Scotland Archives - Page 5 of 94

Blame It On The Bucky – Reconnect Regal Theatre

7Sep

By Susan CohenNo Comments

Scotland

Blame It On The Bucky – Reconnect Regal Theatre

This new play has the potential to become one of Scotland’s classics. It’s advertised as ‘an uproarious comedy’ – that, it most certainly is. It’s billed as ‘a hilarious night’ – oh yes, that’s for sure. However, it’s more – it’s a depiction of family dynamics, of fear and frailty, life and death. The balance between its comedic quirkiness and its unexpected depth is what makes this play so exciting. It affords the great spectacle of farce. Two men, hungover from a night on the ‘rambo juice’, have no memory of what on earth they did with Granny’s corpse when they were on the razz. Well, it must’ve seemed like a good idea at the time … but hurry … the funeral’s fast approaching ... there's a baby on the way … … get a move on … tick tick...

Heartbreak Hotel – Summerhall, Edinburgh

28Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Heartbreak Hotel – Summerhall, Edinburgh

Feeling more like a work in progress than a completed show, but with oodles of charm, this mixes a lecturing approach to the biochemistry of heartbreak with sketches of interactions between female and male of the species, together with elements of singing and grade one synth (oops that’s the wrong chord!). Throw in a spectacular lighting rig transported all the way from NZ no less, and you end up with something that is really entertaining, and educational!, and with a bit more polish could be really good. It’s pretty kooky though! With something of the Degree Show art installation about it, albeit on a grand scale, a bank of multi-coloured wrap-round LED lights enfolds the performance area, the floor of which is a pink deep pile carpet, like the inside of a living cell, which adds ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...