This Festival's on fire - quite literally on Friday evening as one of the buildings on Victoria Street, just down from Underbelly, and just across the road from ThreeWeeks HQ, caught fire. There was more smoke than flames, if we're being honest, but it was quite exciting nevertheless. One of our photographers was underneath it all snapping Nouvelle Vague's Edge gig at the Liquid Room. As that venue was plunged into darkness and promptly evacuated she took some pics of the mini-fire drama as it unfolded on the street, and of Nouvelle Vague's singer making a quick exit (far right). All photos Kat Gollock.

FIRST FRINGE FIRSTS
So, some more serious news to kick us off today, and comments made by the parents of the soldiers who died somewhat suspiciously at the Deepcut army barracks, the deaths of whom are the subject of the Traverse play of the same name.

Having been invited to see the piece, which will tour after its Edinburgh Fringe run, the mother of one of the soldiers featured - Private James Collinson, from Perth - said watching the play was "overwhelming and emotional", but that it had re-inspired her and her husband to push for a public enquiry into how four soldiers died at the army site, and into the huge amount of doubt that has been raised regarding the official conclusion each soldier committed suicide.

Yvonne Collinson told BBC Scotland: "I hope this will put the public eye and public pressure back on the case for a public inquiry. I think, watching the performance, anyone who left and didn't believe we should have a public inquiry, would have been very few and far between".

She continued: "I think the play was portrayed so well that it really got us angry again, it really gave me the wind under my wings to get going again because, as was also portrayed in the play, you do get tired, you do think, 'where else have we got to turn'. But I think it's not over until it's over, and it's not over yet". Husband Jim Collinson added: "It's something we need, as it brings it back to the forefront again that the families are still here, that they are still trying to fight for justice".

Philip Ralph's Fringe First winning play, which was written after extensive research and interviews with those effected by the suspicious deaths, runs at the Traverse until 24 Aug.

2HEADED PIGEONS CONTINUE, INJURIES AND ALL
2headedpigeon Theatre Company, who won a Fringe award in 2006 for being the unluckiest theatre company at the Festival after one of the group was hospitalised by swallowing a bottle top in an "ill-advised publicity stunt" while another was was left bleeding from his chest in a "waxing accident", have been overcoming similar painful events in a bid to get this year's show, 'The Transaction', on stage.

First up, mid-way through rehearsals for this year's show, writer and performer Phil Mann collapsed to the floor clutching his stomach. An insider on the show tells us: "With The Transaction being a Tarantino-esque, surreal heist thriller, the others wondered if perhaps Phil was simply method acting. Not so. He was rushed to hospital believing his appendix to have ruptured. But upon opening up his stomach the surgeons found his entire intestinal system and bowel to be paralysed by gangrene!"

Fortunately Mann recovered in time to keep his Edinburgh commitment, only to arrive in Edinburgh and be promptly hit by a car. Said insider continues: "He was sent rolling over the bonnet - Hollywood style. He suffered nothing except mild bruising but assures audiences he really knows how to get into character".

And as if that lot wasn't enough to be getting on with, the 2headedpigeon producers discovered that their all important flyers had got lost in transit and were last see being flown to Germany. Oh dear. If we had an 'unluckiest theatre company' award here at ThreeWeeks we'd gladly give it to these guys. But we don't, so the best we can do is plug the fact 'The Transaction' takes place at The Space On The Mile (at The Radisson hotel) each day at 6.45pm, and that the 2headedpigeon Theatre Company also have a play called 'The Absurdity Of Vanilla' on at Underbelly. More at www.2headedpigeon.co.uk

TOTALLY RANDOM AWARD WINNER RETURNS TO THE FRINGE
Of course the awards we do give out here at ThreeWeeks are our Editors' Awards, celebrating what we think made Festival 08 extra exciting and presented here at The Lodge on Sunday 24 Aug. But those with a very good memory will remember that in the olden days, before the Editors' Awards existed, we used to present the Totally Random Awards, which weren't quite so serious an affair.

But said Awards were much sought after nevertheless, and their presentation launched many a career. And to prove just that it gives me great pleasure to report that a former Totally Random Award winner is making a triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe this year.

In 2001 we presented our Totally Random Award for Best Performance Of The Fringe to one Dolly The Tea Trolley for her performance in Illyria's 5/5 production of 'The Importance Of Being Earnest'. Since then little has been heard about the portable star, but we've just been told she has made a bold return to the stage at the Fringe this year in Illyria's latest show, 'The Hound Of The Baskervilles', which is showing at C too every night at 4.35pm. Once again she will co-star alongside Illyria's Peter Robbins, who says he's thrilled to play alongside the award winner again. He tells ThreeWeeks "Many actors have been critically lacerated for having a squeaky voice - but Dolly has turned that into her greatest strength".

I'm tipping Dolly for a Fringe First and if.comedy nomination this year, despite her being neither a playwright nor a comedian. And if there was a Fringe award for tea delivery, that would be her's too.

Send in news: editor@threeweeks.co.uk

Answering the ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz today... Ed Byrne

1. What is your 2008 show all about? It's about my inability to fit in and also about my own wedding. There are also jokes about Michael Jackson, DVD piracy, and monkeys. 2. Why should we come and see it? Because stand up is the only thing I've ever been good at but stand up is no good without an audience. If you don't believe me just watch any video blog that tries to be funny. 3. If your show was an olympic sport, what would it be and why? Curling, because more people will watch it in Scotland than in England, Ireland or Wales

5. What are you least looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Waking up with a hangover and thinking, "I'm fucked if I'm climbing a mountain today. Especially not with Brendon fucking Burns".

