This will be Dizzee Rascal then. Doing his groovy, groovy thing. At The Edge. At the Fringe. Groovy. Photos by James Robertson.

ONE VERY BIG AWARDS ROUND UP
Yes, so many awards are being presented at the moment, let's just have one big news story running through them all. That way we'll reduce the number of headlines we use, which can only be good for our carbon footprint.

--

So, first up, the winner of the all-new comedy award being staged in memory of the late, great Malcolm Hardee was announced last night, and it went to Edward Aczel, who apparently once heckled Hardee at a London University gig, so he's probably a very apt first winner of the prize set up to celebrate "comic originality of thought or performance".

In addition to the main prize a second random award was presented to Doktor CocaColaMcDonalds, a quirky musical comedy act that, I think it's fair to say, has to be seen to be believed, though I think his Pleasance show finished yesterday, so you won't be seeing him here.

As for what the two winners won, well The Hardee Award's press release explains thus: "The two winners received trophies but no financial prize. In a break from normal Award presentation tradition and to fully honour the memory of Malcolm Hardee, the winners were instead asked to lend each of the judges £50 for an indeterminate length of time. Negotiations on this part of the Award are said to be continuing".

--

Next up, and more comedy, though this one more of a competition that a standard awards programme. The winner of the Gilded Balloon's traditional and long running new stand-up comedy competition, So You Think Your Funny, has been selected from the barrage of new comics who competed this year. And the winner was Daniel Simonsen. So don't go saying we didn't tell you.

--

Into the theatre domain, and the winner of Amnesty International's Freedom Of Expression Award, the award which recognises Festival productions which make a significant contribution to the public's greater awareness and understanding of human rights issues.

And the winner is Sherman Cymru's production of 'Deep Cut' at the Traverse, on which Amnesty International’s Scottish Programme Director, John Watson, said this: "'Deep Cut' is a fantastic example of why the Freedom Of Expression Award exists. This is theatre of the highest quality, but this is a play that wants to do more than entertain – it sets out to change the world".

Big Issue Editor Paul McNamee added: "The Big Issue is delighted to give this award to 'Deep Cut', a play that has the potential to really make a difference. It is very important that we not only shine a light on human rights abuses in faraway countries but also look closely at our own backyard".

--

Next, more theatre and the last batch of Scotsman Fringe Firsts, the awards for the best new play productions at the Festival. And look, a winner not at the Traverse, Assembly or Pleasance - hurrah! Oh, and one at the Pleasance, one at Assembly and two at the Trav. Hmm. Just for the record, the best new plays are not, as the Fringe Firsts may have you believe, always at one of those three venues. But still, well done to all of the following, who I'm sure are deserving winners...

Little Bulb Theatre for 'Crocosmia' at the Space On The Mile.

Temple Theaters for 'In Conflict' at Assembly @ George Street.

Ontrorend Goed et al for 'Once And For All We're Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up And Listen' at the Traverse.

Vox Mous & Tron Theatre for 'Slick', also at the Traverse.

And RedCape Theatre for 'The Idiot Colony' at the Pleasance Dome.

--

More awards from within the Scotsman Group, and the Edinburgh Evening News Drama Awards, which I'm not sure I even knew existed until two minutes ago. But well done, nevertheless, to Edinburgh Theatre Arts who won the Best Drama prize for their production of Dennis Potter's 'Blue Remembered Hills', and to Forth's Children's Theatre who won the paper's Best Musical award for their production of 'Jekyll And Hyde'. These awards, in case you wondered, exist to celebrate Edinburgh based talent at the Fringe, which seems like a damn fine idea to me.

--

Talking of musicals, which we kind of were, it's the Music Theatre Matters Awards next, the shortlists for which we ran the other day. The overall winners have now been revealed as follows...

Best Lyrics For A New Musical: Barbershopera! - Toni & The Guys

Best Music For A New Musical: Departure Lounge - Dougal Irvine

Most Promising New Musical: Barbershopera! - Toni & The Guys

Dress Circle Award For Best Musical Production: Funk It Up About Nothin' - Chicago Shakespeare Theater

In what I think was a bit of a surprise, the judges decided not to give an award for Best Book For A New Musical, despite announcing three nominees, on the basis there was no musical at the Fringe this year with a Book worthy of the prize. This was presumably a bit of a downer for those shortlisted. Still, all round disappointment can make you a stronger person. And possibly a better book writer.

--

Next the Carol Tambor Award, the prize for which is an all expenses paid run in New York, so well done and hurrah for the Edinburgh University Theatre Company whose widely acclaimed collection of new short plays 'Eight', by Ella Hickson, was pronounced overall winner and the cast of which will now get the trip to NYC.

--

And finally, two other random awards for you. First up the Jack Tinker Spirit of the Fringe, which I never really understand, but which went to new venue The World @ St George's West and to Live Theatre's 'Motherland' at The Underbelly. Spirits all round to them then.

And finally finally, the Holden Street Theatre Award, another new award which offers the winner a chance to perform at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Not sure on the criteria or whatnot, but the winner was Dogstar for their production of 'The Tailor Of Inverness' at Assembly. So, hurrah for them.

That, I reckon, is more than enough awards for now. Until the ThreeWeeks Editors' Awards at the Roman Eagle Lodge at 12.30pm tomorrow.

Send in news: editor@threeweeks.co.uk

Answering the ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz today... Anna The Slut

1. What is your 2008 show all about? A Geek, a Jock, and the Sumerian Goddess of hot, dirty sex walk into a bar... 2. Why should we come and see it? Where else will you find naked shadow puppets, hot girls, stage combat, and Sumerian mythology all in one place on the Fringe? 3. If your show was an Olympic sport, what would it be and why? Nordic relay fencing, in a triathlon with swimming and table tennis. Because our show is just that kind of amalgam: perhaps a wee bit arcane, but with enough spectacle to keep it light on its skis and its head above water. And, like the above sport, our show is almost, but not entirely, made up.

5. What are you least looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Our one day off. It'll lull us into a false sense of leisure.

6. What advice would you have for someone trying to navigate the Fringe?
If all else fails, just start seeing shows in alphabetical order. And give special preference to shows that have the word "slut" in the title.

7. What advice would you have for someone trying to survive the Fringe?
Take a break from shows to go eat at Piemaker. They're not paying us to say this, we just really like their food.

8. Describe your show in three words
Sexy literary whimsy.

Anna The Slut And The (Almost) Chosen One, C soco, 2 - 25 Aug, 5.30pm (6.30pm), prices vary, fpp183.

Even more reviews for you! Remember only a selection of our reviews appear in the printed Daily and Weekly, they all appear here in the eDaily. Enjoy...

