Scotland Archives - Page 6 of 129

Max Fulham: Full of Ham – The Cellar in Pleasance Courtyard

27Aug

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

Scotland

Max Fulham: Full of Ham – The Cellar in Pleasance Courtyard

This was Maxs last show at the Edinburgh Fringe, and it was a sell-out. A testament to his popularity in his debut run of Full of Ham. First impressions this guy has the comedic spontaneity of Micheal McIntyre with a ventriloquist dummy. Max Fulham is an innovative ventriloquist with originality and flare. For those of you who remember ‘Billy Bear Ham’ growing up, he breathes life into ‘Billy’ in a way that defies logic, but it works. “I’m ham not spam” Characters who appear in Max’s portfolio of puppetry is his very first red-haired hand puppet given to him as child and from here his interest in ventriloquism was ignited. With a nod to the great Keith Harris and Orvil. Be prepared to see ‘Jesus with his sandals’ grandad, and the ‘birthday boy’. Not forgetting a shopping trip at the...

27Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Sweeney Todd – The Famous Spiegeltent

As part of their nine-show lineup at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, Captivate Theatre brings their rendition of Sondheim’s magnum opus Sweeney Todd to The Famous Spiegeltent in St Andrews Square. Humorous and gritty, the in-the-round set-up of The Spiegeltent added a voyeuristic, sinister energy to the production as the cast prowled through the audience, spying on as the action played out. Captivate’s prominence in the Edinburgh amateur theatre scene guarantees a production of consistency and talent, with Sweeney Todd certainly keeping in line with this expectation. Unfortunately for me, I was rather distracted throughout the performance as having arrived later than the general audience, I found myself dejected to a stool rather than a seat - a stool with a mirrored pilla...

Wet Dreams with Jesus – theSpaceUK @ Surgeons Hall

26Aug

By Al CarrettaNo Comments

Scotland

Wet Dreams with Jesus – theSpaceUK @ Surgeons Hall

Barefoot in black combats and a pink top, Alice excitedly enters the stage with infectious energy and begins an impromptu audience interaction to launch her story. She’s a waitress, originally from Louisiana, but has now found herself in England. The rapid-fire tour of her young life so far then ensues. Her descriptions allude to a youth spent in a geographically idyllic place. The hum of Cicadas, the presence of fireflies and the all-consuming areas of swampland paint an involved and interesting picture of a home where something is evidently wrong. The facade exists to be dismantled and over the next fifty minutes confident direction from Amber Buttery punctuates the framework of Alice’s story. The mise en scene is simple; key props litter the edges of the small stage, an involved lightin...

Kevin Quantum: Unbelievable Magic for Non-Believers – Ballroom at Assembly Rooms

26Aug

By Susan CohenNo Comments

Scotland

Kevin Quantum: Unbelievable Magic for Non-Believers – Ballroom at Assembly Rooms

The audience was intrigued from the moment they were approached by an Assembly assistant in the queue outside the venue asking if each individual was a ‘believer’ or a ‘non-believer’ and issuing a red or blue card accordingly. This was a nice touch – bringing the audience together, before they even became a group. The premise of the show is that it was made for the non-believers, for those who believe in science over magic, the entire audience greeted with the sight of a sparking electrical transformer which stayed in situ throughout the entire performance as a reminder of the show’s narrative. It must be a tall order for a performer to set this kind of show apart from other similar formats, but this angle worked well. Kevin Quantum emerged on stage in a surprisingly ...

Flat 4 – The Outhouse Bar, Broughton Street Lane

25Aug

By Al CarrettaNo Comments

Scotland

Flat 4 – The Outhouse Bar, Broughton Street Lane

The loft space in the Outhouse Bar is a true Fringe venue space. Like Isabel Songer herself, it comes as is. There is no major lighting rig installed and there is no particular definition of the acting space. This is a welcome change to the black box pop-up theatre that defines most show experiences. Chairs encircle the acting area, and the audience gather as if the show were some kind of group therapy session in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Taking the stage in blue silk pyjamas, these ingredients set the stage for Songer to present her unpretentious monologue of university life with passion and gusto. The action is set in a two-bedroom flat. Alex and her best friend Bex are together for the long haul. If that means binge watching television for days and eating greasy take...