6. What advice would you have for someone trying to navigate the Fringe?
Get a map. But get one with contour lines. What looks like a simple 5 minute walk may involve many steep and arduous steps. Also, avoid the Royal Mile if you can.

7. What advice would you have for someone trying to survive the Fringe?
Take every fourth night off from drinking. Snack through out the day. Avoid insulting Islam.

8. Describe your show in three words
On sale now.

Ed Byrne: Different Class, Assembly @ Assembly Hall, 31 Jul - 24 Aug, 10.20pm (11.20pm), prices vary, fpp 47.

Even more reviews for you! Some, though not all, of these also appeared in edition 08 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 - 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

Treasure Island: The Musical
BG Touring
'Treasure Island' works far more successfully as a children's musical than I expected. Easy to follow, with plenty of comic relief and lively musical numbers, the old story of honest Jim Hawkins and pirate Long John Silver searching for treasure maintains its appeal in this adaptation. Adults and children alike should be able to sit through this show without squirming and wishing it over. The downside is that they're unlikely to be completely captivated by it either. Great effort has clearly gone into some elements - the set, for instance - and there are a number of good performances, most notably from the gentleman pirate, Ben Gunn. However, the overall production would have benefited from more energy and finesse. Nobody said a pirate's life was easy.
Augustine's, 4 - 8 Aug, 10.00am (11.10am), £6.00 (£3.00), fpp 19.
tw rating 3/5
[nv]

Animal Olympics
Francesca Beard
Francesca Beard needs help in uncovering which naughty creature kicked Cat out of the animal race that decided the order of the Chinese Horoscope. Children clearly loved watching the line-up of cuddly toy animals come charmingly to life in her hands, as each sang, read a poem or even break-danced their version of the race. However, the story and the ideas within it sometimes seemed a bit complex and confusing for younger kids, while references to anthrax terrorist plots, cordon bleu and celebrities getting 'papped' clearly went over a lot of heads. Additionally, although her material is a tad too sophisticated, her delivery still manages to be a tad patronising. So only a bronze-medal for 'Animal Olympics' this year.
Assembly @ George Street, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11), 11.30am (12.30pm), prices vary, fpp 10.
tw rating 3/5
[hw]

A Pirate's Life For Me
Scarlet Blade Theatre
These aren't just any old pirates; these are acrobatic pirates, who also happen to be very good stage fighters, and it is the twisting, flipping and fighting that really appeals to the kids in the audience, prompting them to ask if they can buy the show on DVD as they leave the theatre. It certainly has elements of its Caribbean counterpart, but it's not all good. The plot, for instance, is a little sketchy, while some of the action was hard to follow, and many of the film references will also be pitched beyond a child's years, even if they do entertain the parents. This show is fast, exciting and more gung-ho than your average kids' show, but sometimes there's just too much going on.
C Central, 1 - 25 Aug (not 11), 10.30am (11.15am), prices vary, fpp17.
tw rating 3/5
[jwm]

A History Of Scotland (In 60 Minutes Or Less)
Sleekit Productions
Teaching a subject isn't usually a task where you'd expect to crawl around in a Spiderman costume, impersonate a sheep and be possessed by spirits on an hourly basis. Luckily, Sleekit Productions saw the error here, and decided to do it anyway. The Scottish trio have such infectious enthusiasm that within seconds one forgets that this is just a little bit like learning, and jumps headlong into a world of kings, queens, battles and inventions. Not only is it entirely refreshing to see a low budget production completely grip their young audience without patronising them, but doing so without alienating the parental contingent is a triumph; the impeccable comic timing ensures that it's not just the kids who are rolling in the aisles.
Musical Theatre @ George Square, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 5, 11), 12.15pm (1.15pm), prices vary, fpp 14.
tw rating 4/5
[lk]

No Place For Dreams
Brief Candle Theatre
Everyone likes a story with a moral, and this one encourages us to follow our dreams, forget our prejudices and that "we don't have to be who we're told to be, we can be who we are". The story is set on a treacherous island: the four characters Loam, Asher, Nimbus and Shell represent Earth, Fire, Air and Water and show that true friendship can overcome any obstacle. It's a commendable message which is well delivered by the enthusiastic and energetic cast of four, the choreography is faultless and even though the plot is a little hard to follow and the language rather complex for its target audience, it nevertheless managed to hold its audience's attention and kept the children smiling.
The Space@Venue 45, 4 - 23 Aug (not 10), 1.05pm (1.55pm), £6.50 (£5.00), fpp 16.
tw rating 3/5
[sg]

COMEDY

A L Kennedy: Present Tense
Stand Comedy Club
I had expected more from an author as acclaimed as AL Kennedy: a fresh take on the accepted canon of comedy, perhaps, or some clever wordplay. However, this show moves from "being nice to people" through some fairly average stand-up fare, with topics like fear of flying and dentists putting in an appearance before Kennedy finally resorts to that old chestnut of "sex - isn't it all a bit odd?". The set never settles on any subject for long enough to find any funny material there, and laughs are sporadic at best. The writer actually seems a little desperate for acceptance, and that's possibly the problem. Straightforwardly nice people for whom you feel sympathy rarely make good comedians. A little creativity in her script and stage persona would not go amiss.
Stand Comedy Club II, 30 Jul - 24 Aug (not 31, 11 or 18), 16.00pm (17.00pm), prices vary, fpp 24.
tw rating 2/5
[jwm]