Speedy links:
Books - Children's - Comedy - Dance - Music - Musicals & Opera - Theatre

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

BOOKS

Bookslam - Fiction, Poetry and Music
Edinburgh International Book Festival
A refreshing change, Bookslam is stand-up literature; three writers and a musician glued together by Alan Bissett who acts as compère. While super laid back Dan Rhodes' surreal odes to his girlfriend were complemented by performance poet Patience Magbabi, who used the sonnet form to express how music has influenced her writing, the ever passionate Luke Wright fired up the audience with a hilarious lament on the difficulties of being a sensitive male and an excellent attack on lovers of all things kitsch and ironic. Unfortunately, the audience began to dissolve during the final act - an acoustic set from Idlewild's Roddy Woomble - perhaps because, in their search to find something different, Bookslam had become what seemed like just a gig.
Highland Park Spiegeltent, 15 Aug, 6.15pm (8.15pm), £9.00 (£7.00), bfpp 28.
[js]

Ben Goldacre & David McFarland
Edinburgh International Book Festival
You really could not chose two more different speakers than Ben Goldacre and David McFarland. It was perhaps just as well that the former was late, allowing McFarland to get a word in edgeways with a thought-provoking anecdote about the difference between scientists, laymen and philosophers, incidentally suggesting that science may not always hold the answer. After Goldacre's dramatic delayed entrance, the discussion diverted onto more controversial topics. His stand-up comic/anti-establishment hero style really got the audience going, as he highlighted the problems with reports of science in the media, and bogus advertising from pharmaceutical companies versus scientific fact. An invigorating discussion marred by the attempt to squeeze two excellent speakers on different topics into one event.
Pepper's Theatre, Aug 15, 12.30pm, bfpp 26.
[sh]

Chuck Palahniuk
Edinburgh International Book Festival
What would you least expect to happen at a literary event? The distribution of blow-up sex toys among the audience would be top of the list. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why Palahniuk is described as a 'literary provocateur'. After the initial mischief, Palahniuk demonstrated that his sense of physicality is not limited to his writing; his anecdotes can also make people squirm and he knows it, indeed, relishes it. In his fascinating discussion of minimalist writing, Palahniuk explained his preference for physical descriptions as a way of suggesting emotions to the reader, which has made novels such as 'Fight Club' so successful. A talk with a difference, this was brilliantly entertaining with some captivating points thrown in.
RBS Main Theatre, 16 Aug, 8.00pm, bfpp 32.
[rg]

Stefan Collini & Peter Conrad
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Two critics talk about literary criticism, what its role is and whether it's relevant today. Now forgive my cynicism here, but surely most professionals in their field would be unlikely to admit that their job is pointless or irrelevant? The main problem I had with this event is that it lacked balance, with both eminent critics Collini and Conrad obviously having moved a distance from their 'uninformed and inexperienced' public. I was very bothered by the fact that no one challenged the arrogant view that a critic's opinion is somehow more valuable than that of the reader, and the rather dubious value ascribed to critics writing exclusively to other critics. A good challenger would have made it a much better debate.
ScottishPower Studio Theatre, Aug 15, 2.00pm, bfpp 26.
[sh]

CHILDREN'S

Noah's Ark And Other Stories
Rhema Theatre Company
Not wanting to bore you with my views on the indoctrination of children, all I shall say is that I don't think Bible stories are always for kids, what with there being an abundance of punishment and tragedy in the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and Moses. It was crude, and felt almost blasphemous, to have a woman in pigtails and a multicoloured waistcoat playing God, and moaning about having no friends. The three actors seemed like stage school rejects who had resorted to children's theatre for lack of other options, their chirpiness repulsive rather than infectious. The kids in the audience seemed fairly restless, but loved getting sprayed with water at various points, and the props were rather creative.
Saughtonhall United Church, 13 - 25 Aug (not 17, 24), 1.30pm (2.30pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 16.
tw rating 2/5
[gm]

Jack & The Beanstalk
Spectrum Theatre Company
This two-hander version of 'Jack & The Beanstalk starts slowly', but then builds nicely throughout. The music is pleasant and well arranged, and the actor playing Jack has a good voice, however the songs become quite repetitive and the kids got restless about 15 minutes in. The props are done well, particularly the goose that lays the golden eggs, but what did not work for me was that the tale stops short of the ending. I understand this is the company's way of having a twist in the tale, but ultimately it was an unsatisfying ending, and left the kids a little confused. There is also not a 'real-life' beanstalk as advertised, however there are free Jelly Beans!
The Vault, 19-23 Aug, 11.30am (12.15pm), £7.50 (£5.00), fpp 15.
tw rating 3/5
[dk]

Jay Gees Jamboree, His Snurglegurk And Other Stuff
M+E Theatre/Laughing Horse Free Festival
This show has gone for the Roald Dahl method of entertaining kids, which generally involves being as creepy and weird as possible and seeing who blinks first. It works reasonably well, but it's hard to tell if the children are intrigued or confused. The poems lack the vivid imagination of Dahl but there are some, like the tale of the boy who continually picked his nose and his snot-monster friend, which hit the mark for giggles. A few of the younger kids seemed perturbed by the whole thing, not quite old enough to keep up and understandably freaked out by Ms Googiepants' ability to pull some very scary faces. It'll keep the easily befuddled quiet for 45 minutes though.
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 18 - 25 Aug, 2.10pm (2.55pm), free, fpp 15.
3/5
[rd]

COMEDY

Amused Moose Comedy's Hot Starlets
AM Entertainments In Association With 4DVD
When he isn't teaching the crowd Yoga and force feeding them sweeties, Rob Tarbuck hosts this comic mixed bag of stand-up that apparently showcases five comedy talents of tomorrow. Well, two out of five isn't bad going, particularly since Jared Hardy - a cross between Harry Potter and a lesbian (his words), was extremely funny with his gender confused tales. Likewise Tania Edmonds' boozy gags about an all night bender was wonderfully Bridget Jones-esque. Demonstrating defined comic personae these two show real promise. However for every comic gem there must unfortunately follow a stinker - three in this case - and for these boys my advice is simple - it's not enough to dress vaguely like Russell Brand and expect laughs aplenty.
C soco urban garden, 1 - 24 Aug, 4.10pm (5.10pm), prices vary, fpp 25.
tw rating 3/5
[rsj]

Arthur Smith's ARTURART 2008
Zoo Logic & Rupert Gavin
If the sensory overload of walking down the Royal Mile hasn't already left your brain leaking out of your ears, then a trip to ARTURART should finish the job properly. High art at its silliest, this gallery has exhibitions in toilets, behind doors, pretty much everywhere you look. I'm almost certain I saw everything, but I'm probably wrong, because getting lost in this maze is half the fun. The artist-comedians have combined signs, paintings, found objects and seemingly random stuff that Arthur Smith had lying around his office in this surreal gallery. Strange and wonderful, ARTURART will leave you giggling like a small child who's just seem the word 'poo' scrawled on a toilet wall for the first time.
ARTURART, 3-23 Aug, 2.00pm (5.30pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fpp 28.
tw rating 4/5
[gs]

