Scotland Archives - Page 16 of 94

Kai Humphries: Gallivanting – Just the Tonic Nucleus

15Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Kai Humphries: Gallivanting – Just the Tonic Nucleus

Isn’t it a joy, after a busy day at the Edinburgh Fringe, to be treated to effortless entertainment as a sparkling, inventive mind takes you gallivanting? That’s you, Kai Humphries. And thank you. Kai Humphries writes his own material and once got grilled by border security in a foreign land where writers (i.e. journalists) were not welcome. They didn’t understand the word “joke” and soon decided he wasn’t worth their time. He is definitely worth your time. He’s a funny writer and tells a good story. I loved his opening where he explored different cultural ways of greeting one another and his existential response to “What’s happening?” He had the audience in the palm of his hand right from the moment he introduced himself off-stage. A Geordie, Humphries exploits both his...

Bronwyn Kuss: Sounds Good – Assembly George Square Studios

15Aug

By Triona ScullyNo Comments

Scotland

Bronwyn Kuss: Sounds Good – Assembly George Square Studios

Bronwyn Kuss makes her highly anticipated solo debut at Edinburgh, bringing her signature dry charm and sharp wit to the stage. Known for transforming everyday misadventures and questionable life choices into comedic gold, she captivates audiences with her deadpan delivery and wry observations. A writer and comedian celebrated for her masterful storytelling, Kuss has already earned accolades like the Director's Choice Award and Pinder Prize at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. With her sharp and perceptive observational comedy, Kuss is sure to leave you laughing long after the show ends. The X-rated music playing before she takes the stage gives Kuss her opening gag, setting the tone for a deep dive into her past traumas. She scrutinises memories of her younger self, including her enco...

Complete works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

15Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Complete works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), performed by the talented trio from 3 Witty fools—Sam Milner, Barnaby, and Henry Williams—delivered a whirlwind of laughter and sheer entertainment. Based on the book with the same title, this show is a condensed and comedic take on all of Shakespeare’s plays, and the team did a fantastic job bringing it to life on stage. The show kicked off with a hilarious rendition of Romeo and Juliet, setting the tone for an evening filled with clever humour and lively performances. Juliet’s exaggerated reactions to Romeo’s declarations of love were side-splitting, and her over-the-top manner of ending her life was a highlight, leaving the audience roaring with laughter. The chemistry between the performers was undeniable, and their ability t...

15Aug

By Torya HughesNo Comments

Scotland

Swamplesque – Assembly Hall

Shrek themed burlesque sounds like the premise for a show which could either be very good or very bad. Thankfully, Australian cabaret troupe Trigger Happy Productions have the skills and confidence to make this show both entertaining and impressive. After a stern announcement reminding the audience that this is in no way connected with DreamWorks, the show starts with a bang. Trigger Happy imbues the role of Shrek with an infectious pizazz, whether he's high kicking in sequins or coyly peeping out from behind a feathered fan. This energy is more than matched by Tash York as Princess Fiona, who showcases a powerful voice in two solos. Drag king Rainbow takes on the role of Lord Farquaad, arriving on her knees for comic effect. She has a wonderfully expressive face, which adds to the ...

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...

Antonio’s Revenge – C ARTS, C-Alto studio

15Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

Antonio’s Revenge – C ARTS, C-Alto studio

Antonio’s revenge starts as it means to end with plenty of bloodshed and murder. Bad guy Piero Sforza has murdered Andrugio and Feliche junior with plans to marry Andrugio’s wife and gain more power in the process but first he must take care of Andrugio’s son/ his soon to be son in law Antonio. In this Elizabethan play written by John Marston one can expect: violence, sex, revenge and some very impressive acting. The text as one can expect is like Shakespeare’s: hard to follow through word alone but the performance is so well acted and directed that these actors could be merely speaking the language of the Swedish Chef, and we would still have a clear idea as to what is going on. It’s fast paced and within the first few moments of the play we have our first death by poison and...

My English Persian Kitchen – Traverse Theatre

15Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

My English Persian Kitchen – Traverse Theatre

World Premier A unique play involving the live creation (and ultimate consumption) of a popular Iranian soup dish, ash-e-reshteh, which is, we are told, dished out on the streets of Iran every day, as common as Ice cream. Cultural differences are at the centre of this story by award-winning writer Hannah Khalil. Adapted from the real life story of Atoosa Sepehr as she flees from Iran to escape an abusive husband, and her subsequent journey to settle in England. Isabella Nefar (Salome, National Theatre) welcomes us into Traverse 2 as though to a dinner party, smells of chopped onions, herbs and spices waft through the space. There is a buzz of conversation. Food, a bridge of the senses, cultures, the very essence of our being, and within the ceremony of sharing food, the hand of f...

John Wayne Gacy, The Killer Clown: Born Evil? – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

15Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

John Wayne Gacy, The Killer Clown: Born Evil? – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

John Wayne Gacy the notorious serial killer, famous for the rape, torture and murder of at least 33 teenage boys in America during the 1970s. The community clown who’s home stood on the graveyard of his “alleged victims”, I use the word alleged as this word comes up multiple times throughout the show. This is not a show that sympathizes with Gacy by any means, instead it’s a one man show that tries to tells Gacy’s story as the man himself had narrated. Using quotes from Gacy’s interviews a 50-minute-long story time has been created. We are made to question: does one begin evil or are they made to be, was Gacy really a man of multiple personalities, deluded or a monster and manipulator? Our lead actor takes on the role of Gacy himself, donning an American Chicago accent and readin...

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – theSpace @ Niddry Street

15Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – theSpace @ Niddry Street

Young innocent children attending a spelling bee competition, what could go wrong? Well, these children are competitive and under pressure, pressure that may just come to a boiling point in this wonderfully feel good and nifty musical. Meet the contestants of the 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, or perhaps even become one of them yourself, but one thing is for certain you’ll be in for a right treat and a few emotional roller coasters. Prepare yourself for almost 2 hours of pure laughter, charm and talent with this fun little musical. It’s true to say that when the cast is having fun so is the audience, you could tell that the team thoroughly enjoy the show and in doing so never miss a beat. We find ourselves watching the classic “odd balls” of societies youth: the nerd, the perfecti...