Famous Lost Birds – The Annexe at Paradise in The Vault

25Aug

By Susan CohenNo Comments

Scotland

Famous Lost Birds – The Annexe at Paradise in The Vault

This is a new play written by Daniel Grady and Maisy Nichols and produced by Land of Nod. The advertising blurb is pretty intimidating as far as the description of the narrative is concerned. It involves a down-on-his-luck impressionist, a blind dying mother, glam rock gods, street heroin, misguided mobsters … hang on a minute, this reviewer just has to have a wee lie down … nope, no time … onstage it gets even more complex … some Northern stand-up, a long lost brother, cosmetic surgery, deep maternal regret … no really … this reviewer has to have a moment … no, no, no, there’s no time … There’s a lot of energy being thrown at the audience in this play and undoubtedly, it’s the energy of raw talent, belief and commitment. There’s some funny original stuff in ...

Anyone For Tennis: Pauline Eyre – Hoot 1 at Hoots @ The Apex

25Aug

By Susan CohenNo Comments

Scotland

Anyone For Tennis: Pauline Eyre – Hoot 1 at Hoots @ The Apex

Pauline Eyre was a Wimbledon line judge for 20 years and has very experienced eye right on the ball. Standing at the top of a flight of stairs dressed in her official Wimbledon uniform, she greeted her audience queuing below by stepping right into character, giving very clear, jokey, line judge-y instructions about where we should all sit courtside. Yep, she got us match-ready before we even got through the door. An impressive individual is Pauline - one of those people who looks as if she’s got all her ducks in order. She took time to greet and help organize the audience (a full house), instructing that we should all budge up to leave empty seats at the end of the aisles for latecomers, and then leaping to the back of the room to play her own introduction music – ...

A Pound of Flesh – Space 2 at the Space on the Mile

25Aug

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

Scotland

A Pound of Flesh – Space 2 at the Space on the Mile

“In the Merchant of Venice, only Portia’s appearance in court and her implacable logic saves Antonio from Shylocks Knife” What if she never came to Venice? Bassanio’s played by Ollie Hiemann need for money to woo Portia Ruby Rutherston sets in motion the events that lead to the trial. So many unanswered questions play tricks with our mind as to why there is hatred between Shylock Danielle Farrow and Antonio Gabriel Bird the merchant. This plot sets the scene for A Pound of Flesh and in true Shakespearean style navigates through the layers of truth and tragedy. The loan has a treacherous clause that comes to bare. The staging is simplistic, with two benches, subdued lighting and music filling the void with drama and intrigue. Narration commences with Michael- Robert Brown who plays t...

Jessie Nixon: Don’t make me regret this! – The Crate, Assembly George Square

24Aug

By Ross MackieNo Comments

Scotland

Jessie Nixon: Don’t make me regret this! – The Crate, Assembly George Square

"Jessie Nixon's 'Don't Make Me Regret This' is a masterclass in comedic storytelling. This is her debut fringe show, and Jessie was making the most of this opportunity. From the moment she burst onto the stage, Nixon had the audience captivated with her razor-sharp wit and unapologetic humour. Her relatable anecdotes and clever observations, occasionally dark ones, on everyday life had the audience nodding in agreement. One of the standout aspects of Nixon's show is her ability to tackle sensitive topics with ease and abandonment. She fearlessly addresses topics like relationships on social media, body image, and aging, making light of the struggles and absurdities that come with each. Her confidence and charisma on stage are infectious, and she has a way of making everyone fe...

A Shoddy Detective and the art of deception – Gilded Balloon

24Aug

By Ross MackieNo Comments

Scotland

A Shoddy Detective and the art of deception – Gilded Balloon

In A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception, Mitch Donaldson and Becky Bartram masterfully weave a tangled web of intrigue, deception, and physical comedy, creating a farcical play that will leave audiences guffawing long after they leave the theatre. A testament to its impact was the audience members recounting their favourite lines and gags on the way out. This riotous romp follows the misadventures of the hapless Detective Pidcock, a man so inept he is more likely to solve a puzzle by accident than by design—or so the writers would like you to believe. For fans of The Play That Goes Wrong and Noises Off, this play will feel instantly familiar, yet A Shoddy Detective brings its own unique style and charm. From the moment you enter the theatre space, you’re transported back t...