The Balloon Debate
Doggett and Ephgrave
Gary and Dan battle with the morbid reality of probable death when the dodgy pilot of their hot air balloon tumbles out, but this is far from being their only problem. At times, the show seems more like a homily than a comedy, with much needed comic relief provided by the Pilot, until they kill him off. In addition, the storyline is noticeably underdeveloped. The mindless ramblings that count for the bulk of this production began by being quite humorously quirky, but this quickly became jaded, and I really don't see why Gary was so annoyed with the whole forced balloon ride situation. After all, it was a free ride, and isn't that something most people aspire to achieve on a daily basis?
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 8.00pm (9.00pm), prices vary, fpp 30.
tw rating 2/5
[mb]

Best of Irish Comedy
Stand Comedy Club
I love the Irish. I am proudly one quarter Irish, as is almost everyone I know. So I was looking forward to what I thought would be some great, no-nonsense Irish comedy. I wasn't completely wrong; some of this was funny, and the audience seemed to like it, but disappointingly it wasn't the kind of raucous good fun I was anticipating. The compère was pretty good, keeping the whole thing together with some audience participation, but the headlining act was a let-down. Towards the end of his act he gave up on trying to be funny, and started chatting to someone in the front row about his girlfriend. However, the line-up changes every night, so you might get luckier.
The Stand Comedy Club, 1 - 25 Aug, 6.00pm (7.20pm), £9.00 (£8.00) fpp 32.
tw rating 2/5
[ah]

Caldwell & Rowntree's Gibbon Rally
Caldwell & Rowntree/PBH's Free Fringe
A pair of primates provided promising little routines in the dripping vaults of South Bridge. Toby Caldwell was a real mime monkey, performing involving, well-crafted sequences to music and voices. It's technically brilliant if not always really laugh-out loud funny, and he certainly has the physical comedy genes, but it still needs a tad more evolution to achieve more sustained hilarity. Joe Rowntree, similarly simian, does the walk but can he talk the talk? He's very likable and I enjoyed his solution to annoying questions: the rambling answer. Rowntree's other material, though, is a little banal and it seemed rather early in the day for some of the cruder topics, but I suppose if you're a monkey, you don't give a shit, you throw it.
Nicol Edwards, 2 - 23 Aug (not 11,18), 4.15pm (5.15pm), free non-ticketed, fpp36.
tw rating 3/5
[se]

Jamie Kilstein - There Is No God And That's Okay
Mick Perrin for Just for Laughs Live
In case the title doesn't give it away, if you're religious, then this probably isn't the show for you! Kilstein doesn't shy away from causing controversy, in fact he stares it in the face. He speaks out against the US government and War on Terror, drug policies, religious fanaticism, Mormons, homophobia, how education videos go about teaching you not to be gay, how praying to help you stop masturbating probably isn't all that helpful. He reckons John McCain would make a good president because he'd be very good at just sitting there. It's tried, tested and overdone subject matter, even if Kilstein offers a fresh perspective on it, and I personally found it a bit tiresome. The crowd seemed to love him, though, so perhaps it's just me that's heard it all before.
The GRV, 3-24 Aug (not12), 5.15pm (6.15pm), prices vary, fpp 63.
tw rating 3/5
[da]

Martha McBrier: A Wee Bit About A Lot Of Things
At the start of her show, Martha McBrier invites the audience to suckle at her large comedy breasts. Regrettably, it seems the comedy milk has run dry this evening, as, for a comedienne, McBrier appears to have very little comic material. She tries to get laughs by talking to members of the audience about their lives, but never manages to successfully pull it off, and as the show drags on, I can see her desperation growing. As the audience are about to leave, she acknowledges that her show hasn't been funny, stressing that "tonight hasn't been about getting laughs, it's about the experience". If I had paid good money for comedy, I don't think I would quite share her views.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11), 8.00pm (9.00pm), prices vary, fpp 76.
tw rating 1/5
[kk]

The Comedy Manifesto
PBH's Free Fringe
It may have been the rain, but getting a full room for free comedy is impressive. The premise was essentially to mimic 'Have I Got News For You', but with the audience joining in. Enjoyable and witty, it was a fun hour, but the commentary on the news certainly wasn't as informed as it is on the BBC series, and the jokes were a little too focused on 'easy' comedy touchstones such as the Daily Mail, Amy Winehouse or Boris Johnson. It was when the panelists were asked to create a British-ness test and a new law that the comedy was at its strongest, as participants came up with laws on birthdays, anti-wrinkle creams and banning lies from newspapers. Worth going to, even if the sun is shining.
The Beehive Inn, 2 - 23 Aug (not 10, 17), 4.00pm (5.00pm), free, fpp 40.
tw rating 3/5
[rs]

Richard Herring - The Headmaster's Son
Avalon Productions
Richard Herring - he's juvenile, puerile, immature - but he loves it. Harking back to his teenage years, positioned as he was as both son and pupil of his father, Herring reads through the lost diaries of his youth - which his 14 year old self had created for the inevitable museum of Richard Herring - and uses this to laugh about the ascension of Christ, his incredibly small hands (and the use they have for the community), and teenage perversion. Though not offensive, he does border on the disgusting, but in such a terrifically funny and witty way that he can be forgiven. A stage comedy expert, Herring's foray into his former childhood innocence is hilarious, thought provoking and thoroughly recommended.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 20), 7.30pm (8.30pm), prices vary, fpp 91.
tw rating 5/5
[rh]

