theSpace @ Surgeons Hall Archives

1 Moment in Time – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

24Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

1 Moment in Time – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Sean Alexander's "1 Moment at a Time" magic show was a surprising and thought-provoking experience. We walked in with doubts but left amazed and full of questions. His magic is top-notch, combined with storytelling that really draws you in. The show features a great variety of tricks, each one more mind-bending than the last. I was lucky enough to participate, and I was wowed by the experience. The way Sean read people and got everything right, even on deeply personal things, left the whole audience in shock and awe. The show is more than just magic—it’s about opening your mind and seeing the world differently. Sean’s warmth and humanity shine through his storytelling, making the show feel personal and real. It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the standout performances at ...

Malvolio’s Fantasy – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

23Aug

By Marcelina KruczyńskaNo Comments

Scotland

Malvolio’s Fantasy – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Malvolio’s Fantasy is a Shakespearian play with a modern twist. This funny, frivolous and energetic script was written by the Zuzabella duo or more precisely Zuza Sołtykowska and Isabella Olsen-Barone. The show was a feast for all the senses. Containing some truly eye catching make-up and hair most (notably Carmen Acoster’s pinktastic look) all these head turning designs were created by Ashley McIntosh. If that wasn’t enough the play contained some originally written music by Claire Wang and Magda Olech. Some other much loved classics were also thrown into the mix, that really managed to hype up and engage the audience even more. The play followed several characters’ stories that were all in one way or another connected to Malvolio. Overall, there was ten actors on stage, this in...

The Academy Trust: Under New Management – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

20Aug

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

Scotland

The Academy Trust: Under New Management – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Mode Theatre’s The Academy Trust: Under New Management is a comedy, written and performed by teachers, that exposes the horrifying realities of modern-day teaching. Taking place over the course of a few days, the show weaves through a series of hilarious yet endlessly relatable scenarios, culminating in the dreaded world book day. The centre of the piece is Rachel, who is internally battling over whether or not to hand in her resignation amidst all the changes at the school. Not only does this make for some great comedic beats, but it wonderfully encapsulates the debate that many teachers are facing. How can anyone continue to teach in an environment that demands so much and provides so little? The three performers, I was sadly unable to find their names, all demonstrated an impr...

John Wayne Gacy, The Killer Clown: Born Evil? – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

15Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

John Wayne Gacy, The Killer Clown: Born Evil? – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

John Wayne Gacy the notorious serial killer, famous for the rape, torture and murder of at least 33 teenage boys in America during the 1970s. The community clown who’s home stood on the graveyard of his “alleged victims”, I use the word alleged as this word comes up multiple times throughout the show. This is not a show that sympathizes with Gacy by any means, instead it’s a one man show that tries to tells Gacy’s story as the man himself had narrated. Using quotes from Gacy’s interviews a 50-minute-long story time has been created. We are made to question: does one begin evil or are they made to be, was Gacy really a man of multiple personalities, deluded or a monster and manipulator? Our lead actor takes on the role of Gacy himself, donning an American Chicago accent and readin...

Married at Fringe Sight — theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

11Aug

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

Scotland

Married at Fringe Sight — theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Are you looking for love at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe? Whether you’re on the hunt for a quick fling or your future spouse, The Queer Comedy Club are here to help with their very fun new show Married at Fringe Sight. Hosted by comedians David Ian and Jeremy Topp, audience members are invited to scan a QR code and answer questions about topics such as their worst ever date, their ideal partner, and the worst thing about their last (or current) partner to help the duo play match-maker. But this isn’t just a show for singletons. We’re told that in this space, for one night only, relationship status, sexuality, and preferences are thrown completely out the window — handy, given that the ratio of straight women to straight men in my audience was approximately 20:1. Once the comed...

8Aug

By Marcelina KruczyńskaNo Comments

Scotland

(Dis)honest – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

(Dis)honest by St Catherine's School, Twickenham is an energetic and relatable play. This drama comedy would be especially appealing to fans of podcasts and true crime. This originally written piece poses many thought-provoking questions about honesty and identity in an enjoyable and lighthearted way. These concepts are challenged through the character Amy Bock and her not so honest life choices. Naturally, in true podcast fashion Amy’s crimes are discussed and dissected by various presenters and spokes persons that feature in the podcast. However, in an innovative way the play also includes the comments and views of the podcast’s audience. Although confusing at first, the audience and presenters' opinions merge like an endless conversation showing the connection they all share. ...

Good and Gaslit – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

29Aug

By Anna ChiariNo Comments

Scotland

Good and Gaslit – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Inspired by the film Gaslight starring Ingrid Bergman, Good and Gaslit delves into the concept of gaslighting – the more or less indirect manipulation perpetrated on women by a society that neither wants to see them in control nor to achieve success, a society deeply misogynistic that seems to harbour disdain for women. Good and Gaslit explores the perspective is that of a woman who has lived through a significant portion of her life's most meaningful events and looks back at them with disillusionment and newfound awareness. She revisits and reevaluates these events in the light of a rekindled feminism and the concept of gaslighting, something she wasn't familiar with in her youth. Written by Deborah Cincotta, an experienced TV producer and first-time theatre performer, and direc...

Frighthouse Presents: The Wheel of Misfortune – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

19Aug

By Marcelina KruczyńskaNo Comments

Scotland

Frighthouse Presents: The Wheel of Misfortune – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Filled with jarring and innovative ideas and plenty of clowntastic fun. This unique gameshowesque performance will make you laugh till your insides hurt and then laugh some more. Returning to the fringe, this multimedia horror-comedy anthology which was performed by local Edinburgh creatives and was inspired by The Twilight Zone and Creepshow is the perfect place to bring along friends. The energetic atmosphere and audience participation is the perfect recipe for a fun-filled night. With only two chairs and the wheel on stage the creators found an innovative story-telling solution to paint the picture of where they are. In only 45 minutes the cast manage to take you on a funny and grotesque journey through several stories that are selected through the wheel itself. In each story act...

18Aug

By Marcelina KruczyńskaNo Comments

Scotland

Nevernatal – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Nevernatal written by Freya Magee and directed by Charlotte Cattrall in an unusual blend of comedy, baby showers and environmentally conscience thoughts, there's bound to be something for everyone. In this quick and witty performance even, the toughest critic is bound to crack a laugh. The play has taken a journey from Melbourne to London and finally landing at the Edinburgh Fringe. In a satirical way the play openly discusses topics that would resonate with many women in today's society. Magee’s play achieves to show the pressure women face in relation to settling down and starting a family. As well as the sacrifices women have to make like whether to settle down or stay career orientated. The performance stars five different characters Catherine (played by Jadene Renée Prospere), ...

When Judas Met John: Songs of Dylan and Lennon – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

9Aug

By Amy HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

When Judas Met John: Songs of Dylan and Lennon – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

Brothers Broke’s clever show was simple and sweet. Starring two men, two guitars and one harmonica, this show presents the infamous connection between Bob Dylan and John Lennon through short sections of commentary and adapted songs. Whilst the story behind Dylan and Lennon’s affiliation was nothing ground-breaking, it was interesting to hear the brother’s interpretation of comments made by the musicians. Their dissection of lyrics and themes within chosen songs helped to turn a few comments made by two musicians into an engaging story of rivalry and respect. The version of Like a Rolling Song into Dig It was an obvious choice for a mash-up. It began with the classic Dylan track and flowed naturally into the opening lyrics “Like a rolling stone; like a rolling stone; like a rolling s...