Wednesday, December 17

Scotland

So Young – Traverse Theatre
12Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

So Young – Traverse Theatre

World Premier From the celebrated writer of Decky Does a Bronco and I Can Go Anywhere, Douglas Maxwell’s So Young is an often hilarious, but equally pathos-tinged coming-of-middle-age tale. 40-somethings Davie, Liane, Milo and Helen were once inseparable, three of them studied at teacher training together, but that all changed when Helen died from COVID. Set up as a classic sitcom, like a latter-day kilted Abigail’s Party, nicely constructed traditional sets transport us, with the swish of a curtain, from the bedroom of long-time married couple Liane (Luciano McEvoy) and Dave (Andy Clark) to the faux-chic lounge of recently bereaved pal Milo (Nicholas Karimi) and his new, much younger, girlfriend Greta (Yang Harris). The cliché of the older man’s ch...
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At Least I’m Not Bald – C Arts, C alto
11Aug By Susan CohenNo Comments
Scotland

At Least I’m Not Bald – C Arts, C alto

This is a show by the Ukrainian writer-performer, Valery Reva and it really is quite a show, delivered with considerable force, with real impact. Reva tells her own real life story by the use of a complex, beautifully written narrative, accompanied by subtle, effective sound and the unusually creative use of simple props.    She begins to open up about her experience in an understated, matter-of-fact way – should she choose to pay exorbitant dental fees in London or travel 28 hours home to war torn Ukraine to have her teeth tended there?  For her, it was a no brainer.  She made the decision to undertake the long journey and ultimately headed to downtown Kiev where, after reuniting and partying with friends before having dental treatment, a routine health ...
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VL – Roundabout @ Summerhall
11Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

VL – Roundabout @ Summerhall

Hilariously parochial! VL stands for Virgin Lips, a label that no teenager wants to be saddled with. When Max and Stevie, two wee Scottish F…., oops lads, miss the bus to the end of year 2 school disco at the local ice rink, they are in two minds to just go home to watch telly instead. After all, Robin Hood Prince Of Thievesis on! But no, they have to go, because at least one of them is a VL and this might just be his last chance to pop that cherry. And if your still a VL after tonight, before you go into 3rd year, you just might be a VL forever! Seasoned comedy writers and performers, Kieran Hurley and Gary McNair play it just about perfect as the day-glow-clad youngsters trying to navigate romance in the hormonal pressure cooker of Hammersten High School. Stevie has, tech...
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Abi Clarke: (Role) Model – Pleasance Courtyard Beneath
11Aug By Beth EltringhamNo Comments
Scotland

Abi Clarke: (Role) Model – Pleasance Courtyard Beneath

Abi Clarke rose to fame overnight via a TikTok video that went viral, ever since she has been climbing the social media and stand-up comedy ladder, but with all this new found fame she is left with one major dilemma: does this mean that she should have to be a role model now too? In this rather funny stand-up comedy show Clarke addresses what it means to be a stereo typical “role model”, the limitations to being an influencer by trade and pressures that we women put on ourselves in this day and age. We learn about how fame has changed her as a person and question if one can truly be a role model when their favourite TV moments are those of pretty girls getting their hair chopped off on American’s Next Top model. Abi is a natural performer, her energy is infectious and she is just...
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Edinburgh Liminal – Museum of Edinburgh
11Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

Edinburgh Liminal – Museum of Edinburgh

On a, thankfully, sunny day, the Holstead family are Team 4 and directed by the delightful Carmel Calvin, to go forth and make some sweet music at a specific location, located by solving a puzzle. We have exactly an hour to return. Brains suitably tested, puzzle solved, we set off with Steel tongue drum, thumb piano and maraca into the Edinburgh throng. It’s a hot day, but the kids, plinking on thumb piano and shaking maracas (carnival style) are not complaining, yet. In fact we draw some admiring glances, heads turn and smile. I’m sure if we had a hat we could make some money here! A short walk and ice cream stop later we arrive, the kids miraculously still not complaining. Water tinkles in the background and we decide that this should definitely be part of our soundscape record...
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Married at Fringe Sight — theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall
11Aug By Olivia CoxNo Comments
Scotland

