Latest Articles - Page 313 of 645

The Ayes Have It, The Ayes Have It! – At Spiegeltent Palais Du Variété

5Aug

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

The Ayes Have It, The Ayes Have It! – At Spiegeltent Palais Du Variété

This is politics as showbiz, an entertaining canter across a lush political landscape. An hour of political debate which was thoroughly enjoyed by a packed house in a wonderful venue. The evening starts with a prerecorded video message from actor Brian Cox. In Logan Roy style, he tells us to “enjoy ourselves - or else”. This show will be different each night. A series of ten debates on a variety of topics. The first night issue is one that has divided Scotland for a long time, particularly since the 2014 Referendum: “This house believes Scotland should be Independent”. The Director, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, introduces our ‘cast’ for tonight’s debate: Alex Salmond, former First Minister of Scotland, will propose the motion for the ‘Ayes’. David Davis, former Brexit Secretary, wi...

The Ballads of Billy The Kid – Royden Park

5Aug

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

The Ballads of Billy The Kid – Royden Park

There sure was some hootin’ and a-rootin’ and plenty of a-shootin’ when Off The Ground Theatre rode into town…well to be precise Royden Park, Wirral. In the beautiful setting under threatening skies we sat, as the cast of ten, successfully multi-roled, in their version of Billy the Kid. In fact four Billys, hence the plural title of ‘Ballads’. Off the Ground are known for their excellent physical approach to theatre and interesting storytelling with plenty of audience participation- all that was in abundance tonight. This is a professional touring show with many of their troupe newly graduated actors but still with familiar faces who have been touring with them for a good few years. With a superb, really interesting soundscape designed by Mat Oliphant, well executed with eve...

Wee Seals and Selkies – Scottish Storytelling Centre

5Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Wee Seals and Selkies – Scottish Storytelling Centre

Wee Seals and Selkies is a magical warm hug from children’s author, Janis Mackay. Her velvet voice and adept physicality captures young imaginations from the outset. As we enter, she sits on the edge of the simple set while her musician companion, Donald Scott, warms the atmosphere with this fiddle. In this delightful family show, storytelling and music combine to create an enchanting performance, evoking the Scottish northern seashores. The Wee Seal is the true tale of a seal born in the storyteller’s garden, while The Selkie Girl is a retelling for children of the much-loved magical selkie myth. Based on two of Janis Mackay’s much-loved books; The Wee Seal, and The Selkie Girl (Floris Books), the sea and the seals are evoked both on stage and by the audience. The lighting, c...

After this Plane has Landed – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

5Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

After this Plane has Landed – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

I had to see this musical out of guilt. John McCarthy was incarcerated in Beirut while I was mourning my mother’s passing. His capture wasn’t even a teardrop amid my grief. Five years later, I gave birth to my first born. A friend sent a message excitedly proclaiming it is the day that John McCarthy is released. Who? Nothing compared to the miracle of ten tiny toes and ten little fingers. A real human being who’d lodged in my womb for nine dark months had finally escaped. Then, just 32 years later, almost to the day, this play appears. I can now pay attention. Exit Productions “After This Plane Has Landed” provides a one-hour precis of The Friends of John McCarthy, Jill Morrell’s quest to free her then boyfriend, and the pressure upon their relationship once they are reunited. ...

5Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

RENT – Paradise in Augustine’s

Theatre joins us together in a shared experience to marvel at talent, commitment, application and teamwork. And to ponder the writer’s message. Edinburgh-based Bare Productions drew a rowdy standing ovation for this 1990s tale of fear and solidarity in AIDS riddled Bohemian Manhattan. My neighbour for the evening, a transgender Dane called Daniel, informed me that RENT is very popular in the queer community. He enjoyed the show, saying he likes slice-of-life style theatre and that, while this particular musical is no longer contemporary, having been created before he was born, it is still very relevant. Appreciating and understanding the social history of the queer community is important. That’s the magic of Edinburgh Fringe: sharing views and exchanging human warmth with someon...

