Kat's favouite photos. As the Festival reaches its climax, ThreeWeeks photographers pick out their favourites from the pictures they've taken this year. Today Kat Gollock picks her pictures of Camille, The Twilight Sad and Glenn Wool.

DOHERTY WINS THE IF.COMEDY AWARD
So, in the end, and despite our predictions, David O'Doherty beat Rhod Gilbert, Russell Kane and Kristin Schaal & Kurt Braunhohler to take the big comedy prize of the Festival this year. He was announced the winner of the 2008 if.comedy Award at the Jam House last night, and was promptly presented with a cheque for eight grand, which is nice.

Commenting on the overall winner this year, if.comedy Award director Nica Burns told reporters: "After one of the longest, most animated debates, the panel finally chose from this very strong shortlist a comedian whose work can only be summed up as utterly delightful. An hour with David O'Doherty fills the world with laughter and charm, and sends you home on a wave of happiness".

In the newcomer department, Sarah Millican beat Mike Wozniak and Pippa Evans to win. After accepting her prize she told the BBC: "I feel less sick than I did 20 minutes ago, and I feel accepted, I think. You want to win, but if you do win, you have to go up and say something - so that's scary. Then if you don't win, will your face say that you're pleased for the other people? I'm quite easy to read and I was worried it was going to be really, really obvious that I was naffed off if I hadn't won".

--

WINEHOUSE JOKE WINS AWARD
And one last comedy-style award for you. TV channel Dave has been asking punters to vote for the funniest joke at the Fringe this year, and have declared a Zoe Lyons gag as the winner, after it got the most votes (though only 12% of the overall voting, which was split over a wide number of jokes).

The gag in question involved tabloid favourite Amy Winehouse and went something like this: "I can't believe Amy Winehouse self-harms. She's so irritating she must be able to find someone to do it for her". Poor Amy.

Told about her victory in the Dave survey, Lyons told reporters: "I am absolutely delighted to have won the award. I know self-harming is not funny but it's just a joke, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it".

I actually I think that quote is quite a bit funnier than the gag itself. Perhaps we should have a 'funniest response to winning a funniest gag competition' survey.

Answering the ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz today... Scottish Falsettoe Sock Puppet Theatre

1. What is your 2008 show all about? It's our second year at Edinburgh and this time we are trying to do every single thing that might get us on the telly. So we have songs, we have a historical re-enactment of the Mods v the Rockers, we have Shakespeare's The Scottish play, we have a sitcom, we have a guest appearance by German band Kraftwerk who do improv, we... sound desperate don't we? 2. Why should we come and see it? Because we are pure dead brilliant and everyone says so, eg ie for example The Scotsman who called us "a hoot" and The Stage who said we were "utterly irresistible".

7. What advice would you have for someone trying to survive the Fringe?
Obviously avoid too much food, and make sure you have your minimum of five drinks a day.

8. Describe your show in three words
Socks. Violence. Hosiery.

The Return Of The Scottish Falesetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 30 Jul - 24 Aug (last show tonight!), 8.45pm (9.45pm), pirces vary, fpp 91.

Even more reviews for you! Enjoy...

Speedy links:
Comedy - Dance - Events - Music - Politics - Theatre

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

COMEDY

Rebus McTaggart: CrimeWarrior
Festival Highlights
I've never experienced anything quite like this before. It's mockingly sexy, it's naughty, and it's hugely entertaining. There is no end to this man's talents; artist, puppeteer, mime artist, singer, police officer, sir and of course first rate comedian. I was completely blown away by his mime stage fighting that was so mind bogglingly in time with the awesome sound effects, I have to urge you please to go see this show and not only for this. Stripping into drag, you'll get more than you bargained for, especially in the front row - me and my companion realised we'd had our hands over our mouths, jaws to the floor for quite some time. He's fighting crime as well as indulging in a little necrophilia.
Pleasance Dome, 18 - 25 Aug, 4.00pm (5.00pm), prices vary, fpp 90.
tw rating 5/5
[da]