Arctic Comedy
Antti Hakala
Finnish comedian Antti Hakala is here to tell us about all the hilarious differences between the UK and his native country. This involves the use of a so-heavy-it-must-be-fake accent, intentional mispronunciation of words, some simple jokes and even a song. The problem was waiting around for the 'hilarious' part while our gentle host pointed out basic cultural differences in the kind of straightforward manner that made you wonder if this was actually meant to be a comedy show. Antti's friendly demeanor makes him impossible to dislike, and his jokes, while not exactly hilarious, did produce a titter or two from the audience, although I'm not sure this wasn't out of pity.
Sweet Teviot Place, 12 - 24 Aug, 10:10pm (11:10pm), £9.00 (£8.00), fpp 28.
tw rating 2/5
[amc]

Blue Light Comedy Tour
Alfie Moore/PBH's Free Fringe
This is an odd one: a policeman from Scunthorpe who does stand-up comedy in his spare time. The show isn't too bad, as it turns out that policing gives a good variety of material to talk about, but Alfie Moore doesn't really have the comic ability to pull it off. He uses a screen and projector to back up his jokes, mainly with pictures of himself, but this just tends to distract from his act. There's no need to worry about wasting your money, of course, but there are better shows free shows at the festival to spend your time on. I reckon Alfie should stick to keeping the streets of South Yorkshire crime-free for now, and leave the comedy to the professionals.
Voodoo Bar, 2 - 23 Aug, 4.50pm (5.30pm), free non-ticketed, fpp 34.
tw rating 2/5
[ah]

Byron Bertram 'Charismatic Retard'
Byron Bertram / PBH's Free Fringe
Byron said two things that I remembered during his show - one was that his friend's jokes never had a punch-line, and the other was that some comedy at the Fringe is absolutely terrible. Both highly pertinent observations given the quality of his own show. He managed to say something offensive about almost every group of people; his jokes were racist, ageist and sexist, and to top it all off, he was mean to people who weren't able to heckle him and stick up for themselves. When he started getting heckled he didn't seem to know how to handle it and he didn't recover from it. I spent the whole very loooong hour clock-watching.
The Pheonix, 7 Aug - 23 Aug (not 11, 18), 9.00pm (10.00pm), free, fpp 36.
tw rating 1/5
[fa]

Cheerio! The End Of The World Show
Dead Duck Productions
Tune in to controlled presenters Gillian and Faye and their dorky male counterparts, to 'celebrate' the last 50 minutes of life on Earth together, as we prepare to be annihilated. They are joined by an assortment of guests, from fake professors to Jeremy Pacman. Their rundown of civilisation brings a smile, as it is explained that Ancient Greece fell when Sandy left Danny, but my only big laugh was when a naked madman wearing a billboard saying 'The End of The World Is Nigh' turned around for all to read 'Vote Tory'. This was a bit scrappy and stilted, but with a bit of polish has the potential to be better.
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, dates vary, 11.40pm (12.40am), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 37.
tw rating 3/5
[gm]

How To Be Horrid: A Sketch Show
Fairly Familiar Things
Sketch shows are tricky beasts. At best they're slick and savvy, but at worst they're contrived and catastrophic. Somewhere between the two, in a sort of comedic limbo, is 'How To Be Horrid'. More sketchy than sketch show, this is a rag bag of scenes with a comedy kernel but no nutritional, nutty goodness. Too often the skits lack punch, pizazz and, more importantly, punchlines; with few exceptions, they are all set-up and no substance. It's not without laughs though, and certain members of this troupe show future promise, most notably the token American. But, if you wanted to learn how to be horrid, you'd've been better off missing the show and watching me write this review.
Rocket @ Roxburghe Hotel, 11 - 23 Aug (not 17), 8.45pm(9.45pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 59.
tw rating 2/5
[pl]

Jody Kamali: Backpacker 2
Jody Kamali
A handyman from Bristol decides one day he needs to find himself and sets off to India in search of his soul. Jody Kamali manages a fairly convincing job of depicting his battles with Delhi belly, hagglers, beggars, cows and chai sellers, the muppet version of which was quite literally shoved in your face. The psy trance dancing, reflecting the scene in Goa, and impersonation of a middle-class wannabe hippy, are appropriately ridiculous, and his portrayal of a handful of stereotypical, cliché characters he meets along his travels - from an Israeli who offers him advice to a classic English Northerner who's all about the sunscreen - all work well. This is good character comedy with moments of originality but left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
Sweet Grassmarket, 3-24 Aug (not 11), 7.20pm (8.15pm) prices vary, fpp 65.
tw rating 3/5
[da]

Knock2Bag
Knock2Bag/ Laughing Horse
It's a pretty weird setting for stand-up, a gothic style pub playing thrash metal. Even if the audience weren't intimidated, the performers certainly seemed to be. Four appeared, one by one, punctuated by some reasonably funny video sketches, including one depicting a man who has permanent subtitles on his chest, and the exposition of a new craze for 'chair-walking'. The live acts were the problem. The four comics, Mark Restuccia, Albion Gray, Rupert Majendie and Mark Dandy, just simply didn't believe they were funny, and so they weren't. Each joke finished with, "well, that didn't go down well..." and one even had to go backstage to check his script. If the acts don't believe in their own material, the audience certainly won't.
Laughing Horse @Jekyll and Hyde, 15 - 25 Aug, 2.10pm (3.00pm), free, fpp 69.
tw rating 2/5
[je]

The Man Who Knows (Featuring The Magic Skinhead)
Man Who Knows/ Laughing Horse Free Festival
The Man Who Knows admits that this show needs at least five people in the audience in order for it to work, so you have to feel a bit sorry when, in this middle-of-nowhere bar halfway to Leith, you find yourself amongst an audience of three, one of whom is the bartender. This glimmer of sympathy soon starts to melt away, though, once the show starts. The humour is crass at best, at worst it borders on sexual harassment. Thank God for the magic tricks then, which are convincingly enacted and serve as the only redeeming feature in a show that would otherwise have struggled to make it to two stars. Nevertheless, it would take some serious Harry Potter action to make this half hour performance worth the forty minute walk.
Laughing Horse @ Meridian, 12 - 25 Aug, 3.55pm (4.25pm), free, fpp 76.
tw rating 2/5
[fc]

Max and Ivan: Exposed - The Edinburgh Fringe
4 inch Productions
Intrigued by the poster of Max and Iván naked, I thought this would be a winner, highlighting the fundamental flaw in my psychological workings. There is something charming about this pair, but nothing particularly special about their show, which is a jumble of character creations. They have good comic timing on the whole - apart from a couple of pauses for comedy effect that were far too long - and obviously bounce off each other well, and I would have liked to have seen something more original. Maybe they actually should have exposed themselves? No, that's childish. But I feel they misjudged this one slightly; I'd like to see something more concise from these two, but I haven't given up on them altogether.
C cubed, dates vary, 9.00pm (9.50pm), prices vary, fpp 77.
tw rating 2/5
[ah]

