Answering the ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz today... Nick Pynn

QU1: What is your 2008 show all about? It's all about my musical interpretations of things that get caught in nets, and where nets hang out. I mean this quite loosely. There is a watery theme to it all though. QU2: Why should we come and see it? I think it's the only show on the Fringe that features my music this year. QU3: If your show was an olympic sport, what would it be and why? 'Interior mountaineering' ... there is a 57 step climb to the venue.

QU5: What are you least looking forward to about this year's Festival?
The aforementioned 57 step climb with PA, lights, bass pedals, loads of instruments and loop samplers. Any helpers?

QU6: What advice would you have for someone trying to navigate the Fringe?
North goes downhill. Don't get confused when you've lost your senses at 3am, and rather than finding the Meadows, you end up in the sea. (Not sure that's entirely accurate geographically).

QU7: What advice would you have for someone trying to survive the Fringe?
Vitamin C and an umbrella will help immensely.

QU8: Describe your show in three words
That's not possible.
That's too hard
I can't really
(multiple choice)

Nick Pynn's Driftnet, Inlingua Edinburgh, 2 - 24 Aug (not 11, 18), 10.00pm (11.00pm), £6.00 (£5.00), fpp 159.

More reviews for you! Some though not all of these also appeared in edition 02 of the printed ThreeWeeks Daily that was published in the early hours of Sunday morning. Remember only a selection of our reviews appear in the printed Daily, they all appear here in the eDaily. Enjoy...

ThreeWeeks Ratings Explained
1/5: Bad
2/5: Mediocre
3/5: Good
4/5: Very good
5/5: Excellent

CHILDREN'S SHOWS

Finding Alice
A Single Leaf
Wonderland is just moments away when you imagine, imagine, imagine... And if you've forgotten how to, this superb reworking of Lewis Carroll's fairytale will have that sorted in no time. After all, a little imagination goes a long way in Wonderland. The production has a fun and vibrant vibe from the offset, and contains every element that a successful children's show should have. Sing-a-long-able songs, magical musical accompaniments and delicious dancing make a feast for both the eyes and ears. Couple this with the interactive nature of the show and fidgety bums are replaced with wide-eyed enthusiasm as we drink tea, obey the queen and confess that we are all just a little bit mad (as a hatter).
C too, 31 July - 25 Aug (not 3, 10, 17, 24), 11.00am (11.50am), prices vary, fpp 13.
tw rating 4/5
[lk]

The Greatest Bubble Show On Earth
The Amazing Bubble Man
Every child is fascinated by bubbles, and grown-ups don't mind them either, so this show instantly gains the popularity vote. Astounded faces filled the audience as The Amazing Bubble Man delighted us with his hypnotising bubbles, which range from gigantic to the size you find in your washing up bowl. There is plenty for the children to do as they are chosen to come up on stage and experience the bubble making themselves, although the children on the back row do get forgotten. This is an interactive, magical show which every child should experience, but be warned, the children are allowed to eat the bubbles and stand in the stuff they're made from - presumably it's not dangerous, however, or there wouldn't be a show.
C too, 31 July - 25th Aug (not 12), 12.10pm (12.55pm), prices vary, fpp 13.
tw rating 4/5
[kc]

Rapunzel - May The Force Be With You!
Spotlites Theatre Company
Take the long-haired maiden trapped in the tower and throw in Luke Skywalker and you get this inspired piece of children's theatre. You wouldn't think it'd work but it does. The witch watches Rupunzel via downloaded satellite reports in this fusion of epic sci-fi and classic fairy tale which took the best from both to create a mishmash of familiar but freshly presented themes. An exciting environment was created by great lighting and effects including some flashy light sabre battles. The kids got involved in a huge variety of innovative on-stage activities - resurrecting aliens with The Force, becoming Jedis and cutting Rupunzel's hair - under the direction of spirited performers and staff. A delight.
Spotlites @ The Merchant's Hall, 31 Jul - 17 Aug, 11.30am (12.30am), £5.00 (£3.50), fpp 18.
tw rating 4/5
[lr]