Rob Heeney - No Pressure
robheeney.com/PBH's Free Fringe
Rob Heeney's a good stand-up. Relentlessly affable, friendly and engaging, if not always exactly a ray of sunshine, he has the art of telling funny stories on a microphone in a pub down to a tee. But when he bares his soul at the end of his set Rob Heeney becomes more than just a good stand-up, and real truth shines through his safe material, making you look back on his laid-back set with new insight, laughing all over again. It's this that makes Heeney into a great entertainer, rather than just a well rehearsed one, ten-a-penny in Edinburgh's crowded comedy scene. This is comedy that belongs on a much bigger stage - catch him for free while you can.
The Canon's Gait, 2 - 24 Aug (not 12), 8.25pm (9.20pm), free, fpp 92.
tw rating 4/5
[rj]

Sing-Along-A-The-Joy-Of-Sex
Smurthwaite-Mulholland/PBH's Free Fringe
Sex, sex, sex. It's all comedians think about, talk about and now they're singing about it and getting the audience to join in too. As someone's whose entirely un-fazed by sexual intercourse, I was surprisingly taken by the pair's raunchy routine. Kate Smurthwaite, with her sharp stand-up skills, does most of the talking, explaining that two people are better able to fulfill audience desires for sexual comedy. David Mulholland meanwhile adds his soulful tones to the partnership, creating strong comedic chemistry and giving birth to some wicked numbers. Virtually viagra, this double-act will have your comic juices flowing; it certainly inspired a long sweaty night for this reviewer.
The Canon's Gait, 2 - 23 Aug (not 10, 17), 12.00am (1.00am), free non-ticketed, fpp 96.
tw rating 4/5
[se]

The Liar Show
The Liarshow
Four fabulous comedians, four fantastical stories, three of which are true. What's more, the acts rotate every night, so this is also a wonderful way to see some fresh comedic talent that you might not otherwise have known about. It was an unbelievably enjoyable and engrossing hour of fun, the anecdotal tales ranging from a disastrous flight fiasco to a too-good-to-be-true camping adventure, and from a New York gun crime cop, 'The Sopranos'' style, to a lovely bloke who's recently discovered he's a brother again. All are as touching as they are personal, and as hilarious as they are incredible. Get along and test your interrogative powers; if you can spot the lie you might win a T-shirt.
Underbelly, 6.35pm (7.45pm), 2 - 24 Aug (not 13), prices vary, fpp 72
tw rating 4/5
[da]

Laughing Horse Free Late Night Comedy Club
Laughing Horse Free Festival
Another late night comedy pick of the Fringe, and one that promises a laugh at least every 10 minutes with the fantastic Andy White bringing articulate wit to his compère duties. The acts he announces on a show like this may prove to be a different story though. It's all too easy to go from the sublime to the sorrowful when there are two of those wee small hours to be filled. You may be treated to the best Finnish comedian in Edinburgh right now, Tomi Walamies, or you may get some strange Dutchman who doesn't know why he's there. Certainly worth a risk if the Fringe hasn't got to you by one in the morning.
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 31 Jul - 30 Aug, times vary, free non-ticketed, fpp 71.
tw rating 3/5
[tm]

Pajama Men: Versus Vs Versus
Second City and Fringe Management
After an hour of watching this comedy duo, my tummy muscles were hurting and my jaw was aching - I laughed solidly from the very beginning to the very end. Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez are, without a doubt, unabashed comedy geniuses. Jumping around the stage in only their pyjamas, they portray their eccentric characters to great effect, switching between each with a show of great physical skill and amazing use of voice. Accompanied by a guitar player, the sketches move back and forth between different stories: a father and daughter on the run, two feuding knights trying to save a princess, even a bat that plays chess. Wicked, clever and funny, this is comedy at its best.
Assembly @ George Street, 31 Jul - 24 Aug, 7.40pm (8.40pm), prices vary, fpp 85.
tw rating 4/5
[lp]

Slutty Livin'
Jonathan Hellyer
At first glance, I couldn't help but feel that I had seen Miss Lavinia Slutford somewhere before. Could it have been that I had seen her in one of her pioneering porn musicals- 'Seven Rides For Seven Brothers', 'Oklahomo' or 'Tranny Get Your Gun'? Christ, I hope not. Lavinia, Jonathan Hellyer's alter ego, announces that she will be slipping into various people during the show. Thankfully, she means celebrity characters and not audience members, and she does this with aplomb and an amazing aptitude for adopting accents. Drag shows are notoriously funny but often mean spirited bitch-fests; instead, 'Slutty Livin' is a showcase for Hellyer's extraordinarily broad ranging vocals and comedic acting skills.
Pleasance Courtyard, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 18), 11.00pm, prices vary, fpp 97.
tw rating 3/5
[mb]

