These, ladies and gentlemen, are the Penny Dreadfuls - yes, it's pretty hard to miss ThreeWeeks columnists and former ThreeWeeks in Brighton cover stars the Penny Dreadfuls this Festival, and rightly so, they are one of the hottest sketch comedy groups of the moment. That, in case you wondered, is why we gave them a ThreeWeeks Editors' Award last year. Here's what happened when ThreeWeeks photographer Elena Heatherwick caught up with the Dreadfuls...

GREEN PERFORMERS KEEP SHOW ON THE ROAD WITH BIKE-POWERED LIGHTS
Performers of a show at the Acoustic Music Centre with an eco-friendly theme have proven both that the Fringe need not have so large a carbon footprint, and that the 'show must go on' mentality is alive and well, by powering their show with bicycles.

The company in questions is called KeNoDeKe, an Edinburgh based collective of performers from Spain, America and Ireland. Their show at the AMC at St Brides is called 'Let The Earth Breath' and is a family friend exploration of environmental issues. And so green are the people behind the show, when they found out last night's heavy rainfall had damaged some electrics at their venue they saw the chance to be extra green and announced they will power the lights at their show by putting two people on bicycles. Which is fun. Well, possibly not for the two people plonked on the bikes.

AMC's John Barrow explained before this afternoon's bike-powered show: "We are having some problems with power into the building caused by last night's heavy rain which we hope to have resolved later today. [But] the 'Let The Earth Breath' cast are keen to stage the production [this afternoon] and they will use two bicycles to power a generator for their lights and their music will also be acoustic".

TAP OLE NEED SAND
Yesterday it was a search for pegs, today a search for sand. The people from Tap Ole, which is being performed next week at the Queens Hall, have put a call out for sand after a flight case containing the sand they brought with them from Spain went missing in transit. And before you send them off to C soco, where a beach suddenly seems to have appeared, not just any sand will do for Guillem Alonso's famous 'sand-dance', which features in the 'Tap Ole' show. They like to use a special kind of white sand which has apparently been selected because of its special qualities. Which may or may not include not having been treaded into the ground by 5000 wet-shoed Fringe-goers.

Commenting on the missing sand, just one of several things lost during their trip from Barcelona to Edinburgh, Guillem told ThreeWeeks: "We can replace these other things, but the sand is very special. It doesn't create dust and looks good when I am pouring it. I have not been able to find it in any of the countries we have travelled".

If anyone did happen to pack a bag of white sand with them before coming to the Fringe this year, or if any locals have been stashing posh sand in their garages, then I'm sure Tap Ole would want you to get in touch. I wouldn't spend too much time looking though, I suspect there ain't none in town. Don't spend to much time either looking for Tap Ole's show in the Dance & Physical Theatre section of the Fringe programme, because, despite being a dance show, they are actually listed under Music.

INTERACTIVE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF ON SUNDAY
Now people, don't be forgetting the Edinburgh Interactive Festival kicks off this weekend will you? This, in case you wondered, is the big annual bash for everyone who works in the gaming industry, and you can expect people from every part of the interactive entertainment industry to be in town from Sunday to Tuesday. As well as a conference for industry types and new game screenings for gamers, both at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, there is the annual EDGE Award bash and a Games Film Season at the Filmhouse. You can still register as a delegate for the full event, or if you are a more casual gamer find out more about the screenings and stuff, at the Interactive Festival's website - www.edinburghinteractivefestival.com.

TRICKSTER'S IDENTITY REVEALED
For those of you losing sleep over the identity of the random magician who arrived in ThreeWeeks HQ the other day to plug his show through the medium of card tricks - and I know discussions about his identity have been up there with Bansky and Burial since I mentioned it yesterday - well all has been revealed. His name is Sanjay Shelat and he is the resident MC on 'Impro Jam', an improv show where audience members get to take part in the scenes as well as shout suggests from the audience (or beach, this is a C soco show). So now you know. And that's his show plugged. Job done. Bring on the flyerer who chops someone in half.

Send in news: editor@threeweeks.co.uk

Answering the ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz today... Jen Rowe from 'Pebbles On The Beach'

1. What is your 2008 show all about? It's about Leo, who finds himself on Brighton beach trying to remember how he got there. As though in a dream, he meets the girlfriend he rejected, his Star Wars obsessed father and the woman who gave him up for adoption. Leo has questions, he wants answers, but all he has is pebbles in his hands. 2. Why should we come and see it? You like pebbles? You like beaches? It's a winning combination. 3. If your show was an olympic sport, what would it be and why? Luge. I just looked it up and it's a sort of French sledge. Never heard of it before but it looks like it would involve a fast, slightly out of control roller-coaster of a journey for more than one person. Well, that sort of fits the story.

5. What are you least looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Sharing a one-toilet flat with 10 people ...it's going to be messy.

6. What advice would you have for someone trying to navigate the Fringe?
Find pin. Close eyes. Stick pin in random pages of brochure. Go to see it. Oh, and find rich old benefactor to pay for all your tickets.

7.What advice would you have for someone trying to survive the Fringe?
Don't blow all your money in the first week, but if you do, please refer to benefactor from question 6.

8. Describe your show in three words
Regret, Revelation, Rebel-Alliance!!

Even more reviews for you! Some, though not all, of these also appeared in edition 05 of the printed ThreeWeeks Daily. Remember only a selection of our reviews appear in the printed Daily and Weekly, they all appear here in the eDaily. Enjoy...

Speedy links:
Children's Shows - Comedy - Dance - Events - Music - Musicals & Opera - Theatre - Visual Art

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

CHILDREN'S

Far Far Away
Incognito
What to do when the official Fairy Tale Writer grows bored with happy endings? Naturally, you enlist the help of a ditzy trainee fairy to gather together all the classic characters and bring his sabotaging ways to an end. With the help of some great songs - 'The Seven Dwarves' gangster rap is very funny - we bounce our way through each rewritten story with an originality that is refreshing. The cast ensure that the children are always involved, giving them the chance to interact to help overthrow the mean writer. Children and parents alike will enjoy spotting familiar faces as they jaunt through well-known tales, at the end of which, pleasingly - but unsurprisingly - they all live happily ever after.
Zoo Southside, 1 - 9 Aug, 11.00am (11.40am), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 12.
tw rating 3/5
[ks]

The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad
Sideways
He's behind you! Boo. Hiss. It's all a bit panto when you embark upon Sinbad's voyage to obtain the golden amulet. The only thing is, panto on a low budget is a bit, well, rubbish. Part of the panto appeal is the visual nature of the performance, with stunning scenery and fabulous costumes enchanting open-mouthed children. Sinbad's backdrops and costumes looked rather like they'd been stolen from a dressing up box, and I'm not sure the mechanic-esque dragon in a boiler suit could have lit a candle let alone torched a princess. Not to dwell too much though, the classic story was easy to follow, and the few characters were lovable and engaging - even the baddie. Boo.
C, 4 - 25 Aug, 10.15am (11.00am), prices vary, fpp 13.
tw rating 3/5
[lk]

Heartbreak Soup
The Empty Space And Laura Lindow
You'd have to be hard-hearted indeed not to be moved by this charming and imaginative tale. Cuddy Gill, played by a convincingly childlike Scott Turnbull, is having an operation because his "heart doesn't work properly", and tells stories from his life so that the surgeon will know what to keep in his heart. Occasionally disjointed transitions between stories allow the pace to drop and children to get restless, but there are some lovely moments, such as when the spinning hospital bed becomes a roundabout. Silly slapstick and the odd bum joke go down well with the kids in the audience, yet the company still presents the struggles of a sickly childhood sensitively, especially in the touching final scene.
Pleasance Courtyard, 2 - 25 Aug (not 13, 14 Aug), 11.30am (12.30pm), £7.50 (£6.00), fpp 14.
tw rating 3/5
[hw]

James Campbell's Shut Up Stupid
Neopolitan Theatre
Due to the reputation of James Campbell's previous shows, the house was full, which is criminal, because 'Shut Up Stupid' left its audience confused, uncomfortable, in shock, potentially damaged and very disappointed. I was outraged. Yes, if you say 'poo' a lot, children will giggle, but I feel sure this was due to the need for a release of tension in the room. If you want your children to think you had them so you could control them, or if you want them to contemplate who's more worth rescuing - children, animals or teddy bears - then please take them to see this show. The 'experimental' charity buckets are a cheek and I have a half a mind to report them to the NSPCC. What a nightmare.
Sweet, ECA, 3-25 Aug (not 18), 4.00pm (4.55pm), prices vary, fpp 15.
tw rating 1/5
[da]

Koko The Crocodile
Toto Tales
In this well put together show, simple stories about the animals of Africa are told using a variety of homemade props and costumes, whilst children are encouraged to take part by calling out, stamping their feet, piecing together parts of a chameleon, and so on. The title character Koko's entrance was not made until over halfway through the show, keeping the kids' attention and heightening anticipation, although when he did finally appear, the costume proved a little too scary for one girl, who burst into tears. I wasn't frightened though, and thoroughly enjoyed the charming tales, in particular the mask-making at the end, giving everyone a souvenir of the day, and something to continue at home as we were pushed for time. Plenty of interactive fun!
The Zoo, 1 - 25 Aug (not 3, 10, 24 Aug) 11.00 am (11.45am) £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 15.
tw rating 4/5
[gm]

Alice In Wonderland
Texas Woman's University
Wonderland is taken in a new direction by Texas Woman's University; the magical story has been transformed into a folk/rock musical, delivered through an array of enchanting puppets. Rich in creativity and innovative ideas, this take on 'Alice and Wonderland' is only really suitable for adults, who can appreciate the packed and at times confusing content. John Dyer's music and singing narration complements the punk and wacky style of this performance but his lyrics are sometimes muffled and the audience loses the plot of the story. The puppets are beautiful, but their painstaking detail is hard to make out on a large stage, strobe lighting gives the piece hypnotic qualities, but its constant repetition will leave you with a banging headache.
Bedlam Theatre, 4 - 8 Aug, 10.15am (11.15am), £6.00 (£5.00), fpp 181.
tw rating 2 /5
[kc]

The Apple Tree Maiden
Divadlo Neslysim
Can you remember a time you didn't know the basics of fairy-tales? I originally thought those basics wouldn't be enough to keep a roomful of tiny children engaged for the duration of this play, but I was wrong: it was its very simplicity which engaged them. Familiar with other fairy-tales, they knew who to support and who to mistrust in this tale of Prince, Bad Witch and Apple Tree Maiden (or "good witch" as the more minuscule audience members called her). Completely mimed, with the lighting and sound design playing a vital role in creating atmosphere, the audience responded to the humour, drama and emotion of the piece. And they just wanted the good guys to win and live happily ever after.
Gilded Balloon, 30 Jul - 17 Aug, 12.00pm (12.45pm), prices vary, fpp 11.
tw rating 3/5
[nv]

