The Space @ Surgeons Hall Archives

A Highly Suspect Murder On The Disorient Express – the Space @ Surgeons Hall

17Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

A Highly Suspect Murder On The Disorient Express – the Space @ Surgeons Hall

A fan of puzzles? How about murders? Do you fancy yourself quite the detective? Well let’s hope so as the real detective has been murdered and it’s up to you the crack the case and find out who did it in this fun and challenging murder mystery brought to you be Highly Suspect UK. A journey on the Orient Express, what could possibly go wrong? Well another murder has occurred and this time it’s the detective that’s met his horrible end, but who could be responsible? Could it be Agar Thachristie (Michael Spencer) the dutch writer and former assistant to the late detective ,Ray Alwaycarriage (Joe Desborough) the lovable conductor, Dr Phil Steamahead (Seb Coombe) the doctor with a secret, the highly mysterious man from room 13 or Traynton Ells (Alice Woodsworth) the woman who owes the detect...

Letter To Boddah – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

15Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Letter To Boddah – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

Taking inspiration from Kurt Kurbain’s suicide note to his imaginary friend Boddah, characters Billy (Kyle Fisher) and Tink (Jordan Reece) must decide whether to continue with their ill-conceived plan to explode a bomb in Tescos, killing themselves and countless other shoppers, or man -up and return to the reality of their dull and pointless existence. Kurbain finished his famous final note with the mantra that it is Better to Burn out than fade away, and that’s the big question at the heart of this explosive piece by writer, Sarah Nelson for Watershed Productions. Can Tink really blow up the nice lady on the hot food counter, who gave him an extra chicken drumstick, and does he really want to blow himself up on the day that his mum is cooking steak and kidney pudding, his favourite?...

The Billy Joel Story – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

15Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Billy Joel Story – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

A fantastic night of live music from artist Angus Munro, who channels the life and music of the Piano Man himself, Billy Joel. This is a brand new show for the Night Owl franchise, delivered in their winning docu-style formula, and works particularly well with the animated Munro filling in the blanks and projecting video and playing audio clips from Joel’s back story. There may have been a bit of roughness around the edges in some areas, but what saves this is the level of goofy, likeable humour that Munro brings, he actually reminds me a little of Jim Carey. There is also the superb musicianship of the Night Owl band, who are as usual fantastic and note perfect. Don’t expect a full concert with a grand piano, this is no more than a morsel, a quick flick through the back catalogu...

Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

15Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

A fantastic night of Jazz and neo-soul from singer Reine Beau who inhabited Amy Winehouse down to the last growl. There is nothing so enjoyable than watching an expert singer purring along, completely in her comfort zone and with plenty left under the bonnet if she needs it. In what was one of their first, and most well-travelled shows the winning Night Owl docu-style formula works really well with Beau filling in the blanks and video and audio clips from Winehouse’s back story. There is also the superb musicianship of the Night Owl band, who are as usual fantastic and note perfect. No more so than Luke Cunningham jazzing it up in fine style on the keys. A whistle stop tour through the Winehouse back catalogue in less than an hour, we hear the classics, Me and Mr Jones, Tears...

The Blondie Story – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

14Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Blondie Story – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

Comparison is the reviewer’s critical tool, and at 35 shows into the Fringe of 2023, it is only getting sharper! In the world of good, better, best, this one is good but could be better. And ironically, front singer Reine Beau might well be the first one to stand up and agree. In this brand new show, the winning Night Owl docu-style formula works really well with video and audio clips from Blondie’s back story throwing new light on areas that even die-hard fans might be surprised to see and hear. There is also the superb musicianship of the Night Owl band, who are as usual fantastic and note perfect. What works less well is Beau straining at times to reach the intensity and high notes of the new age Punk sensation that was Debbie Harry. Less than half way through the run I rea...

Sheila’s Sister & Her Musical Cousins – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

11Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Sheila’s Sister & Her Musical Cousins – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

Improvised comedy isn’t easy when there’s a small audience. The form relies on audience participation. This team of three musicians and two actors, hailing from Chicago, kept the tempo up with a small gaggle of theatre goers. The married duo, Dana Allande O’Brien and Edmund O’Brien, last performed at the Gilded Balloon in 1995 to great acclaim. In between, they’ve been busy raising children, writing comedy games and scripts for TV. Suddenly, it’s 2023 and they’ve only just got back to The Toun. I enjoyed the flip piece. It was clever. And their opening piece was very entertaining. Of course, being impro, you probably won’t see those little gems when you come another day, but, no doubt, there’ll be other jewels to behold. Their publicity says it is suitable for 14+ but I ...

Little Ward of Horrors – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

10Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

Little Ward of Horrors – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

The idea of Little Ward of Horrors sounds brilliant: a sketch show led by health care students regarding working in the medical field and NHS. Mix in some Little Shop of Horrors songs with the lyrics swapped out to fit the theme and you’ve got yourself the potential for a very funny show. It’s not to say that this humour was not delivered, after all the team had some very funny moments but unfortunately the show did not quite live up to its full potential. The musical side of things really could have worked, there’s some fantastically changed lyrics in there that fit the theme brilliantly, but the delivery of the numbers felt full of nerves and in need of some more showmanship. Other than the members of the team who were playing the live music (very impressively may I add) the mu...

MATES: The Improvised 90s Sitcom – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

10Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

MATES: The Improvised 90s Sitcom – The Space @ Surgeons Hall

MATES is an improvised theatrical performance which takes it’s inspiration from the 90s sitcoms we all know and love. Complete with the over the top characters, stereotypes and of course a New York back drop. Unlike the classic sitcoms this team doesn’t need a laugh track to tell its audience when it’s funny. These three talented performers had the audience laughing from the get go with their charisma and overall likability. Just like the characters from everyone’s favourite sitcoms, this cast are charming, funny and a little goofy at times, you really do feel immediately that you’re amongst a few mates. In this improvised performance the audience choose the name of the episode by shouting out random words or locations for a double bill episode of this amusing sitcom. Once selected t...