Mersey Uncut Comedy Kollective 1
PBH's Free Fringe
From the first of many half-arsed quips about the mute audience, it seemed pretty clear that this ragtag group of 'stand-ups' (the term is loose here, see) weren't really the cream of Merseyside's comedy scene, and that 'drop-in/drop-out' was a wry irony. Apart from the compère, the sharpest tool in a rusty box, the guests were about as funny as being forced to listen to a hungover flatmate with some compulsion to keep trying to cheer you up, but with a chronic hangover, or genuine boredom, getting in the way. Plus point: there was one comic who managed to approximate a mediocre routine. Not terrible, just not really worth the effort of getting out of bed.
Madogs, 3 - 23 Aug, 1.30pm (2.30pm), free, fpp 78.
tw rating 2/5
[ab]

Paul Ricketts & Buff Wood - Wood Pushers
Up The Arts Comedy/PBH's Free Fringe
Apart from a man in tighty-whities humping a chair, you can expect a string of clichéd racial, sexual and drug-related jokes from this two-man performance. You'll probably laugh intermittently, but don't expect anything too original, and watch out for a wane in humour as Rickett hands the stage over to Wood. Last but not least, be warned: if you're sitting anywhere near the front row, you may be asked to smash a banana between your fingers, smear the goop on a designated leather chair, then thrash at the same poor chair with a leather whip (yes, the same chair Buff Wood humps). But then again, that might be your cup of tea.
Nicol Edwards, 2 - 23 Aug (not 13, 19), 8.00pm (9.00pm), free, fpp 86.
tw rating 2/5
[be]

Those Young Minds
Leicester Comedy Festival and CVM
Dads, they're a bit weird aren't they? Good for borrowing money from, though. John Ryan's attempt to explain the importance of fathers is facile at best, insulting at worst. The idea that mothering is natural and "easy", while all fathers don't know what they're doing, is a generalisation that doesn't seem to sit entirely well with the dads watching the show. Audience participation is key here - uncomfortable, forced chats only highlighting the absence of actual jokes. His moral message (if you feel that your comedy needs one) is that it can be hard to tell if your children are "normal", and pointing us in the direction of a mental health charity. Well-intentioned, but then intentions are rarely funny.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 14 and 15 Aug, 6.45pm (7.45pm), £10.00 (8.00), fpp 104.
tw rating 2/5
[gs]

Vladimir McTavish: Top Fifty Greatest Scots Of All Time... Ever!
Stand Comedy Club
Vladimir McTavish claims he looks like the offspring of a West Highland Terrier and Rod Stewart. Taking in his spiky grey hair, it's easy to see the resemblance. And both terriers (Greyfriar's Bobby, of course) and Rod feature in his list of the Top 50 Greatest Scots, which also includes politicians, philosophers, inventors and, er, the Bay City Rollers. McTavish rattles through it, satirising our list-obsessed culture and imparting knowledge about all things Scottish while he's at it. He applies a caustic humour confidently to his highly informed and politically scathing material. More Scottish than haggis and binge-drinking, this is a show you really should really consider seeing while you're in Edinburgh.
The Comedy Club II, 3 - 24 Aug (not 11), 6.40pm (7.40pm), prices vary, fpp 108.
tw rating 4/5
[hw]

Ed Hamell
Hamell On Trial - Festival Highlights
I'm a polite person, but being prompted to shout 'Fuck it!', louder each time, was strangely liberating; there was something about Ed Hamell which brought out the rebel in me. The whole show was rather non politically-correct, mixing serious digs at American politics with crude references to pussy, crack and weed. A musical master, many of his anecdotes were delivered as songs and although at times the guitar seemed to overpower the vocals, his ability to deliver such a diverse array of musical styles whilst still managing to be funny was impressive. For such a clearly rehearsed performance there were elements of improvisation and reaction, to both the crowd and the setting, which only added to the already very good show.
Underbelly's Baby Belly, 18 - 24 Aug (not 22), 5.40pm (6.40pm), £11.00 (£10.00), fpp 48.
tw rating 4/5
[sg]

F*ck This Show (You Know You Want To)
Nicole Korkolis and Becky Donohue
If you've got a small audience, the worst thing to do is draw attention to it. Nicole Korkolis and Becky Donohue each give a half hour turn of stand-up, drawing mostly on cultural differences between the US and UK, and stories of their own sexual experiences. Their material is fine, but they constantly refer to the tiny crowd, trying to harvest laughs by slagging off it's members. They're funny enough, and certainly charmingly abrasive, but the audience never relaxes enough to go with them on their confessional odyssey. It's a shame, because they're clearly talented and Nicole in particular knows exactly when to drop a punchline. If you do go, take a seat at the front and smile sweetly.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 11.15pm (12.25am), prices vary, fpp 52.
tw Rating 3/5
[cmg]

Glenn Wool - Goodbye Scars
Glenn Wool
It's easy to see why Glenn Wool has been compared to Jack Black - he has similar features, with rather intense eyes peering out of his hairy face, and some similar mannerisms - but rock 'n' roll-wise he makes Jack Black look like Ronan Keating. Without the aid of an instrument he doesn't need to add novelty extras to hold his audience in spellbound attention; just watching his shifting facial expressions would make for a good show, although you'd miss out on some beautifully crafted lines. For a divorce themed set, this is wonderfully upbeat, with a wide scope of stories and excellent follow-up gags, all delivered with refreshing intelligence and roguish charm. I was breathless with laughter throughout.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 12), 10.15pm (11.15pm), prices vary, fpp 54.
tw rating 5/5
[jwm]

Jason John Whitehead - The Joker
Jason John Whitehead
Jason John Whitehead has a gift in that he is instantly likeable from the moment he walks out on stage. His grinning, playful manner of delivery is second to none as he gives what he professes he intended to be a more personal show than previous years. This works, to an extent. With a colourful background to work with Whitehead conjures some good anecdotes, though he did intermittently switch to 'club mode' as it became apparent he wanted more from the audience, making things a little uncomfortable. There are some remarkably acute observations in here and when he's on song I sensed that Whitehead could bring the house down, but tonight he didn't quite live up to his promising opening.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 24 Aug, 8.00pm (9.00pm), prices vary, fpp 64.
tw rating 3/5
[th]

Murder Most Improvised
Triple Point Comedy
This entertaining show had the audience instantly in stitches. A complicated 'improvised' plot was effectively strung together by a Sherlock Holmes- style detective, and when the characters did falter under the inundation of audience suggestion, the situation was quickly resolved with wit and spontaneity. Consequently, the performance worked like a well oiled machine, displaying a fluidity, which, combined with the quirky British humour inherent in this kind of murder mystery, reminded me of a Monty Python sketch. It takes a lot of talent to pull off an improvised comedy, and these guys worked well at ensuring the plot flowed logically. And no two shows will ever be remotely similar, meaning that you can go again and again and never get bored!
Augustine's, 19 - 23 Aug, 4.30pm, £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 80.
tw rating 4/5
[km]