COMEDY

Andrew Maxwell's Supernatural
As Andrew Maxwell bounces onto the stage to rapturous applause, I get the feeling I am in for a good hour, and I'm not wrong. Maxwell talks us through his last 12 months, recounting his stories of stand-up shows taking place everywhere from war-zones to high-security prisons. The Irish accent was a little hard to make out at times, but being able to chop and change between other accents really added to the stories being told. His banter with the hecklers was funny, although maybe a little mean at times. I almost cried with laughter at one point, and my stomach hurt from laughing so much, so if you too like to have your funny bone well and truly tickled, then make time for this.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 6, 13), 8.20pm (9.20pm), prices vary, fpp 26.
tw rating 4/5
[fa]

Alun Cochrane. Owner Of A Son. And A Shed. Thinks The World Is Wonky.
Assembly In Association With Karushi Management
Alun Cochrane does not think that all the world is fucked, he thinks it's just wonky, which is handy because otherwise there would probably be no comedy in it. Cochrane is a refreshingly down to earth thinker who enjoys deflating media scandal (the bigger the public outcry the less he can see it directly affecting him). On the other hand he is genuinely - and amusingly - riled by little things such as property programs and, er, people who eat peaches on trains. His style is fluid and the show is neatly structured with references to earlier jokes and just a dash of spontaneity. This is textbook stand-up performed by a true professional - if the world is wonky, Alun Cochrane will straighten it out.
Assembly @ George Street, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 6), 7.30pm (8.30pm), prices vary, fpp 24.
tw rating 4/5
[jwm]

Alpha Males
Adam Riches
I've never witnessed a near-death experience at a show before, but then again, I've never seen a comedian force-feed Yakult to an audience member until he chokes either. Such is the nature of Adam Riches' humour: slightly dangerous, but very funny. Endearingly dishevelled, Riches demonstrates the secrets of how to be a true Alpha Male (in no particular order: growling, prowling and shagging). Along the way there are some fantastic costume changes, an imaginative, amusing fight scene and an opportunity to partake in a spot of busking. Flitting from character to character, his non-examples of Alpha Males are often infuriating, depressingly insightful and always entertaining. You may leave no wiser about men, but you will most definitely be laughing.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul-25 Aug, 2.10pm (3.00pm), prices vary, fpp 24.
tw rating 4/5
[ks]

The Guru
John Popolini
I have read 'My Life In Orange', a true story about growing up with the orange followers of Bhagwan, the millionaire Indian spiritualist. John Popolini is a different type of guru, promoting financial success rather than enlightenment, for a fee of course. There aren't big laughs in the show, despite the acting talents of Steve Trister and Evelyne Brink, maybe because laughing at those that exploit the weakness of others isn't that amusing, or maybe it is funnier to watch a documentary on real-life gurus, who are far more complex in their deception. Perhaps the audience felt the joke was on them: although not buying into Popolini's £1750 'suckers box', they still paid for the ticket.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug, 1.15pm (2.00pm), prices vary, fpp 56.
tw rating 2/5
[gm]

Jeff Kreisler 08
Stand Comedy Club
With the excitement of an impending presidential election, it's a great time to see an American political comic, and you'll struggle to find better than Jess Kreisler. With slick and witty poise he mixes wry observation on current affairs with quirky bouts of surrealism to create a politically charged set, without a hint of the pedagogical habits that can so often be the downside of political stand-up. There are a few gags that don't quite survive the transatlantic crossing, with the audience missing some American cultural references, but the most commendable thing about Kreisler is that his routine - even his George W. Bush stuff - manages to feel new and fresh in an area of comedy overrun with formulaic material.
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11), 6.10pm (7.10pm), £7.00 (£6.00), fpp 64.
tw rating 4/5
[th]

Jim Jeffries - Hammered
Jim Jeffries
If Jim Jeffries superbly acerbic stand-up has one failing, it's that all of his material does tend to tread familiar ground. What sets him apart from his peers, though, is that rather than treading, Jeffries' approach tends to be a repeated, vehement stamping, with added verbal abuse and drunken shouting. Yes, he talks about the usual fare of sex, religion and parents, but Jeffries does so in such a way that every sentence would make Mary Whitehouse's head explode. Who else would link material with a line such as "and that leads me on to burn victims", or declare his microphone a gay Mohammed? His mum may not like it, but 'Hammered' should prove another Fringe success.
Udderbelly's Pasture, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 12), 9.00pm (10.00pm), prices vary, fpp 65.
tw rating 4/5
[tm]

Jo Caulfield: Two-faced Bitch?
Stand Comedy Club
Other reviewers have called Jo Caulfield bitchy, apparently, and she's not too pleased about that. So she chats away - lighting on anything from the "marriage saver" that is SatNav, to speaking like a teenager on MySpace and on to alcoholic babysitting - hoping we'll decide she isn't a two-faced bitch after all. With her quick, precise humour, Caulfield always stays in complete control: even her contact lens falling out doesn't faze her. Her material and style isn't particularly inventive, but she's got a wit as sharp and sparkling as her diamante bling rings. And there's a difference between being a bitch - she's far too likeable for that - and being bitch-y. Bitchy can be funny, and Jo Caulfield, luckily for us, is still that.
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11, 18 Aug), 7.30pm (8.30pm), £9.00 (£8.00), fpp 65.
tw rating 4/5
[hw]

Nude
Hairy Back Productions
Cock on stage is an invitation for gigglers, and this nicely understated show is perfectly pitched to throw even the guys in the audience into girlish fits of hysterics. The structure is simple - the audience is an art class drawing two life models and as they emerge and pose one after another, their thoughts are narrated 'Peep Show' style by a background recording, which is a neat device but sometimes leaves irremediable drops in pace. Although the models are essentially two lust-driven lads, their characters are portrayed with surprising sensitivity - one a prima donna life model; the other an insecure non-achiever. If you want your Fringe tackle presented with laughs and a little light drama, 'Nude' will certainly satisfy.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 12, 19), 2.00pm (2.55pm), prices vary, fpp 82.
tw rating 3/5
[jwm]

The Oxford Imps
Oxford Imps
Improvisation is all about energy, cohesion and structure, and with the Oxford Imps you get it all. An evil ringmaster dictates to his minions, seven of Oxford's wittiest 'imps', through a series of games, songs and new activities (certainly the highly enjoyable 'forward, reverse' and 'three headed monster' are games I have never seen before). High octane throughout, the cast work well together, and though not always brilliant, the unique 'imp' structure marks them out. If you've seen them before you'll know what to expect - silly songs, hearty laughs, with a little death thrown in for good measure. You might see improvisation better elsewhere, but it's good clean fun and enviable wit that make the Oxford Imps worth a visit.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 3.00pm (4.00pm), prices vary, fpp 84.
tw rating 4/5
[rh]

Pippa Evans And Other Lonely People
Pippa Evans
"I'm Sabrina, I'm 29, and my alter ego is a zebra" says the named-tagged lost soul next to me, grinning dangerously. So begins 'Pippa Evans And Other Lonely People', an hour of character based stand-up masquerading as a self-help group for lonely people. Thankfully, that's the extent of the audience participation, as Pippa launches into a series of unbalanced characters, each a 'graduate' of the group, and blissfully unaware of their massive failings. The characters are very well realised, but the material is a bit samey (there are only so many jokes you can make about the clawing blackness at the very centre of your being), but Pippa has a monstrous talent for accents, and drops one-liners with a devilish twinkle; expect greatness in coming years.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 4.45pm (5.45pm), prices vary, fpp 87.
tw rating 3/5
[cmg]

Rich Hall: Fifty-Cent Words
Rich Hall
'This is the easiest show I've ever done!' Rich Hall laughs. You're not wrong there Rich, you shrewd operator, but really you ought to hot-foot it to the Book Festival with this piece of shameless promotion. Sending out the message that you don't have to bother delivering new material, in 'Fifty-Cent Words' Hall demonstrates lazy PR by reading extracts of his work to a packed house. What results is an underwhelming show, even if the said work is very funny, and draws expansively from the lucid and surreal horrors of Aberdeen, Islamophobia, and MySpace. Between readings Hall draws for breath, sips water and indulges a little ad hoc storytelling. Evidently a fascinating time was had by all (of his fans).
Assembly @ George Street, Jul 31- Aug 25 (not 11), 1.05pm (2.05pm), prices vary, fpp 92.
tw rating 3/5
[rsj]

Rule Of Three- Sketchual Healing
Rule Of Three
Silly fun from a talented threesome, this playful sketch show tackles aural penetration, extreme tea-drinking Aussies and some very inappropriate mother-son relations. Rule Of Three don't let up the energy for a single second in this hour of fast paced shenanigans, and their accents, giddiness and slick physical comedy is of the highest order. There are moments when jokes don't quite hit their mark, and some sketches - like the public schoolboy turned chav - are pretty stale material, but spending an hour in the company of such energetic performers and their bizarre imaginations is definitely not time wasted. If you're feeling the after effects of a long, boozy Edinburgh night, 'Skechtual healing' might be just what the doctor ordered.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul- 24 Aug (not 13), 12.00pm (13.00pm), prices vary, fpp. 93.
tw rating 3/5
[je]

Russell Kane: Gaping Flaws
Avalon Promotions
Kane is a fantastic comedian; endearing, fun and properly mental. He gives generously to his audience, a refreshing hour of feel-good entertainment that no one could fail to relate to. And what an ingenious idea to base a show around - it certainly takes the pressure off striving for perfection. Kane considers why, as a nation, we take great delight in our fallibility and indulge in flawed behaviour, whilst looking at America's inbuilt confidence and raising issues such as obsession with plastic surgery and interest in GM babies. Kane is pacy, spontaneous, scintillating and above all, oozing in oomph. I think it might be good for his dad to see his show, and it'd certainly be a shame if you didn't.
Pleasance Courtyard, 3-25 Aug (not 20), 8.00pm (9.00pm), prices vary, fpp 93.
tw rating 4/5
[da]