Robin Hood
Spotlites Theatre Company
Pointing its bow precisely at energetic children, this mildly amusing show aims for audience interaction but releases an arrow that just misses its mark. So keen on the interactive are Spotlites that young spectators are treated with a peculiar if touching reverence, the story coming to a near halt each time children are welcomed on stage for archery lessons. As a result, the fragmented narrative is without tension and rhythm. So much goes into involving kids physically that interaction with their hearts and heads is minimal. Merriment is generated by unconventional casting (Maid Marion plays Friar Tuck) and by medieval quarterstaff lessons for the whole audience. It's a laudable effort, but the truer interactive experience would be if we were more emotionally engaged by the story.
The Merchant's Hall, 31 Jul - 17 Aug, 1.30pm (3.15pm), prices vary, fpp 18.
tw rating 2/5
[dp]

Shakespeare Made Easy
This Bridge Theatre
A speeded-up 'Midsummer Night's Dream' makes the lovers look like something out of Benny Hill, but though this be madness, yet there is method in't. With inflatable cudgels, puppets and slapstick, the lovable cast perform potted versions of plays, creating a fun introduction to Shakespeare. The interaction with the kids is perfect, never patronising, and there is lots of information about Shakespeare and theatre packed between the silly songs. It's not all targeted at children - there's humour that will appeal to oldies too, with a film noir Hamlet and a beaming Caesar ignoring all the many calls of "He's behind you". The sheer enthusiasm of the performers rubs off quickly onto the audience and keeps this bard for bairns bouncing.
C cubed, 31 Jul - 16 Aug (even dates only), 11.00am (11.40am), prices vary, fpp18.
tw rating 3/5
[se]

How The Giraffe Got Its Neck
Tall Stories
Not exactly Charles Darwin, this, but these actors use their fantastically animalistic faces to bring to life tales of animal evolution. Funny, engaging, and wonderfully told, this is an admirable production with integrity and commitment to decent children's entertainment. All ages will be engrossed by the professional cast's ability to lucidly render sailing at high sea and swimming in exotic oceans using minimal props and maximum physical imagination. Charming puppetry, improvisation, and a timely musical score all contribute to this polished and soulful experience. If this isn't your thing let the Brummie Baboon and the Geordie Zebra entice you instead. Happily, I discovered, you don't have to be as old, dead or as 'clever' as Darwin to appreciate evolution theory.
C too, Jul 31 - 25 Aug (not 12), 3.20pm (4.10pm), prices vary, fpp14.
tw rating 4/5
[rsj]

Treasure Island
Hartshorn-Hook Productions
Quality control for pirates these days is very tight; you have to get it right or you may as well not bother. Unfortunately this particular piratical production missed lots of opportunities to engage in the enjoyable overacting that both the pirate franchise and kids' shows afford. Long John Silver's cardboard wooden leg is worn with the same ease with which one might wear a sock; he is not deformed or menacing and does not inspire me to shout 'boo'. Ben Gunn is in fact the only character who hams up the part with any conviction. 'Treasure Island' has an enjoyable rollercoaster quality that will keep kids amused, but could do with putting on a swagger and learning to say 'yarr' properly.
C, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 12.30pm (13.20pm), prices vary, fpp 18.
tw rating 2/5
[jwm]

COMEDY

Hurricane Katrina - Free
Katrina Thompson / Laughing Horse Free Festival
There is no excuse not to go see Hurricane Katrina; this blisteringly funny character comedy show is funnier than many shows from the big names of the festival, and what's more, it's absolutely free! The succession of different characters - Katrina's fictional multiple personalities - serve as vehicles for a rapid fire bombardment of hilariously cutting jokes, just on the right side of inappropriate. From time to time Katrina builds up a sense of pathos for her creations, only to pull the rug from under you with a devastating punchline. The only disappointment is that the entire performance is only half an hour long. This show deserves more exposure, and a bigger audience, so go see it, then tell your friends, and go see it again.
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 4, 11, 18), 3.25pm (3.55pm), free, fpp 59.
tw rating 4/5
[al]

Josh Howie - Chosen
Chambers Management
With his thick-rimmed glasses and Woody Allen style head-scratching, you would assume Josh Howie's ethnic backstory to be a thoroughly Jewish affair. And it is, in parts, along with being a Buddhist, Gay, Black and Native American affair as well. Howie is disarmingly frank and sincere as he delivers a fascinating tale of ethnic displacement and identity crises, although a few deliberately provocative jokes and broad puns do feel out of place. A potentially hilarious Jewish rap segment just misses the mark, and there is a sense that more life story and fewer one-liners would be of benefit, but ultimately the set loops back around itself and comes together for a pleasing finish.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 24 Aug (not 13), 9.45pm (10.45pm), price vary, fpp 66.
tw rating 3/5
[th]

