REVIEWS Archives - Page 73 of 336

12Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Food – The Studio

I am one of the ‘lucky’ ones chosen to be seated at a gargantuan table fully laid out with plates and glasses and cutlery, with about 30 other guests, the rest of the ‘audience’ are seated around us on three sides. Geoff Sobelle dressed as a fancy waiter struts around us, in charge of proceedings. He pretends to light a candle and pulls it on a cloth into the middle of the table. Of course, it is only a little pretend candle; no one is allowed to use a naked light in theatre land these days. In fact, as he pulls it, it falls over, so we can all see that it is a little battery powered prop, there is a ripple of laughter. Sobelle shrugs with a grin. Any so it begins. As the lights drop lower and lower and we are asked to close our eyes and are taken on a journey with Sobelle’s sonorous v...

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band – Edinburgh Summerhall (Dissection Room)

12Aug

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band – Edinburgh Summerhall (Dissection Room)

‘My baby loves Happy Mondays, My baby drinks leftovers in the morning.’ Piccadilly Records, Manchester, second half of 1995. There’s - as usual - something good playing as I go through Parlophone’s releases for the week with the buyer(s) and three tracks in I’m forced to break off, ‘What’s this playing?’ ‘Waterpistol, Shack. They did it a while ago, but it sort of… got lost.’ 27 years later the same record store made ‘Dear Scott’ their album of the year for 2022. It topped Mojo magazine’s chart too. At Summerhall’s Dissection Room tonight we’ve a chance to catch up with the latest episode of Michael Head’s career. Long story but: The Pale Fountains, Shack, The Magical World of The Strands, and now The Red Elastic Band. A Postie reference, I believe. Having had ‘Kismet’ off...

Dizney in Drag – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

12Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Dizney in Drag – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

From the moment I stepped into the venue for 'Dizney in Drag,' I knew I was in for an extraordinary experience. Before the show the cast came round to the audience in character, it felt like I was at Disneyland! The show started with a spectacular rendition of 'Be Our Guest,' letting the audience know what they would be in for - an hour filled with hilarious performances and fabulous surprises. 'Dizney in Drag' celebrates diversity with its message of acceptance within the LGBT, creating a safe space for everyone. The show weaves in provocative elements, tastefully whilst filling the hour with innuendos, and even cleverly placed "Hairy" Godmother segments. Some highlights for me were The Little Mermaid's unexpected bondage twist and the unforgettable 'Paint with All the Colours ...

Bowjangles: Dracula in Space – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

12Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Bowjangles: Dracula in Space – Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose

As I entered the venue for Bowjangles' "Dracula in Space," the atmosphere had been set with the unsettling sound of bells and crow noises, alongside the red gothic wallpaper against elaborate gold wall decorations, this further intensified the mysterious allure of the space. The stage came alive with the presence of the musicians that showcased a fusion of dancing, string instruments and singing. The choreography was well crafted, the musicians moved seamlessly with the music; the combination of the choreography and the different singing voices created a mesmerising visual and auditory experience. The comedy aspect consisted of musical humour, sprinkling in plenty of music-related jokes that I didn't understand myself but got some good laughs from the audience. Apparently,...

12Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Cowboys and Lesbians – Pleasance Dome

As I stepped into the theatre, the twang of country music surrounded me, setting the tone for the story that was about to be told. Each backdrop on the stage meticulously hand-painted, setting the scene for a world waiting to be explored, with this a ladder and a simple box, unassuming yet intriguing, overall, a very charming and well crafted set The audience buzzed, it was clear that this was a full house, ready for what we were about to see. The show started and we were transported into the lives of ordinary teenagers, casually chatting about crushes on teachers, which was nostalgic and familiar to most. The play developed into a coming-of-age narrative; a story that resonated with experiences many LGBT people have all shared. The transitions were accompanied by music that ...