Supper Club
Assembly & Strut N Fret
This is cabaret for the cool kids. An eclectic mix of comedy, music, dance and hula hooping, this should become a permanent Edinburgh fixture. Music was provided by The Bastard Children of Australian Folk which sounded like it had come to Edinburgh via the streets of Paris, making Banjos, Harmonicas and Accordions sound effortlessly cool. The comedy was a little lacking, but the comedians' dancing more than made up for it. A sexy hula hoop routine was made to look easy and was thrilling to watch, a skill well and truly mastered. The 'drag' box was also ticked with a snippet from 'Mommies and the Minister'. The place to be, and be seen.
Assembly @ George Street, 31 Jul - 24 Aug, 12.00am (1.30am), £10.00, fpp 101.
tw rating 3/5
[fa]

Terry Milligan's 'Bringing In The Sheep'
Laughing Horse Free Festival
'Bringing In The Sheep' is something of a contradiction. With its barrel-bottom scraping puns, broad, repetitive jokes and ramshackle tomfoolery it should be awful, but its flaws (self-conscious as they are), are all cancelled out by the overwhelming energy and charm of Milligan and his accomplices. My initial scepticism was lost somewhere between throwing plastic axes at a werewolf stand-up and being asked to judge the purity of someone's beard whilst ringing a giant bell. I began to find myself chuckling in places that I wouldn't normally. In short, it was cracking good fun. Comedy purists need not apply, but if you're looking for cheap thrills with buckets of enthusiasm then look no further.
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 2 - 16 Aug, 12.00pm (12.50pm), free non-ticketed, fpp 102.
tw rating 4/5
[th]

Umbrella Birds
When I heard that the device linking the sketches in this show was women talking in a gym I was immediately sceptical, expecting this scenario to offer a flimsy coherency at best. Luckily, I'm not the one writing sketch shows for the Fringe, as this is a fantastic example of how a comedy sketch show should be done. The humour was continuous, keeping the audience's laughter simmering for the full hour, occasionally boiling over into uproarious hilarity and spontaneous applause. All too often, sketch shows try too hard to be wacky or different, as a poor substitute for clever writing, but Umbrella Birds neatly avoid this trap, delivering witty, intelligent, and above all, damned funny comedy.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 31Aug (not 12), 6.00pm (7.00pm), prices vary, fpp 107.
tw rating 4/5
[al]

Unbelievable?!
Catchy Monkey Productions
The premise for Scott Fitzgerald's show is promising, aiming to both prove and disprove Chaos Theory in an hour. However, this show does not deliver what it promises. In reality, Fitzgerald's show is simply one man telling an elaborate story, involving some discussion of cause and effect. Often, I got the impression that most of the material comes from telling amusing anecdotes to his mates down the pub. Although a masterful storyteller, he relies too heavily on four-letter words to get his laughs. With most jokes based on paedophilia, undertakers and incontinence, Fitzgerald disappointingly fails to create a show that lives up to the original premise.
Venue 13, 1 - 24 Aug (not 11), 7.00pm (8.00pm), £8.00 (£5.00), fpp 107.
tw rating 2/5
[kk]

Who Writes this Crap?
Joel Stickley & Luke Wright/Escalator East To Edinburgh
This effortless satire is impressive in that it does not deviate far from what we know as our mundane, everyday reality, yet still manages to be devastatingly funny. If you've ever used the internet, a supermarket, or eaten a sandwich with fancy packaging, then you'll find much to relate to here. I'd go as far as to say that this is humour for everyone but displaced vagrants. Joel and Luke viciously rip into the abundance of "crap" literature surrounding us, reflecting on the (obvious) comparisons between email spam and modernist writing, and journalists (of course). They attack terrible prose with a sharp pen and an even sharper wit, whilst managing to be informative and thoughtful in their conclusions. Crap writing? Guilty as charged.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Jul (not 12), 4.55pm, prices vary, fpp109.
tw rating 4/5
[km]

If You Like
Four Sad Faces/PBH's Free Fringe
No-one likes to gamble with their money. So don't. Save yourself the price of lunch and go watch these four comedians steal a hefty slice of comedy pie and run with it, down in the basement of the Canon's Gait. The Mexican Punito, the Pringle Addicts, Tiny Michael Caine, are all covered in this hour of hats and hilarity. You can see why BBC7 has grabbed these young comedians, and they are very well aware of their age, fooling the audience by acting all nervous before starting an incredibly confident performance. Also, the most effective use of the homely office flip-chart you will ever see. Don't miss this, so you can say 'I saw them when...'
The Canon's Gait, 2 - 24 Aug (not 6, 13, 20), 12.10pm, free, fpp 60.
tw rating 4/5
[rs]

Girl And Dean
What would happen if the WI led an armed revolution against the bourgeoisie? Well-mannered machete-ing, a bring-and-share lunch and a promise to be home by "five at the latest", that's what. Jess Ransome and Sarah Dean's opening sketch got my hopes up for an entertaining hour but sadly, it was all downhill from there. Their between-sketch banter was just childish squabbling, with a running but not terribly funny gag about Dean being a man. While some sketches were smart (Girl does a nice line in upper class twits), others were unoriginal (dim MacDonald's staff, book clubs where no-one reads, overly-PC Fringe theatre), and their material felt just too slight for a whole show. And there was a puppet with a really annoying voice. Revolutionary comedy this ain't.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11, 18 Aug), 3.30pm (4.30pm), prices vary, fpp 54.
tw rating 2/5
[hw]

David Longley
Stand Comedy Club
I saw David Longley last year doing his thing at the Big Value Comedy Show. He hasn't changed much, to be honest - he's still a tall, reluctant charmer who just happens to be quite funny into the bargain. Half the show is a straight-up stand-up routine, where he discusses his penis and what it gets up to quite a bit, and his parents' sex life, although thankfully in unrelated stories. The second half is mostly a cynical rant which dissects organised religion, western medicine and the press, to name a few things that he thinks are shit. Mostly, though, it's just about how a joke, at the end of the day, is just a joke. Personally, I think he just needs a good seeing to.
The Stand Comedy Club II, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11 Aug), 11.30 pm, £7.00 (£6.00), fpp. 44.
tw rating 3/5
[mb]

Mark Watson: All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born
Mark Watson
There is something inherently funny about Mark Watson, kind of as if he was just born to bring a wonderful new dimension to the world of everyday comedy. There is nothing new or innovative about the material that he is working with, but it is nevertheless absolutely hilarious. Mark has that indescribably special wow factor that will no doubt have you in stitches; an X factor which can possibly be attributed to the same manic restlessness which sees him frantically leap around the stage. He acknowledges that his show isn't all that polished, but it doesn't matter, because it is the rough around the edges, spontaneous feel of the comedy that will have you in peals of laughter.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 12), 8.00pm (9.00pm), prices vary, fpp 76.
tw rating 4/5
[km]

Kerry Godliman- This Isn't What I Was Expecting
Mick Perrin for Just for Laughs Live
Have you ever been disappointed with a meal, a face cream, a date or even sex? If so, Kerry Godliman's riveting dialogue will strike a chord. Her frustration about phony adverts, smug couples, Little Chef food and gravity defying face cream, which simply does not live up to its promise, is easy to empathise with, and will have you laughing at the world around us. While her topics aren't ground breaking, she has the ability to expose the bizarre way in which we continually create high expectations, only to be disappointed. She's easy to listen to, warm and bubbly and seems to make herself chuckle almost as much as the audience. A hugely enjoyable hour.
Pleasance Dome, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 13), 5.00pm (6.00pm), £8.50 (£7.00), fpp 68.
tw rating 4/5
[sg]

DANCE AND PHYSICAL THEATRE

Serendipity
Le Navet Bete
"Stop laughing! This is not a comedy!" we are told, which rather confuses us, because we've already been laughing non-stop for the past half hour. Packing their show full of chaotic buffoonery, these five clowns leave you in stitches as they perform their physical theatre extravaganza, packed full of spectacular acrobatic stunts. Politically incorrect and purposefully crude in places, this show has all the elements of a laugh out loud comedy. The all-male, talented, and athletic cast take you on a fun filled journey of music and folly, featuring hilarious facial expressions and bundles of energy. With Le Navet Bet's succinct choreography, absolute seriousness and rather loud voices, you'll leave crying with laughter and wish you could watch the whole thing again.
Sweet ECA, 2 - 17 Aug, 4.30pm (5.30pm), £7.50 (£6.50), fpp 121.
tw rating 5/5
[kc]

Chess
Dansmusician Group
When a show boasts elaborate costumes and props, anything cheap stands out. The swords in this production were silver, wobbly and made of plastic. They served a purpose, though: to make whooshing sounds through the air and clacking sounds when struck on the floor. 'Chess' is a lavish, acrobatic production that falls short because the storytellers - the Maids - are difficult to understand in their accented English, but the beautiful stage pictures, fighting scenes and mood lighting did give me the general story: Xiang Lu and Liu Bang battle to win the love of the Mistress. The Maids also say that Chess is a battle: always a winner and a loser. They never counted on a draw, and that is what this show feels like.
Universal Arts Theatre, 1 - 25 Aug (not 13), 1.15pm (2.15pm), prices vary, fpp 113.
tw 3/5
[zl]

Rise
Tom Dale Company/Escalator East To Edinburgh
Five hooded figures explore how progress and technological advances affect life in our claustrophobic, insular society. Choreographer Tom Dale's intensely beguiling work sucks the breath right out of you and glues you to your seat with its flawless technical display and continuously inventive choreography. Taking inspiration from leftfield electronica and IDM, the soundtrack is a crackling onslaught of glitched out break beats from the likes of Aphex Twin and Susumu Yokota. The dark, brooding atmosphere is heightened by the space defining lighting that reduces the space and further locks in the intensity of the performance. At times though, this relentless melancholy can become oppressive, and the piece could do with a few lighter moments. Regardless, this is exhilarating, thought provoking dance.
Zoo Southside,1 - 25 Aug (not 12, 16), 2.40pm (3.33pm), £10.00 (£8.00), fpp 120.
tw rating 4/5
[nb]

State Of Matter
2FaCeD DaNcE Company
If this isn't on your 'to see' list, add it immediately. No, really, do it now. The choreography is explosively fresh, moving seamlessly from fierce to delicate, and is beautifully executed, with enough acrobatics to keep the MTV massive guessing but without alienating the traditionalists. The boys flip - often literally - from tender to aggressive and it's not just the audience who love it. Grinning as they miss the front row by inches, the dancers' enthusiasm is surpassed only by their talent. Uncompromising dance that embraces the new while refusing to lose sight of its roots, this is exactly what the modern dance scene has been crying out for. And alright, there may be some slightly gratuitous shirtlessness, but hey - it's art.
Udderbelly's Pasture, 31 Jul - 25 Aug, 4.00pm (4.55pm), prices vary, fpp 121.
tw rating 5/5
[fc]