DANCE AND PHYSICAL THEATRE

Mime For Laughs!
Mono-mime Comedy Theatre
Polish mime artist Ireneusz Krosny certainly isn't legendary for nothing - for a start, I don't think I've ever seen anyone with such control and awareness of his facial muscles and body parts as to convey whole storylines through a simple gesture. There are also few shows this Fringe, I'm sure, that can - in near silence - captivate an audience, command them, and leave them rolling about with laughter. Krosny's sketches have a range of styles, from macabre dark humour, to slapstick, to the completely surreal, and convincingly performed with a wonderfully indestructible, cartoon-like comedy. Forget whited-up faces and circus clowns - if you see one mime act this year, make it this one.
Hill Street Theatre, 1 - 25 Aug (not 13 or 22), 9.20pm (10.20pm), £9.00 (£7.00), fpp 118.
tw rating 5/5
[sh]

The Fooligan
Al Seed
A single light shines through the smoke and the Fooligan appears, blinking at us in the gloom. There is a pause, in which we look at him and he at us, and then he bursts into life. He is a dark, chilling, Tim Burton-esque cross between Mr Toad and the White Rabbit, and in terms of character invention he's up there with the greats. The Fooligan tells his own story, as well as that of one of the world's greatest storytellers, and that character also had the audience mesmerised. Al Seed is vividly expressive in this role and at times I felt I was watching something incredibly important. This truly fantastic acting and writing reflects the Fringe at its very best.
Pleasance Courtyard, 5 - 24 Aug (not 11, 18), 3.40pm (4.40pm), prices vary, fpp 115.
tw rating 5/5
[ah]

The Judgment Of Paris
Company XIV/Fringe Management
Is this the show that sold a thousand tickets? I'm not sure, but it should be. Set in a 17th Century burlesque house, 'The Judgment Of Paris' takes the Greek legend of Helen of Troy and drags it into the modern age with devastating effects. Recounted through interpretive movements, song and the little known medium of Baroque dance, these fabulous performers present a unique experience brimming with guile and panache. Hosted by an Eastern European madame and top-hatted, vaudevillian MC, can-canning cupids guide us through a story that is bursting with sass and sexuality. This is smart, powerful theatre punctuated with superbly original choreography. The applause went on long after the actors had begun to get changed.
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 10, 17), 8.15pm (9.15pm), prices vary, fpp 117.
tw rating 4/5
[nb]

MUSIC

Adam Page Solo
Adam Page Solo is exactly what you get in this one-man-does-all musical extravaganza. Fifteen musical instruments, one carrot, and some mighty fine recording equipment help Adam Page create a self made musical symphony in any genre of the audience's choosing. This man has some serious musical talent which was interspersed with down to earth Aussie comedy. On occasions the gimmicks, such as the inflatable sumo costume, were a little perplexing, but Adam Page's malleable talent made up for this. Guaranteed good fun for all the family, and even if showmanship was a little lacking, when you can make a musical instrument out of a carrot, live on stage, using just a drill, you have to be pretty special.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 13, 25), 5.20pm (6.20pm), prices vary, fpp 138.
tw rating 3/5
[ow]

Drive-By Truckers
The Edge Festival
This six-piece can certainly serve up a tasty slice of Southern rock. Following the release earlier this year of their critically acclaimed latest album, 'Brighter Than Creation's Dark', they played in Edinburgh as part of a European tour - and confessed they felt "right at home here" (the Edinburgh crowd - mostly middle-aged men with large necks - are as "heathen" as Alabama crowds, apparently.) With impressive facial hair and a bassist with pig-tails to boot, Drive-By Truckers delivered a set of accomplished Americana (think Lynyrd Skynyrd with less redneck lyrics), and looked like there was nothing they'd rather be doing. Thanks to the three guitars - and some seriously skilled solos - it was a big, fuzzed-up performance, with a dash of pedal steel thrown in for good measure.
The Liquid Room, 6 Aug, 7.00pm (10.00pm), £15.00, fpp 147.
tw rating 3/5
[hw]

MUSICALS AND OPERA

Tales From The Cutting Room Floor
Project Adorno and Steve Lake
Performance poetry is confusing. It blurs the line between writing and performance and leaves the audience wondering what is real and what isn't. It felt like Project Adorno were joking when they sang "I feel fantastic, despite the greenhouse gasses playing on my mind", but with the dry humour of their Ministry of the Mundane, they could be deadly serious. Steve Lake's piece was more of a plot-driven story with a real film noir feel, but still the fusion of electro-poetry-music-film makes for an experience that bombards the senses. To be honest, I can't begin to tell you whether this was good or bad - it was interesting, I decided, after an hour of reflection.
The Vault, 4 - 10 Aug, 5.45pm (6.45pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 165.
tw rating 3/5
[rs]

Whisky Kisses
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
A musical about a bottle of whisky? Not what you would usually expect. However, although it seems quite different in its subject matter, 'Whisky Kisses' in fact follows the conventional styles, structures and themes of romcom musical theatre. A daughter makes a last desperate attempt to save her father's legacy, the Glenigma distillery by organising an auction of the very last bottle which attracts two wealthy collectors both attempting to complete their whisky collections. Of course, the plan goes awry and a new one has to be concocted to save the distillery. Despite the good score, the impressive singing and surprisingly funny script, the story was far too predictable and very shallow. Expecting something new and original, I was a little disappointed.
Musical Theatre @ George Square, dates vary, 4.00pm (5.30pm), prices vary, fpp 179.
tw rating 3/5
[lp]