The Death of Molly Miller – Underbelly Cowgate

5Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

The Death of Molly Miller – Underbelly Cowgate

Ever wondered if a social media influencer and a thief could get along? Perhaps for the most part just not when the thief has the influencer tied to a chair! The Death of Molly Miller is a dark satire which delves into the stereotypes of reality TV social media stars and desperate thieves, demonstrating that you can’t always judge a book by its cover. When Thomas (Matthew Greenhough), a desperate burglar, breaks into famous social media star Molly Miller’s house, he ends up in deeper water than he’d expected as the star arrives home early. Miller (Esther-Grace Button) is loud, dramatic and overly unlikable, surprisingly putting the audience onto the side of nervous yet humorous thief Thomas. Despite their differences the characters work very well together giving a real back and forth...

Great Women of Folk – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

4Aug

By Amy HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Great Women of Folk – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Folk musician and singer/ songwriter Elsa McTaggart started of her Fringe 2023 run with a dazzling show. A few technical difficulties during this preview attested that McTaggart does not need fancy projectors and sound systems to shine, only her guitar (and Irish bouzouki). Whilst this was a showcase of great women in folk, McTaggart introduced each song with tales about the women in her own life, such as her mum and sister, which added a personal depth to her song choices. McTaggart started of slowly with “Tulsa Queen” by Emmylou Harris which foreshadowed the great show to come. As she quickened her pace, she showcased incredible playing on all three guitars. She navigated tight-turns with ease and her finger plucking on the bouzouki was especially impressive. Her voice was equally...

Agatha Is Missing – Edinburgh Fringe Online

4Aug

By Angela KellyNo Comments

Scotland

Agatha Is Missing – Edinburgh Fringe Online

Written and performed by Prudence Wright Holmes, ‘Agatha is Missing’ is a single-handed performance about super sleuth ‘Miss Clarissa Marbles’ and her quest to find out about the real-life disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926. This year the show is an online performance and opens to Miss Marbles setting the scene regarding the disappearance of Christie having left her home ‘one dark stormy night...’ With previous sold out shows at Edinburgh Fringe, Holmes is undoubtedly one confident performer. A US based performer and playwright she has had a varied career. From performances in the original cast of the 60s production of ‘Godspell’ to acting alongside Meryl Streep in ‘Happy End’ on Broadway and Whoopi Goldberg in ‘Sister Act’ and ‘Sister Act 2’, Holmes knows her craft well. H...

Murder She Didn’t Write – Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance One

4Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

Murder She Didn’t Write – Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance One

Have you ever fancied watching a murder mystery where even the murderer doesn’t know its them until halfway through the show? Well then, this murder mystery improvised phenomena may just be right what you’re looking for. Taking all the classic elements of a typical ‘who done it’ murder mystery but shaking it up with the plot, characters and murder weapon being decided upon by the audience right at the start of the show. It’s a wonder how the Degrees Of Error theatre company manage to come up with a fully-fledged play that still leaves it’s audience gasping with shock when the truth is revealed. With the events of the play being decided upon during the show I feel no fear in revealing the plot of our performance: Donald Trump’s trial and the tiny shark. To even shape such a ...

DOM – The Play – Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

4Aug

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

DOM – The Play – Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

This is a show which hits the ground running - a fast-paced production, directed by Michael Kingsbury. It’s a comedy about Boris Johnson and his erstwhile Chief Adviser, Dominic Cummings, former Director of Vote Leave, and the architect of the Johnson election victory in 2019. It tells the story of the EU Referendum Campaign and the Boris Johnson premiership from the point of view of Cummings. This show, already seen in London and Windsor, has been shortened and updated for the Festival Fringe. The author, we are told, prefers to remain anonymous prompting speculation that it is the work of a Westminster ‘insider’. The play opens with Dom speaking directly to the audience. He greets us as ‘weirdos and misfits’ - a reference to Cummings’s strange blog post in 2020 when he invite...