Todos Los Gatos Son Pardos
Arrieritos
This is flamenco but not as you know it. Six dancers whirled and stamped their way through sixty minutes of pure exhilaration, the rhythmic clapping and footwork (that's 'palmas' and 'zapateado' to you Spanish speakers) fusing seamlessly with the contemporary choreography. The show really picked up the pace in the second half, and the choreography in the final scene was so beautiful I wanted to cry with pleasure. Another scene stealer was a duet between the two Spanish male dancers which was witty, charismatic and wonderfully performed. Sleep was the theme here, with dreams and nightmares (complete with cat fight yowls - 'gatos' means 'cats', don't you know) innovatively depicted with enough foot-stamping to wake the dead.
Universal Arts Theatre, 1 - 12 Aug, 7.15pm (8.15pm), prices vary, fpp 122.
tw rating 4/5
[bw]

The Angel And The Woodcutter
Cho-In Theatre
Beautiful, elegant, moving, and a joy to watch, Cho-In Theatre has brought Edinburgh a dazzling performance. Every inch of the performer's bodies are in character every single second, and real sweat and tears make this truly a performance to get lost in. It seems that the mother-in-law has been a problem since time immemorial, as that's a subject predominant here. The dynamics between the young lovers and the mother are wonderfully utilised, adding an element of playful charm, and the use of shadow puppets to illustrate the mystical parts of the story keeps the performance simple and clear. 'The Angel and The Woodcutter' drives home a powerful anti-war message in a tasteful, dignified way. Fired with passion and devotion, the performance is extremely moving.
Zoo Southside, 3-25 Aug (not 10), 4.10pm, £10.00 (£8.00), fpp 112
tw rating 5/5
[mi]

I'm Not Convinced
Bambi Killers
Well the title says it all. In fact, no it doesn't. It should say 'I'm not convinced and why did you waste my fucking time?' Only then would it describe my exact thought whilst leaving. The only thing that was remotely good about this play was the amount of flesh on show, if you like that kind of thing. And it must be said that the 'actresses' did sport very good figures; however, is it really a positive when the only thing that stands out in the whole play are your nipples? The plot was strange, twisted and lacked connection, whilst the terrible noises repeated throughout the show were just damn annoying. We can only hope that this world premiere has its final showing here.
Holyrood Too @ Faith, 3-7 Aug, 11.30pm (12:00am), prices vary, fpp 116.
tw rating 1/5
[mi]

EVENTS

Minute For Peace Festival Of Spirituality And Peace
St John's Church is an impressive perpendicular Gothic church, a moving monumental place for quiet uplifting contemplation. The minute for peace is happening here every day at one pm, however they do say you can do the reflection anywhere. I wasn't quite ready to leave my bed (well, sofa to be precise), so I decided I would do my bit for peace from there à la John Lennon. In my minute long bed-in I contemplated the genesis of conflict, and how it can spiral out of control from the smallest of causes. Many people seem so peaceful, could that be changed in the right (or rather, wrong) context? How would I cope in a war? Hiding in bed probably wouldn't be an option.
St John's Church/everywhere, 3 - 24 Aug, 1.00pm (1.01pm), free non-ticketed, fpp128.
tw rating n/a
[se]

Wine In The City
Edinburgh Wine School
The appearance of the venue wasn't amazing as it was a bare conference room. However, with the intensity and clarity of our Ozzie expert, it proved a long, rich, flavoursome experience, involving a full body of information on tasting and on the history of wine-making. The wines (coincidentally an anagram of my name) were French, so we tasted those produced in the Burgundy, Bordeaux and Alsace regions. We were given a step-by-step guide to systematic tasting, from eyes to nose to mouth, and carefully prodded into giving our own opinions and coming up with our own descriptions of the flavours, a task which became easier as the event went on. A wonderfully educational experience - I've never found learning so easy to absorb...
Edinburgh Training Centre, 2 - 24 Aug, times vary, prices vary, fpp 131.
tw rating 4/5
[se]

MUSIC

Another Eden
Kelly Glasheen and Pamela Gillis
Simple chords, meaningful lyrics and engaging harmonies form the substance of 'Another Eden'. Kelly Glasheen and Pamela Gillis are calming, despite their own nerves, and their individual characters are reflected in song. Kelly says she is cold-hearted, however, her 'Death To Romance' tune confessing this is more catchy than it is dark. Pamela is also not as dreamy as she admits; her vocal quality is controlled and she doesn't have the trappings one might expect of a folk singer. What's missing is a change of pace. Somewhere in their catalogue there must be a faster song or one using more than three or four chords. Regardless, this is an enjoyable performance, perfect for soothing your Festival fatigue.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 4 - 10 Aug (not 5, 7), times vary, £8.00 (£6.00), fpp139.
tw rating 3/5
[zl]

Kevin Harding
Launching his new album 'The Wine List', Kevin Harding's live performance was an intimate affair, with the Red Dog Music affiliate enjoying a sell-out audience -"cajoled and bullied" into buying tickets - for the first of two shows in the festival. The music, classical-folk guitar seemingly aiming towards some somniferous plateau, was a little too dry and flat for this palate. At times, his open-tuning guitar stylings shone out with a rich, deeply resonant sound - pieces such as 'Blush', 'The Ness', and 'Nocturne' demonstrating Harding's skill and technical variety - while on the whole there was an awkward tension between the performing guitarist and the double-bassist, and a sense of general drowsiness was too often the powerful aftertaste.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 4 - 5 Aug, 8.00pm (9.00pm), prices vary, fpp 156
tw rating 2/5
[ab]

Laura Macdonald / Martina Almgren Quartet
There was something a little defensive about this performance; although it's clear the duo are confident playing their original and relaxing compositions, the atmosphere at The Lot seemed cautious and restrained. They arrived on stage late, took a huge interval break and finished before the allotted time, despite being cajoled into an encore, but there wasn't the impression they didn't have enough songs to fill the time - it just seemed as if they were modest about performing their work. The songs they did play were positive and heartfelt, notably in the Macdonald composition 'The Land Of Beauty' and Almgren's 'Juliette'. The pair have achieved the foundation of a charming sound and show every sign of being capable of developing it.
The Lot, 1 Aug, 7.00pm (9.00pm), £10.00, jbfpp 19.
tw rating: 3/5
[tb]

Lee Ritenour
On the surface, this is a pretty odd looking outfit. Left of the stage was Will Kennedy sitting behind a tower of drums, behind him Melvin Davis held a 7-string 'tree-trunk' bass guitar and was surrounded by a spare guitar and several music stands, whilst on stage right Patrice 'Baby Fingers' Rushen nestled behind synthesizer, keyboard and a grand piano. Alone in centre stage was the relatively diminutive Ritenour. This was the first gig in the quartet's tour, and they weren't totally fluid until 'Four On Six' halfway through the set, when they really started to buzz, proving that they're an explosive and improvisational outfit. By the end they were exploring every angle with some intense and thrilling results.
tw rating: 3/5
The Hub, 31 Jul, 7.30pm (9.00pm), prices vary, jbfpp 16.
[tb]

Rumba Caliente
Hot and rapturous latin rhythms is what you got from this brass-based group. Upstairs at the Three Sisters pub on Cowgate was an ideal location for Rumba Caliente to play, and the dance floor was full from the start. However, although they were faultless at generating that Hispanic feel, the group don't have a lot of variety in their songs and you're often moved to wonder if the tune they're winding up for is the same one they played ten minutes ago. They tried to alleviate this by throwing in a few bars from 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' and 'Sex Machine', but the overwhelming impression was that they don't have much diversity. A great gig if you can dance salsa, but a little repetitive for those there just to listen.
tw rating: 2/5
Three Sisters, 31 Jul, 10.30pm (12.30pm), £10.00, jbfpp 17.
[tb]

My Exciting Life In Rock
MJ Hibbett
MJ Hibbett, anti genius of modern music and geek-adored hero of the underdog, brings his unique brand of comedic storytelling to the Medina nightclub. Told through music and self-deprecating monologue, Hibbett recounts his experiences of the music industry in his version of the alternative rock biography. From crap gigs to adoring ZX Spectrum fans he weaves his tongue-in-cheek recollections with natural confidence, interspersed with his own classic tunes. He is a master of the comic pop song, giving us such gems as 'Do The Indy Kid' and his download hit 'Hey Hey 16K', this is an enjoyable peek at the rock and roll lifestyle viewed from the other side. An hour well spent.
Medina And Negociants, 4 - 9 Aug, 6.00pm (7.00pm), £5.00 (£3.00), fpp 159.
tw rating 3/5
[nb]

Stranger Than Fiction
Kayla Kavanagh
In a world with a surfeit of girls with guitars, it's refreshing to find a talented performer such as Kayla Kavanagh. Playing a variety of instruments in addition to singing in a sweet clear voice, Kavanagh uses technology to become a 'one woman band'. This use of technology is extensive, and while slightly distracting, the end results are impressive. These songs of love and longing are built into harmonies with a multiple layering of sound, both vocal and instrumental and the result, certainly in the case of 'Colour Me In', is beautiful. The formal layout of the venue doesn't do this show justice, though; an outside venue would fit better and contrast the acoustic versus live technology of her performance skills. She fully engages with her bright, breezy manner, however.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 4 - 8 Aug, times vary, £5.00, fpp 165.
tw rating 3/5
[sr]

MUSICALS AND OPERA

Cannibal! The Musical
Rival Theatre Company
This is one tasty musical, a fleshed-out account of the trial of prospector turned cannibal Alfred Packer and his own version of an ill-fated Colorado trip that only he returned from. James Topping plays the accused with a scrawny, wide-eyed charm, the rest of the cast are gung-ho in their roles as Packer's big bearded fellow prospectors. There are many more comic twists to this based-on-truth story than just the choice of cuisine; Packer's relationship with his kinky horse Liane, the cool Indian chief's fighting lessons and the ongoing conflict with the bullying fur-trappers. Multimedia from a gory sepia Peckinpah-esque re-enactment film and Indian reservation projections complement the lively satire. This fun-filled massacre-al gives the word redneck a whole new meaning.
Musical Theatre @ George Square, 31 Jul-24 Aug (not 5,12), times vary, prices vary, fpp169.
tw rating 4/5
[se]

Eye of a Needle
Red Ditch Musical Theatre Company
In nineteenth century Redditch, community life revolves around manufacturing needles. In a combination of musical theatre and docu-drama, this talented young cast follows the story of a working class woman who rejects love in favour of duty, and becomes obsessed with the tale of a girl who drowned herself for love. The performances are energetic and there are some fine voices to be heard, although it is a pity that they have to battle with the deafening accompaniment. The cast are also held back by an underdeveloped plot - we hardly see the love of the protagonist's life, for example - and by a score which quickly becomes dull in spite of an accomplished chorus and some neatly nuanced performances from the soloists.
Spotlites@The Merchants' Hall, 3 - 8 Aug, 6.00pm (7.30pm), £9.50 (£8.50), fpp 170.
tw rating 3/5
[jm]