Cats Under Mats, Having Chats With Bats
Jason Byrne
The art of stand-up comedy is to make the performance seem effortless, natural and unscripted. No mean feat, but a skill that Jason Byrne seems to have ingrained into his very being. Listening to him as he speaks of life, children and relationships is sure to leave your sides splitting and cheeks aching. The fact that these topics are so easily related to means they'd hit home for any old comedian, but mix it with Byrne's charisma, likeability and genuine wit and the result is something very special indeed. His skill for putting the audience at ease whilst involving them in his act not only demonstrates natural ability, but also ensures that no two shows will be quite the same during this latest instalment from this perennial Fringe favourite.
Assembly @ Assembly Hall, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 8.40pm (9.40pm), prices vary, fpp 63.
tw rating 4/5
[lk]

Shaggers
Laughing Horse Free Festival
I like talking about sex. For singletons it's the next best thing. So with the name 'Shaggers' I was eagerly anticipating silly sex stories, group therapy for those not getting as much as they like. Instead I got five ageing drunk blokes moaning about the time they nearly got a threesome but didn't. It wasn't so much anecdotes as them saying stuff and expecting laughter, which most of the time they got as the audience were pretty hammered, sometimes seeing it as an opportunity for their own amateur comedy. Mostly their heckles were funnier than the professionals. It wasn't entertaining or enjoyable, or clever. Was it so bad it was good? No. It was rubbish.
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 31 Jul - 25 Aug, 11.50pm (12.50am), free, fpp 95.
tw rating 1/5
[gm]

Justin Moorhouse's Ever Decreasing Social Circle
Justin Moorhouse would like to be able to count his true friends on one hand, so is brutally cutting down on his 641 Facebook friends. Starting by removing the 'twitchers' that you nod at in the pub, his intention is to finally prune it down to the five that would help him bury a dead hooker, should the need arise. His show is built around the questions that he would test his potential friends with, which range from 'Do you read the Daily Mail?' to 'How do you feel about Morrissey?' Moorhouse's astute observations upon the ridiculous nature of Facebook other internet phenomena are fun and socially relevant, whilst his infectious energy, self depreciation and gravelly Mancunian accent create an easy complicity with his audience.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 6, 13), 7.15pm (8.15pm), prices vary, fpp 67.
tw rating 3/5
[af]

Ladies In Waiting: Brownie Re-Union
Carolina Giammetta & Charlotte Palmer
"We love you Brown Owl!" Oh, to be a Brownie in the eighties. Not that I ever was, of course, but you can get a fair idea of what it was like from this lively 'where are they now?' tapestry of character sketches. It is the quality and diversity of the characters rather than the sketches themselves that provide most of the comedy; highlights include an unlikely Essex girl judge, an awful careers advisor and a mummy/nanny feud fought through the medium of baby talk. There's more charm than purpose here, a few more laughs could be worked out of the subject matter, but it's worth seeing if only for the thumb aerobics and a cracking Wham! dance routine.
30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 6, 13), 4.45pm (5.45pm), prices vary, fpp 69.
tw rating 3/5
[th]

OCD: My Family And Other Anals
Gill Smith/Laughing Horse Free Festival
Gill Smith and her immediate family don't in fact have obsessive compulsive disorder, they have foibles: toilet paper should roll a certain way; the inside of tea mugs must be white etc, and as much as one could premise a show entirely on foibles, it would take more skill than Gill Smith apparently has to actually pull it off. Her tame anecdotes and weak punch-lines would barely pass at a social gathering and her benign smile is there to mask the fact that she's wasting your time, it seems. She should master telling enough jokes to fill five minutes before spanning her material out to forty. Is it cruel to wish on her a genuine disorder so that she'd actually have something to talk about?
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 13), 6.15pm (6.55pm), free ticketed, fpp 83.
tw rating 1/5
[jwm]

No Comedy For Old Men - Free
Laughing Horse Free Festival - Gordon Alexander, Jeff O'Boyle, Jim Park and Martin McAllister
Cheered on by enthusiastic locals and some Celts outside the venue for good measure (yes, there is performer/audience interaction - that's how I know!) this is clearly the comedy event to go to if you want to mingle with the natives. The predictable themes of Bush, asylum seekers and sex are all covered but the toilet paper raffle ending is one hundred percent unique, as is a hilarious account by O'Boyle on Irish in-breeding (I'm Cornish, I understand).This may not be the cleverest or the funniest show on the Fringe but it sums up what the festival is all about: friends who love to have a laugh together, cold pint of beer, good atmosphere... and all for the bargain price of nothing!
Laughing Horse @ Meridian, 31 Jul - 16 Aug, 7.05pm (8.05pm), free, fpp 82.
tw rating 3/5
[bw]

