Underbelly Bristo Square Archives

22Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Hole! – Underbelly Bristo Sq.

If it is done with enough passion, commitment and sheer musical ability, apparently you really can make a musical about absolutely anything. HOLE! is the proof. Created and performed by American Sing-Song's Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper, and directed by RJ Tolan, its premise is completely bonkers. A fundamentalist Christian community in Nebraska prepares for an apocalyptic event called The Great Sucking, and survival depends upon having something firmly lodged where the sun doesn't shine. That's probably enough plot. What I wasn't expecting was just how controlled, sophisticated and ultimately joyous this would be. The musicianship is superb. Brasch and Leonhard-Hooper move from big, life-affirming harmonies into exquisitely intimate passages, sometimes accompanied...

Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella – Underbelly Bristo Sq

21Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella – Underbelly Bristo Sq

Linus Karp has put his own name very prominently on the poster this time. After Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story and Gwyneth Goes Skiing, perhaps this is someone increasingly comfortable with the limelight. More importantly, however, this is his own story. Shortly before the 2024 Fringe, Karp was walking through Soho with his partner Joseph Martin when he was subjected to a homophobic attack and struck across the head with an umbrella. Karp specifically points out that the couple weren't holding hands, kissing or even touching at the time. From that distinctly unfunny starting point, he has somehow constructed a surprisingly funny, thoughtful piece of theatre. This is recognisably an Awkward Prods show. Two monitors flank the stage, providing locations, news reports,...

Sara Pascoe: For One Night Only – Underbelly Bristo Square

6Aug

By Ella BeckleyNo Comments

Scotland

Sara Pascoe: For One Night Only – Underbelly Bristo Square

Award winning Actor, Comedian and Writer Sara Pascoe graced the stage of Edinburgh University’s McEwan Hall with her sell-out show for, that’s right, one night only. It’s the first night of Fringe 2026 and there’s a hum of excitement bouncing around Bristo Square, where an anticipating queue snakes around the iconic McEwan Hall, ready to have a laugh. Pints in hand, jackets clutched closely as the sharp Edinburgh breeze whizzes through them. &nbs...

James Phelan: The Man Who Was Magic – Underbelly Bristo Square

8Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

James Phelan: The Man Who Was Magic – Underbelly Bristo Square

I was captivated from the moment I entered the theatre. The stage lighting was vibrant and psychedelic, perfect for a night of illusions and entertainment. James Phelan displayed a visually stunning magic show that was also filled with humour and cleverness. Though the magic itself was impressive—particularly one particularly memorable instance where it seemed as though a card had travelled through the air between audience members—it was James's sense of humour and timing that were truly able to command the evening. The audience was laughing the whole time, and the atmosphere in the room never fell because of his interactive and comedic stage presence. Phelan's stage presence was welcoming and assured, such that the entire show felt intimate and inclusive. The way he interacted w...

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England – Underbelly Bristo Square

5Aug

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England – Underbelly Bristo Square

Why? Exactly. Was this act a bare-faced illustration of the hideous nationalistic spirit that took England out of Europe (dragging Scotland & N Ireland with them), a suburban reaction of self-harm to years of disenfranchisement? Or a daft, exuberant party trick, of which there have been many worse witnessed (and kept secret) on Stag and Hen Do’s? Maybe without the ‘… For England’ suffix it might be agreed it was the latter. But, was it hot… did it hurt? What you get with this production are no direct answers to such trivialities, but something more significant, some context and perspective leading up to the event. On the surface it’s a vigorous, comic, yet desperate, depressing portrait of what it takes to earn your stripes as an England football fan. Or a member of any gang, re...

Things Between Heaven and Earth – Underbelly Bristo Square

23Aug

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Things Between Heaven and Earth – Underbelly Bristo Square

Eric (Jun Noh) has changed since May (Marina Hata) last saw him. He’s a successful author, dressed in a snazzy suit at the suggestion of his publisher. His books seem to describe people and events from May and Eric’s real lives, including the death of May’s husband. But does Eric know more about the accident than he is letting on? Billed as a psychological thriller, the staging echoes film noir, with asymmetrical composition and lots of pacing. But this production – which I would describe as a melodrama – takes itself far too seriously. Eric enjoys intellectual discussion, but his philosophical musings distract from the story. I did enjoy Hata’s performance as May, and the references to the Roman Catholic concept of purgatory. The idea has potential, and the visuals provide added...

Suhani Shah: Spellbound 2.0: Underbelly Bristo Square

20Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Suhani Shah: Spellbound 2.0: Underbelly Bristo Square

Spellbound 2.0: Suhani Shah's Astonishing Mind-Reading Mastery What can I say about this show? Suhani Shah, the world’s most subscribed mentalist, delivers an experience that truly lives up to her reputation. Going into the show, I was sceptical about how anyone could possibly achieve what she does, but by the end, I was utterly convinced and utterly amazed. Spellbound 2.0 is not just a performance; it’s an interactive journey into the seemingly impossible. Suhani’s ability to guess what people are thinking, down to their exact thoughts and even their date of birth, left the audience in awe. The entire show is a testament to her incredible skill in mentalism, blending psychological insight with showmanship. One of the most astonishing aspects of the show was the level of audie...

20Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Best Man – Underbelly Bristo Square

The Best Man, written by Mikey Fleming and Colman Hayes, and directed by Mikey Fleming, is a masterclass in comedic performance. Before attending, I knew little about the show, but it quickly proved to be a delightful surprise. The blend of acting and comedy was spot-on, and Colman Hayes, who performed solo, delivered a hilarious and engaging experience. The premise of the show is simple yet effective: Hayes plays a 30-year-old, single, and somewhat desperate best man, chosen for his best friend John's wedding to Rebecca. Hayes's character is clueless about what to say in his speech, leading to a series of side-splitting anecdotes and observations. His portrayal of a man grappling with the pressure of delivering a perfect best man speech was both relatable and uproarious. One of ...

The Disney Delusion – Underbelly Bristo Square

22Aug

By Amy HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Disney Delusion – Underbelly Bristo Square

Award-winning Canadian comedian Leif Oleson-Cormack presented his stand-up show ‘The Disney Delusion’ at the Edinburgh Fringe after a sold-out run at the Edmonton Fringe. Oleson-Cormack wore his heart on his sleeve throughout his intimate monologue about unrequited-love. Despite moments of deep-hearted tenderness this was primarily a light-hearted show that was easy to laugh along to. Attending this show felt like going for a drink with that one friend who tells you the most ridiculously scandalous stories. The show began by giving a brief overview of Oleson-Cormack’s love life (touching on themes such as virginity and sexuality) before developing into a more linear storyline with a play-like feel. Within this story the dramatization of eccentric characters such as The Doctor, The Frank...

Magic Bones: Soulful Magic Volume Two – Underbelly Bristo Square

17Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Magic Bones: Soulful Magic Volume Two – Underbelly Bristo Square

This venue, squeezed in the gap between Teviot Hall and McEwan Hall at Bristo Square is slightly awkward to find, but well worth seeking out for this hit show by all-rounder Richard Essien, AKA Magic Bones. With a triple threat of magic, humour and break-dance, Essien brings this brand new show to Edinburgh fringe, and by the end has the audience eating out of his hand. Britain’s Got Talent finalist in 2020, described there as ‘the, best-presented magic act I’ve ever seen’, Essien gives a unique mixture of high octane, high energy, but in turns gentle and transfixing performance, which has you leaning in right from the start. One of the hottest acts on the British magic scene, we are treated to plenty of top quality extraordinary tricks, illusions and misdirection, flips and danc...