Storytellers' Club
C Presents: Storytellers' Club At The Establishment
There was a real sense of togetherness at this late night storytelling show. The audience listened attentively, the performers sat in the audience to listen to their fellow acts, everyone could participate; it was all nice and cosy. Five different performers took to the stage to tell their tales about supermarket cold rooms, fundamentalists, a serial book signing fanatic and truckers. The two highlights (not that others were less special) were Luke Wright and his poem about his first love from 'the other side of the tracks' and Robin Ince, who came jetting in from a frantic day, with a story about poo. Did I mention there was an audience short story competition about celebrity meets? A good night was had by all.
C Central, 2, 9, 16, 23 Aug, 11.45pm (1.15am), £8.50 (£5.50), fpp 100.
tw rating 4/5
[mj]

Tom Stade: Oh F**k, Do We Need A Title Too!
Stand Comedy Club
Canadian stand up Tom Stade has a certain arrogant charm on stage, and he like to say fuck. A lot. He also likes to pick on the audience, but luckily they seem to enjoy it. The crowd really gets behind his material (indeed, they provide quite a lot of it), which begins by taking an unromantic look at long-term love, sex and marriage. Things got a little more controversial - and a little more interesting - later in his set, when he solicited outraged but delighted laughter with jokes on such subjects as African orphans, schizophrenic pot-heads and Jesus being the only religious figure who's used as a swear word. There were flashes of original, brilliantly delivered humour here, but sadly they were only flashes.
The Stand Comedy Club II, 31 Jul - 24 Aug (not 11), 9.05pm (10.05pm), £8.00 (£7.00), fpp 105.
tw rating 3/5
[hw]

Why We Ate Cliff Richard
The Roaring Boys
If you delight in all things Cliff this show is certainly for you, but if your knowledge of the Cliff canon is less than broad, many of the puns and jokes based around his life and lyrics will pass you by. However, even if the latter is the case some entertainment is to be had from this melodramatic tale of cannibalism and pop star fanaticism, performed with a streak of hyperactivity by its authors and actors Jonathan Donahoe and Daniel Benoliel. Two friends attend a Cliff Richard convention in the Swiss Alps, and disaster ensues when the star's limo crashes with them in it. From the oddity of the story arises a party of a show, but only Cliff aficionados will have a ball.
Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 2), 2.15pm (3.05pm), prices vary, fpp 108.
tw rating 3/5
[dp]

Wilson Dixon Rides Again
Stand Comedy Club
Some of the character comedians I've seen thus far at this year's fringe have made me wince - it's a difficult medium to master, persuading the audience accept your assumed silly voice/costume/facial tic and also engage with the comedy - but Wilson Dixon is that rare thing: a ridiculous character so perfectly pitched that you begin to forget it's a character at all. Dixon's voice, a quiet, precise country twang, can become a little monotonous, but his material and delivery is sublime; subtly surreal with an edge of pathos and just a hint of menace. The subject matter is perhaps a little obvious - making fun of America's rural poor ain't hardly nothin' new - but Dixon is more than just a stereotype.
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1 - 24 Aug (not 11), 6.00pm (7.00pm), prices vary, fpp 110.
tw rating 4/5
[rj]

Carnival des Phénomènes
Carnival des Phénomènes Late Night Comedy club
An alcoholic improv game, "Sip it or Tip it", sets the tone for this gig; the audience get to decide whether the improvisation was any good or whether the improviser should down their drink. Unsurprisingly, cheers for tipping drown out sipping, however great the improv. A chaotic carnival with MC Rob Broderick keeps the drunken audience in check to allow the mainly improvisational performers a chance to shine. It isn't easy with rowdy crowds, especially as "Tip it!" becomes the evening's favoured indiscriminate heckle, but they pull off one of the best Fringe comedy nights I've ever seen, closing with a confident, fast-paced routine from sexy young stand-up Jack Whitehall; so very hot, especially after all the tipping and sipping.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 1 - 24 Aug, 12.30am (4.00am), prices vary, fpp 37.
tw rating 4/5
[se]