Departure Lounge by Dougal Irvine
West End International, Newpalm Productions and Andy Barnes Productions Present
This musical comedy has balls. Awaiting their A level results, four cheeky lads are stuck in the airport after their not-so-cultured holiday in Spain (Ryanair is awaiting a crucial delivery of single serving milk containers). Reminiscing over birds, booze and mingers, they consider more important issues such as why they use the word gay as an insult, and whatever happened on Thursday night. The whole package is there - love, laughs, awkward arm-punches and the token gay and geeky ones. Hilarious cockiness and banter aside, these boys really can sing, and with gorgeous harmonies, this dose of testosterone is musical theatre at its best and possibly most accessible - not camp, not flouncy, just good old fashioned Brits on tour.
Musical Theatre @ George Square, 4 - 25 Aug, 9.00pm (10.15pm), prices vary, fpp 169.
tw 4/5
[lr]

Zanna, Don't!
Royal Scottish Academy Of Music And Drama
This show is great fun, bright, camp, and energetic. Zanna is a modern-day cupid in a world where gay is the norm and heterosexuality is treated with fear and suspicion. The opening is pure saccharine, but once the plot thickens the characters develop, improving the show immensely. Unfortunately it is desperately over-miked, causing feedback and some incomprehensible moments. Stand out performances came from Olivia Cho, Anna Clayton and Craig Deuchar, but the stylish, slick choreography was the real star of the show, and it was never better than when the whole cast were performing the big numbers. The musical within the musical about 'heteros' in the army was hilarious, and the show left me with a smile on my face.
Musical Theatre@George Square, dates vary, 4.00pm (5:30pm), prices vary, fpp 179.
tw rating 4/5
[dk]

THEATRE

Absinthe: The Green Fairy
Captain Zeep's Theatre
The beauty of the Fringe is that anyone and everyone can write and perform a play. Although this is what makes the Fringe great, it is also what can make it hell for an audience. 'Absinthe: The Green Fairy' is a perfect example of amateur actors, writing and performing a play without any merit or skill. The performance is separated into three short stories, all involving a green fairy called Absinthe. There is very little plot, giving the impression that the pieces were initially improvised and have changed very little from their original form. The acting from all involved is both wooden and static, with poor enunciation leading to unintelligible dialogue. A performance to avoid at all costs.
Greenside, 4 - 16 Aug (not 10), 11.20am (12.20pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fpp 180.
tw rating 1/5
[kk]

Burn Out Macbeth: A Southern Gothic Tale
Hendrix Players
All that you could imagine from this title is probably accurate. This version of Macbeth, acted entirely with country and western style accents and corresponding attire, comes with comic moments and a reasonably cleverly manipulated take on the Scottish Play's plot. For those who can take a joke about Shakespeare, it might be quite appealing, but traditionalists might be offended that one of The Bard's finest has been turned into a Milky Bar Kid style farce. I'm inclined to take the side of the traditionalists, yet there was gleeful clapping from the audience during the closing song, which proves that at least someone disagrees. It's free, in any case, so if you're interested, go find out for yourself.
The Vault, 5 - 9 Aug, 6.15pm (7.15pm), free ticketed, fpp 189.
tw rating 2/5
[mi]

Dust
The American High School Theatre Festival
I'd never heard about the Dust Bowl in 1930s Oklahoma. Caused by drought and agricultural damage to soil, huge clouds of dust blew across the southern states, destroying homes and farmland, claiming lives and forcing a mass migration from the area. Through a combination of songs, dance and photographs, the stories of people whose lives were destroyed is told, exploring how they might have coped during these dreadful times. Unfortunately, there's little they can do, and lots of people die, but Ida Rose doesn't let it break her spirit. The performers acted and sang beautifully and conveyed their tale about this historical tragedy well. Not a ground-breaking production, but nonetheless worthwhile.
Church Hill Theatre, 5 - 9 Aug (not 8), times vary, £6.00(£4.00), fpp 197.
tw rating 3/5
[mj]

The Good Doctor
The Bridge Theatre
Buying a whore for your son's birthday, stealing your colleague's wife and the greatest sneeze in Fringe, nay, theatre, history. You'll find all of these and more in this new interpretation of Neil Simon's charming Broadway comedy. This collection of short stories narrated by an unsatisfied writer with the block is performed by The Bridge Theatre, who tackle each new section with energy and sensitivity, guiding us through tales that range from sweet and tender to laugh out loud funny. There just isn't anything that jumps out at you though, and despite the great script this falls just short of the mark. The characters are decently portrayed but a vital spark was missing. Not quite average, but not quite great.
C Cubed, 1 - 15 Aug (odd dates only), 12.30pm (1.45pm), prices vary, fpp 202.
tw rating 3/5
[nb]

Greenstick Boy
Greenstick Productions
Beautifully written and wonderfully performed, this one-woman show was very, very good. 'Greenstick Boy' is a truly tragic tale of love; the kind of love which is so strong, but just not enough. The piece takes us back to the seventies, reminding us of easily available drugs, edgy fashion, punk rock. and what it means to be Irish and living in England. This is M writing her love letter to her soul-mate D, and so re-living her life through the seventies, eighties and nineties, in doing so remembering the heart-aches, the good times and her stubbornly Irish mother. This well structured play is funny, fresh, sad and a real delight to watch.
Assembly @ George Street, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 4, 11, 18), 11.50am (12.50pm), prices vary, fpp 202.
tw rating 4/5
[lp]

Hamlet (Chamber Shakespeare Cycle Part 1)
Chamber Shakespeare Company
To see, or not to see? That is the question (Sorry, I just couldn't resist). Well, maybe not, if you are a Shakespeare purist, because this company takes 'Hamlet' and shakes it up a little bit by cutting out all the scenes which Hamlet isn't in, and all sub-plots. There's also a Japanese influence on the set, the costumes and some scenes. The result is a good play with some interesting elements; the three actors use scarves to show which of the characters they are portraying at any one time, and are supported by minimal but effective props. The performers are also good, Hamlet's mother Gertrude especially so. Hamlet, on the other hand was a bit overacted, almost to the point where he seemed at times to be something like a rambling drunk.
Hudson Hotel, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 12.00pm (1.15pm), prices vary, fpp 202.
tw rating 3/5
[fa]

