Monday, October 14

Scotland

Surrender – Summerhall, Edinburgh
28Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

Surrender – Summerhall, Edinburgh

A much anticipated, new play by Sophie Swithinbank, who had such Fringe success last year with Bacon, transferring to London, via Australia before ending up at New York’s Soho Playhouse. Not bad at all for a talented young playwright A single chair awaits actress, Phoebe Ladenburg as she steps on to the sparse Tech Cube performance space, looking nervous and uncertain, like a twitchy actor at an audition. But this might be the most important performance of her life, she is about to meet her daughter. So, she sits and practices different faces and words of greeting, twisting her face in anger and frustration as the exact phrasing and expression is never quite right. When her daughter does arrive she is almost speechless, her face crumples, it is the first time she has seen her no...
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Silly Little Bits – The Royal Scots Club
28Aug By Wendy McEwanNo Comments
Scotland

Silly Little Bits – The Royal Scots Club

Everyone needs a laugh now and then, and Edinburgh-based Broadsword Theatre are here to save the day with a selection of comedy sketches. It’s energetic, playful, and, as the title suggests, ever so silly. Why work with a focus group to evaluate programming ideas for your TV station, when you can simply get a Content Goblin? This monosyllabic “average” viewer loves shows about hot people running pyramid schemes, and cops who are also other things, but whatever you do, don’t mention werewolves. Let’s be honest, we all have a content goblin within us. OK, maybe you don’t, but I do. The sketch about workplace desk yoga struck a nerve, with cries of recognition from the audience. A first-time stand-up gets heckled by his parents. (I have seen this happen for real at the fringe before...
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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...
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Bad Habit – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall
27Aug By Wendy McEwanNo Comments
Scotland

Bad Habit – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Dionne (Molly Geddes) and Eilidh (Molly Jayne-Graham) want to take a selfie in front of the Hollywood sign, so they go on a retreat in a California convent. But the nuns won’t let them leave the building. On their last night, the resourceful teens make one last attempt to escape and go clubbing. Instead, they get trapped in the basement with cantankerous Sister Stacey (Emma Gray) and accident-prone Sister Grace (Olaya Ciccarelli-Bermudez). Meanwhile, the second coming is imminent, and cringingly cool Father James (James Crutcher) is skateboarding along the freeway in search of the baby Jesus. The script, by Emma Gray and Molly Geddes, is light-hearted and full of surprises. The cast dance to a techno “remix” of “Let There Be Light”, with the Voice of God supplied by Peter McCormi...
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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 ...
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Verdi’s Requiem – Usher Hall, Edinburgh
27Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

Verdi’s Requiem – Usher Hall, Edinburgh

The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by the youthful and energetic Santa-Matias Rouvali, accompanied by the massed ranks of the brilliant Edinburgh Festival Chorus, lit up the Usher Hall tonight with a powerful rendition of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem. The argument continues whether this is more of an an opera than an ecclesiastical work, but one thing all can agree on is that it is packed full of drama. The trumpet shall sound, through the places of the dead, and across the land The multiple drum-heralded Dies Irae (one of Verdi’s most recognisable ‘Bangers’) never fails to send a shiver down my spine, and it was a joy to hear it rebounding around the great space that is the Usher Hall, surely the finest classical music venue in Edinburgh. You will rarely see the string section...
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300 Paintings – Summerhall
27Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

300 Paintings – Summerhall

This is a unique show on so many levels. Perhaps most extraordinary in that it is a true story, told with clarity and humour, but with some big messages about mental health, creativity and redemption. Truly inspirational! Three years ago Australian, Sam Kissajukian’s ten-year love affair with stand-up comedy ended and his shiny new relationship with abstract expressionist painting began. Sam had always had a compulsive, obsessive streak and painting seemed to play right into that sweet spot of being able to release expressive thoughts that telling jokes to drunk strangers at 1am simply didn’t. In June 2021, his first painting, a monochrome self-portrait was created on a large piece of cardboard. During the next six months Sam worked on discarded cardboard, or left over bits of MDF, i...
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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 ...
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In Conversation with Caroline Lucas – The Stand Comedy Club
26Aug By Tom ScottNo Comments
Scotland

In Conversation with Caroline Lucas – The Stand Comedy Club

This was a fascinating hour with former Green MP, Caroline Lucas. She answered questions on a wide range of subjects from the interviewer, Graham Spiers, and members of the audience. Unlike some politicians, Lucas does not duck questions, but gives thoughtful, straightforward and always illuminating answers. Lucas is a trailblazer in British politics. She was the first Green MP in 2010, having previously been an MEP since 1999. The first leader of the Green Party of England and Wales from 2008-12, she was also co-leader from 2016-18. At this year’s General Election, she stepped down as an MP. Lucas is unimpressed by the new Labour Government, saying it’s better than the Tories, but that’s a very low bar. She doesn’t accept the necessity for cuts such as the recent abolition of the wi...
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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...
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