Chris Cross - Escaping from Reality (!)
Chris Cross/PBH's Free Fringe
Cross himself and the ceiling in the venue were the only wet things about this show. The former because an angry bald man was unable to laugh at himself and instead, upended his pint over Cross and the latter, a result of a shoddy plumbing job. The cheeky Geordie certainly enjoys himself at the audience's expense, but there is absolutely no malice in him. Anyway, the real reason Cross is here is to contort his body and escape from a straight jacket in record time. I must confess that I didn't see much; my options were to be a total girl and close my eyes, or spew all over the girl in front, but what I did manage to see was amazing!
Nicol Edwards, 2 - 24 Aug, 11.45pm (12.45pm), free, fpp 38.
tw rating 4/5
[mb]

Political Animal
Avalon Promotions and Underbelly Productions
Andy Zaltzman has decided to save the world, through the medium of stand-up comedy. He begins by asking how much we're enjoying the war or terror, then covers all the major topics with his dry, sarcastic humour. This evening his guests included Sarah Millican; entirely un-political (and un-politically correct), chatting about the kinkier side of sex with an undisguised glee. Mark Olver falls a little flat, explaining how he walked from Brighton to Edinburgh, and Glenn Wool, still buzzing from his own show downstairs, pokes fun at our attitude to immigrants then leaves with a cheery "goodnight faggots!" Despite the uncomfortably hot bomb-shelter disguised as a Fringe venue, this is a great place to find intelligent, witty comedy.
Underbelly, dates vary, 10.30pm (11.50pm), £10.50 (£9.50), fpp 88.
tw rating 4/5
[gs]

Sowerby & Luff - Sex Tips For Pandas
Georgina and Brian are a pleasant and friendly duo whose independent comedic styles compliment each other well. While Brian is confident and strong, Georgina is slightly timid and shy as well as flirty, giggly and full of wonder. I do feel a bit sorry for sluggish pandas though. They introduced two enjoyable stand up acts, of young, new talent. The first act offered quite straight faced comedy and had a good sense of comic timing while the second, Chris Martin, was impressively original, and had great stage presence and charisma. Chris and his friends are also planning a huge charity event for Comic Relief, 'Cricket on Mount Everest'. A fun hour and all for the price of diddly squat.
The Dragonfly, 3-23 Aug, 6.40pm (7.40pm), free non-ticketed, fpp 97.
tw rating 3/5
[da]

The Stand Late Club
Stand Comedy Club
Sitting in a room scrawled with injunctions not to chat during the show, with a painting of a boy pointing a gun at his own head, you wait eagerly to find out the results of the comedy lottery that is The Stand Late Club. You'd have to be really quite unlucky with the five comedians who turn up to feel short-changed, considering the prices big shot comedians are charging these days. The night I went, there wasn't a dud act, and we were graced with the presence of Rich Hall and Ed Byrne. It's a rare treat to see comedians like this in their natural habitat - the small, dark comedy club saturated with lager. Definitely worth the gamble.
The Stand Comedy Club, 28, 29, 20 Aug, 9.00pm (11.30pm), prices vary, fpp 98.
tw rating 4/5
[cw]

DANCE AND PHYSICAL THEATRE

Forgotten
Fishamble
There will be a point early on in this captivating, invigorating piece of dance theatre when the world will fall away, and you are left with Pat Kinevane. His body stripped almost naked, Kinevane articulates perfectly - with every part of himself - what it is to be human, with an intensity and precision in his physicality that is almost ethereal, though crucially, it's not; he is always reminding us that this is live, all too real and occasionally harrowing in its honesty. His body is mesmerising, conveying a power and pride in old age that is breathtaking. The lean, beautiful writing complements Kinevane's physical storytelling with exhilarating effect. Witty, relevant and disturbing, it paints an engaging, resonant narrative that left me profoundly moved.
Dance Base - National Centre for Dance, 20 - 23 Aug, 6.00pm (7.20pm), £11.00 (£7.00), fpp n/a.
tw rating 5/5
[rj]

InvAsian Festival: Vismayaha
Dance Ihayami
Vismayaha is a masterclass in precision. The talented dance troupe performs a repertoire of Kuchipudi and Bharathanatyam dances, as well as fusion pieces performed to Celtic music. The pace is fast and rhythmic as the dancers whirl and beat in their beautiful costumes. But it is the precision of each meaningful hand gesture, facial expression and movement of even just the eyes that gives the dance significance and demonstrates the quality of the performance. Fascinating too are the often religious stories that the dances are based on. Make sure you take a minute to read about their meaning before the performance starts. A spectacular and highly skilled performance.
ClubWEST@ Quincentenary Hall, 10 - 23 Aug, 8.15pm (9.15pm), £9.00 (£7.00), fpp 117.
tw rating 4/5
[seg]