Sheldrake on Shakespeare: Live! – Paradise in The Vault

11Aug

By Danielle FarrowNo Comments

Scotland

Sheldrake on Shakespeare: Live! – Paradise in The Vault

This show does not live up to expectations. The main show information promises ‘anecdote, insight, performance, analysis and laughter’ and the website states there will be ‘live performance of some of Shakespeare’s greatest moments. There weren’t. During the show mention was made of how this piece means getting to play great roles without having to audition. Entertaining moment… no great roles played. No roles played at all. Anecdote, insight, some analysis and some laughter, mostly of the dry chuckle variety, were delivered as James Sheldrake talked about Shakespeare and the ideas he has developed over 8 years of teaching. Sheldrake has some performance experience in Shakespeare plays and the one moment he moved to the back of the stage - a small section of an old Edinburgh vaulted...

Macbeth by the Sea – The Space on the Mile

11Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Macbeth by the Sea – The Space on the Mile

Second up in my Macbeth marathon this Fringe was this lightweight absurd piece by American group John Hancock Productions. With an open mind, I allowed the onslaught to commence, and commenceth it did. More Spamalot than Shakespeare, this one would have had the bard rolling in his grave, and not necessarily with laughter. Whilst there were moments of fun and pith from the four strong cast, led muscularly by Ric Walker in the titular role, this was still pretty thin gruel. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are trying to relax in a seaside resort after the murder of Banquo, but confronted in turn by his ghost, the witches and an incompetent masseuse (out damn knot!) hotel manager who is a weird mixture of Faulty and Renee. You get the picture. The picture that probably looked great on t...

At That Time, Byeon – Greenside @ Nicholson Square

11Aug

By Danielle FarrowNo Comments

Scotland

At That Time, Byeon – Greenside @ Nicholson Square

Ever watched a radio play created on stage? Seeing actors and crew create the sounds of the story is fascinating. Add the techniques of Korean silent films and you can start to imagine the entrancing ability of this black comedy from acclaimed Theatre Haddangse. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea and apparently based on a real murder, ‘At That Time, Byeon’ presents the case of a maid’s death, closed without the murderer established. There are occasional moments of Korean, always clear in general meaning as well as great to hear - being the performers’ own language - but the production is mostly in English. A troupe of 6 entertainers, decked out in black and white with carefully chosen touches of red, play against a white paper screen, put too fine use, including for pro...

Charlie Jackson: Bath (WIP) – The Rose and Crown Pub

11Aug

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Charlie Jackson: Bath (WIP) – The Rose and Crown Pub

Charlie Jackson's hour-long deliberation of taking a bath brings together clowning, improv with earnest curiosity. The Victorian pastime without any remnants of prudishness. As you enter the basement of the Rose and crown Pub, you are greeted with Victorian images of women enjoying the bath in paper mâché frames, countless rubber ducks, and several bath-associated knick-knacks. Charlie loses no time connecting with each of the audience members with his determined and warm demeanour. The joy and enthusiasm on Charlie's face as he takes you through his elaborate mind map of different aspects of setting up his bath. He goes old school with a flip sheet and sketches. Hearing his experiences, you also remember the joy you had splashing water in the tub as a child. You wonder if he will ...

11Aug

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

The Bareback Kings – The Hope Theatre

Hilarious, energetic and satirical comedy all rolled up in one. The Bareback Kings together since 2017 made up of Lynsey Bonnell, Rebecca Schuster, Juliet Morrish and Francesca Reid. Masters of their game from on point contour makeup to editing and ‘mansplaining’ they guarantee an evening of guffaws and chortles. The drag-king comedy group effortlessly saunters through improvisation, cabaret and sketch. The show begins with the Drag kings breaking out into a synchronized choreography with lip syncing to match that would make Nsync blush. The beats of the show explore themes of connection between audience members. Through the show there is a strong critique of the social assumptions, reinforcement of consent, and topical discussions about the threat of Barbie on the modern man...