Scotland Archives - Page 46 of 93

20Aug

By Amy HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Dazzling – theSpace @ Niddry Street

One-woman show ‘Dazzling’ is a drama exploring themes of love, addiction, and mental health through a queer lens. Sexuality and gender were naturally integrated into the storyline (especially the use of they/them pronouns for character Fi) which gave the show an innate inclusivity that felt naturally written and performed. I would like to see more fringe shows break social norms in this supportive way. Holly Sewel’s writing used poetic technique to convey emotion in a beautiful and thought-provoking way. The use of poetry was especially effective during the manic runs of monologue where Alix’s bounding speech created a sense of loss of control. The final metaphor of the putting a pillow in-between two people to create a boundary whilst also allowing them to lean upon each other was ...

Frighthouse Presents: The Wheel of Misfortune – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

19Aug

By Marcelina KruczyńskaNo Comments

Scotland

Frighthouse Presents: The Wheel of Misfortune – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Filled with jarring and innovative ideas and plenty of clowntastic fun. This unique gameshowesque performance will make you laugh till your insides hurt and then laugh some more. Returning to the fringe, this multimedia horror-comedy anthology which was performed by local Edinburgh creatives and was inspired by The Twilight Zone and Creepshow is the perfect place to bring along friends. The energetic atmosphere and audience participation is the perfect recipe for a fun-filled night. With only two chairs and the wheel on stage the creators found an innovative story-telling solution to paint the picture of where they are. In only 45 minutes the cast manage to take you on a funny and grotesque journey through several stories that are selected through the wheel itself. In each story act...

Vote Macbeth! – The Space @ Surgeons’ Hall

19Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Vote Macbeth! – The Space @ Surgeons’ Hall

Part 4 of my Fringe of ’23, Macbeth marathon, sees another murder, this time set in the present day that boils and bubbles its way through a very dense script/lib to end with its own toils and troubles. The common theme in disappointing shows is that they inevitably try to do too much, and there could hardly be a better example than this one. From the singular hand of John Paul Liddell, writing, composing, directing, acting and singing (very nicely BTW I might add!) in the Macbeth lead role, there is no air at all left in this one by the end. A dense and wordy treatise on political power, where Macbeth is president, I assume of a post-Independent Scotland, set in the near future, the musical is comprised of 18 songs, which run non-stop, top to tail, with no dialogue in-between. N...

Little Women: The Musical – Paradise at Augustines

19Aug

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Little Women: The Musical – Paradise at Augustines

Little Women was the first novel I ever read, and this story holds a special place in my heart. This delightful production of the musical brought back all the joy and sorrow that I shared with these characters, all those years ago. For a fraction of the price of the big venues, this show has everything you could possibly want. The vocal performances, acting and staging are stellar, and the performers are right there in front of you. Hannah Childs dazzles as everyone’s favourite March sister, Jo. Her hyperactive enthusiasm is intoxicating, and she owns the stage, leaping and swirling around like a tiny tornado of purpose. Her performance of Jo’s signature song, Astonishing, blew me away, and received rapturous applause. Jo’s tender scene with her dying sister Beth (Charlotte Smi...

Drag Queens Vs Vampires – Underbelly, Cowgate

18Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

Drag Queens Vs Vampires – Underbelly, Cowgate

Back from their award winning show Drag Queens Vs Zombies at last year’s fringe, the Haus Of Dench return with their new must see show: Drag Queens Vs Vampires. Join drag stars Kate Butch and Crudi Dench as they prepare to take to the stage in Romania for Eurovision, but it’s not only nerves they are having to fight off. Booking an Airbnb in the spookiest of places: Transylvania, a new obstacle faces the two when their host happens to be non-other than Dracula himself, and he’s got his sights set on Kate. Between the competition and the ancient evil vampire, can these friends stay together or will they be torn apart in this blood drinking, vampire staking, weird but catchy song singing extravaganza? Drag Queens Vs Vampires is a hilarious show that fills it’s dark and dingy ven...

18Aug

By Marcelina KruczyńskaNo Comments

Scotland

Nevernatal – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Nevernatal written by Freya Magee and directed by Charlotte Cattrall in an unusual blend of comedy, baby showers and environmentally conscience thoughts, there's bound to be something for everyone. In this quick and witty performance even, the toughest critic is bound to crack a laugh. The play has taken a journey from Melbourne to London and finally landing at the Edinburgh Fringe. In a satirical way the play openly discusses topics that would resonate with many women in today's society. Magee’s play achieves to show the pressure women face in relation to settling down and starting a family. As well as the sacrifices women have to make like whether to settle down or stay career orientated. The performance stars five different characters Catherine (played by Jadene Renée Prospere), ...

18Aug

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

Draining The Swamp – C Arts

Sir Oswald Mosley was an antisemite who led the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s. His notorious Blackshirts were a byword for political thuggery. Mosley was interned during the Second World War. Yet Mosley started life as a mainstream politician. First elected to the House of Commons as a Conservative in 1918, aged only 21, he later joined Labour and in 1929 was appointed a member of Ramsay MacDonald’s Government. Mosley was spoken of as a future Prime Minister. But he resigned a year later, and in 1932 formed the British Union of Fascists. As we enter the intimate venue for this new play by D.R Hill, stern looking Blackshirts mumble greetings. We are soon welcomed by Mosley himself. It is 1961 and we’re his guests at his home in France. He’s launching the ‘new Union Movement’ ...

18Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Ripper – Hill Street Theatre

A small ‘black box’ theatre venue with a pronounced AC thrum and uncomfortable chairs does not auger well for this brand new musical by Pete Sneddon. However, once the action started I am pleasantly surprised, both by the quality of the acting, the script and the music accompanying this pacy rock opera, directed efficiently by Mark Jeary-Fairbairn. It just goes to show what can be produced on a tight budget, with enough commitment and talented actors. A few tweaks of the lighting set up would improve the audience experience, with bright LEDs behind the stage area causing some unnecessary glare issues, particularly for the front row. That having been said, John Christopher is excellent in the lead role, which requires real commitment and attack from the very start, and which he...

18Aug

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Puppets – Paradise in the Vault

Two estranged brothers, Conny (Freddie Mitchell) and Lonny (Alex Davies), are thrown together in the basement of Lonny’s pub. We watch as they get to know each other again, fighting, sharing, and grieving together as only siblings can. One minute, the brothers fly at each other in a rage, hurling words like weapons. This alternates with expressions of tenderness and compassion. The dynamic between the two actors is a marvel to behold, and I wonder if they are brothers, or at least lifelong friends in real life. They listen and react to each other beautifully. This is a masterclass in actor chemistry, and I strongly recommend that every actor goes to see this production. The script, by writer/director Barney Watts, is breath taking. Every word has power, and the ...

18Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

No Love Songs – Traverse Theatre

It probably helps that I was already a fan of the music of The View and Kyle Falconer. This was on my must-see wish-list, and boy was it worth waiting for. Certainly the best show I have seen at the Fringe this year, and I have seen a lot. This is review no. 50! Brilliantly acted by John McLarnon as musician, Jesse andwith an absolutely knock-out award-winning performance by Dawn Sievewright as Fashion student, Lana, the story is a simple boy-meets-girl, which only starts getting complicated when two become three. The simplicity and universality of the story-telling is perhaps this shows greatest strength, for it allows the music to shine – the essential element that brought them together and the one that is tearing them apart. When Jesse leaves to tour America, Lana’s ini...