Castle Rocks Breakdance Championships In Association With Strathmore
Moving In Circles
As legs spun like helicopter blades and bodies contorted, sprung and flipped endlessly to a tailor-made soundtrack and adoring crowd of fellow B-boys and B-girls, I realised I was probably the least cool person in this entire venue. The overwhelming energy here, the passion and aggression of the teams of two facing off against each other in knock-out rounds, was completely engaging. I remained fixated for the whole of the four hours. Acts originated from everywhere between Aberdeen and South Korea and it was great to watch little plots and subplots unfold between them as the competition progressed. Anyone who has ever fleetingly wished they could spin on their head will find this mighty good fun.
City Edinburgh, 16 Aug, 6.00pm (10.00pm), £9.00 (£8.00), fpp 113.
tw rating 4/5
[th]

SVA (Vital Force)
Ragamala Music and Dance Theater
If you're not already an admirer of Bharatanatyam, a 2000 year old form of Indian Classical Dance, you certainly will be by the end of this stunning production. Co-artistic director and performer Aprana Ramaswamy in particular conveys wonderfully the intricacy, simplicity and spirituality of the art form with highly expressive use of the eyes, hands, and carriage of the body in 'Ardhanareeshwara Stotram'. Featuring Wodaiko Ensemble TOKARA's Art Lee and Harumi Tamaoki (translate as very loud, dynamic drumming), two mystical traditions merge seamlessly for the final performance and encore that followed. The age and grandeur of venue is particularly suitable, although choose your pew carefully as you'll want to savour every moment of this magical show.
St John's Church, 20 - 23 Aug, 7.30pm (8.30pm), £12.00 (£10.00), fpp 122
tw rating: 4/5
[bw]

Invasion Festival: Kathakali 'Kalyanasawgandhikam'
Dance Ihayami
After falling in love with India a few years back, I was really looking forward to seeing this. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world, and I was left hugely in awe of the talented performers I saw in India. Unfortunately this performance failed to live up to my expectations as the two character story was at times difficult to follow due to the flat seating arrangement, and I also thought the use of live music would have been much more effective. However, the costumes are spectacular, and you can't fault the discipline and talent of the cast who convey the story through tiny hand and facial movements as well as complicated dance steps.
Club WEST @ Quincentenary Hall, The Royal College of Surgeons, 3, 10, 16, Aug, 11.30am (12.30pm), prices vary, fpp 116.
tw rating 3/5
[ad]

Jungalbook
The American High School Theatre Festival
I arrived at the Church Hill Theatre very sceptical about this 'street' adaptation of Kipling's classic tale by American Highschoolers, but left rather more impressed than I thought I would be. The play was dogged by the perhaps inevitable amateurishness of school theatre: the acting was at times very one-dimensional; the stage fighting utterly unconvincing and a ridiculous rasta wig even fell off at one point, but there was more than enough here to keep things interesting. The outlandish, playful design and impressive set made for a visually arresting experience, and one or two of the performances stood out as actually decent and complex - Bagheera in particular. This is a clever and curious, if somewhat childish and shallow, adaptation.
Church Hill Theatre, 15 - 20 Aug (not 17, 19), times vary, £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 117.
tw rating 3/5
[rj]

EVENTS

Neal's Yard Remedies Chill Out Zone
The student budget does not generally stretch to therapy, however, after a three-week diet of black coffee and inadequate amounts of sleep, a trip to Neal's Yard seemed a possibility to mitigate some of the damage. And so it proved; my 'taster' experience produced two cups of tea and twenty minutes of expert pummelling courtesy of Vladimira, which came under the title of 'Shiatsu' and certainly did wonders for neck muscles hardened by hours sub-editing reviews in the ThreeWeeks office. I wish such relaxation was always affordable, although the combination of free tea, free browsing and a specially-priced Festival head massage does potentially allow for erasing memories of a terrible show, with only moderate damage to the pocket.
102 Hanover Street, 2 - 27 Aug, 10.00am (7.00pm), prices vary, fpp 128.
tw rating 4/5
[lws]
tw