Married at Fringe Sight — theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Are you looking for love at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe? Whether you’re on the hunt for a quick fling or your future spouse, The Queer Comedy Club are here to help with their very fun new show Married at Fringe Sight. Hosted by comedians David Ian and Jeremy Topp, audience members are invited to scan a QR code and answer questions about topics such as their worst ever date, their ideal partner, and the worst thing about their last (or current) partner to help the duo play match-maker. But this isn’t just a show for singletons. We’re told that in this space, for one night only, relationship status, sexuality, and preferences are thrown completely out the window — handy, given that the ratio of straight women to straight men in my audience was approximately 20:1. Once the comed...
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The Dreamer: Live – Underbelly Circus Hub
11Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

The Dreamer: Live – Underbelly Circus Hub

One of the most heavily (and successfully) promoted shows I’ve ever seen on the Fringe, the ubiquitous posters have foretold of the coming of the boy wonder, James Phelan, long before his arrival. But is it and is he really up to the hype? Well, yes and no. Without wanting to give too much away – no spoilers here – the show is certainly entertaining. In Underbelley’s giant Spiegeltent know as ‘The Beauty’, Phelan holds court from a raised ‘in the round’ centre stage, which suits his style of friendly bonhomie. His quick wit plays on the answers from various audience volunteers and draws easy and relaxed laughs, and never in a nasty way. The biggest surprise and to some extent, disappointment, here, is that this is not really a magic show at all, in the traditional sense, but m...
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Divas of Jazz – theSpace @ Symposium Hall
11Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

Divas of Jazz – theSpace @ Symposium Hall

Singer Hannah Hay exudes youthful appreciation of her genre, swaying barefoot before an excellent five-piece in the comfortable and intimate space that is quite possibly the best appointed live music venue in Edinburgh in August. The great acoustic, leather seats and ample legroom usually make it an easy and clever choice for music lovers. Particularly those of a certain age! Unfortunately, the music of jazz so often borne of toil and pain and heartache, and at home in happy, low-lit backstreet bars or clandestine hotel lounges, struggles to sound authentic or nuanced in this luxurious a setting and between these so directionally well lit walls. There is no atmosphere. Which is a shame, because Hay is an accomplished singer and the musicianship behind her is also excellent. St...
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Me For You – Pleasance Courtyard (The Green)
10Aug By Tom ScottNo Comments
Scotland

Me For You – Pleasance Courtyard (The Green)

‘Me for You’ is a fascinating play about two women who are in love. It has a sparkling, very funny script and is beautifully performed. The climate emergency provides an intriguing backdrop to this contemporary drama. Holly has been seeing Jake for quite some time. Now they want to have a child together. But Jake comes to regret the day he introduces Holly to his friend and workmate, Alex. The two women quickly fall in love. For a while Holly continues to sleep with Jake but, as she’s also having an affair with Alex, she stops taking the pill. Holly finally tells Jake the truth. Understandably he’s very upset. And Holly’s assurance that “It’s you, not me” and that she still cares about him, doesn’t really help Jake to feel any better. Two people had loved each other. But the r...
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An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People – Assembly Roxy
10Aug By Wendy McEwanNo Comments
Scotland

An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People – Assembly Roxy

Ricky Sim is a gifted storyteller. He talks beautifully about the complexities of coming out as gay to his Malaysian family, and his grief following the death of his beloved mother. He also tells a lot of dick jokes. Sim engages energetically with the crowd as he introduces us to the intricacies of “Gaysian” culture and the accompanying slang. Do you know why Sim decided not to major in computer science? Go to his show and you will find out. Just when Sim was preparing to come out to his mom, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was afraid that he might break her heart. He wished that there was a gay Asian role model he could point to, so that she would know he could be happy. Sim fills our hearts with memories and little details about his mother. Years after her passing, w...
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