Dan Atkinson: The Credit Crunch And Other Biscuits
Avalon Promotions
It's hard to pinpoint what it is exactly that makes Dan Atkinson so appealing. Is it his shaggy mane? Or his natural rapport with the audience? Perhaps it's his fantastic name, or his slightly awkward charm that carries this highly amusing stand up routine. No, these are mere bonuses. It's his genuine, unprecedented anger at all things crunch related, and all that this entails - trying to live in London, meetings with devil-come-bank HSBC and trying to find a wife in Taunton (if you are from the West Country, remember to take your thickest skin). Atkinson's hilarious, often passionate delivery of great, witty writing is not to be missed, as this is a biscuit for everyone's cup of tea.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug, 9.30pm (10.30pm), prices vary, fpp 43.
tw rating 4/5
[ha]

Domestic Godley
Janey Godley
Janey Godley may not be your typical Domestic goddess, but neither is she the antithesis of Nigella; what she lacks in tidiness and culinary skills she makes up for with fellatio! What is striking about Janey, is not just her familiarity with the audience, but her frankness and openness about her life and family, including her mother's murder. She doesn't make a joke out of it, but weaves it into her comedy with great ease, so that you feel as if you are just listening to a funny person telling stories and not a stand-up routine. I didn't relate to her humour strongly, coming from a different place and time to Janey, but most of the audience were in fits.
Pleasance Dome, 30 Jul ? 25 Aug, 7.00pm (8.00pm), prices vary, fpp 47.
tw rating 3/5
[gm]

Arthur Smith's Public Lecture - 'The Toilet Role of ARTURART In The History Of Western Representation'
Zoo Logic & Rupert Gavin
Arthur Smith, comedian and grumpy old man extraordinaire, has founded his own art movement. So what is ARTURART? He's glad you asked; and yet it's hard to define exactly. The manifesto mainly comprises jokes, but key features are the appearance of penises in unexpected places, and the idea that art should be able to laugh at itself, and that others should join in. This mock artistic lecture explains all this and more, with Smith displaying the sharp, clever comedic writing that he's famous for. This talk was a one-off, but the accompanying art show runs till the end of the Fringe. Sounds like a laugh to me.
Assembly @ George Street, 16 Aug, 6:00pm (7:00pm), £12.00 (£10.00), fpp 29.
tw rating 4/5
[amc]

Badly Ranted Thoughts Via The Magic Of Song
Doktor Cocacolamcdonalds
It's bound to seem bizarre when a so-called comedian enters the stage with a chalk white face and wearing nothing else but a pair of pants and a dodgy tie. We shouldn't be surprised, however, as Doktor Cocacolamcdonalds prides himself on his peculiarity and he is most definitely weird. Doktor C continues to baffle us when, at regular intervals he switches on the demo on one of his many battered instruments and attempts to sing along. The songs he sings are surprisingly catchy; particularly memorable is 'When You Generalise, They're General Lies', which has the audience chuckling. But with the odd audience member leaving, this won't be everyone's cup of tea and unfortunately for Doktor C, it just wasn't mine.
Pleasance Courtyard, 31 Jul - 22 Aug, 11.00pm (11.55pm), prices vary, fpp 30.
tw rating 2/5
[kc]

The Comedy Cellar
PBH's Free Fringe
This didn't look promising; the dingy, hot venue, the tiny stage. But what stepped onto the stage was about the best free fringe stand-up I have seen. The compère, Joe Rowntree, had an easy rapport with the audience and a cheeky-chappie charm that made me start to believe that this could be something different. The first act, a Mr Henry Packer was less successful with the audience, but it was Jimmy McGhie, with his tales of teenage porn desensitisation (among other things) that stole the show. Excellent comic timing and a generally charming manner ensured this show is not to be missed, as who knows what other gems might spring forth.
Dragonfly, 2 - 23 Aug (not 11, 17, 18), 5.35pm (6.25pm), free non-ticketed, fpp 40.
tw rating 3/5
[ah]

The Essential Chic Murray
The life of local comedian Chic Murray was celebrated in this insightful, multimedia programme presented by his daughter, Annabel. Nostalgic film clips were shown which conveyed the comedian's unique sense of humour but also the respect he received from his counterparts in the industry. Accompanied by a live band, the programme adopted a documentary style by making use of projected images and narrations but also by using the music performed by the Chic Murray Band to create a warm, lively atmosphere. Although the show was slightly too long, it provided an entertaining opportunity for many audience members to reflect on the times during which the memorable comedian was at his best, whilst enlightening those who perhaps had no previous knowledge.
South Leith Parish Halls, 14 - 16 Aug, 8.00pm (9.45pm), £10.00, fpp 48.
tw rating 4/5
[am]

La Clique
Spiegeltent Productions
Ladies and gentlemen, roll up, roll up, because the craziest vaudevillian circus is in town! Part acrobatic extravaganza, part freak show, all it needs are some dancing bears and we could have travelled in time. The shortness of each act means that you never start to become bored, some new spectacle being constantly thrust before your eyes: contortionists and jugglers, acrobats and naked magic acts. If you can get a ticket (though you'd have to be extremely lucky!) there are few better ways to spend an evening. Sexy and debauched, every act is almost ridiculously talented, meaning that the show got more "oohs" and "aahs" than the wicked witch in a Christmas panto.
The Spiegel Garden, 6-30 Aug (not 18, 25), 11.15pm (1.15am), £20.00 (£15.00), fpp 69.
tw rating 5/5
[gs]

DANCE AND PHYSICAL THEATRE

Sushi Tap Show
Tokyo Tap Do!
When a dance act makes the ground shake and sends reverberations of enthusiastic steps pulsing through you, it's bound to be good. Poke, Maki and Naoji take the stage in this playful act from Tokyo delivering more than a tremendous talent for tap. The trio also entertain with a string of tongue-in-cheek skits and tricks, complementing each other splendidly by way of eccentric and distinctive characters. Highlights include an act made musical with the rapping of spoons, a segment performance of the renowned Irish Riverdance, and Poke - the ensemble's only man - appearing, rather convincingly, as a Japanese schoolgirl. While the show has its slower moments too, it ultimately entertains with sharp wit, creativity and unmistakable Japanese charm.
Greenside, 4 - 23 Aug (not 10, 17), times vary, £10.00, fpp 121.
tw rating 3/5
[be]

Window On The Fringe
Different Acts Every Day
The Edinburgh festival must be one of the trendiest bandwagons going, so it's no surprise that a big international company like John Lewis have jumped on. The Fringe Window, now in its third year, provides a space for artists to promote their work and plays host to dancers, actors, singers and comedians alike. The most refreshing thing about the space is the fact it is free to use and has a simple booking process. It also seems slightly more civilised than the Royal Mile (no manic flyering) and offers spectators shelter from the rain. The window offers a space relatively competition free but the crowd proves much harder to please, and those that don't attract an audience become a hilarious spectacle highlighted by the pane of glass.
John Lewis, 4 - 22 Aug (not weekends), 12.30pm (4.00pm), free, fpp 131.
tw rating 3/5
[mi]