Cliff Wright Drawing Workshop
Cliff Wright & Friends
Have you ever tried drawing without looking at the page? I highly recommend it. Cliff Wright's workshop isn't so much about ways to approach the paper - it's more about seeing the thing you're drawing in such a way that you don't need to think about how to approach the paper. This sounds rather mystical, and in a sense it is. During the first exercises you're likely to feel a little silly as you turn out childlike scribbles, but by the end of the workshop everyone in the group has produced some fascinatingly artistic efforts, and for most, something has 'clicked'. Cliff is wonderfully reassuring, and unlike a mystic he explains his methods well; even practised artists stand to learn something.
Cliff Wright & Friends (V249), 9 - 23 Aug, 14.15pm (15.30pm), £4.00, fpp n/a.
tw rating 4/5
[jwm]

The Red Room
Belt Up (Nothing to See/Hear)
There's a light glimmering in the darkness, I'm wearing a fur coat I discovered... is this Narnia? Well, I'm in the dark - blindfolds stop the participants seeing anything other than very bright light - and I do fawn over a tall man's bearded chin. It may not be Narnia but it's certainly a great escape; I completely lost myself stumbling through the darkness encountering strange objects and people. It doesn't feel like an hour; you're so immersed in the experience, following lights, getting hugged, kissed, and told stories. Therapeutic, like a return to childhood, allowing you to forget the miserable weather and the other annoyances of the outside world. This is one closet I would like to go back inside.
C central, 1 - 25 Aug, 12.00pm (1.00pm), £5.00, fpp n/a.
tw rating 4/5
[se]

Get Things Done And Have More Fun
Voluntary Arts
Less a talk and more an informal chat, 'Get Things Done And Have More Fun' is there to educate anyone interested in a career or pastime in the creative arts. The people in my group ranged from those who make a living doing crafts, to a man interested in writing as a profession. All available resources are presented to us, shedding light on vital sources of knowledge online and in our local communities. The positive demeanor of our host encouraged us all to get involved, asking questions and commenting on the startling number of people who take part in the arts and crafts in the UK and Ireland. Fascinating stuff, educational, and free.
Roman Eagle Lodge, 15 - 16 Aug, 1.00pm (2.00pm), free (non-ticketed), fpp 126.
tw rating 4/5
[amc]

Walking Tour Of Edinburgh's Old And New Towns - Free
Saints & Sinners Walking Tours
The match is very one-sided with the sinners totally trouncing the saints in this Edinburgh derby. Striking sinner Deacon Brodie, whose dark double life as a bank robber inspired the character/s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, has his own pub and museum, and the commentator delivers ripping yarns of his exploits. Whereas saintly John Knox, father of Scottish Presbyterianism gets a cursory mention as we traipse across his grave - parking space number twenty-three. A relatively strenuous tour taking in old and new towns, with the added challenge of negotiating the gauntlet that is the Royal Mile's self-promotion surfeit. Descriptions of dirty deeds and debauchery are light-heartedly recounted by our guide, though his eye for hidden architectural gems was what impressed me most.
Outside the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 1 - 30 Aug, 1.30pm (3.30pm), free non-ticketed, fpp 130.
tw rating 3/5
[se]

MUSIC

An Audience With Dana Gillespie
clubWEST productions
Dana Gillespie is a fantastic blues singer, oozing confidence and experience. She showcases her phenomenal voice with a mix of blues classics like 'St Louis Blues' as well as cheeky songs from the 1930s and 40s such as 'Organ Grinder', 'Big Ten Inch Record' and 'Meatballs', all performed with gusto. The singer is accompanied by exceptional blues pianist Joachim Palden, and they make a great pairing, plus, Gillespie has obviously had an exceptional life, telling great anecdotes throughout her performance, which adds to the evening's enjoyment. This is a great opportunity to experience a mix of classic and obscure blues performed with skill and personality by two natural performers, who obviously enjoy sharing their talent immensely.
clubWEST @ Quincentenary Hall, The Royal College of Surgeons, 18 - 23 Aug, 9.00pm (10.00pm), £12.00 (£10.00), fpp 140.
tw rating 4/5
[kk]

