Scotland Archives - Page 9 of 94

Foil Arms and Hog: Skittish – Underbelly, Bristo Square

23Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Foil Arms and Hog: Skittish – Underbelly, Bristo Square

Foil Arms and Hog's "Skittish" was nothing short of spectacular—a brilliant fusion of music and comedy that had the entire audience in stitches from start to finish. The show was a full house, and it’s easy to see why. It’s hard to say whether their musical talent or comedic timing stood out more because both were equally hilarious and perfectly executed. The performance was structured as a series of interactive comedy skits, each more entertaining than the last. The audience was continuously engaged, unable to stop laughing as each skit delivered something fresh and unexpected. One of the highlights was an Irish comedy song that had everyone clapping along to the infectious tunes, blending humor and music effortlessly. One particularly memorable skit involved a comedic take on o...

An Evening Without Kate Bush – Assembly Checkpoint

23Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

An Evening Without Kate Bush – Assembly Checkpoint

Set within an L-Shaped church hall, with a cloistered balcony high above, this is a quirky performance space for an equally eccentric performer. My second Bush forage of the Fringe, looking for the authentic, here I find Sarah-Louise Young, someone who is getting closer. Youngs voice is good, the mimicry is close. But it is not the voice that takes you places no other voice ever did, climbing really high then sweeping down really low. The show starts well. Young enters unseen in a blackout, dressed in black with big black hair and draped in a black muslin shroud like a funeral attendee. When she turns on a mini red torch on her shoulder, it creates a nice ghostly lighting effect, which is also emphasised with some clever back lighting. She mimes trying to escape from below the bl...

Rahul Subramanian: Who Are You? – Assembly George Square

23Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Rahul Subramanian: Who Are You? – Assembly George Square

Rahul Subramanian’s comedy show was an absolute delight—a perfect blend of humour and insight, making it a total entertainer from start to finish. He kicked off the evening with a hilarious take on Indian parents and their expectations, particularly their classic line about not wasting food because "kids in Africa are suffering." Rahul then twisted this familiar statement by imagining a child’s response: "What about Indian kids?" The punchline— “That’s for African parents to tell”—was both unexpected and brilliantly funny. Rahul steered clear of sensitive topics, keeping the show light-hearted and accessible to all. His observations on the journey of becoming a software engineer and the reactions of nosy relatives had everyone in stitches. Another highlight was his bit on sales c...

Cat Power Sings Dylan ’66 – Edinburgh Playhouse

21Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Cat Power Sings Dylan ’66 – Edinburgh Playhouse

Running some fifteen minutes late, Chan Marshall, AKA Cat Power takes to the stage hobbling with a recently broken toe. It’s not a good start, but nothing compared to the distinctly lacklustre 45 minutes that follow, which are to say the least a huge disappointment, to me personally and on the evidence I saw, the majority of the almost full Edinburgh Playhouse crowd. People leaving, muttering, thank god that’s over, is never a good sign! Far from owning the stage, the American performer, with a distinctly quiet acoustic guitar and harmonica support, and an almost inaudible Hammond organ accompaniment makes heavy weather of Visions of Johanna, Desolation Row and Mr Tamborine Man. Powers rather convoluted and, frankly, untuneful interpretations of these classics, with constant referen...

21Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Weather Girl – Summerhall

World Premier Julia McDermot. Remember the name. Sometimes everything just fits. The actor, the script, the venue, the tech, the resonance of the story. This magic realist climate change monologue perfectly sums up the mood of our planet as it sleepwalks towards disaster. Julie McDermott appears, bubbly and smiling, like a human clone popped from a blister pac marked ‘perfect’. Pencil thin, blond haired and button nosed bundle of positivity, squeezed into an electric pink tube skirt, like a walking neon glow stick. She is the Weather Girl for a Californian TV station and totters to the microphones, spotlights and blue screens like a seasoned pro. She reports on a house that is burning as a result of yet another Californian wild fire, with a perky professionalism, “I can’t hold thi...

21Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Must I Cry – Paradise in Augustines

In this artful production, writer and director Bonni Chan soars over Hong Kong, exploring themes of loss and change in the country through the stories of renowned Hong Kong author Xi Xi. Produced by Theatre Du Pif, this show gives a masterful lesson in how to utilise all forms of artistry to create an immersive, cohesive, dreamscape. With projection, light, sound, and movement, Chen takes us on a moving journey from the fullness of childhood to the emptiness that becomes. The creative team behind this show are true visionaries – for me this was a completely refreshing piece – every element was carefully considered and furthered the story’s metaphor. The poetry which inspired this work absolutely comes alive and flourishes on stage – each aspect was crafted to literall...

21Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Jason Byrne’s NO SHOW – Assembly Hall

Jason Byrne’s "NO SHOW" is a masterclass in interactive comedy, and while he might not need a review—his reputation precedes him—here's a peek into the whirlwind of laughter he brings to the stage. From the moment Byrne steps into the spotlight, it’s clear that he’s a force of nature. His show is a brilliantly crafted blend of sharp wit, spontaneous interaction, and spot-on observations about life, especially when it comes to generational differences. The premise of "NO SHOW" is simple: an hour of non-stop hilarity where audience interaction is not just encouraged but is the heart of the experience. Sitting in the front row, you’re not just a spectator; you’re part of the show. This is where the magic—and mayhem—happens. When I attended, the front row was a mix of kids and adults...

Kanan Gill: What Is This? – Pleasance Courtyard

21Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Kanan Gill: What Is This? – Pleasance Courtyard

I went to watch Kanan Gill: What Is This? without expecting much, but by the end of the show, he had completely stolen the spotlight. It was absolutely hilarious from start to finish, leaving everyone in the audience roaring with laughter. The show was fully captioned, making it accessible to everyone, but it was Gill’s sharp wit and relatable humour that truly set the stage on fire. He touched on all aspects of life as we know it today, turning everyday situations into comedy gold. One of the standout bits was when he talked about the things we see on YouTube—especially those that highlight how imperfectly we live our lives, like common mistakes in breathing. The way he dissected such mundane topics had everyone in stitches. Another memorable segment was his hilarious take on th...

ARI: The Spirit of Korea – Assembly Hall

21Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

ARI: The Spirit of Korea – Assembly Hall

I just experienced *ARI: Spirit of Korea*, and it was absolutely incredible! This show had everything—dance, music, acrobatics, theatre, and more. From the moment it started, I was completely captivated, and that feeling stayed with me until the very end. The show, brilliantly directed by Yoon Jung Hwan, tells the story of Arirang Pass, a mountain everyone dreams of conquering. Even though it’s a Korean production, the captions make it easy for everyone to follow the story. The 18 performers on stage were nothing short of amazing. Their energy was contagious, and they never lost momentum. Right from the start, they connected with the audience, even coming down from the stage to greet everyone, which made the whole experience feel very personal and engaging. Under Yoon Jung Hwan’s...

Sammy Blew Up a Toilet – theSpace @ Venue45

21Aug

By Marcelina KruczyńskaNo Comments

Scotland

Sammy Blew Up a Toilet – theSpace @ Venue45

Sammy Blew Up a Toilet playing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time this year was brought to the stage by the Crunch Collective. The play, being inspired by real-life, became a piece that I believe a lot of the audience could relate to, which was clear from the many ripples of laughter that circulated the room throughout the play. For the duration of the show adulthood problems were forgotten and one was transported to a simpler time. Written by Aric Hanscomb-Ryrie and directed by Aydan Macdonald, the comedic piece captured all the minuscular details one may remember from their primary school days (such as Golden time) and turned them into an entertaining play that griped your attention till the last line. The famous toilet was the main piece of staging that was strategically ...