Jim Rose Circus
Jim Rose
Now, I've had some weird stuff up my arse, but I've never shat paint onto a canvas. Nor seen a muscular transsexual massage his clit, penis in a raccoon trap, or a blood-streaked woman plunge a knife into her lady-garden. If you're still reading, join heavy-metalers 'Warthog' as Jim Rose's Satan romps them from stunt to stunt on a spiralling journey into the depths of hell. Be warned, there's a misogynistic tone; the really sick stuff is performed by naked women, and if The Whore of Babylon is pulling pants from her flange, then I want to see the band with butt-plugs. Still, if you can stomach it, these performers shock and entertain with a pervy flourish.
Udderbelly's Pasture, 31 Jul - 25 Aug, 11.45pm (1.00am), prices vary, fpp 208.
tw rating 4/5
[cmg]

Just Trust Me
Fat Toad Theatre Company
A company of solid actors failed to impress with this new comedy of manners which is best described as a mix of Noel Coward and Moliere, except not as witty. It's unfortunate that the humour in the text wasn't fully exploited despite the convincing performances, especially as there are touches here which hint at good direction: the fine set, costumes and acting are all well integrated. However, the one joke about having just another drink is repeated tediously and is more a reflection of poor writing than of clunky actor delivery. Yet despite all that, this solid play about a servant who tries to climb above his station is thoroughly entertaining.
Greenside, 4 - 16 Aug (not 10), 12.40pm (1.40pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 209.
tw rating 3/5
[zl]

Kes (A Kestrel For A Knave)
Beacon Theatre Group
I quite liked this small production of the it's-grim-up-north story of a boy and his bird-of-prey. The largely school-age cast approach the show with vigor and excitement, and are capably supported by the more experienced adult actors. The script is also good, cunningly avoiding the problem of staging a kestrel with some excellent monologues, but the direction is at times a little odd - the pumping drum'n'bass sections seem particularly misplaced. It's a shame that nearly everyone in the cast, adult and child alike, is let down by dodgy northern accents, but the boy playing the lead role, Christopher Hudson, who can't even be in his teens, is spellbinding: expect big things from him in the future!
Augustine's, 4 - 9 Aug, 1.00pm (2.15pm), £6.00 (£5.00), fpp 210.
tw rating 3/5
[rj]

Kidnapped: When Kilts Were Banned
Scottish Storytelling Centre
This version of Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Kidnapped' is staged in the lovely, intimate theatre at the Scottish Storytelling Centre (formerly the Netherbow), nestled between twee kilt shops and tourist traps. It's an ideal setting for this historical Scottish tale, condensed down to the bare essentials by director Donald Smith. The roles of David Balfour (Duncan R. Edwards) and Alan Breck Stuart (Gavin Paul) are well played by the versatile actors, who also play all of the additional roles, and the story is made both interesting and accessible. Tartan is worn, whiskey drunk, battles fought - a perfect introduction to Scottish history for children and tourists, and a recap for those of us old enough to have read the novel.
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 5 - 24 Aug (not 11 or 18), 5.00pm (5:45pm), £6.00, fpp 210.
tw rating 3/5
[dk]

Macbeth
Dogsbody & LA Women's Shakespeare Company
Why on earth would a prop as synonymous with Hamlet as the skull appear in Macbeth? To remind us that Americans can do Shakespeare too, perhaps? Then again, if we're doing questions, another important one might ask why Lady Macbeth was played by a hairy-chested man, whose idea of looking feminine was to wear a bad wig and affect a squeaky voice. Or indeed why it was felt necessary to have a sound effect for every fragment of the performance. Or why 'Lady' Macbeth decided to end her life by jumping in an oil barrel. If we established one thing today, it's that learning your lines and saying them in a big loud voice does not make you a thespian.
The Jazz Bar, 5 - 11 Aug (not 9, 10), 1.30pm (3.00pm), £5.00, fpp 214.
tw rating 1/5
[lk]

The Margins
Slippery Rock Theatre
If your play requires a creepy setting with a weird atmosphere, your average Fringe venue should do the trick. Slippery Rock Theatre use Venue 45 well in this tense paranormal thriller. The story of psychics assembling for an experiment was marred by hints of back story which were never expanded upon and did not serve the main narrative, but the performances were energetic enough to remain interesting even in the moments when the plot lagged. While the big twist is easily spotted by anyone familiar with such spooky adventures and the ending is a bit abrupt, this is a play worth seeing if you like things that go bump in the night - or think revisionist historians have it coming!
The Space@Venue 45, 1 Aug - 9 Aug, 10.15pm (11.15pm), £7.00 (£6.00), fpp 215.
tw rating 3/5
[jm]

Medusa's Snakes: The Aftermath
Monboddo Press
To write a play about the snakes on Medusa's severed head is an original idea by playwright Lauren Elizabeth Pope, and these actors playing two of the snakes serve the script well. The set of Medusa's severed head is impressive, but because of the nature of the script, the two actors remain on the exact same spot of the stage for the whole hour, which naturally results in a lack of variation for the audience and so it's hard not to switch off. An amateur audio recording which periodically plays some of the narrative is equally dull. However, with moments of intense engagement and effective humour, these promising actors do captivate us and present an enjoyable performance.
The Space@Jury's Inn, 31 Jul - 23 Aug (not 3, 10, 17), 12.05pm (1.05pm), £6.00 (£5.00), fpp 215.
tw rating 3/5
[kc]

