Underbelly Cowgate Archives - North West End UK

The Sun, the Mountain, and Me – Underbelly, Cowgate

14Aug

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Scotland

The Sun, the Mountain, and Me – Underbelly, Cowgate

The disclosures of an artist who finds himself spiraling into the darkness, can he find a way of pulling himself out of the path of the big black beast which is running up behind him. First performed as an audio piece during the pandemic, this is a beautifully constructed piece of storytelling which explores the fragility of mental health through the use of art and literature. Bedivere Arts present this solo show written and performed by Jack Fairey who has a warm and captivating energy throughout the piece. His commitment and motivation behind each character and their movement enriches the storytelling, and the imagination of the audience. Struggling artist Arthur, tries to find solace and inspiration in the teachings of Greek mythology, with Icarus who flies too close...

Is The WiFi Good In Hell? — Underbelly Cowgate, Iron Belly

10Aug

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

Scotland

Is The WiFi Good In Hell? — Underbelly Cowgate, Iron Belly

Meet Dev: a young, queer boy growing up in the seaside town of Margate in 2008 who is absolutely itching to escape. Is The WiFi Good In Hell?, written by and starring Lyndon Chapman, is a richly detailed and beautifully touching coming-of-age story supported by an electrifying solo performance. We’re first introduced to Dev at the age of 12, where he spends most of his time hanging out on a derelict with his best mate, imagining his life when he leaves the so-called “dystopian wasteland” of Margate for a thriving life in London. In the 60-minute show, we follow Dev as he navigates school, university, and post-graduate life while discovering who he is in a world where he never quite fits in. Chapman is an absolute tour-de-force in this show, weaving the intricate web of Dev’...

My Last Two Brain Cells – Underbelly Cowgate

8Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

My Last Two Brain Cells – Underbelly Cowgate

Joe Pike, Tom Hazleden and Hannah Tudge, all graduates of Fourth Monkey Drama School, Finsbury Park, return with My Last Two Brain Cells after their run-away success at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe, where Chortle rated them the seventh highest comedy show of the Festival. “It’s a whacky, zany, chaotic hour of madness,” to quote Pike. The protagonists are the last two brain cells of a dying man called Gary Kane. In an effort to save him, the pair try all sorts of crazy shenanigans, drawing in the audience to help them. It is Hysterical. This is theatre of the absurd for the twenty-first century. And it has sold out for three of its five shows so far. Inspired by the pressure to develop a scratch play for their finals and the ever-popular humour of Sponge-Bob Square Pants, Pike ...

Nobody’s Talking About Jamie – Underbelly Cowgate (Iron Belly)

15Aug

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

Scotland

Nobody’s Talking About Jamie – Underbelly Cowgate (Iron Belly)

I am still not 100% sure whether this is a true story or not, but honestly it doesn’t matter. Whether fact or fiction, Jamie Finn has crafted a highly relatable, consistently entertaining and at times moving performance. Charting the highs and lows of romance and friendships, Finn takes us on his journey out of his first relationship and into the whirlwind life that followed. Accompanied by numerous original songs, the best of which is ‘a song for my ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend (Warren)’, Finn’s storytelling is hilarious and heartfelt. The songs were all very funny, and suitably drove the plot. His voice was at times nasal and slightly out of tune, but I think this was a purposeful choice for the character. He isn’t meant to be a godly rockstar! There are so many moments in...

The Death of Molly Miller – Underbelly Cowgate

5Aug

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

The Death of Molly Miller – Underbelly Cowgate

Ever wondered if a social media influencer and a thief could get along? Perhaps for the most part just not when the thief has the influencer tied to a chair! The Death of Molly Miller is a dark satire which delves into the stereotypes of reality TV social media stars and desperate thieves, demonstrating that you can’t always judge a book by its cover. When Thomas (Matthew Greenhough), a desperate burglar, breaks into famous social media star Molly Miller’s house, he ends up in deeper water than he’d expected as the star arrives home early. Miller (Esther-Grace Button) is loud, dramatic and overly unlikable, surprisingly putting the audience onto the side of nervous yet humorous thief Thomas. Despite their differences the characters work very well together giving a real back and forth...

3Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Coffee Kid – Underbelly Cowgate

If you have a free afternoon this Fringe ditch the overpriced coffee and indulge in Coffee Kid. Nominated for Best Performer and the Spirit of Wit award at the Dublin Fringe Festival 2022, Coffee Kid is a one-woman play exploring the absurd character Beanie Clooney (Síomha McQuinn) the love child of George Clooney and a Nespresso machine. The show was unsurprisingly whacky but also relatable: the familiar coming-of-age themes of identity, love and belonging were revitalised by the originality of the protagonist. It also brought together classic Fringe comedy and new ideas in a refreshing way: satirical jokes towards Womanhood, Hollywood and patriarchy were complimented by more niche puns about the unique character and plot. Despite moments of depth the storyline was kept light-hearted ...

Love Them To Death – Underbelly Cowgate — Big Belly

6Aug

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Love Them To Death – Underbelly Cowgate — Big Belly

What a joy to witness a two-hander of such quality. What an absolute joy to see a serious psychological disorder handled with such pace, such honesty. Exploring parent/child problems could lead to preaching. We could be judgemental. The text could be burdensomely heavy, but Max Dickins’ writing is sharp, well-informed and sprinkled with humour. Its authenticity speaks loud and clear. Claire-Louise Cordwell (School Attendance Officer, Kelly) and Helena Antoniou (Gemma) perform with unwavering conviction from the start. Director, Hannah Eidinow has a clear handle on human foibles and these two actors do her proud. The initial soundscape (Michael Woods) in the black cave of the Big Belly suggests joy, vitality and safe childish play in contrast to the forthcoming tense exchange between ...