Sarah Millican's Not Nice
Chambers Management
This is a delightfully dirty and hilarious show. From the attempts at comfort, to her new fondness for gorillas and Mr Kipling, Millican describes the aftermath of The Break Up. And it's not pretty. Millican looks deceptively sweet, but she doesn't shy away from tough personal questions such as "Am I rubbish at sex?", "Is it better for your partner to die than to leave you?", and "Is there such a thing as 'forever'?" What makes the show so entertaining is the knowledge that almost everything she says is true. Anyone who has ever broken up with anyone will recognise the irrational thoughts, elaborate worries, and the bitterness that inspires the jokes. Sarah Millican will make you feel considerably better.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 24 Aug (not 13), 7.15pm (8.15pm), prices vary, fpp 94.
tw rating 4/5
[rg]

Sean Choolbura 'Live & Deadly'
Sean Choolbura
Think Will Smith meets Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, and we might get somewhere close to the cool blend of Americanised popular culture and Aboriginal get up that is Sean Choolburra. A thoroughly entertaining show, Sean swivels and boogies his way through an hour long set of hypnotic tales and melodic hip hop melodies with an immense amount of infectious energy which he fanatically thrusts into his storytelling. His performance never flirts with the dark side of comedy, conveying something of the laidback Australian philosophy that goes along with chilling with a beer. He'll have you bopping along to electric boogaloo in no time, and with secret urges to gatecrash the children's show to hijack his didgeridoo.
Sweet ECA, 31 - 24 Aug (not 11,12,18) 5.25pm, £8.00 (£7.00), fpp 94.
tw rating 4/5
[km]

Will Hodgson: Chippenham On My Shoulder
Will Hodgson
The audience possibly doesn't know quite what to make of Will Hodgson to begin with, perhaps bemused by his pink hair, tattoos and, as he points out, the fact that he spends most of the show staring off into the middle distance. However, his pithy, well crafted comic stories soon have them rapt, as he flits easily between topics of social alienation and bullying, to brilliant stories about dogging (the punk rock swinging). His deadpan delivery works well in contrast to the vivid characters he introduces, for example, Nobby Web, the hardest man in town, with fists as large as Judy Finnigan's breasts. Despite his subjects, Hodgson is in no way aggressive or confrontational, but a genuine and fascinating character.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11), 9.00pm (10.00pm), prices vary, fpp 109.
tw rating 3/5
[af]

DANCE & PHYSICAL THEATRE

How It Ended
You Need Me
It isn’t just the prim, flowery dresses that perfectly evoke 1940s Wales in this play. From the inspired sound effects to the tender portrayal of young love between a naïve Welsh girl and a French RAF pilot, this is something really special. I was moved to laughter and nearly to tears by the formidable Nerys, the eldest sister with the weight of the world on her shoulders, and the audience felt Lillian’s sadness at having to leave her sisters behind to deal with an austere French mother-in-law. This is a play about sisterly love and wartime romance, and the hardships that come with both. More than that, it is poignant and beautifully told. An absolute must-see.
C Venues, dates vary, 21.15 (22.15), £8.50 (£7.50) fpp 116.
tw rating 5/5
[ah]

JAZZ

David Murray Black Saint Quartet
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
This was not just a show. It was an stunning all-round performance. With an inspired bass player, a drummer with sticks for hands, a pianist Thelonious would be proud of and Murray letting loose on the sax, the quartet was an explosion of energy and originality. Between jam sessions the passion and talent of the solos made the audience buzz and then suddenly, the group would bang into unison again with a loud, proud swinging song. But the best thing about it was the pure enjoyment on each player's face. Hitting his last spellbinding note, Murray and his bursting-at-the-seams quartet left the audience whooping with joy. If you ever get the chance to see them, do it.
The Hub, 29 Jul, 7.30pm (9.00pm), £18.50 (£12.00), jbfpp 12.
tw rating 4/5
[rhw]