Mr Mojo, Mum & Me
Brass Parks/Laughing Horse Free Festival
On paper, 'Mr Mojo, Mum & Me' seems like an interesting idea. Douglas, a young outsider from a northern town discovers that his absent father is actually the late Jim Morrison and, inspired by his rock god roots, embarks on a quest to fulfill his destiny as a fully-fledged star in his own right. In actuality, Chris Brassington's one-man play comes off as a rather self indulgent affair, with the performer seeming to be the only person in the room who was truly enjoying himself. He sings, he dances, he plays the guitar, but never manages to do any of these particularly well. Sometimes, being a jack of all trades is not such an admirable quality.
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 4 -10 Aug, 12.00 pm (12.40pm), free ticketed, fpp 216.
tw rating 2/5
[mb]

My Single Friend
Flying Pig Productions in Association with Bungay High School
Three friends, who have been through the relationship mill and suffered the consequences, mull over their disastrous past romances and future possibilities. From Bridget Jones to the Spice Girls, the script owes much to the 'girl power' of the nineties; a time when the company was probably far more interested in the Teletubbies. Despite their age, the cast give confident and effective performances by anyone's standards, and the production generally gives much more than would be expected from a "women talking about men" scenario: thought and consideration have clearly gone into staging it theatrically, making it a slick piece of ensemble work. All in all, a precocious production which holds its own at the Fringe in terms of professionalism and entertainment.
The Space on the Mile@the Radisson, 3, 5, 7, 9 Aug, 8.00pm (9.00pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 217.
tw rating 3/5
[nv]

Outward Bound
About Turn Theatre Company
A gay man and a Jewish woman, both teachers, supervise a school trip together. Was it just one elaborate gag? Well, to a degree, it works; the Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirt and the bottle of vodka juxtaposed with the brightly coloured cagoule and curly brown hair visually hit all the right, stereotypical notes. However, at times the delivery was stumbling, and the part played by the younger children seemed a bit too much of a joke, if making a pointed social comment at the same time. It was enjoyable to see the other side of school trips, though, the sneaky bottle of vodka, the poking fun at the kids, the human aspect of teaching coming through. A little contrived, maybe, but a story about the contradictions of our age.
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, 4 - 9 Aug, 3.30pm, £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 221.
tw rating 3/5
[rs]

Pornography
Traverse Theatre Company & Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company
This bleak examination of British life has a promising opening. It uses three events of one week in 2005 as a backdrop, and as symbols of twenty-first Century life: the Live-8 concert, the announcement that London would host the 2012 Olympics, and the 7/7 bombings. Unfortunately the potential of the subject matter is squandered by a mediocre script that fails to engage or to tackle any serious issues, contenting itself instead with a meaningless parade of pathetic, insipid characters. The most interesting of these - and also the most engaging on stage - is the suicide bomber himself, yet the play spectacularly neglects to examine his single-mindedness in anything other than the most superficial manner. The script oozes self-conscious portentousness which, combined with forced, over-earnest delivery, robs the play of any real significance.
Traverse Theatre, 2 - 24 Aug (not 4, 11, 18), times vary, prices vary, fpp 224.
tw rating 2/5
[al]

Lie of the Land
Pleasance and Adam Barnard
Torben Betts' script tells the tale of a couple realising the middle class idyll by fleeing the rat race, only to see their dream tarnished initially by loneliness, and later by war and wild weather. It's neither as chilling nor as coherent as it could be, and it is difficult to care much about the characters until they meet with real adversity, which happens too late on in the play. Nia Gwynne evokes some sympathy as the desperately co-dependent wife, but I believe this is attributable more to the actress than the piece. Once the situation becomes frightening, the staging becomes quite effective, but it does not succeed in the conjuring up the rural paradise of the early scenes. Interesting, but unsatisfying.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 12.30pm (1.30pm), prices vary, fpp 211.
tw rating 2/5
[jm]

Mary Postgate
K2 Theatre Company
There's something a wee bit weird about reading Rudyard Kipling today. The quality of his writing is, for me, slightly tainted by his rampant imperialist jingoism, but this is a show that manages to fuse that aggression with very human characters and a modern, measured viewpoint, creating a moving, intelligent play, a curious reflection on Kipling's original story. It can seem stilted and ridiculous to begin with due to the terribly English dialogue that wouldn't be out of place in a 'Monty Python' sketch, but give it a chance. It builds, and the excellent performances lend a profound stillness and austerity to the play that well reflects its slow burning and carefully constructed drama. By the climax, a poetic beauty worthy of Rudyard himself shines through.
The Zoo, 1 - 23 Aug, 2.45pm (3.45pm), £8.00 (£6.00), fpp 215.
tw rating 4/5
[rj]

My Grandfather's Great War
Festival Highlights
This is the story of Captain Alexander Stewart, and, through his eyes, the story of a lost generation. The personal touch is just what makes 'My Grandfather's Great War' so very special, as his grandson, actor Cameron Stewart, portrays and discusses his grandfather's diaries of some of the bloodiest battles ever undertaken, all with warm humour and genuine, touching emotion. This is a profoundly moving piece, and clearly a labour of love for Stewart, who is an enthralling performer with a breathtaking range of skills. The exquisite lighting and sound design add to the intense drama of Stewart's performance. This show is absolutely unmissable - forget any prejudices based on bland GCSE history topics and get yourself a ticket now.
Baby Belly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 13), 2.45pm (3.55pm), prices vary, fpp. 217.
tw rating 5/5
[je]