Caesar Twins
Underbelly Productions & MZA
These Polish twins get themselves in to all sorts of positions during this hour long show that at times is a little uncomfortable. It feels bizarre to be watching the two brothers and how up close and personal they get as they lift, twist, and touch each other through a very inventive series of physical sketches. Unfortunately, with the thrust stage design, if you are sat on either side you miss out on a lot due to a large proportion of the performance relying on the projector screen, and the supposedly moving depiction of one of the twin's accident is completely lost. However, you can't deny their phenomenal strength and talent, and this certainly is great family entertainment.
Udderbelly's Pasture, 12 - 25 Aug (except 18), 5.50pm (7.00pm), prices vary, fpp 112.
tw rating 3/5
[ad]

Flamenco, Flamenco!
Ricardo Garcia's Flamenco Flow
From the first stamp I was bowled over by this amazing flamenco dancer, even though the first outfit of bright turquoise skirt, brown and green polka dot scarf and brown jacket came as a sorry surprise. If it is Spanish music and song that you like then this acclaimed production cannot fail to please, though however good the music is, it is La Clara's dancing that the audience are waiting for and the large gaps before her reappearances are frustrating. But, stripped of touristy gimmicks - with minimal set and lack of cheesy expressions - you cannot help but feel you're getting the real deal here and with brief explanations before certain songs and dances, this show offers a complete experience.
Pleasance Dome, 30 Jul - 24 Aug, 8.20pm (9.20pm), prices vary, fpp 115.
tw rating 3/5
[bw]

Invasian Festival: Coral's 'Red' Dance & Kimho's Music
Coral Lee & Kaleidophone
The restful notes of a hammered dulcimer and double bass open this two-part evening of contemporary Chinese music and dance. First Ninian Perry and Kimho Ip play gentle, melodious pieces by Ip and by Bach. While aurally transported to mysterious musical landscapes the relationship of the musicians is lovely to watch, for it is with great admiration that Perry, plucking his bass, glances at the absorbed Ip. A change of pace and style comes with Coral Lee's dance piece 'Red.' Performed to prerecorded compositions, 'Red' is vigorous and engaging, but the disjunction between it and the live music played previously was uneasy. However, seeing two dancers attached ankle-to-ankle by a silken red cord move with graceful vitality almost made amends.
clubWEST @ Quincentenary Hall, 17 - 23 Aug, 6.45pm (7.35pm), £9.00 (£8.00), fpp 116.
tw rating 3/5
[dp]

MUSIC

The BIG Gig
The BIG Project, Broomhouse
I'm all for musical development projects like The BIG Project: encouraging young musicians and helping them gain experience of live performance is admirable, for sure. The kids involved in The BIG Gig all had a lot of heart, yes, and the backing collective - local, established musicians - were everything you might expect, pretty solid and straightforward. But that's about it. There's no real enjoyment to gain from listening to ill-realised socio-political lyrics and untuned wailings through gritted teeth, unless you're a parent. Maybe it felt too like a visionary episode of becoming a frustrated, musical father at some school concert. To my parents - I'm very sorry.
Music Box, 15 Aug, 7.00pm (9.00pm), £10, fpp 142.
tw rating 2/5
[ab]

British Chamber Music For Strings And Wind
Sinfonia Chamber Ensemble
The unassuming surroundings of St Mark's artSpace are perfect for the airs of Sinfonia Chamber Ensemble; a cosy, but not cramped environment. We are treated to three differing pieces of music, each of which showcases the ensemble's considerable talent. Howard Ferguson's Octet op 4 is haunting to begin, with anticipatory strings, quickly galloping to an abrupt climax. We are promised that Egon Wellesz's Octet op 67 will be 'dark and disturbing', and it doesn't disappoint; written in 1949, echoes of the war abound, with a recurring theme reminiscent of a bugler's fanfare and an occasionally dissonant, chaotic feel. The addition of a flute for Stanford's Serenade in F demonstrates how well the group fit together. A faultless, engaging musical experience.
St. Mark's artSpace, 7 Castle Terrace, 15 Aug, 5.00pm (6.30pm), £8.00 (£5.00), fpp 143.
tw rating 4/5
[ks]

Dayve Dean: Octagon 08
Dayve Dean
Firstly, Dayve Dean is a very nice man. He is also one more from the brood of bland, unimaginative wind-'em-up-and-watch-'em-spin musicians, with songs by numbers that feel like a mixture of all other vacuous, vapid, soulless singer-songwriter material gargled and drooled out, phlegmy, bilious, emetic. It's muzak, essentially. The kind that turns a department store into a labyrinth of slow social insanity. The kind that a simple four-note minor pattern on a piano with sustain, no dynamics, no variation, no voice; and no REM or Crowded House covers can ever save or turn this hour into anything more than feeling sorry for that Martin acoustic guitar for having some fleshy automaton attached.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, dates vary, times vary, £8.00 (£6.00), fpp 146.
tw rating 1/5
[ab]

George 'Hurricane' Watson: Acoustic Hits
George Watson
I felt like I was being attacked by George Watson's guitar playing. The volume was uncomfortably high and his strumming so brash that at times the gig became a wall of noise. That is not to say he is a bad guitarist; he's certainly technically gifted and can hold a tune, it was all just a bit too full-on. His covers are accomplished if not outstanding, though I found his own material to be questionable in its Americana stylings. An uncomfortable amount of time was spent tuning and retuning, and tepid crowd banter was annoyingly interjected with Watson strumming random chords. This performance would have been improved tenfold if carried out with a little more discretion.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 14 - 15 August, times vary, £10.00 (£8.00), fpp 151.
tw rating 2/5
[th]

Graffiti Classics
Festival Highlights
Graffiti Classics would probably have worn better if there were not a stunning show in the same style, 'Pagagnini', on at the Universal Arts Theatre. Unfortunately, 'Graffiti Classics', though entertaining, is not stunning and doesn't compare to the aforementioned rival. The musicianship is average, and the comedy mainly arises from silly and smutty suggestions, and whilst it is understandably hot on stage, flicking sweat upon undeserving audience members is not really value for money. 'Air on a G String' re-named as 'Ode to a Piece of Lingerie' is clever, and there were some high points, such as 'Danny Boy' and 'Hava Nigila'. Had I not already seen Pagagnini this might have seemed better, it just didn't bear great comparison.
Pleasance Dome, 9 - 17 Aug, 3.55pm (4.00pm), prices vary, fpp 151.
tw rating 3/5
[rs]