Graeme Stephen Sextet
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
It's hard to define the type of music this band play. They do some freeform, occasionally something a bit funky, and their most energising tunes have a rising Middle Eastern melody. The names of the songs are also slightly ethereal; 'Turns', 'Still', 'Stereo' and 'Ice Cream' don't, on the surface, bear any relation to either a running theme or the sound of the music being generated. Some good jazz was played, especially on the opening number when Martin Kershaw gave a shattering sax solo, and the band understand each other and play well together. It's just a shame they put so much effort into trying to be mysterious and elusive instead of developing some semblance of a tangible voice.
tw rating 3/5
Three Sisters, 30 Jul, 8.00pm (10.00pm), £10.00, jbfpp 15.
[tb]

Allan Vaché Quartet Plays Benny Goodman
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
There's the kind of background jazz that you get in seedy bars and hotel lounges, then there's the kind that you have to drink in and savour like a rich liqueur. In this case, Allan Vaché's Quartet was definitely the beverage, and one brimming with style and intoxicating intricacy. The set ranged from smooth Goodman classics like 'Soft Winds' to more lively numbers that had the rapt audience nodding to the beat. Even another loud band across the Spiegel Garden and the lashing rain wasn't able to distract me for the whole two hours - a great evening's jazz true to Goodman's high standards and style.
Spiegeltent, 31 Jul, 8.30pm (10.30pm), £12.00, jbfpp 17.
tw rating 5/5
[sh]

Catherine Legardh with Brian Kellock
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
What a relaxing way to spend a summer evening. Catherine Legardh's deep, clear voice was utterly soothing and most impressive when she put extra power behind it. The quartet's rolling jazz had us tapping our feet and Brian Kellock's honey-sweet ramblings on the piano brought out the best in Catherine's lilting Danish accent, whilst the bass and electric guitar added yet another level of mellow. Between pretty love ballads, it was particularly refreshing to have the band chitchatting to the audience in an unassuming way, introducing favorite songs, and jostling each other. Alongside such easy-listening, the music was nicely spiced with a few Danish and Swedish songs. It's safe to say that this charming show left its audience warm and wanting more.
The Lot, 31 Jul, 7.00pm (8.30pm), £9.50, jbfpp 17.
tw rating 3/5
[rhw]

Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
This was the final gig in the tour of a New Orleans funk band that knows how to transmit the subtle syncopation of the Delta. In the first set the band gave an on beat introduction to their style with songs like 'It's Too Damn Hot' and 'Unnecessarily Mercenary'. They don't go for the instant licks normally associated with funk, but ease into it; in New Orleans, music is part of the fabric, so there's no rush to hit it. In the second set they turned the mood down even further and occasionally the rhythm got so bare it was non-existent, but the crowd were entranced and by the end of the night, were whooping and moving to the omnipotent beat.
Spiegeltent, 19 Jul, 9.30pm (10.30pm), £15, jbfpp 13.
tw rating 3/5
[tb]

Swedish Jazz Kings
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
The Kings are a quaint troupe of jazz musicians from Scandinavia. They're all Swedish apart from Norwegian banjo player Borre Frydenlund but, as trumpeter Bent Persson explains, Sweden owned Norway until just a hundred years ago, so it's ok to call them the Swedish Jazz Kings. Favourite band members were the characterful Tomas Ornberg on the belled soprano sax, who kept calling for the audience to applaud the pianist before he'd finished his solo, and tuba player Bo Juhlin, who recently holidayed in the Highlands and was blowing some fresh and immaculate phrases. A heartfelt rendition of 'Vox Humana', played as a tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton, rounded off an enjoyable early evening gig at the Spiegeltent.
tw rating: 3/5
Spiegeltent, 30 Jul, 6.00pm (7.30pm), £12.00, jbfpp 15.
[tb]

Tommy Sampson Big Band
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Tommy Sampson is 90 years old and recently had a heart attack, so he's a bit frail. He had a lot of help getting through this mid-afternoon performance in which his big band delivered some old favourites. The show was well compered by Steven Duffy, but soon started to resemble a 'This Is Your Life' episode and references to the "Eldorado Ballroom in Leith in 1947" cropped up with almost comical frequency. Also, with the notable exception of the talented Elliot Murray the guest vocalists didn't really bring the house down. Aside from that, the star studded big band gave pleasant performance and by the end, Tommy was full of life and telling tales of times gone by.
tw rating 3/5
The Hub, 30 Jul, 2.00pm (4.00pm), £10.50 (£8.50), jbfpp 14.
[tb]

