Assembly George Square Archives

Beats on Pointe: Masters of Choreography – Assembly George Square

23Aug

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Beats on Pointe: Masters of Choreography – Assembly George Square

In this extravaganza of fabulousness, the outrageously skilled members of the Australian dance company, Masters of Choreography, seamlessly combine a boundless range of dance and performance disciplines including hip hop, ballet, commercial, breakdancing, and more. Sometimes they synchronise with each other’s moves in different styles, with the ballerinas adapting newer dance styles to perform en pointe. A particularly exciting moment involves a break dancer spinning on his head while, behind him, three ballerinas pirouette in unison. The athleticism of the performers is astounding, with gymnastic backflips, leaps, and lifts galore. The ballet team enters a dance showdown with the hip-hop team, and the hip-hop group seems to win, though I’m not sure why. Even seemingly casual movements...

Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Filth – Assembly George Square

11Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Filth – Assembly George Square

I entered the venue first which meant I got to watch hundreds of people flood in and fill the room , everyone was chatting to me and each other about times they had been to Skinner's shows before, this was my first time, but the enthusiasm of the other audience members put me at ease, I got the idea it was going to be a highly entertaining and laughter filled hour, what I didn't realise was, I would be sat repeating his jokes to my friends later and laughing all over again. The audience was star studded with other well-known comedians there to support Skinner giving the whole evening a touch of stardom. On the stage in the spotlight stood a lone microphone, in moody blue light – like a rockstar ready to roll. The atmosphere was lively, thanks to the upbeat music setting th...

Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly – Assembly George Square

11Aug

By Stephanie DunkNo Comments

Scotland

Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly – Assembly George Square

As I walked up to the venue, I asked my friend "wait, is it this big white box?" I had never been to a show in a box before, but it let me know what I was in for - something quirky, unexpected and a great discovery. When we entered, I noticed that the music was similar to, and possibly might be the music from the monopoly video games, which is a really nice touch. We were seated to face a table with some monopoly related items, a whiteboard, and a mysterious item covered with a tea towel. Shortly, the show began with a voiceover and Alborough entered full of charisma and infectious enthusiasm, he started with a song, the lyrics were fun and snappy, I knew at that point, not only was I going to have a fun filled hour, but the host would be having just as much fun as me.&nbs...

9Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Lena – Assembly George Square

This was – Brilliantly conceived and delivered – and I mean that most sincerely folks! As someone raised on Opportunity Knocks (think Britain’s Got Talent) this certainly hit some deep and emotional triggers! Via the power of Jon Culshaw’s brilliant embodiment of Hugh Green, I am transported back to 1974, as 10-year-old singing sensation Lena Zavaroni, from the wee Isle of Bute, rockets to stardom on Opportunity Knocks, ITV's top talent show. At the start of the play, we see Lena in a wheelchair being led into an operating theatre for experimental neurosurgery. The story of her rise and fall, from her very humble beginnings on Bute, her neurotic mum and musical dad and the chance encounter that set her on her path, all presented in a series of flash backs. Erin Armstrong is a...

Horse Country – Assembly George Square Studios

29Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Horse Country – Assembly George Square Studios

Roll up! Roll up! Let’s talk car sales, magic tricks, Piaget, coercion and bedroom slippers. If you like your theatre slick, then Horse Country, directed by Mark Bell and featuring Daniel Llewelyn-Williams and Michael Edwards of Flying Bridge Theatre Company is for you. Fast paced and jam-packed with allusions to well-kent faces, films, songs and writers (Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller and F.Scott-Fitzgerald come to mind), this ode to The American Dream with all its frailties is crafted for speed and requires quality performers to do it justice. C J Hopkins has written both character, Sam and Bob, with boundless energy and buzz. They spend their time trying not to address the underlying issues of a macho, capitalist society while constantly talking around the issues of oppression, domin...

16Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

9 Circles – Assembly George Square

To a comfortable lecture theatre of Edinburgh University, comes the uncomfortable truths of war, and war crimes, orchestrated under the very capable hands of Director, Guy Masterton. The 9 circles, refers to the nine rings of Dantes inferno. The interesting set and lighting design features a five metre wide light ring on the floor and a similar large light ring behind the stage. Rings that the central character can never escape, perhaps representing the truth of the past and the punishment of the future. The play is based on the true story of Texan Stephen Dale Green, a US army private who went on a rampage in Iraq, murdering an Iraqi family and raping then burning the 14 year old daughter. Playwright, Bill Cain, explores the justifications for Green’s actions through the nine c...

Temping – Assembly George Square Studios

15Aug

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

Scotland

Temping – Assembly George Square Studios

Temping is like nothing else I’ve seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, being more of an interactive experience than a show. The premise is simple, you have been brought into the company to cover some shifts for an absent employee. I was led into my new office, an excellently decorated set inside a cargo container, and told that the owner of the office, Sarah Jane, had left an instruction message for me. Throughout the hour, I had to complete various tasks, primarily changing former employees’ statuses from active to deceased, as well as answer phone calls and emails, each instructing me on how to proceed. The genius of the show though, is that many of these emails are not scripted. If I replied to an email, I would get a response to it. In a way, it is like you’re improvising. The general script...

Les Dawson: Flying High – Assembly George Square

10Aug

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

Scotland

Les Dawson: Flying High – Assembly George Square

Before I begin the review, I must comment on the handling of the audience at the venue on my visit. This is one of the larger venues at the festival, and the show began almost 30 minutes late. Many people attending the Fringe Festival book shows quite close together, and this delay could have been the cause of people leaving the show part way through. Not good for the artist and disturbing for the remaining audience. Assembly, this must be improved! Les Dawson was a favourite of mine, and I have childhood memories of watching his numerous shows on TV. This play follows Dawson’s life, beginning with his childhood and moving through his career’s ups and downs. Dawson is played by Jon Culshaw who needs no introduction, as his mimicry is legendary.&nb...