Into The Woods
The American High School Theatre Festival
Considering that 'Into The Woods' is probably one of the worst shows ever to grace Broadway, this American High School group didn't do too badly. Nicely staged and with an impressive costume budget for a Fringe show, they tackled Sondheim's music to the best of their abilities and produced some reasonable performances. Christine Conigliaro as Cinderella had a lovely stage presence, while Max Rissman was confident and charismatic as the show's narrator. However, the quality of both the acting and the singing was inconsistent and ultimately the show lacked sparkle. The inexperience of the cast was evident and sadly their enthusiasm, while admirable, was not enough to compensate for what was largely an uninspiring production.
Church Hill Theatre, 4 - 8 Aug (not 6), times vary, £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 173.
t/w rating 2/5
[fc]

Judy - The Musical
K6 Collective
Judy Garland will never be Liza or Marilyn, which begs the question why anyone would dedicate a musical to that girl who played Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz'. The 'show-within-a-show' concept proved messy, and lacked any real plot, development or climax. Throw in some toe curling solo performances, truly tragic American accents and poor Judy would be spinning in her grave. The one saving grace of the production was the beautiful performance of 'The Man That Got Away', though some appalling directorial decisions ensured that this was well and truly marred by the unfathomable slapstick occurring in the background. Oh well, I'm sure there are enough relatives and grey-haired ladies to keep the theatre full for its run.
Augustine's, 4 - 10 Aug, 4.35pm (5.35pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 173.
tw rating 2/5
[lk]

Leader Of The Pack
The American High School Theatre Festival
This American High School group take a while to get into this 60s musical, initially muddling their way through dance steps, stepping out of time and murmuring song lyrics. However, once they've conquered their nerves this performance isn't bad, with the final few numbers bursting with energy, pizzazz and spectacular costumes. Impressive performers Molly Brynteson and Mackenzie Sharp take the lead roles of young and old Ellie Greenwich and show sparkles of potential Broadway magic, but by contrast the stage could have done with livening up a bit, as the simple set looked drab against the multi-coloured 60's clothing. It was all too clear that the final section of the show had benefited from more rehearsal time as confidence and smiles filled the stage by this point, inspiring a positive reaction from the audience.
Church Hill Theate, 4 - 9 Aug (not 6,8), 12.15pm (13.45pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 174.
tw rating 3/5
[kc]

Masquerade!
Edinburgh Music Theatre
We watched the evening draw in beneath the dome of the magnificent St Andrew's and St George's Church, where the long running Edinburgh Music Theatre paid tribute to the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber. Not only is he indisputably one of the most successful and prolific composers that music theatre has ever known, having penned an impressive fourteen stage musicals and several film scores, he is also the proud recipient of a plethora of awards, including a Golden Globe and an Oscar. 'Masquerade!' showcases songs drawn from 12 of his stage works, including 'Cats' and 'Evita'. As an ensemble, the players are an impressive force, but individually, they sometimes waver. However, this production has the makings of a pleasant evening for any musical theatre aficionado.
St Andrew's and St George's Church, 4 - 7 Aug, 7.10pm (8.40pm), £10.00 (£8.00) fpp 174.
tw rating 3/5
[mb]

Opera Shorts
1 hour, 4 short operettas, 4 performers, 6 musicians and a freight train of mediocrity. Each segment tackles a good, meaty theme - love lost, suicide, hellish monsters from beyond time itself, mothers-in-law - but none really hold your interest as they flit briefly across the stage. It would do the cast and crew a disservice to slate the production as they're clearly talented and hard-working, but fifteen minutes isn't long enough to tell an operatic story. There are innovative touches: the Lovecraftian chorus, in guttural language wrenched straight from the Cthulu mythos, is performed with verve, but the scores are forgettable and most of the dialogue is risible. A pity, I hope they're back next year with better material.
C Central, 1 - 16 Aug, 710pm (8.15pm), prices vary, fpp 176.
tw rating 2/5
[cmg]

Pot Noodle The Musical
Mother Vision
'Pot Noodle The Musical' does what it says on the packaging. It won't kill you, but it will give you a few laughs, and a storyline as ridiculous as its title: noodle heiress Sandy must overcome her evil Uncle if she is to inherit the noodle farm, and the dizzying riches which accompany it. Cue the blow up dolls, couplets featuring such brilliant rhymes as 'start' and 'go-kart', and a hell of a lot o' dancing. It won't win any great literary accolades, but then again nor does it profess to, as is evidenced by its raw gimmicky humour. Go after a few drinks in the pub with your mates; that's partly what the Fringe is about anyway.
Assembly@George Street, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11,18), prices vary, fpp88.
tw rating 3/5
[km]

The Butler Did It? - The Musical
Handsome Chin Entertainment
This is a fast paced, energetic, musical extravaganza lead by a vibrant cast whose comic timing is spot on. The basic premise of the show is that Guy Moneysworth, a rich aristocrat, played by writer and musical director Gilchrist Muir, who, whilst deciding whom to leave his fortune to, is shot dead. This Cluedo-esque, Agatha Christie inspired whodunnit keeps you on your toes as the hilarious closet homosexual and incestuous sub-plots keep you thoroughly entertained. Although predictable, the humour is quick, clever and the old-fashioned fanny and dick jokes are actually very funny due to the comic timing of the actors. The music is good, despite the thin accompaniment, and in general the singing is of a high standard.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3 - 25 Aug, 2.45pm (4.00pm), prices vary, fpp 169.
tw rating 4/5
[ad]

THEATRE

The Third Condiment
AnkleProductions
You can't snort it and you can't smoke it, but sprinkle just a tiny bit on anything edible and a veritable taste explosion ensues, delivering an oral orgasm every time. What is this amazing powder, I hear you ask? They call it The Third Condiment. When the Eccentric Dave creates a product to rival salt, his two friends can see there is money to be made. But will it be for the good of the Third World, or will it be lining their own pockets? This highly original and very funny play is loaded with style and enough laughs to give you problems catching your breath. The actor playing Dave is also truly hilarious. Rocking good fun from a talented young company.
The Zoo, 1 - 25 Aug (not 17), 9.05pm (10.05pm), prices vary, fpp 236.
tw rating 4/5
[nb]

The Revenger's Tragedy
Lancaster University Theatre Group
Drugs and whores reoccur continually throughout this adaption of 'The Revenger's Tragedy', but unusually, these themes serve as the light relief in this jet-black tale. From the deceptively hypnotic beginning, this story of lust, incest and betrayal builds to a rabid, hysterical climax, as we follow a family, who - taking rape and even murder in their stride - will stop at nothing in an unrelenting power struggle. A minimalist setting means that the cast must carry the play, and they do not disappoint, indeed, some stellar performances ensure that it is very hard not to become totally emotionally engaged. Images of the ghostly characters, added to memories of the remarkable storyline, will follow you all the way home.
Sweet ECA, 31 Jul-10 Aug, 7.45pm (9.00pm), £7.50 (£6.50), fpp 226.
tw rating 4/5
[ks]

American Blues By Tennessee Williams
The American High School Theatre Festival
Hats off to these New York City kids and their director, who between them deliver five one-act Tennessee Williams plays with a sense of time, place, and momentum. The lives of Williams' complex, symbolic characters are communicated with conviction and confidence. The cast wholly trust their material, understanding the responses it can draw from the audience, and this gives them an admirable ease on stage as they express the playwright's unpredictable take on strength and fragility. Occasionally the delivery is a little too shrill and over-emphasised, as one or two scenes seem primarily played for laughs. But, particularly in the case of 'Moony's Kid Don't Cry' and 'The Dark Room', justice is done to these fascinating and rarely performed plays.
Church Hill Theatre, 4 - 9 Aug (not 6, 8), 7.15pm (8.45pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 182.
tw rating 3/5
[dp]

Attack Of The Soccer Moms
Green Room Presents
A well-written script does not equal a well-performed play, and that was the case with this show. Satan strikes a deal with some mothers obsessed with their darling children doing well on the pitch, and some witty dialogue ensues but sadly, it was painfully overacted by the small cast. In order to play the other parts, they simply put a wig or coat on Satan and had him mouth along to voice-overs and it looked ridiculous. The stage was cluttered with superfluous props on some occasions, but when it came to signing a pact with the devil the cast mimed it, badly. Though it was humorous at points, it felt very much like the actors just got lucky with the script.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11), 2.30pm (3.45pm), prices vary, fpp 184.
tw rating 2/5
[rs]

Before We Remember
Gomito Productions
This may be the only play on the Fringe which lasts for only a second - the second before the death of a one hundred year-old woman, whose life flashes before her eyes. Don't let the blurb's promise of "an ensemble of people and puppets" fool you into expecting something childish or silly; this show is entertaining, poignant and well-executed. While there is sometimes too much action cluttering the stage and the old woman's story could have been better fleshed out, the cast have enough charm and energy to overcome these defects and weave a vibrant world from string, brown paper and bin bags. If I could award Gomito Productions Blue Peter badges as well as a good rating, I certainly would!
Bedlam, 31 Jul - 23 Aug (not 10, 17), 3.30pm (4.20pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 185.
tw rating 4/5
[jm]

The Bird and the Bee: The Bird
Kandinsky
This is Jacob's story and it's the story of a boy whose heart is born four times. A near monologue, the portrayal of this intense character is due much praise. We discover that Jacob's actual birth took place in Britain, that he is a by-product of his Russian mother's trade, but he is never sufficiently nationalised to count himself among "you English". Instead, he and his mother are vulnerable outsiders, constantly betrayed and exploited. The intention seems to be to condemn such exploitation and to explore how an upbringing like this may warp the mind; both valid aspirations, but possibly made too obvious to serve their purpose efficiently. Nonetheless, an accomplished production in its own right, and as the flip-side to "The Bee".
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 13), 5.40pm (6.40pm), prices vary, fpp 186.
tw rating 3/5
[nv]

The Bird and the Bee: The Bee
Kandinsky
Suicide for altruistic reasons? A town celebrating a tragic death? This is not life as I accept it, and I appreciate being invited into an exploration of this other point of view. Sad enough to leave you in need of a tissue, funny enough to laugh through your tears, and introspective enough to make you consider why you are reacting like this, roller-coaster is, for once, an apt description, rather than an overused cliché. My one concern is that it may seem too topical. Fascination with being close to drama, especially if ordinary life is really dull, is not just a trait of the Facebook generation ('The Playboy of the Western World', anyone?). Recognise this and the play's impact can only be strengthened.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 13), 2.15pm (3.15pm), prices vary, fpp 186.
tw rating 4/5
[nv]