Air Alba
Nancy Nicolson
I should admit that I'm usually rather sceptical about Scottish folk songs in basement bars, and at first The Royal Oak felt like the kind of bar where everyone goes quiet and stares when a stranger comes in, so you can imagine my pleasant surprise when Nancy Nicholson herself welcomed each of us into the tiny basement, introducing us to each other, before launching into an unexpected but witty rendition of a modern folk song about the Iraq war. Alistair then took the stage, with a brilliant mixture of songs, stories, jokes and anecdotes, with a real vitality and sense of history. The music and atmosphere gave the whole show a feeling of timelessness and intimacy - far from the usual touristy tartan kitsch.
The Royal Oak, 1 - 24 Aug, times vary, £5, fpp 138.
tw rating 3/5
[sh]

Funking Cool Jazz: Souled Out
The Black Tie Band
Reaching into the well-known and loved assorted milieu of funk and soul classics, The Black Tie Band filled an hour with infectious, head-wriggling music. This very young jazz group was certainly impressive in parts, but occasionally faltered; the drumming was inconsistent, the brass section took a long while to comfortably settle into the groove, and the male vocal was a little unsettling, nasal and forced in places. Three shining aspects: Sinead's wonderful vocals and confident, diva-ish swagger; the solid bass playing that too often had to carry the funk; and Ed Blunt on the keys. For me he was the absolute highlight, gyrating around on the stool like a white Ray Charles.
Zoo Southside, 17 - 25 Aug, 9.00pm (10.00pm), £6.00 (£5.00), fpp 150.
tw rating 3/5
[ab]

MUSICALS AND OPERA

Marx Brothers' 'Animal Crackers' - A Musical Comedy
The American High School Theatre Festival
A revival of the 1928 Broadway production that preceded the famous film, 'Animal Crackers' is a show devoid of comedy. The young cast are entirely out of their depth in this innuendo-heavy musical, and this is not helped by the very poor quality of the singing. The only enjoyable moments of this production are Arabella and Wally's duet, and the admirable performance of Chris LeVan as Captain Spaulding (the Groucho role), but sadly these are not enough to save the show. The slapstick was clumsy, singing mediocre at best, and inexplicably Ravelli was played by a girl in a skirt - but consistently referred to as a man! A baffling, bumbling production that had none of the charm of the original.
Church Hill Theatre, 15-16 and 18-19 Aug, times vary, £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 174.
tw rating 1/5
[dk]

Steam
Danish New Musical Development Centre Uterus
With its boy/ girl gangs and larger than life hair, make-up and characters, this energetic musical is a rock and pop mix between 'Grease' and 'Hairspray' that will leave you smiling. A strong cast bound their way through this modern adaptation of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and act, dance and sing their socks off. The end is a little abrupt and you get the definite sense that the full-scale production has been cut in order to fit within the standard Fringe hour and fifteen minutes time frame, which was a shame, really, as the audience definitely wanted that second act. Particular highlights were all the girls' performances throughout - a rare treat to hear such powerful, consistent voices - and the boys' barbershop quartet.
Musical @ George Square, 18 - 19 Aug, 8.45pm (9.45pm), £8.50 (£7.50), fpp 178.
tw rating 4/5
[ad]

Alice, Mindy And Friends
LIPA Graduates 08
The message repeated in this all-female revue was that joining "An All-Girl Band" is the solution to all the problems of the modern woman. The tune was catchy, but, like much of the material, its lyrics lacked the depth to make a real impact. Every stereotypical female experience you might expect was covered - first dates, friendships and that of the secretary who fantasises about trashy novels. There were some great comic scenes which stuck out amongst the more clichéd numbers, especially the teacher at a parent's evening who is annoyed by an overachieving child and the over-dramatic poetry readings from the 'For Women Only' collection. Ultimately the show was saved by the strong vocal performances which made the best of restrictive material.
Augustine's, 19 - 25 Aug, 9.50pm (10.40pm), £5.00 (£3.50), fpp 168.
tw rating 3/5
[lr]

THEATRE

Anatomy Of Gray
The American High School Theatre Festival
June, an irritatingly precocious 15-year-old, is praying for something exciting to happen in her dreary town of Gray, Indiana. She gets her wish, as Dr Gray turns up, delivered by a thunderstorm and a ballooning accident, and suddenly brings the town to life. It's not a terribly original plot, but a sweet moral fable nonetheless, with some fine acting and clever direction. Much of the minimalist production works, some of it doesn't. The same could be said for the jokes, which I'm sure are delivered as the author intended, but seem to jar with the rest of the play's language. Still, all in all this is a well put together, entertaining piece of theatre.
Church Hill Theatre, 15 - 18 Aug, times vary, £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 182.
tw rating 3/5
[amc]

The Dream-Maker
Temenos Theatre
Described as an experience rather than a show, 'The Dream-Maker' certainly was that. Apart from maybe one or two very low lights, the main lighting came in the form of candles, lit by Helen Frost in her opening ritual whilst sounds of the jungle and the wind were playing in the background. All very atmospheric and intended to soothe the mind into new, unbound states of thought. However, to be perfectly honest, the whole experience felt like the relaxation exercise which takes place at the end of a yoga class. Although it was nice to leave the theatre feeling calm and peaceful, I am not very sure what Frost was ultimately trying to achieve.
Spotlites @ The Merchant's Hall, 7-17 Aug, times vary, £9.00 (£8.00), fpp 197.
tw rating 2/5
[lp]

Wyrd Sisters
Arkle Theatre Company
Even someone like me who has never read Pratchett knows there's lots to love about his books, as this adaptation proves. The titular Wyrd Sisters of the piece were cast perfectly, with a special note to Carol Davidson as Nanny Ogg. The dialogue was sometimes slow in parts, but was the finest element of this production, for while the laughs weren't strong, the lines consistently provoked smiles. There were some pacing issues, especially the very short scenes that required blackouts and props to be moved about, but the comedy in between was enough to detract from that. Overall, it was a well-performed play that will satisfy Pratchett and non-Pratchett fans alike.
Mayfield Salisbury Church, 11 - 16 Aug, 8.30pm (10pm), £10 (£8), fpp 242.
tw rating 4/5
[lh]

Yesterday When I Was Mad
Fierce
Popular wisdom dictates that mental instability should be one of those things that's easy to portray on stage; this production had people taking their clothes off, rocking back and forth and swearing, all of which ticks the boxes but isn't quite enough in itself. This is a young company and it will take a little more experience before they can be totally convincing, but this still makes for a highly watchable play, with moments of great acting, especially from Alana Southgate, playing Maggie. The plot, however, is puzzling: each character has their own story, but repeated allusions to Blair's New Labour along with the song 'Things Can Only Get Better' lost me completely. A shame in an otherwise coherent production.
Rocket @ Roxburghe Hotel, 11 - 16 Aug, 16.10pm (17.10pm), £9.00 (£7.00), fpp n/a.
tw rating 3/5
[jwm]