Trianglehead And Chris Grieve Sextet
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Conceptual free-jazz-rock three piece Trianglehead walk a fine line between brilliant flurries and abrasive wallows. Marred by occasionally pretentious synth playing yet with outstanding drumming and sax throughout (often the only holding thread for meandering jazz freak-outs), the Soft Machine-esque band were at their best when thrashing out a groove, pan-rhythmic and assaulting. Following Trianglehead, the Chris Grieve Sextet with formidable tripartite brass assault were more accessible, a large, tight big band sound with rumba rhythm. Opening with a Morricone cover, mellow and unobtrusive, their set was technically spot-on but not shaking any foundations. Trumpeter Ryan Quigley deserves mention for a lot of ballsy flair, but otherwise the sextet were nothing more than comfortably pleasant.
Three Sisters, 31 Jul, 7.30pm (9.15pm), £8.50, jbfpp
tw rating 3/5
[ab]

MUSIC

Dream Of Cat
Drum Cat
If you don't like loud drums, this isn't for you. If you don't like feisty girls in skin-tight cat-suits and hair-flicking to some sensational drumming, again this isn't for you. If you do however, this is the place to see it done well. These girls felt like a whole troupe of Charlie's Angels, whose movement to the powerful drumming was as hypnotising as the music itself. In the solo moments there seemed to be a real intimacy between the performers and the audience, as if they were sharing with us some secret that was a gift. The all-female group really wanted you to enjoy what they were doing as much as they were, and the passion for their performance made the show.
C too, 31 Jul - 15 Aug, 6.40pm (7.40pm), prices vary, fpp 146.
tw rating 4/5
[rs]

Painting Music
If you could visualise music what would you see? What colour is a C sharp? What shape is an arpeggio? These are the types of questions that painting music aims to answer. Three classically trained musicians and one artist take you on an unbelievable tour from classical to modern in this beautifully inventive experiment of the synesthesia experience. As the intensity of the music builds, colours become more vibrant and the artist's hands blur over the canvas, emulating perfectly the changes in tone and timbre that these three incredible musicians produce. This won't be for everyone, but if you are willing to open your mind to a new way of experiencing something you won't help but be amazed; simply mesmerising.
Sweet ECA, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11, 14), 6.00pm (6.50pm), £8.50 (£7.50), fpp 160.
tw rating 4/5
[nb]

Absolute Cabaret: Kiss 'N' Tell With Ruby Summers
Laughing Horse Free Festival/Scotchmist Productions
With the music already playing, out came Ruby from behind the black curtain: big, blonde and dazzling in her fitted, red, sequined dress and ruby shoes. The audience were ready to be amazed, yet sadly, they were not, not least because although Ruby had a good voice, it was not shown off to its full potential. The audience knew all the songs, and all were very predictable with nothing different or special to mark them out. And then there were the 'kiss 'n' tell' anecdotes between each song, intended as introductions, of which some were faintly amusing, but most were an attempt to be funny and philosophical that didn't really work. The performance generally felt forced and the persona wasn't convincing, making this experience more karaoke than cabaret.
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 31 Jul - 17 Aug (not 4, 11), 12.40pm (1.30pm), free (non-ticketed), fpp138.
tw rating 2/5
[lp]

MUSICALS AND OPERA

The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Maximum Entertainment Productions
Crass, full of brass and lacking in class - all you could hope for in a musical about trailer trash. Big vocal and physical performances are matched by even bigger hair, and every character is grotesquely larger than life. The tangled loves and lives of the inhabitants of a Florida trailer park are portrayed with an impressive energy and all-American confidence, but this show is not for sensitive souls - it's lewd, crude and frequently rude. While the company's undeniable gusto seemed to win over the audience, this show is likely to split opinion, not least because the humour essentially comes from laughing at people for being poor and uneducated. If this doesn't bother you, there's a treat in store at a trailer near you.
C, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 10.00pm (11.40pm), prices vary, fpp 172.
tw rating 3/5
[hw]

Happyland
Feed The Ducks Productions
The future looks grim: unhappy people will be assimilated by bright yellow smiley faces, and if you don't want to be smiley you'll have your personality zapped away. 'Happyland' is reminiscent of Orwell's '1984', except that it is a musical comedy and annoyingly it doesn't tackle the pop psychology belief that happy equals healthy - dystopia is simply a backdrop. The gems of the show lie in little character sketches: a man who hoards office stationery, a woman with an aversion to the letter 'F' and the wonderfully flamboyant Francis French. It's well written and pacy, but suffers from an uninteresting score and lacks the satirical depth that might be expected from a show so obviously full of surface values.
C, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (even days only), 8.15pm (9.45pm), prices vary, fpp 172.
tw rating 3/5
[jwm]