Bombay To Beijing By Bicycle
Squeaky Board Theatre
I was astounded by this performance. A multitude of characters, spread across three countries, all played by one man; 'Bombay To Beijing By Bicycle' is based on the true story of one man's journey in search of exoticism, excitement, and enlightenment. What he finds is an overenthusiastic girlfriend, some dodgy chicken, a squadron of mosquitoes, and what his doctor describes as 'the wonderful malaria'. The play was so fast-paced in its comedy that sometimes it was a difficult to keep up, but this speediness made the shifts from character to character even more impressive. In fact, it was such an energetic performance that it was almost tiring to watch. But I'm glad I saw it, and you will be too.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 6,13), 5.00pm (6.00pm), prices vary, fpp 187.
tw rating 4/5
[rg]

Borderline
Culturcated Theatre Company
After watching 'Borderline', I am in no doubt that Rob Benson is a phenomenal actor. A one-man show is an extremely difficult feat to pull off, and Benson does this with ease, transforming the black box set, containing only one wooden chair, with his electric physicality and faultless characterisation. Portraying a man battling with drug-induced schizophrenia, Benson's performance is both moving and convincing, but I was left wishing that Benson's writing skills matched his acting ability. Although the script is competent, it is particularly reminiscent of 'Trainspotting', and does not touch on any new ground, ultimately limiting Benson's performance. If you want to see some exceptional acting, however, this definitely one to see.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug, 9.00pm (9.55pm), prices vary, fpp 187.
tw rating 4/5
[kk]

Breathing Corpses
LS6
Giving 'Breathing Corpses' the benefit of the doubt, this is a brave piece on what happens when your actors and director use the title of the play as the direct inspiration for their interpretation. Not doing so would require a review full of easy puns involving words like 'death', 'of' and 'theatre'.
It's not entirely the actors' fault that they lack the maturity and confidence for a proper understanding of the characters, but where is the direction? The outside hand that should draw performances out, dispel the awkward monotone delivery and clumsy climaxes? The play moves at such a deadening pace that you can smell the audience festering as they become comatose at the hands of this mouldy work.
Sweet Grassmarket, 4 - 24 Aug, 9.10pm (10.20pm), £7.00 (£6.00), fpp 188.
tw rating 1/5
[rd]

Caught On Tape
Putney Players
Simple, enjoyable but placid, this show is fuelled by an idea: people who have never met before create a show for Edinburgh, with no expectations of what the show will be. Following just three weeks of conversations with each other and the public, the result is not really a play, but dramatic scenes themed around the idea of love. Some are funny, some poignant, but all are at the very least interesting. A very basic devised affair, albeit with some intriguing ideas, there is little set to speak of, so the cast become the forms and props of the stage. Pleasant to watch, especially considering its genesis and time frame, but too tame in all departments to be recommended viewing.
Zoo Southside, 3 - 5 Aug, 12.30pm (1.15pm), £7.00 (£4.00), fpp 190.
tw rating 2/5
[rh]

Crossing The River Jordan
El Funoun Group (Scotland)
Any confusion you might have had about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be further muddied by this production. It yo-yos between roughly sketched characters trying to cross the river Jordan and a news programme featuring a 'baddie' newsreader of received opinions, who thinks apartheid and identity cards equal progress and security, and a 'goodie' anthropologist who disagrees. The script is crudely written, even more crudely acted and generally involves soldiers toying with Arabs who are trying to pass a checkpoint, then either beating them or shooting them when they don't comply. I'm sure we're supposed to be left with a message, but all I got was 'it's bad out there (but at least they're not watching a dramatisation of it)'.
Quaker Meeting House, 4 - 9 Aug, 11.30am (12.30pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 194.
tw rating 1/5
[jwm]

The Devil In Drag
Breast Assembly
This was my first ever experience of being the only person in the audience, and I have to say it was slightly strange. It was also a shame for the performers as the punch-lines did not really achieve the desired effect. Set in the 16th century, the play follows a virtuous judge trying to solve the mystery of a burnt down cathedral, and the ensuing action is complicated by mistaken identities, lies and havoc. However, the script was not particularly funny and the performance quite messy. Along with bad Italian accents, the characters did little else other than run around the stage screaming. A fair effort, but it failed to be the melodramatic comedy it was meant to be.
Sweet ECA, 3 - 9 Aug, 11.15am (12.30pm), £7.00 (£6.00), fpp 195.
tw rating 2/5
[lp]

Eight
EUTC
Eight actors, eight stories, only four of which can be told, and the audience decides which. An intriguing concept and production, that deserves to be seen by many. 'Eight' is a very powerful piece of theatre, which had me totally spellbound. It captures the lives of its characters superbly and, through well-scripted monologues, delivers an astonishing insight into life in the 21st century. The performances were all exceptionally good; my only disappointment was that I couldn't see all eight. I got the story of a single mum, a man whose life was changed by the 7/7 bombing, a boy infatuated with a middle-aged woman, and a man whose boyfriend had just committed suicide. Brilliant, captivating and emotionally charged; stunning drama.
Bedlam Theatre, 31 Jul - 23 Aug, (not 3,10,17), 12.00pm (1.00pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fpp 197.
tw rating 5/5
[mj]

Esoterica
Esoterica - Fletch Productions
Is this magic or mind play? It's so hard to tell, but so incredible to watch. With his skill for mind manipulation and trickery, I often wonder how people like Eric Walton aren't ruling the world (maybe they are?). Esoteric mean to be understood by a select few with a special knowledge, a fair description, for I was honestly baffled; I really wanted to walk away claiming that it was all sleight of hand and deception but, truly, this guy was definitely riding on a higher plain of understanding. His show was very entertaining, flowing with eloquent rhetoric and packed full of interesting facts and tricks, whilst the audience participation worked well, each viewer seemingly dazzled by Walton's intellect and wit.
Underbelly's Baby Belly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug, 9.05pm (10.05pm), £11.00 (£10.00), fpp 198.
tw rating 4/5
[mj]

FOB - Fresh Off The Boat
SFX
Race, Religion, Sexuality, Prejudice - the stuff of the GCSE drama course nationwide. That said, SFX tackle these themes head on and produce some interesting results. This is certainly not the tightest production you will see this year, but the performances are in earnest and remind us that, clichéd though they may seem, these are issues that remain relevant for young people today. The acting, however, is less convincing, with the show's best moments undoubtedly portrayed via the music and dance. The choreography is both inventive and emotive, but the vignettes that punctuate it are uncomfortable and graceless, demonstrating that there is clearly some real talent in this company, but the structure of the show offers a poor showcase for it.
Bedlam Theatre, 4 - 6 Aug, 1.35pm (2.45pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 200.
tw rating 2/5
[fc]

A Full Circle
Crawl
For once, in this ridiculously wet country, it actually wasn't raining; weather conditions that proved beneficial for the cast and audience of this promenade production set among the scenic, wooded paths at the foot of Arthur's Seat. The stunning views of Edinburgh compliment the themes of the city that are prevalent throughout the play as each of the four characters involved searches for something, hoping another may provide the answer. Familiar themes of identity made some moments tedious, whilst distractions became an unavoidable issue, with dog-walkers and an inevitable bagpipe accompaniment making it hard to concentrate on the individual stories. A detailed, contemplative production nonetheless, that provides a peaceful and pleasant escape from urban chaos.
The Zoo, 1 - 25 Aug, times vary, £10.00 (£7.00), fpp 201.
tw rating 3/5
[am]

Going Down
Lincoln School Of Performing Arts
Containing a host of promising performances, it is a shame that 'Going Down' produces nothing to really tie its cast together other than the unimaginative fact that they are in a lift. A laddish office worker and a wannabe actress in particular are excellently portrayed, though the setting, as enigmatic as it is, ultimately proves to be confusing, and the play's conclusion is unsatisfying. Many of the dark secrets revealed are of questionable motivation, as murder and rape arise from unlikely situations, and some details do seem unnecessarily coarse and explicit. With a firmer grasp of over-arching purpose and narrative, this strong collection of tragic monologues could be bound together as a more effective package.
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, 1 - 25 August (not 17), 2.00pm (3.00pm), £7.00 (£6.00), fpp 202.
tw rating 3/5
[th]

Good 'N' Plenty
Young American Theater Co
American high schools always seem a lot more interesting than the ones here. There's always some bewitching homecoming queen, an inspiring teacher or a debauchery-filled prom night. Wintersville High School, Ohio, would seem to be no different, with American government teacher Richard Miller getting his pupils to discover the workings of the constitution with wild ideas involving candy becoming contraband, and students becoming dealers, buyers, cops, and lawyers. This is a fascinating insight into classroom politics and the wider workings of democracy, with a sharp script throughout. The inexperience of the teenage cast is telling, though, with a lack of confidence undermining the conviction of some performances. A great enthusiasm shines through, however, and bigger things surely beckon for some.
Augustine's, 4 - 9 Aug, 11.05am (12.35pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 202.
tw rating 3/5
[tm]

Hello Dali
clubWEST
Farting, faeces and sodomy - not subjects you would normally expect to touch on during the course of an hour, but the protagonist of 'Hello Dali' covered all of these, without so much as pausing for breath. It was an impressively energetic one-man performance, although on the technical side the visual elements, whilst educative, occasionally detracted from the man himself. The illusion of audience participation maintained interest, and our choices broke the show up into manageable chunks, but at times I wondered whether this was truly an intimate encounter with Dali, or more of a lecture. Whilst I emerged without a fetish for cauliflowers, or an appreciation of Perpignan station, this was certainly informative and cleverly woven together.
clubWEST@Quincentenary Hall, 3 - 25 Aug, 5.00pm (5.55pm), £9.50 (£8.50), fpp 203.
tw rating 3/5
[lws]

I Shot Dirty Den
Pavel Douglas in Association With Natural Theatre Company
Pavel Douglas is an interesting man. Born in Krakow, Poland, to a celebrated father and alienated mother, Douglas found himself growing up throughout Europe, eventually settling in Britain, following in his father's footsteps with acting role after acting role. And yes, he did shoot Dirty Den, or at least arranged it, when appearing on the BBC soap. Thus the premise for the hour-long monologue is set, as Pavel bares all about the struggles of finding work since, interlacing contemporary anecdotes with glimpses of his past. There are some poignant and poetic glimpses of a fascinating childhood, but sadly, his newer stories are weaker, and the humour is clumsy. Still, it's better than Eastenders.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11), 3.15pm (4.20pm), prices vary, fpp 208.
tw rating 2/5
[tm]