Not Stalking David Tennant (AKA Having It All)
Not Stalking Productions
For a woman, having a celebrity crush is like owning a pet dog: neither answers back. This touching and poignant one-woman show explores the implausibility of the 'having it all' culture; something has to give, and in this case that something is love. And so enter David Tennant. Emma Hutchins is an admirable and brave performer who, in the face of adversity (a limited audience, and noisy, pounding rain) delivers a funny, emotional, and upsetting performance that explores issues close to many women's hearts. After a week of viewing mediocre theatre, the mixture of this show's difficult circumstances, combined with its genuine potential, deeply affected me, and I felt it was criminal that such a small audience applauded Hutchins' efforts.
The Vault, 3 - 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 7.10pm (8.10pm), £8.50 (£7.00), fpp 219.
tw rating 4/5
[rsj]

Now Is The Hour
Crossroads Theatre
Being lost on board a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean is always a bit of a drama. I have no personal experience of this, but if you're in any doubt, it might be worth watching this theatre production, based on real life events compiled from the memoirs of Doris Hawkins, survivor of the Laconia Incident. The depiction of this event is bound to be traumatic, as the numbers on board ship rapidly decrease and delirium sets in, but the two things that struck me most were these: firstly, how people always reveal their deepest feelings in the direst circumstances, and secondly, how British people's first thoughts are always with tea or gin and tonic whenever things go wrong. Those considerations aside, this production has been well staged and performed, with great use of space and props.
Hill Street Theatre, 1 - 25 Aug (not 13, 20), 4.05pm (5.15pm), £11.00 (£9.00), fpp 219.
tw rating 4/5
[mj]

Richard II
Spotlites Theatre Company presents Spotlites Youth Theatre
Raw, compelling, inventive, engaging - welcome to Spotlites' 'Richard II'. For the information of anyone for whom Shakespeare's history plays merge into each other, this is the story of Richard II, whose throne is usurped by his cousin, Bolingbroke. Its central interest, as played out by the production, is the idea of one order succeeding another, only to become its mirror image. All aspects of the design are unified by focusing on this thematic concern, from costumes to set to sound to lighting. The commanding performances of most of the cast imply a respect for and interest in the language of the play, but drama is also communicated through movement and the use of space. A high-octane production of royal proportions.
Spotlites @ The Merchants' Hall, 3 - 8 Aug, 8.15pm (10.15pm), £7.50 (£5.00), fpp 226.
tw rating 4/5
[nv]

Saving Tania's Privates
AJ Epstein Presents in Association With Richard Jordan Productions Ltd.
Before I saw this show, I had little idea of what is involved in breast cancer. By the end, I felt like I'd been through it. Tania Katan takes us on her journey from awkward gay teenager to loud and proud breast cancer survivor, regaling the audience with her dating history - often hilariously - alongside the timeline of her breast cancer experiences. Tania looks on the bright side of having cancer; she is going to get to go to Iceland to see Bjork and the polar bears. On the other hand she has to endure chemotherapy and two mastectomies. This slick, sharp one-woman show from a lesbian, Jewish New Yorker is about identity and survival, and is both heart-warming and very funny.
Pleasance Dome, 2 - 25 Aug (not 11), 1.00pm (2.15pm), prices vary, fpp 228.
tw rating 4/5
[ah]

VISUAL ART

Kay Rosen
Both the exhibition and the new gallery space itself exude sophistication. Whether you choose to observe the linguistic, theoretical and political background or simply enjoy it for its graphical qualities, you'll find a reason to linger. On first glance it appears as only coloured words with little sense; however, Rosen uses subtle shifts of colour, of the location of the letters and the juxtaposition of words to change how the viewer interprets them. If the word 'yellow' is split into 'yell' and 'ow' would you still read it as a colour, or would your opinion change when you find the title of the piece is 'Pain'? It's this playful ambiguity that makes it as much poetry as it is art.
Ingleby Gallery, 1 Aug - 27 Sep, 10.00am - 6.00pm, free, fpp 134.
tw rating 4/5
[sg]

Tinei Mashaya
This exhibition boasts a large selection of 50 plus sculptures. The space they are squeezed into does not do them justice, however, and there is a feeling that the energy and spirit of each piece is being crushed. The artist is on hand all day to answer any questions, discuss the work or explain the processes involved in creating these beautiful pieces, and there's every reason to drop in and take a look at this exhibition, especially if it's sunny or between the rain. The leipidolite sculptures dazzle with colour against the lacquered black of the spring stone. Tinei has real talent and his pieces are calm on the eye, a welcoming break from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile.
Assembly @ Assembly Hall, Mound Place, 30 Jul - 30 Aug, 10.00am onwards, free.
tw rating 3/5
[mi]

SaltCity: Cadiz Field + Work
Architecture, University of Edinburgh
Is it always necessary to fully understand what you're looking at if you are to appreciate it? Arguably not: this exhibition, showcasing the work of the architecture students at the University of Edinburgh, proves that highly complex ideas, designs and concepts can be appreciated on a number of levels. Whether you have the time to read the explanatory essays, study the models and dissect the drawings or if you'd rather just marvel at the technical skill and artistry, you'll no doubt be impressed at the students' ambitious and creative proposals for the Spanish city of Cadiz. There's much more on offer than the standard plans, sections and elevations: you can expect painting, film, animation and installations: a very diverse and exciting experience.
Matthew Architecture Gallery, 4 - 29 Aug, 11.00am - 4.00pm (not Sun), free, fpp 135
tw rating 4/5
[sg]

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