THEATRE

Another Side Of The Mirror
Lynn Ruth Miller
This is a beautiful and inspiring show - a masterclass not only in storytelling, but in how to live and look at your life. Lynn Ruth Miller apparently has something of a reputation at the Fringe - in her outrageous stand up and cabaret shows, the 75-year-old entertainer is Queenie the stripping granny - but this is an altogether more intimate and intelligent affair. Ushered into a small basement below a pub, Miller emerges with a glint in her eye and begins to relate her stories to us with the edge of an experienced raconteur. We are drawn in deep - Miller is a captivating storyteller with an intelligent perspective on her colourful life. To hear these stories for free is almost criminal.
Laughing Horse @ The Argyle, 31 Jul - 25 Aug, 3.55pm (4.45pm), free, fpp 183.
tw rating 4/5
[rj]

City Of The Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour
Black Hart Entertainment
Arrrgh! I screamed like a big girl's blouse at the little surprise at the tour's end. Our beautifully sly guide Rosie had been working on our fears all through the wet evening, telling us of mass graves here and strange occurrences there, so it was no wonder that most of the group proved quite audible when shocked. The tour takes you to the mausoleums of Greyfriars graveyard and Rosie reveals their secrets with a small torch, sinister tales and dry humour. Our gothic guide was always in control with her powerful voice and cool manner, which made even the tallest stories seem believable. I got soaked in the rain and lost my voice from screaming, but this was still a wonderfully thrilling dark night out.
Large Black Sign Outside St Giles' Cathedral, times vary, £8.50 (£6.50), fpp191.
tw rating 4/5
[se]

The Highwayman
The Curious Room
The Highwayman is a fantastic poem, full of passion, death and dark English countryside, and this production did well to create a tense and brooding eighteenth century atmosphere. With a set of just a stepladder and four wooden boxes I was convinced that I was looking at an old and dingy country inn. A shame, then, that the highwayman himself was a lot less swashbuckling than I would have liked, and the script, when it moved away from the actual poem, was somewhat lacklustre. There was, however, a great sense of urgency, and Bess the landlord's daughter was a truly desperate lover. A good and atmospheric play, but I felt it lost something of the poem's simple and direct emotional rhythm.
C Venues, dates vary, times vary, prices vary, fpp 203.
tw rating 3/5
[ah]

I Love You! And You And You
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Ellen Cribs' new play takes us on a journey through Mark's love life and the problems he encounters as he fails to settle down. The idea is original - Mark has five possibilities and the audience get to choose 'the one', and see the ending take place. In reality however, the whole concept fails to succeed. The audience's decision is calculated in an amateur fashion and leaves one wondering what would happen if there was a full house. If your desired ending doesn't come up, though, you can check it out on-line, which is a nice touch. This is an enthusiastic cast, but the combination of a clichéd script and unconvincing acting is just disappointing, especially from a school as prestigious as Bristol Old Vic.
C cubed, 31 July - 25 Aug, 4.45pm (5.35pm), prices vary, fpp 206.
tw rating 2/5
[kc]

Pierrepoint - The Hangman's Tale
Café Society
"There's no need to be glum just because there's been an 'angin". With an appealing frankness and moments of dark humour, Martin Oldfield gives a skilled performance as the uncomfortably likeable Albert Pierrepoint, a soon to be ex-hangman from Lancashire. As the story unfolds, his subtlety and sincerity draw the audience in to a harrowing tale of duty and judgement. Mark Butt provides competent support as the condemned prisoner, presenting a stark reminder of the true horror of the situation, his untimely end becoming all the more distressing in such an intimate venue. Beautifully written, touching and honest, the play manages to be both a grim tale of death and the tender account of one man's life alongside it.
Sweet Grassmarket, 31 Jul - 12 Aug, 3.50pm (4.50pm), prices vary, fpp 224.
tw rating 4/5
[fc]

