoyable chaos of the show. Her unhinged songs, about anything from Tupperware’s to Greggs, were lively and original. A favo...