From the Gates to the Gallows - A Murder Mystery
Curtains Entertainment
I was definitely indulged with enough intrigue, scheming and men in silly boots for my first murder mystery experience. The actors in this show performed with an impressive amount of energy, as they all took to their characters' traits with ease. Darren Bottomore as Mr Grenville was particularly striking and his performance as the eccentric village drunk was convincing, if reminiscent of Johnny Depp's manic 'Jack Sparrow'. On the downside, the tale was initially a tad confusing, and the time-span unclear, but the actors nonetheless managed to turn this around with their rigorous 'question time', and if they did falter under the scrutiny of a harsh audience, it certainly didn't show. It was this level of grounded interaction which made the show so much fun.
The Space@Venue, 18 - 23 Aug, 4.05pm (5.05pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 201.
tw rating 3/5
[km]

Lust Of The Eyes
Room 37
Like Pre-Raphaelite muses in their cream-coloured robes, nine sixth-form sylphs from Cheltenham Ladies College tell the tragic tale of Lizzie Siddal, wife and iconic model of painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The play consists of the chorus of women who, speaking in overlapping verse and fragmented prose, collectively perform the roles of artist and model. Director Fiona Ross has created a sensitive piece of theatre with her young cast; gliding, tumbling, and weaving in and out of empty picture frames, they depict Lizzie in the Laudanum haze to which she became addicted. Famously, Millais painted Siddal as the drowning Ophelia; Lizzie drowns in Laudanum and jealous love for Rossetti, and ultimately like Ophelia, is "as one incapable of her own distress."
The Vault, 19 - 23 Aug, 2.45pm (3.45pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 212.
tw rating 3/5
[dp]

Othello (cycle part III)
Chambers Shakespeare Company
Purely focusing on Othello's side of the story this production is compact and concentrated. The production is packed to the gunnels with raw emotion; highlighted by the minimal props and cast members. A mere three actors, all bursting with talent, make-up this production, a factor which seems to give it even greater power. Othello's character is truly exposed through this interpretation and the effects of the gnawing pain of Desdemona's betrayal can be seen physically and emotionally grinding him down. Othello's physicality convulses with intensity as the play progresses creating an emotionally shattering effect. This emotional trauma is aided by the intimate venue that is lit by candle light and allows the audience to sit around the action.
Hudson Hotel, 3 - 25th Aug (not 11, 18), 3.00pm (4.00pm), prices vary, fpp 221.
tw rating 4/5
[mi]

Romeo and Juliet
Globe Touring
I can forgive poor delivery, bad staging, rubbish props, hell, even crap weather, but what I won't forgive in a production of 'Romeo and Juliet' is a lack of emotional depth. Apart from the bad weather, this staging thankfully possessed none of the former, but it did have the latter in spades. I wanted to be swept away with the youthful passion and age old rivalries of the Capulets and Montagues, but sadly I simply left the Botanical Gardens rain-sodden, and down-hearted. The small Globe troupe were consummate professionals and ploughed through their lines during torrential rain, but they let themselves down by lacking true conviction. This was particularly demonstrated by Mercutio, who rather distractingly humped everything in sight.
Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh - Inverleith House Lawn, 19 - 23 Aug, 7.30pm (9.50pm), £15.00 (£10.00), fpp 226.
tw rating 2/5
[rsj]

Satisfaction
Death By Waxing
After an over-long, ethnically confused dance routine, this got to the meat of things and it proved to be an accomplished tragedy. Three polished performances make this play tick, each working well within their carefully crafted and defined characters. Both monologue and dialogue are well written and the switch between the two is fluid and logical throughout, the two complementing each other and working well in tandem. The explosive climax is heavy hitting, though in the wake of this the underlying message of the story was unclear. At times it became a little befuddling leaving one character's role in the plot a bit foggy, and there are plausibility issues here, but this is an endearing and emotionally involving hour nonetheless.
The Vault, 19 - 25 Aug, 5.45pm (4.40pm), £7.00 (£6.00), fpp 228.
tw rating 3/5
[th]

After Paul McCartney
Victory Dog Productions
No matter how well written or performed it is, a monologue lasting 75 minutes is going to struggle to hold your attention. Rob Johansen is excellent in this tale of two childhood friends reuniting to go in search of the ex-Beatle, a journey that takes them from the US to Scotland and back again. Additionally, David Hoppe's script is lyrical and engaging, but the piece ultimately becomes a performed audiobook, and despite the best efforts of the solo performer the audience's attention does wander, and at times you wonder where the piece will go. Johansen vocally delineates each of the characters well, but it would have been nice to see a little more physicality and movement in the performance.
Augustine's, 19-24 Aug, 2.45pm (4.00pm), £8.50 (£7.00), fpp 180.
tw rating 3/5
[dk]

Til Death Do Us Part
Hathi Productions
Alf Garnett is turning in his grave; in the ultimate coup, a foreigner has taken not his job, but his character. Chugenlal Joshi is a British Indian who reads The Sun and complains about his no-good second wife who wants to appear on 'Britain's got talent'. The highlights of the show are probably her jokes as she demonstrates some stand-up to the audience - she admits they are plagiarised, but they are well chosen. The plot is a little confused, with a rather odd, role-reversing conclusion and some largely unjustified singing and dancing, but it makes some sense as a character comedy. On the whole, this is a sweet, enjoyable portrait of an odd couple, but don't expect too much depth.
The Space@Jury's Inn (V260), 18 - 23 Aug, 19.35pm (20.35pm), prices vary, fpp 237.
tw rating 3/5
[jwm]

Song
Broken Glass
Three actors recount the disjointed memories and thoughts of one man deep in despair, heading for self-destruction. One word of advice, then: do not see this if you are feeling a bit down yourself, as this could throw you over the edge. This is harrowing and dark, but serves as an atmospheric and deeply haunting tale of revenge and desperation, the well performed and chilling monologues exerting a powerful hold over the audience. It is a well written piece which does well in its aim of showing the fragmented and twisted experiences of a young man. If you are looking for cheery escapism then this is not for you.
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, 19-25 Aug, 12.15pm (12.45pm), £5.00 (£3.00), fpp 232.
tw rating 3/5
[kn]

Yours Anne
Bassetlaw Youth Theatre, Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Service
Anne Frank's diary is obviously poignant theatrical material, but this short youth production deftly and elegantly highlighted elements of the text without being repetitive or over-sentimental. Nine girls played nine Annes, reminding us that her words represent the many silenced voices of the Holocaust. Using extracts from her diary along with ensemble work, the production set the horror of the world outside against the frustration of Anne's confinement and her yearning to be free. Beautiful images were constructed with strips of plain white material and repeated gestures of closing and opening doors, whilst the young cast performed with great sincerity and used the stage space well, the inclusion of gentle contemporary music giving the production a timeless feel.
The Space @ Venue 45, 18 - 23 Aug, 3.15pm (3.50pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 243.
tw rating 3/5
[lr]

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