Gill Lewis, Author at North West End UK

3Oct

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Wales

Kin – Theatr Clwyd

A two-hander which deftly weaves together and unravels an abyss of unexpected, shocking revelations and emotional depths. An end of seat dark comedy drama exploring the complexities of a strained sister-in-law relationship amidst a backdrop of loss. The affluent McGregor family, steeped in privilege, is rocked by the sudden death of Robert McGregor, leading to a tense reunion between his logical wife, Kay (Roberta Kerr), and her free-spirited estranged sister-in-law, Steph (Kerry Willison-Parry), Robert’s younger sister. As Kay attempts to navigate her grief with a veneer of control, Steph’s irreverent probing unearths some deep-seated resentments, particularly with Kay’s pointed comments about Steph’s financial irresponsibility, and Steph’s disdain of Kay’s working-class roots, incl...

William Kite Has Memory Issues – Paradise in the Vault

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

William Kite Has Memory Issues – Paradise in the Vault

With an ageing population, it is becoming more likely that your life will be, or has been touched by a diagnosis of Dementia. You’ll have experienced first-hand, its ripple effect on all the lives it leaves an impression on. For the affected individual, the advocacy provided by family and friends is paramount to ensure that they’re receiving the care they need, and that they’re kept safe and feel supported. Dottyb / Robot Parrot Productions present a snapshot of the barriers faced by advocates in seeking the necessary assessments and appointments for their loved ones. Such as the long wait times on the phone, lack of communication between agencies, feeling at a loss with all the various barriers, feeling powerless as their loved one’s care needs slowly increase as the disease tak...

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Stuffed – Pleasance Courtyard

It’s already been said, but when is it going to change? This call to action becomes even more frantic, accompanied by pounding heavy synth beats which pulsate with the warning of arson on a national scale. Multi award winning Ugly Bucket Theatre are back with ‘the bad stuff’, and a heavy sprinkling of macabre comic relief. Its feasible that foodbanks could soon set to become one of the biggest industries in the UK as it establishes itself as a permanent fixture in communities. Notably for those people in the bottom 25%. The demand has grown at a phenomenal rate and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down with more people than ever having no choice but to access this support. Ugly Bucket use a range of mime and clowning, playfully creating nightmarish sequences which highlig...

Christopher Hall: Girl For All Seasons – Gilded Balloon

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Christopher Hall: Girl For All Seasons – Gilded Balloon

A celebration and salute to all the women who have made an impact on Christopher’s life, and no doubt, have helped shape his funny bones into the stellar comedian he is today. An hour just isn’t long enough to spend with Christopher, his natural warmth and cheeky quips are laugh out loud funny. Oozing natural charisma and charming flamboyance, he glides around the stage with vivaciousness, throwing in spunky one liners and cheeky observations. From navigating a ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ moment of soul searching with a potential sexual conquest, to his own ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ epiphany. Christopher takes us through his younger days and beyond with stories and recollections which are extremely funny and relatable. Reminding those of us over a certain age that the ability to measure someone’...

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Addict – theSpace on the Mile

This new piece of writing hooks you in to the addictive dark side of social media use. Where the line between what’s virtual and real, can disappear within the space of 174 characters of a simple Tweet. Written by Tony Voller, Addict is structured and based around the five stages of addiction which demonstrates the psychological impact and behavioral changes as addiction takes hold. In this case, triggering a freefalling snowball effect of when reality is blurred upon the creation of an online alter ego. Likeable Paramedic John unexpectedly becomes a Twitter sensation after a tweet challenging a misogynistic comment made against a female MP goes viral, turning John into an overnight hero. Amongst all the likes and comments is the expected attacks from trolls who ma...

44 Sex Acts in One Week – Pleasance Dome

16Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

44 Sex Acts in One Week – Pleasance Dome

Hilariously bonkers and face aching funny. A squelchy take on the classic radio play. There’s no room for blushes in this deliciously naughty apocalyptic rom-com. Smutty sex guru Malaine Guttierez suggests that she may be in the possession of some seriously strong pelvic floor muscles by recommending that we ‘grab life by the clunge’, and have as much sex as we possibly can, all we need to do is buy her new book, ‘The 44 Sex Acts that will change your life!’. We’re sold! Guttierez’s hardcopy ends up on the desk of budding journalist Celina, working at the magazine ‘She Squad, and fed up of writing mindless clickbait articles (including a hologram baby announcing its own death). Struggling to pay her rent, and with her precious ‘serious’ writing held to ransom by her dominee...

15Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Out of Woodstock – Underbelly, Cowgate

Follow a young man’s descent into one of the worst festival disasters in recent history. Its legacy is rooted in an unleashing of Millennial anger. Baby Boomers enjoyed the summer of love, with Woodstock 69, united in their quest for peace and harmony. Thirty years later the attempt to recreate this significant cultural event, with Woodstock ’99, brought about overpriced beer, boobs, and misogyny. This play intrigues, based on real life events during the infamous music festival which ended in carnage and controversy. Poor organisation and dollar hungry management created a ticking timebomb as revelers exploded in the accumulation of sweltering unbearable heat, poor sanitation, serious sexual assaults, looting and several deaths. Written and directed by Tom Foreman,...

15Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

Bills 44th – Underbelly, Cowgate

Mr Bean meets Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared in this heartwarming Tragi – comedy, an existential tale of being alone, but never lonely. Have you ever been to a party where there’s more balloons than people? No? Then you’ve never spent a birthday with Bill, who’s getting his modest flat ready to celebrate his 44th birthday. Puppeteering duo Dorothy James and Andy Manjuck in association with Underbelly deliver a thoroughly entertaining piece of laugh out loud storytelling. Working in unison, James and Manjuck’s seamless, skillful control of Bill, creates a range of funny identifiable mannerisms and reactions, which add to Bill’s natural draw and likability. The physicality speaks a thousand words. The sold-out reactive audience showed instant warmth for Bill, evident from...

The Sun, the Mountain, and Me – Underbelly, Cowgate

14Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

The Sun, the Mountain, and Me – Underbelly, Cowgate

The disclosures of an artist who finds himself spiraling into the darkness, can he find a way of pulling himself out of the path of the big black beast which is running up behind him. First performed as an audio piece during the pandemic, this is a beautifully constructed piece of storytelling which explores the fragility of mental health through the use of art and literature. Bedivere Arts present this solo show written and performed by Jack Fairey who has a warm and captivating energy throughout the piece. His commitment and motivation behind each character and their movement enriches the storytelling, and the imagination of the audience. Struggling artist Arthur, tries to find solace and inspiration in the teachings of Greek mythology, with Icarus who flies too close...

The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show – Pleasance Courtyard

14Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show – Pleasance Courtyard

The sweet smell of fresh, warm croissants, strawberries and a hot beverage is the perfect way to start a day at the Fringe. Bite-Size is back with another light and entertaining sketch show which will have you laughing as you tuck in to your pastry. Celebrating their 16th year on the Fringe, Bite-Size Plays have partnered up with The Pleasance to serve up their three-rotating menus, and there is plenty of ridiculousness to choose from. Menu 2 is a mixed bag of comedies and mini dramas. There are plenty of laughs and witty one liners with lashings of absurdity and silliness. Stand out sketches include, ‘Criminal Behavior’, a bumbling armed robbery, and ‘Jitters,’ where we meet the company ‘Think Twice’, trying to keep the divorce rates down by checking brides are not having second...