Scotland Archives - Page 6 of 129

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...

Sense – A New Musical About Dementia – theSpace Triplex

24Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Sense – A New Musical About Dementia – theSpace Triplex

Produced by Belgian-based company Plotfish, Sense is a touching new musical created in collaboration with the Belgian Alzheimer’s League. Gathering around the dinner table for Christmas, the Smit family is hosted (as they are yearly) by their Grandad Albert (Erik Goris). Being gifted a projector for his Christmas, Albert takes the family on a trip down memory lane as he peruses his old photos. The further the night goes on, the more Albert begins to confuse his memories - we realise the Smits aren’t the Hallmark family they are pretending to be. The family are no longer on speaking terms but have agreed for this one night to come together for Albert’s sake. Having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago, they play happy families so as not to confuse or u...

2 Muslim 2 Furious 2: Go Halal or Go Home – Laughing Horse @ Bar 50

24Aug

By Ross MackieNo Comments

Scotland

2 Muslim 2 Furious 2: Go Halal or Go Home – Laughing Horse @ Bar 50

As the free sticker at the end of the show claimed, “First I was afraid, now I’m Islamified.” I wasn’t afraid but I was curious as what to expect and was pleasantly surprised, also glad I managed to take in this gem of a show. It was a Halal feast of comedy. The Garden room at Bar 50 is a tight squeeze and has a basic set up but the comedy duo used the space as best they could. They fulfilled roles as ticket sales, ushers, tech and performers, which is all part of the fringe experience. Once they started the surroundings were unimportant. What followed was clever and beautifully written insight. "2 Muslim 2 Furious 2: Go Halal or Go Home" explores the nuances of Muslim identity, culture, and experiences. The show's title itself, being a clever play on words, referencing the...

Fragments of Fatigue – theSpaceUK on the Mile

23Aug

By Al CarrettaNo Comments

Scotland

Fragments of Fatigue – theSpaceUK on the Mile

A shy girl in pink checked pyjamas and ankle socks clutches a model pink brain and talks to the queuing audience about how she is training to be a neurosurgeon. Leading us into the venue space a makeshift bed lies unmade center stage. From here Riley begins her first calm and unpretentious monologue. She’s studying for her dream career as a neurosurgeon and she lectures with casual confidence on how exactly the brain functions. She’s years away from completion but the cracks of her education are beginning to show. The workload is intense and she’s falling asleep in class. Adulting at 20 is hard work for Riley. She’s alone and struggling but her reasons are different. Phone calls with her friends just don’t cut it but she needs to face a reality; something is physically wrong with her and s...