Blues Brothers Banned - Quest For The Cowbell
Blues Brothers Banned
Seven musicians and singers, two backing singers and soloists, a Jake and an Elwood all make for the best comedy music show I have seen this Fringe. Songs as diverse as 'Scotland The Brave', 'Shout', 'Hound Dog' and a variation of the 'Scrubs' theme tune make brilliant appearances alongside such Blues classics as 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love'. An audience of all ages were getting their groove on and I was nearly knocked out by the funky moves of a granddad doing the twist. I left with a stitch in my side, red-raw hands and a hoarse voice. I'm obviously a sucker for this kind of punishment though: if there are tickets, I'll be back next week.
Pleasance Dome, 5 - 25 Aug (not 19), 9.50pm (11.00pm), prices vary, fpp 142.
tw rating 5/5
[bw]

Colin Clyne
Accompanied by 'Big Gav' on lead guitar and in a classy black fedora, Colin Clyne played a set of mellow country blues, with a kind of Skynyrd-meets-Gomez indie sound. At their best when ripping up tunes fast and lively, and with Clyne's strong Scottish voice lending their music a nice, fresh touch to the imaginative and sometimes irreverent lyrical material, the two guitarists' performance was good, straight-up stuff. Occasionally Clyne's guitar playing turned bland, not straying far outside the comfortable boundaries of open capo chords, and Gav's Texas blues guitarist aspirations had the tendency to muddy rather than elevate, jarring with the more sombre rhythm playing. A good performance nonetheless, a warm sound, and an enjoyable hour.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 16 Aug, 5.00pm (6.00pm), £8.00 (£6.00), fpp 146.
tw rating 3/5
[ab]

David Vernon and Dick Lee
Tangos, Hungarian folk, Jewish jigs, Macedonian melodies, ragtime, Scottish harmonies and the soundtrack from 'The Godfather'; this show has it all. With accordion and clarinet, Vernon and Lee performed a variety of styles from all corners of the world, to much toe-tapping by the audience. At times the set list seemed a bit too wide-ranging, but this did serve to demonstrate the versatility of their instruments and the flexibility of their skill. The double-act were at their best when playing Vernon's original compositions, proving that not only are they excellent musicians, but also have a gift for writing music. The banter between the two made for a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, and the show was even more enjoyable as a result.
Valvona & Crolla, dates vary, times vary, £10.00 (£8.00), fpp 146.
tw rating 4/5
[rg]

An Enchanted Evening - Show Songs
Brian Bannatyne-Scott and Linda Ormiston
For one night only, two Scottish singers delighted us with some well-known musical numbers; ranging from classics such as 'Can't help lovin' that man' and 'Ol Man River' from Showboat, the content of this show was instantly recognisable, popular and enjoyable. There is no doubt that these two performers are proficient singers but Brian seemed to lack confidence in his role, spending the entire show stood behind a music stand because he is not quite sure of the words, which becomes frustrating. Duets from the two singers lack magic because there seems to be little connection between them and they are clearly under-rehearsed. Although the concert would benefit from a longer programme, the songs they perform are enchanting enough.
Canongate Kirk, 16 Aug, 5.00pm (6.15pm), £12.00 (£10.00), fpp 147.
tw rating 3/5
[kc]

Jake Cogan
What really hit me most from the beginning, unprepared, unassuming, was a beautiful, mellifluous voice that seemed to spring forth from the depths of a trance, like rolling mist over Scottish glens. Jake Cogan and her five piece band played a gorgeous, folkish set, with an alt-country feel, soft and drifting, with rich vocal harmonies and lead melodies sitting over faultless rhythmic playing. Plus one for the guitarist-cum-mandolinist in the Bellray's tee, by the way. As the whooping audience of familiars seemed to corroborate, I wouldn't ever be able to tire of the lilting sounds she gave voice to, spectral and rich, and the space of a paltry review can't really do Cogan (and band) the justice deserved.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 16 Aug, 11.00pm (12.00pm), £8.00 (£6.00), fpp 154.
tw rating 4/5
[ab]

