Saira Kunjuvalappil, Author at North West End UK

Beats on Pointe – Assembly George Square

27Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Beats on Pointe – Assembly George Square

Beats on Pointe is undoubtedly one of the standout shows at the Fringe this year, delivering an exhilarating blend of dance, music, and humour that captivates the audience from start to finish. The production, by the Masters of Choreography team, is a vibrant celebration of movement and music, showcasing a dazzling array of dance styles, all performed to perfection. From the moment the show begins, the energy is palpable. The opening sequence features a thrilling competition between hip hop and ballet dancers, with hip hop ultimately emerging as the victor. This set the tone for the rest of the performance—a dynamic fusion of classic and commercial music, paired with choreography that seamlessly blends different dance forms. One of the most striking aspects of "Beats on Pointe" i...

Tones: A Hip-Hop Opera – Roundabout @ Summerhall

27Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Tones: A Hip-Hop Opera – Roundabout @ Summerhall

"Tones" emerges as a compelling and thought-provoking piece in a world where art continues to challenge societal norms and push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Written, acted, and performed by Gerel Falconer, this hip hop opera takes the audience on a visceral journey through the complexities of Black-British identity, class, and belonging. The show, centred around the life of Jerome—a young man grappling with his sense of self after immigrating from Jamaica to the UK—offers a poignant exploration of race and cultural assimilation. "Tones" follows Jerome as he navigates the harsh realities of being a Black immigrant in Britain. Upon his arrival, Jerome is met with taunts about his skin colour, leaving him isolated on the playground. His desperate attempts to fit in lead ...

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical – Gilded Balloon

26Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical – Gilded Balloon

Alexander S. Bermange’s award-winning I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical, presented by the Seabright Live group, makes a triumphant return to the Fringe, featuring a cast of four actors and a pianist who deliver a spectacular blend of musical comedy and dance. This production is a delight from start to finish, with performers who sing and dance with exceptional skill. Their vibrant personalities, boundless comedic energy, and impressive ability to switch styles and moods seamlessly bring each number to life in a way that had the audience thoroughly engaged. The show cleverly dissects the world of musicals, exploring everything from the high expectations placed on opening numbers to the challenges performers face, like yet another failed audition or dealing with a diva co-star. Each ...

Nina Conti: Whose Face Is It Anyway? – Pleasance Courtyard

26Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Nina Conti: Whose Face Is It Anyway? – Pleasance Courtyard

Nina Conti's Whose Face Is It Anyway? is a stand-up puppet comedy show that had the audience doubled over with laughter from the very first moment. It's unlike anything I've ever seen in comedy—truly outstanding! Nina's performance was nothing short of fabulous, showcasing her incredible talent. And Monkey? I absolutely love that little guy. Her show was the highlight of my week, proving once again that she's a consummate professional who makes an incredibly difficult skill look effortless. Managing four masked-up audience members on stage simultaneously takes serious confidence, and she pulled it off with ease. The brilliance of Nina's act lies in its spontaneity. The whole show felt genuinely live, with clever interactions that kept us on our toes. The interplay between Nina an...

Dylan Mulvaney: FAGHAG – Assembly George Square

26Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Dylan Mulvaney: FAGHAG – Assembly George Square

As someone eager to explore a variety of shows at the Fringe Festival, I knew I had to cover one with an LGBTQ+ theme. FAGHAG by Dylan Mulvaney turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. This show is a brilliant blend of storytelling, stand-up comedy, and musical performance. Dylan Mulvaney uses her humour to share her deeply personal journey of transition to womanhood. The story begins in a delightfully imaginative way, with Dylan as an angel. God tells her it’s time to be born as a human, complete with funny details like where she'll be born and that she'll wear a size 7 shoe. Dylan's excitement about coming down to Earth had the audience laughing right from the start. However, the humour is balanced with deeper themes. After her birth, she realizes she’s in a male body...

Nurse Georgie Carroll: Sista Flo 2.0 – Assembly George Square Studios

24Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Nurse Georgie Carroll: Sista Flo 2.0 – Assembly George Square Studios

Georgie absolutely nailed it with this show! From start to finish, the laughter was non-stop, and I wasn't alone—everyone in the audience was in stitches. She had us all howling with laughter, barely giving us a chance to catch our breath. This performance easily ranks in my top three comedy shows of the Fringe this year. Don’t worry if you’re not in healthcare; you don’t need to be in the medical field to find her material hilarious. Her humor transcends professions and speaks to something everyone can relate to. That said, if you are in healthcare, especially the NHS, you're in for an extra treat. About half the audience seemed to be in the medical profession, and they were practically falling out of their seats, laughing so hard. Her stories, especially about giving the wrong dru...

1 Moment in Time – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

24Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

1 Moment in Time – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Sean Alexander's "1 Moment at a Time" magic show was a surprising and thought-provoking experience. We walked in with doubts but left amazed and full of questions. His magic is top-notch, combined with storytelling that really draws you in. The show features a great variety of tricks, each one more mind-bending than the last. I was lucky enough to participate, and I was wowed by the experience. The way Sean read people and got everything right, even on deeply personal things, left the whole audience in shock and awe. The show is more than just magic—it’s about opening your mind and seeing the world differently. Sean’s warmth and humanity shine through his storytelling, making the show feel personal and real. It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the standout performances at ...

The Unluckiest Magician – C-Arts, C Alto

24Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

The Unluckiest Magician – C-Arts, C Alto

I recently went to see Steve Wilbury’s show after reading about his incredible story: "Eight medical mishaps, 14 screws, six plates, and one fully reconstructed digestive system. Meet the world’s unluckiest magician." I was curious to see how he combined magic with his life story, and what I saw was much more than just magic—it was truly inspiring. Steve’s show was a mix of his personal experiences and magic tricks. While he didn’t do a lot of tricks, the ones he did were amazing and like nothing I’d seen before. He shared that he learned magic while he was in the hospital, and that made his performance feel even more special. I was lucky enough to be a volunteer during one of his tricks. He changed something I was holding in my hand, and I still can’t figure out how he did it. I...

Foil Arms and Hog: Skittish – Underbelly, Bristo Square

23Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Foil Arms and Hog: Skittish – Underbelly, Bristo Square

Foil Arms and Hog's "Skittish" was nothing short of spectacular—a brilliant fusion of music and comedy that had the entire audience in stitches from start to finish. The show was a full house, and it’s easy to see why. It’s hard to say whether their musical talent or comedic timing stood out more because both were equally hilarious and perfectly executed. The performance was structured as a series of interactive comedy skits, each more entertaining than the last. The audience was continuously engaged, unable to stop laughing as each skit delivered something fresh and unexpected. One of the highlights was an Irish comedy song that had everyone clapping along to the infectious tunes, blending humor and music effortlessly. One particularly memorable skit involved a comedic take on o...

Rahul Subramanian: Who Are You? – Assembly George Square

23Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Rahul Subramanian: Who Are You? – Assembly George Square

Rahul Subramanian’s comedy show was an absolute delight—a perfect blend of humour and insight, making it a total entertainer from start to finish. He kicked off the evening with a hilarious take on Indian parents and their expectations, particularly their classic line about not wasting food because "kids in Africa are suffering." Rahul then twisted this familiar statement by imagining a child’s response: "What about Indian kids?" The punchline— “That’s for African parents to tell”—was both unexpected and brilliantly funny. Rahul steered clear of sensitive topics, keeping the show light-hearted and accessible to all. His observations on the journey of becoming a software engineer and the reactions of nosy relatives had everyone in stitches. Another highlight was his bit on sales c...