REVIEWS Archives - Page 154 of 549

DIVA: Live From Hell – Underbelly, Cowgate

24Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

DIVA: Live From Hell – Underbelly, Cowgate

Luke Bayer. Remember the name. If you combine the tongue-flicking rubber faced brilliance of a young Jim Carey, the bottom-burp comedic appeal of Rick Mayall, and the sharpness of super-smart baby Stewie of Family Guy, well…. You might just about have the voice, but nowhere near the energy of the nuclear-powered, AI-chipped, water-slurping machine that is Luke Bayer. Probably best known for his work in the original West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, or for appearing on X Factor in 2007, making it through to Dannie Minogue’s judges houses, but at 15 too young to go any further. Now is his time. And this IS the show. What a voice. Or should I say four voices to be exact. Here’s your character list; Desmond Channing (voice see above) The DIVA himself. Writ...

I Wish you Well: Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Musical – Underbelly, George Square

24Aug

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

Scotland

I Wish you Well: Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Musical – Underbelly, George Square

A camp parody of amusement based on the infamous 2023 ski trial of Gwyneth vs Terry. “Nothing ever happens in a court in Utah” then Gwyneth comes to town, and that is when the fun starts. With a cast of 4 this fast-paced musical picks at the not so subtle evidence in court where Terry is suing Gwyneth for a brain injury sustained in the accident. Gwyneth is suing Terry for $1 for the inconvenience of it all, she is not happy. From the outset the scene is set, staged in court and it is not long before each character bursts onto the scene with their individuality, and musical style. The story lines flow seamlessly, the musicality is on point, and all mixed in with a cabaret choreographic style that Judge Jude, Idnss Kargbo showcases perfectly. He leaves not...

24Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

After the Silence – Festival Theatre

In Brazil, the award-winning novel, Torto Arado has sold more than 800,000 copies. Spotlighting historical and contemporary slavery, injustice and inequality, this is perfect fictional material for Christiane Jatahy to blend with her journalistic techniques. The novel’s characters relate incidents from Torto Arado with the documentary history of João Pedro Teixeira, a militant peasant who was murdered in 1964 and the perpetrators never punished. Jatahy emphasises the root of fiction is in fact. Her objective always is to raise awareness and to connect the past and the present in immersive projects that include the audience. After the Silence works on several levels. The cast, Caju Bezerra, Aduni Guedes, Julaina França and Gal Pereira interact with the huge film screen, showing real ...

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...

24Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Fifth Step – The Lyceum, Edinburgh

World Premier The fifth step of the AA 12 step recovery program states, Admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs. This exercise begins to provide emotional, mental and spiritual relief. By sharing wrong with a trusted confidant, guilt and shame start to melt away. At least, that’s the theory. The Fifth Step, a play by David Ireland, received its World premier tonight. A dark comedy, directed by Finn den Hertog, stars a brilliantly watchable Jack Lowden as Luka, a recovering alcoholic searching for a sponsor in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. He meets James, a recovered alcoholic, played with assurance and sensitivity by Sean Gilder, an older man who, initially at least, seems ideal to guide him through the twelve steps. ...

24Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Sunshine On Leith – Assembly Rooms

A firm Edinburgh favourite, for locals and tourists alike, musical, Sunshine on Leith, set to the original songs of The Proclaimers, always does very well at Fringe time. Last years’ production by the same company, Captivate Theatre, was one of my Fringe highlights. So, I was looking forward to this one, accompanied this time by my musical loving daughter. Following a pair of discharged soldiers, Ally and Davy, as they return home, across Pilrig Street and via Central bar to their beloved Leith, it is a simple romantic tale which initially at least, leans more towards comedy than drama and lets the music do most of the talking. Early highlights, I’m On My way, it's over and done with, and Let’s get Married set the tone, and have the packed crowd chanting along to these uplifting son...

Salomé, Tragedy of the Femme Fatale – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

24Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Salomé, Tragedy of the Femme Fatale – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Harrowing, dark, and honest, this one-woman monologue shows our femme fatale Salomé, giving her confession to a detective who is working on the murder case of Salomé’s husband. Based on Oscar Wilde’s Salome, this piece, performed and produced by Maryam S. Holleman, brings a new light to the classic tale. A beautifully written, thoughtful adaptation, Holleman uses the story to give power and understanding to Salomé – a typically scorned character, who has faced a barrage of misogyny over time is given grace. Holleman’s performance is striking and powerful, including raw subject matter discussing the abuse and turmoil of Salomé’s childhood. With discussion too around the South African apartheid as well as other violence in the countries in which Salomé had l...

Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story – Pleasance Courtyard

24Aug

By Torya HughesNo Comments

Scotland

Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story – Pleasance Courtyard

Diana, Princess of Wales is brought to life as you've never seen her before, in a chaotic sort-of solo show by Awkward Productions. Starring Linus Karp as the titular princess, who is often upstaged by Joseph Martin in the role of Camilla, the show also features very enthusiastic audience participation. The company are honest at the outset - this is the story of Diana's life, but there is very little truth to it. Instead, this is a mix of drag, multimedia, comedy and borderline slander. Certain audience members are chosen to play roles such as Diana's parents, the royal nannies and even the Queen's corgi. To their credit they all get involved with great enthusiasm and seem to relish the opportunity to hop up onstage. Charles is represented by a cardboard cutout with real hair stuck ...

Ghost The Musical – Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

23Aug

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

London

Ghost The Musical – Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

The stunning Aylesbury Waterside Theatre last night hosted the opening night of the latest UK tour of Ghost the Musical which extends into 2025. This musical will forever be judged against the original production which began in Manchester in 2011. Sadly, in today’s climate it will never be possible to tour this show in that original format due to the ever-rising costs and the logistical complexities the show displayed. In this production, slightly updated from its last tour the set serves its purpose but no more and audiences need to accept that. Based on the hit movie Ghost is a story about Sam Wheat who is murdered on his way home from visiting his girlfriend Molly’s art exhibition and becomes trapped between this world and the next. His subsequent journey teaches him the circumsta...