Jumping And Other Thoughts
Airebourne Theatre
If this show was a colour, what would it be? It would have to be something soft like a pillow, warm like a cup of tea, and sweet like candy floss: yes, definitely light pink. It was just so nice, to be taken for a mind wander, invited to ponder on matters of sensuality, friendship, life and photography. It made me feel so happy that I just wanted to cuddle the whole show. There were a few laughs, a couple of tears and lots of smiles. The story was gently unfolded like fresh linen, occasionally a crease would appear, only to be ironed smooth in the end. It left me in a positive mood for the rest of the day.
Underbelly, dates vary, 1.50pm (2.50pm), £8.50 (£7.50), fpp208.
tw rating 4/5
[mj]

Just Out Of Reach.
Theatre of Music (A PNME Production)
Despite its setting in the Underworld, 'Just Out Of Reach' has a strangely soothing effect; fear and obsession are tempered by a five-piece band and the lilting American voices of the strong cast. The scenario is this: arrogant mortals Tantalus, Sisyphus and Narcissus have for their worldly transgressions been condemned to an afterlife of eternal punishment by the gods. They are offered a way out - suicide. With an expansive medley of cultural references: Shakespeare, Kafka, and the stereotypical grinning game show host, the 'to be or not to be' dilemma is tangentially explored. With emotive song and dance, the cast relay mystery and yearning, but for us the significance of the piece is just out of reach.
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, 31 Jul - 16 Aug (not 10), 3.45pm (4.45pm), prices vary, fpp 209.
tw rating 3/5
[dp]

On The Waterfront
Michael Edwards & Carol Winter and East Productions with Nottingham Playhouse
"I coulda been a contender..." The audience, mouthing along with Terry Malloy, demonstrates how much this searing portrayal of the New York dockworkers in the stranglehold of the mob has become part of the international cinematic psyche. Stephen Berkoff's new adaptation for stage oozes the essence of the original, with its shadowy street scenes and dirty blues, but what really packs the punches is the slick physical theatre, including a deliciously funny scene in a pigeon coop. Simon Merrell has an unenviable task matching up to Marlon Brando, but does a remarkable job at capturing the character's bravado and vulnerability. These flashes of theatrical brilliance make you wonder why the stage version was so long coming. Indeed a contender to eclipse the Hollywood classic.
Pleasance Courtyard, 31 Jul - 25 Aug, 2.00pm (4.15pm), prices vary, fpp n/a
tw rating 4/5
[je]

One Small Step
Oxford Playhouse
'Ten, nine, eight, seven...' we cry, as the two actors prepare for the launch of Apollo 11 - several cardboard boxes - into orbit. Next, 'Buzz' and 'Neil' gingerly descend the steps of their space craft - an upside down filing cabinet - to land on the moon. This unusual portrayal of the space race of the 1960s is by turns clever, chaotic and very funny, as two chaps find a room full of junk and decide to act out this important period in modern history. Their ingenious use of props and a definite tongue-in-cheek element give this play a unique edge, on a topic we all like to think we know well. I found myself both educated and highly entertained.
Assembly @ George Street, 8 - 24 Aug, (not 11, 18), 5.00pm (6.00pm), prices vary, fpp 221.
tw rating 4/5
[ah]

Ruling The Board
Play Possum
Kind of weird, but kind of wonderful; 'Ruling the Board' is a quirky, clever and interesting comment on the way our society works and what it takes to be the best, the very best. The characters challenge and compete with each other in order to examine the lengths to which people will go in order to reach the top. But is it worth it? The audience are left to decide this for themselves. In this short play, actions most definitely speak louder than words, as there really isn't much dialogue, but what is said is witty, intelligent and powerful. Highly amusing, but still with an underlying sincerity, this show deserves better audiences, so definitely go and see it.
The Space@The Thistle, 2-16 Aug (not 3, 10), 2.05pm (2.50pm), £6.00 (£5.00), fpp 227.
tw rating 4/5
[lp]

Stage Fighting Workshop (Swordplay)
Dr Ian Stapleton
Theatrical violence is fun, especially with swords. Dr Ian Stapleton teaches you the techniques behind the fun, ensuring that all choreography is safe. His flippant remarks about real mishaps - one of them fatal - do hammer home the message, whilst in amongst the fencing steps, Stapleton injects the right amount of theory about stance and gesture, proving that he's both a true professional and a skilled teacher. In just two hours, I managed to complete an entire fight sequence which included a thrust to the heart, a disarm, the advanced Angelo double sword thrust, and a final killing blow to sever my partner's spine. Safely, of course. If you have any interest in stage fighting, this is a must-do workshop.
Rocket @ Roxburghe Hotel, 4 - 15 Aug dates vary, 9.45am (11.45am), £16.00, fpp 233.
tw rating 4/5
[zl]

Stoning Mary
New Cambridge Theatre Company
Innovative staging and brave performances cannot save Debbie Tucker Green's challenging 2005 play from becoming mired in a swamp of meaningless symbolism. Every member of the cast delivers a fantastic performance, and the scenes in which four actors portray couples fighting are brilliant. The plot unfolds as a series of initially disconnected scenes, the relationship between characters and events becoming clear over time; unfortunately, by that point the audience no longer cares, so unsympathetic are the characters, and so contrived is the - admittedly poetic - dialogue. The script drips with self-conscious symbolism, but this is as confused and ultimately meaningless as the play as a whole, and the finale - which should be powerful and moving - comes instead as a relief.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11), 11.50am (12.50pm), prices vary, fpp 233.
tw rating 2/5
[al]

Strange Bedfellows
Mad Diva Productions In Association With The Impulse Company
Visualise this - as Simon and Garfunkel bubbles from the speakers, the lights go up revealing a man masturbating on a bed. Then, a woman enters dressed as Marilyn Monroe, singing 'Happy Birthday Mr President'. No, this is not a scary dream I had last night, but a scene from 'Strange Bedfellows'. With lines like 'I am going to chop wood and then cook your dinner' and 'daddy's very open minded, he's an abolitionist', I was left spluttering with fits of uncomfortable giggles. Thanks to Mad Diva Productions, the terrifying theatrical tableaux of Tonya Harding (notorious ice-skater) talking to Fredrick Douglass, as Marilyn Monroe wields an axe, will haunt me to my very core.
The Zoo, 1- 25, 4.00pm (5.00pm), prices vary, fpp 234.
tw rating 1/5
[rsj]

Surviving Spike
Bill Kenwright Production
A big production, with big names, that explores the life of one of Britain's most celebrated comedians. Written by Richard Harris, and based on the memoirs of Norma Farnes (played by Jill Halfpenny), 'Surviving Spike' provides an interesting and moving insight into the surreal world of Milligan and his loyal manager and friend. The show sees Michael Barrymore return to his very best, starring as the tormented genius and delivering a performance that is a credit to both himself and his character. Barrymore brings back memories of two great stars of comedy and his re-enactment of Milligan's stand up must be a Fringe comedy highlight, having the audience in stitches. Wonderfully hilarious.
Assembly @ George Street, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11), 4.15pm (6.00pm),prices vary, fpp 234.
tw rating 4/5
[mj]

Table 23
Hot Tubs and Trampolines
In this competitive, adrenaline-fuelled and often just plain weird game we call the Fringe, it takes great skill to bend the rules whilst remaining firmly grounded in reality. Hot Tubs and Trampolines, however, are most certainly on a winning streak. Using audacious storytelling, their cleverly-constructed play explores the theme of loneliness, and manages to create an intimate and positive vibe. Accompanied by stylish music and starring a remarkably versatile cast, the play is filled with innovative choreography and physical energy. One of the best things about it, however, is that it doesn't even seem to realise how unique it is, allowing the cast to entertain its audience in an adventurous and visually-detailed production, complete with comedy and puppets.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 19), 1.45pm (2.45pm), prices vary, fpp 234.
tw rating 5/5
[am]

Tapestry Of Fear
Casbah Theatre
Woven together with threads from Samuel Beckett, Jean-Paul Sartre and René Magritte, this dark tapestry is well-suited to its vault venue. The play concerns matters of life, death and time, as the two lost souls Franklin (John Dorney) and Schroeder (Alexander Guiney) try to understand the puzzles their situation presents to them. Dorney, a young Branagh-a-like, is very watchable the more animated and curious of the two characters, whilst Guiney is stiffer as the serious bureaucrat Schroeder. A third character gives this piece a more surreal dimension; John Rayment plays Donny, a strange shambling old man in long-johns who mostly mumbles gibberish. The philosophical discussions were rather varied, from the stimulating to the unfathomable.
Underbelly's Baby Belly, 31 Jul - 9 Aug, 7.45pm (8.45pm), prices vary, fpp 235.
tw rating 3/5
[se]

Ten Days...That Shook The Kitchen!
Ginny Davis
Middle-aged mum Ruth Rich decides to start writing a diary so that she can assess her life and decide whether or not to make changes. This one-woman show, written by and starring Ginny Davis, is easy to watch and raises more than a few chuckles of recognition. This said, it seemed tricks were being missed, gags not fully committed to, and the full potential of the piece not realised. The writing seemed stronger than the performance, which occasionally lacked conviction, and lines I longed to hear delivered with more punch and pace were somewhat thrown away. The other characters portrayed were well-defined, but would have benefited from stronger physicality in performance. Overall, a competent and enjoyable show.
Sweet Teviot Place, 1-24 Aug (not 12-14), 1.00pm (2:05pm), £7.50 (£6.50) (£25.00F), fpp 236.
tw rating 3/5
[dk]

Tied Up In Knotts
Karen Knotts
Karen Knotts is a Daddy's girl, and her Daddy happened to be the American comedian Don Knotts. The father-daughter relationship plays a central role in the show, and at times it's over-sentimental, although even the most cringe worthy of comments - 'I'll see you in my dreams' - is forgivable, as her emotions appear genuine. She slips in and out of various roles, depicting her father, grandfather, psychiatrist, piano teacher, housemaid and agent as she weaves together the story of her life as an aspiring actress and comedian, her jobs as a clown and then librarian, her nervous breakdown, relationship disasters and social awkwardness. Somehow it always comes back to her Daddy. Has she stepped out of his shadow? Maybe not just yet.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11), 3.00pm (4.00pm), £8.00 (£7.00), fpp 236.
tw rating 3/5
[sg]