Sir Barrington Ganch: My Life is Art
Inspired Pictures
From the moment I walked in, I honestly felt that I had become a member of Sir Barrington Ganch's inner circle. The pews, the roaring fire, and the complimentary brandy added wonderfully to the impression that we'd been invited to Ganch's country house to be regaled with stories of his acting career. And what a career it was. The short films used for illustration are very funny, but this is where I got confused. The play didn't seem to be able to decide between its comedy and its seriousness, and I wish that it had kept up the brilliant wit of its opening. Despite this, 'Sir Barrington Ganch: My Life Is Art' is an enjoyable show which creates a charming atmosphere.
C cubed, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 12), 5.30pm (6.30pm), prices vary, fpp 231.
tw rating 3/5
[rg]

Titus Andronicus
Action To The Word
For Shakespeare to work at the Fringe, it has to be something pretty special. Cue Action to the Word. A tricky play to do well at the best of times, they bring to Titus accomplished performances combined with moments of truly inspired directing. Graphic novel influences make even the most violent scenes visually striking and bring poise to what is so often an artless bloodbath. Bringing Shakespeare 'up to date' seems inevitably to involve a banging soundtrack and overt sexualities but the cast handle it well. The stomping and grinding did not to detract from the action while the simple staging and a monochrome colour scheme, if unoriginal, ensure the drama remains at the pulsating heart of this exciting show.
C, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 11.00pm (12.15pm), prices vary, fpp 237.
tw rating 4/5
[fc]

Boys Of The Empire
Glenn Chandler Presents
Spiffing! Hurrah! Jolly Good Show! Join the fifth-formers from St. Ethelred's on this hilarious madcap adventure from 'Taggart' writer Glenn Chandler. Five friends become embroiled in a series of events that will change these chums forever. Cue Iraqi insurgencies, guile and bravery and barely concealed homosexuality, all wrapped up in sharply witty satire. Dealing with issues that are relevant to today's political climate, from race and nationality to sexuality, this supremely talented cast immerse themselves in their roles with total conviction. This is high-energy comedy that leaves the audience rolling in the aisles. No punches are pulled in this risqué, no holds barred adventure, the performances are electrifying and the direction superb. See this.
C, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 8.00pm, prices vary, fpp 188.
tw rating 4/5
[nb]

Copenhagen
Poimandres Productions
It's not often that you get a chance to watch a two hour play about nuclear physics, and that's probably a good thing. Although this production of award winning script 'Copenhagen' was heartfelt, the play itself was grating. Set in Nazi occupied Copenhagen, it explores the relationship between German nuclear physicist Heisenberg and his Danish mentor, whilst also examining politics and morality. Steve Bond's portrayal of Heisenberg had a childlike innocence to it, which highlighted the simplistic beauty of science that the play tries to convey. All in all however, banter about particles doesn't tend to appeal to the general public and, although some of the language used was truly beautiful, 'Copenhagen' seemed too dialogue and narration heavy.
Spotlites @ The Merchants' Hall, 31 Jul - 2 Aug, 8.15pm (10.15pm), £7.50 (£5.50), fpp 192.
tw rating 2/5
[ls]

Crypt Of A Thousand Horrors
Total Beast Theatre Company
Felix Pring is probably one of the creepiest people you'll ever meet. In this late night one man show, he tells good old fashioned ghost stories, his sinister moustache twitching and mad blue eyes bulging from his skull. This is probably not a show for those who don't like ham, because it's got a lot of ham in it. The stories Pring relates, penned by Julian Bain and Sharon Zink, are, in the main, excellent. Sinister and intelligent, with pleasingly chilling local Edinburgh touches, they are somewhat let down by the show. The main problems being that Pring reads from a script pasted into a spooky book and the show really suffers from a lack of movement and an insistence on silly costumes.
C cubed, 31 Jul - 25 Aug, 10.30pm (11.30pm), prices vary, fpp 194.
tw rating 3/5
[rj]

Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
The Scottish Literary Tour Trust Ltd
There are always two sides to every story - something that is well conveyed by this thoroughly entertaining tour which reveals just how important the grimy drinking establishments of Edinburgh have been to literary inspiration over the centuries. The two actor guides each championed one version of history; the textbook versus the more disreputable (what they didn't want you to know about Burns). With scripted interruptions and witty banter along with poetry extracts, characterisation and even a bit of singing, they created a dialogue between history and hearsay that brought out the richness - and the seediness - of Edinburgh's cultural history. Humour and storytelling are favoured above dreary facts and sampling the tipple along the way is heartily encouraged!
Outside the Beehive Inn, 27 Jul - 30 Aug, 7.30pm (9.30pm), £10.00 (£9.00) fpp 197.
tw rating 4/5
[lr]

Reviewer details are online at www.threeweeks.co.uk