Assembly George Square Archives

17Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Stamptown – Assembly George Square

Ten years at the Edinburgh Fringe makes Stamptown something of an institution. The problem, perhaps, is that alternative comedy is supposed to kick against institutions, not become one. This particular institution has, sadly, aged like milk. Created and hosted by Zach Zucker, Stamptown has built its reputation on chaos, unpredictability and giving unconventional performers a platform. Here, however, Zucker seemed remarkably reluctant to surrender that platform to anybody else. He was onstage for an extraordinary amount of the evening. At some point, you rather wished he would move over and let the acts on. Unfortunately, when they arrived, they weren't particularly strong either. The notable exception was aerialist Donna Carnow, unquestionably the highlight of the...

Sexy Circus Sideshow 3.0 – Piccolo Assembly George Square

15Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Sexy Circus Sideshow 3.0 – Piccolo Assembly George Square

Having been rather underwhelmed by my previous excursion into burlesque at this year's Fringe, I am pleased to report that Sexy Circus Sideshow 3.0 is a considerable improvement. Perhaps the clue is in the title. This is less a burlesque show with circus attached than a late night circus and variety show which happens to have rather fewer clothes than usual. And that distinction matters. The International Fringe Burlesque Festival is new to Edinburgh this year, bringing more than 100 international artists together across five daily shows. Sexy Circus Sideshow 3.0, playing at the Piccolo tent in George Square Gardens, is its most ambitious offering, and certainly the most entertaining I have encountered so far. What works is that the entertainment comes first....

Vibhinna Ramdev: Why English? – Assembly George Square

14Aug

By Ella BeckleyNo Comments

Scotland

Vibhinna Ramdev: Why English? – Assembly George Square

Vibhinna Ramdev is an entrancing actor, pulling audiences into her life as she toils with questions of identity, belonging and connection to community. Having toured versions of the show at Adelaide and Stockholm Fringe, she graces the stage of Edinburgh Fringe this year. Ramdev explores her constantly evolving relationship with language. Her upper-middle class upbringing in India gave her the privilege of fluent English, but at what cost? She unpacks her persistent feeling of not belonging in her own country, and disconnection from the cultures she was born into. &...

Reuben Kaye: Hard to Swallow – Assembly George Square

14Aug

By Torya HughesNo Comments

Scotland

Reuben Kaye: Hard to Swallow – Assembly George Square

Cabaret superstar Reuben Kaye returns to the Fringe with his new show, a whirlwind of political comedy, powerhouse vocals and glittery costumes. Previous shows have experienced sell-out runs and award wins, and this year seems to be no different, with the Palais du Variete packed out on a Wednesday evening. Kaye tells the story of how he was hospitalised with exhaustion after almost 300 performances as King Herod in an Australian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, but there is no sign of this on stage. He commands the room, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or wait for a joke to land. There are several moments where he flutters his false lashes and enjoys the ripples of laughter, in total control of the energy in the theatre. Kaye’s style of comedy cabaret is famously outrageous...

Skank Sinatra: How to Succeed in Show Business Without Really Trying – Underground at Assembly George Square Studios

10Aug

By Torya HughesNo Comments

Scotland

Skank Sinatra: How to Succeed in Show Business Without Really Trying – Underground at Assembly George Square Studios

Drawing inspiration from the title of his show, Jens Radda certainly succeeds in show business and manages to make it look mostly effortless. Performing as his drag alter-ego Skank Sinatra, the multi-lingual Radda delivers a masterclass in show business. The lessons are simple – be the director, diversify your portfolio, and always read the script before making any commitments. This is a new show from Radda, meaning that there are a few rough edges, however he more than makes up for this with his stage presence. Mixing crowd work with comedy and song, the show tells his story as a boy growing up in South Africa who had one very important ambition – to play Eva Peron. The songs are a clever mix of original music and arrangements of familiar musical classics, with the edited lyrics co...

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...

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence – Assembly George Square

13Aug

By Juliette PepinNo Comments

Scotland

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence – Assembly George Square

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is at its most camp in the form of a neon pink, electro-pop teen drama. Crash Theatre Co's Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence shoots and scores with a delightfully creative, sparkling Fringe debut about how inter-school netball bring out the most ruthless ambition. Through an engrossing intro number ‘Pick Your Player’ we met a determined and ferocious all-girls netball team, the Dunsinane Hellhounds. ‘Mac Beth’ will stop at nothing to achieve the coveted status of inter-school netball team captain, even if it destroys her friendships and isolates her from the team. The entire Netball team of characters are unique and united in fierce friendship – after all, this is at its heart a story of girl power, solidarity and glory. Writer and actress for Coach Duncan, C...

Beats on Pointe – Assembly George Square

27Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Beats on Pointe – Assembly George Square

Beats on Pointe is undoubtedly one of the standout shows at the Fringe this year, delivering an exhilarating blend of dance, music, and humour that captivates the audience from start to finish. The production, by the Masters of Choreography team, is a vibrant celebration of movement and music, showcasing a dazzling array of dance styles, all performed to perfection. From the moment the show begins, the energy is palpable. The opening sequence features a thrilling competition between hip hop and ballet dancers, with hip hop ultimately emerging as the victor. This set the tone for the rest of the performance—a dynamic fusion of classic and commercial music, paired with choreography that seamlessly blends different dance forms. One of the most striking aspects of "Beats on Pointe" i...

Dylan Mulvaney: FAGHAG – Assembly George Square

26Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Dylan Mulvaney: FAGHAG – Assembly George Square

As someone eager to explore a variety of shows at the Fringe Festival, I knew I had to cover one with an LGBTQ+ theme. FAGHAG by Dylan Mulvaney turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. This show is a brilliant blend of storytelling, stand-up comedy, and musical performance. Dylan Mulvaney uses her humour to share her deeply personal journey of transition to womanhood. The story begins in a delightfully imaginative way, with Dylan as an angel. God tells her it’s time to be born as a human, complete with funny details like where she'll be born and that she'll wear a size 7 shoe. Dylan's excitement about coming down to Earth had the audience laughing right from the start. However, the humour is balanced with deeper themes. After her birth, she realizes she’s in a male body...

Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow – Assembly George Square

26Aug

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

Scotland

Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow – Assembly George Square

The stage is set with Tez Liyas and Viraj Juneja, performing as DJ Pali and his roadie Jay, two men bonded by family ties and with generational differences set about reflecting on past and current life challenges whilst DJ’ing at an Asian Wedding. The wedding guests are provided by the audience seated with tables and chairs inclusive of a bar to replicate being at a wedding, simplistic and effective. Pali reminisces his youth when he was a top DJ with his decks and was cheated out of winning a competition by a rival DJ. He is a shy respectable man who loves his Corsa, Chi tea and dreams that one day he will have an LED dance floor. In contrast to his nephew young Jay who likes drinking when working, is self-absorbed and very dismissive of Pali’s life. Jay thinks of Jay and their rel...