Torn Out Pages
Reduced Circumstances
This play tells of a daughter's realisation of her late mother's terrible secret, which holds the key to her own mental problems, and the journey of both towards self-acceptance. Short scenes kept the energy high as the stories of the mother in the sixties and the daughter in the present day intertwined, producing some knockout scenes of grief and pain, and that concentrated silence that occurs when an audience can hardly bear what they are seeing. Emma Keele, as Rita the mother, gives a stunning performance, and the live music made this a fluent and atmospheric production, along with video projections that fused seamlessly into the storytelling. Devastating yet beautiful, celebrating the joy yet vulnerability of the human body.
Gilded Balloon, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11), 2.00pm (3.00pm), prices vary, fpp 238.
tw rating 4/5
[lr]

Transient
Goose, Goose, Gander
Transient is an amazing theatrical experience that is profoundly affective, making good use of its unique location. One of the site-specific plays taking advantage of the Undergrand - a series of vaulted cellars underneath the Pleasance - it invites audiences to follow the cast down into dark bunkers beneath a ravaged Germany, and into the lives of four survivors as they search for missing loved ones and relatives in the aftermath of World War Two. As the audience follows the actors' progress, so the actors move freely between the audience members, and the line between spectator and performer is blurred further by the innovative use of lighting and space. At the play's conclusion, the audience emerge, blinking into the daylight, deeply affected by this powerful, moving and wholly engaging drama.
Pleasance Courtyard, 1 Aug - 24 Aug (not 12, 19), times vary, £9.50 (£8.00), fpp 238.
tw rating 5/5
[al]

Victims Of Duty
Production 22
One of the less frequently performed of absurdist author Eugene Ionesco's plays is a real treat. Madeline and Choubert, a seemingly ordinary couple, have their world turned upside down when a mysterious detective arrives at the door, throwing them into a surrealist search for a missing person. Ionesco's existential crisis is deliberated and resolved through the serious and the not-so-serious. All the characters are played with finesse and create a scene that crescendos wonderfully into madness. Laura Colgan masters misdirection and the men in black are very good, whilst the props and costumes are inventive, imaginative and minimalist. If you're not as big a fan of surrealist theatre, however, you might not enjoy this quite as much as me!
Augustine's, 4 - 25 Aug (not 18), 6.15pm (6.55pm), prices vary, fpp 240.
tw rating 4/5
[da]

The Virtuous Burglar
BigVillage Theatre Company
Fortunately for BigVillage, light-hearted comedy by Dario Fo won't fail to sell tickets. This is less fortunate for the people who buy them. Not so much amusing as bemusing, the level of direction fluctuated and the acting varied widely between cast members. Solid performances came from Lorraine McCann as the burglar's wife and Vanashree Thapliyal as the mistress, the latter of whom also seemed to have the monopoly on comic timing. The love-rat of a husband meanwhile was, for some reason, played as outrageously camp. This should have been a neat little forty-minute farce, perfect for an evening's Fringe viewing. Instead it was messy, badly-timed and with some positively bizarre performances.
Augustine's, 4 - 10 Aug, 4.00pm (4.55pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 240.
tw rating 2/5
[fc]

Waxing Cynical
Chesterlass Productions
Initially this show resembled a poorly-organised rehearsed reading: the performers were badly lit, looked uncomfortable in the space, and seemed partially drowned out by over-enthusiastic air conditioning. However, the two actors warmed to their piece, which was nicely written and had some fairly funny moments. Anna Victoria is very watchable onstage, and this felt like it should be a one-woman show; it seemed odd that every so often 'her' story was taken over by a male, until half-way through when she begins to rehash an old relationship, and having the other actor on stage begins to be justified. The play definitely improved as it went on, and Victoria's writing, which first found acclaim at last year's Fringe, still shows great potential.
Laughing Horse@Espionage, 4 - 25 Aug (not 17-18), 5.10pm (5:40pm), free, fpp 241.
tw rating 3/5
[dk]

In A Thousand Pieces
The Paper Birds
An anonymous protagonist seeks a better life in the UK and instead finds captivity and relentlessly repeated rape. It's a story which has been told many times before, and The Paper Birds do not try to make any original point about the horrors of sex trafficking. Instead they use repeated action to emphasise the cyclical, unending situation, although they could have exploited this device more thoroughly had the piece been longer. Live music and physical theatre conjure characters and environments particularly effectively, as the performers switch deftly from one persona to the next. I won't spoil the impact of the curtain call with details, I will merely say that it successfully illustrated the lasting effects of sustained abuse.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 1, 2), 1.45pm (2.45pm), prices vary, fpp 206.
tw rating 4/5
[jm]

After Magritte
The High School Herons
It's early days for the cast of 'After Magritte' and, amidst the surroundings of a chaotic set, they make a brave attempt at Stoppard's work. There's a lot to convey: misunderstandings, marital disharmony, musical preferences, not all of which makes it across - although that which does is delivered clearly and audibly. Whilst the lead cast members are clearly the strongest, others need to be careful to maintain the distinction between humour and over-acting, a line which was crossed at times during the course of the performance. For lovers of Stoppard this is not a must-see, but those less familiar will find it an agreeable way to pass forty minutes, absorbing his wittily-constructed dialogue.
Greenside, 4 - 9 Aug, 2.05pm (2.45pm), £7.00 (£5.50), fpp 180.
tw rating 2/5
[lws]

The Poisoner's Tale
MMVI Theatrical
"Someone whispered poison in his ear, now it's spreading". The poison may be spreading but so should the praise for this outstanding, thought provoking and superbly acted production. It's quite uncommon to form attachments to nameless characters, but the beautifully-crafted monologues are performed with such passion and sincerity that one cannot help feeling engrossed as their language and mental states evoke a devastating slide towards destruction. A fine balancing act ensues between the real and surreal elements of the play, prompting questions regarding the force of ideas and the venom with which you should act upon them. As the wine flows and the debate heats up, the question is asked: would you ever die for your belief in an idea?
The Space @ The Thistle, dates vary, 1.05pm (1.50pm), prices vary, fpp 224.
tw rating 4/5
[lk]

Some People Think I'm Odd
Studio 61
Me too, but I just ignore them. I don't give them a cup of tea, then stab them in the neck. Now in a mental hospital, Pandora and her Punch and Judy 'poppets' tell her story from her beginnings as an intelligent, but twisted child to dysfunctional mother, though you're never sure, of course, of the reliability of her narrative. Jane Frost is a strong solo performer, switching between mother, child and a squeaky psycho Mr Punch. While Pandora's tale is supposed to be ambiguous to show her loose grip on reality, the confusion can obscure the plot and leave you more distanced from the tragedy. There's the odd laugh, but mostly this is a sinister piece that leaves you scared to be left in the same room as its protagonist.
The Vault, 3 - 15 Aug (not 11), 2.30pm (3.50pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 232.
tw rating 3/5
[se]

Monsters
West Lothian Youth Theatre - Salmagundi Training Company
Set in Livingstone, 2022, 'Monsters' describes the consequences of a Scottish civil war for the country's children. Forced to be soldiers, the youngsters have no idea why they are fighting, they only know that they must survive. The performance was admirable, but the script seemed far-fetched at times, particularly the appearance of a feral girl who has been looked after by dogs. There was a lack of detail about the war itself, but this only added to the point that in times of war, the reasons for fighting are often lost in chaos. Accompanied by sign interpreter making it more accessible for the deaf or hard of hearing, 'Monsters' is a valiant effort by this group of promising young adults.
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, 4 - 9 Aug, 1.25pm (2.35pm), £8.00 (£6.00), fpp 217.
tw rating 3/5
[rg]

Issues
wemadethisup Productions
The plot: John Noble is a marriage counsellor, but his problems are greater than any of his clients. The criticism: the central character doesn't work. He's supposed to be humorously alcoholic, buffoon-like, and struggling with his own problems yet still be a skilled counselor, and this just doesn't gel well with the narrative. The supporting characters seem vacuous, inspiring incidental moments on which to hang weak gags. It is neither funny enough to be comedy, nor tense enough to justify itself as theatre, and as such is muddled. The cast lacks energy, and the dramatic climax is horribly deflated. The conclusion: it is not completely terrible as there are some good moments, but could do with a few more weeks rehearsal.
Greenside, 4 - 9 Aug, 6.15pm (6.55pm) £6.00 (£3.00), fpp 208.
tw rating 2/5
[rh]

The Actor's Nightmare
Sherborne Theatre Company
'The Actor's Nightmare' takes one joke - an accountant finds himself on-stage without knowing the lines - and strings it into a whole show. That joke wears pretty thin pretty quickly. Coward, Shakespeare and Beckett are all subjected to this treatment in an attempt to satirise different genres of theatre, but the result is actors shouting and grotesquely over-acting in an attempt to get laughs. The all-male cast cross-dress and camp it up for the female roles, presumably also to inspire laughter, and somehow they succeeded, as half of the audience did indeed seem to find it hilarious. But as far as this reviewer's concerned, not just the accountant, but the whole production, should be wondering what it's doing in front of an audience.
C soco, 30 Jul - 9 Aug, 2.45pm (3.35pm), prices vary, fpp 180.
tw rating 1/5
[hw]

VISUAL ART

Alien Surfaces
Madeleine Shepherd
Do you know what a rotation of y = 1/x looks like? If not, then perhaps Madeleine Shepherd's hand-knitted model can enlighten you. Or perhaps, like me, you'll leave thinking the wool would have been put to better use as a scarf. Despite the knitting extravaganza, the exhibition consists predominately of prints inspired by the surfaces in a selection of science fiction and fantasy novels and each comes with an accompanying quote although, with the exception of 'Moon dust' and 'Martian Lichen', these are largely insipid. The work possibly needed closer inspection, but this was was impossible as everything was displayed ridiculously high above the bookshelves, meaning that all I came away with was an aching neck and little inspiration.
Transreal Fiction, 7 Cowgatehead, 1 - 30 Aug, 11.00am - 6.00pm, free, fpp 132.
tw rating 1/5
[sg]

Extremes: Life in Subarctic Canada
National Museum of Scotland
Another well-thought-out exhibition from the National Museum, there is everything one would expect to see: large-print banners explaining the background, a clear-cut path for visitors to follow, and glass-cased items that are tokens of the indigenous Canadian culture. It's one of the less interactive exhibitions, so probably not the place to take the children, unless they are really interested, and in fact the same goes for adults as well. This well-researched exhibition isn't wildly interesting, however, the only striking thing being that the Subarctic Canadians like to play bingo! Who would have guessed? Hmm, perhaps the exhibition just seems a little drab amidst the Festival madness.
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, July 27- Aug 30, 10.00 am - 5.00pm, free, fpp 133.
tw rating 2/5
[mi]

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