A Night At The Operas
Edinburgh Grand Opera Chorus
Opera isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this evening would convert some to what they are missing out on. St Andrew's & St George's Church with its unusual elliptical shape and elegant architecture is a magnificent space for ensemble singing. The Edinburgh Grand Opera Chorus was lively and attentive to their conductor as they presented a selection of classics in Italian and French, by composers such as Verdi and Bizet, with two exquisite soprano soloists. Occasionally they needed clearer diction but their voices made a great sound together. Short introductions from the conductor giving the dramatic meaning and performance history of each piece were informative. True, the audience was definitely mature, but as a younger member I enjoyed myself too.
St Andrew's & St George's Church, 16 Aug, 7.30pm (9.15pm), £10.00 (£8.00), fpp n/a.
tw rating 3/5
[lr]

Ratatat
The Edge Festival
Faux futuristic electronic extravaganza; Ratatat presented an exceptional set in one of Edinburgh's most intimate and cave-like music venues. Their music was positively entrancing and I would have spent much of the gig pondering over why such an incredible band was not playing in a larger venue had they not been so damn good that there wasn't brain space for such consideration. Entirely instrumental, the three members of Ratatat produce a sound that lies somewhere between the 8-bit sound-track to a 90's computer game and a full orchestra, with synthesizer, guitar and keyboard combined in an unbelievably energetic performance. This is a band that I intend to search out again; in fact I intend to be at every Ratatat gig that comes within a whisker of Scotland.
Cabaret Voltaire, 1 Aug, 7.00pm (10.00pm), fpp n/a.
tw rating 5/5
[jr]

Samba's Scottish African Party
Samba Sene & Diwan
Uplifting African rhythms and songs played by a mix of Scottish and Senegalese musicians. The Senegalese contingent are proud of their musical heritage and explained that Senegal was the first African nation to be introduced to Salsa back in the 1970s. The group also play Caribbean, reggae, jazz and there are even some West African Ali Farka Toure-type passages thrown in. They still retain a distinctive voice thanks to Samba Sene, who sings, conducts the band and gets the crowd moving to the beat. At one point he was pulling audience members, male and female, up on stage to dance, and by the end everyone in the venue was singing to the departing chant "equal rights, hope and justice".
The Jazz Bar, dates vary, times vary, £8.00 (£5.00), fpp 162.
tw rating: 4/5
[tb]

Sinatra-Basie Sessions Revisited
Todd Gordon & The Marcus Pope Big Band
Both Todd and the Marcus Pope Big Band were class acts and together they gave an enjoyable performance of some of the Sinatra-Basie greats. The show was a little shorter than it might have been and Gordon was regularly referring to not being able to launch into the back story for a number because of time constraints. This was a shame, as the stories he did come out with were interesting and well told; he put a lot of time, in fact, into playing the raconteur making him prone to detract from the opening lines of song, which was often sung a little out of tune. Nontheless, his warm stage presence and obvious delight at the song list made for a cosy evening.
Assembly @ The Queen's Hall, Aug 14, 7.30pm (9.00pm), £18.00 (£16.00), fpp 164.
tw rating: 3/5
[tb]

Tap Olé
With Spanish, Irish, Latin and American influences this tap show was a hot pot of shuffle toe steps, dramatic melodies and beaming smiles. The performance did feel a little cheesy, but that was part of its feel-good charm - and hey, this is tap! Interaction between the performers was great, with dancers and guitarists cheering and egging each other on, whilst impeccable timing and fluid movement coupled with audience interaction and humour made for a highly enjoyable experience (if a bit lacking in high kicks and jumps!). Although the singing at the end of the show could not be heard over the sound of their own tap beats, the audience demanded an encore... and that's the best compliment you can get.
Assembly @ The Queen's Hall, 8 - 16 Aug, 7.45pm (9.00pm), £14.00 (£12.00), fpp166.
tw rating 4/5
[bw]

Toasting The Lassies
Gill Bowman
Such was Robert Burns' insatiable sex drive, a show about his many mistresses could potentially be of epic proportions, but this cosy little piece captures Burns' story courtesy of just one woman and a guitar. Gill Bowman plays one of the many lassies laddish Rabbie had eyes for, and this is her moment to serve up a tasty offering of spilled beans on a toast to those other less worthy women. More than just a bitching session, this is also the perfect opportunity for Gill to showcase her talent for Burns' verse in song, her strong voice a fine tribute to the Ploughman Poet. The snug setting and Gill's assured presence gave this a warmth of a crackling, open fire.
Valvona & Crolla, dates vary, times vary, £10.00 (£8.00), fpp 166.
tw rating 3/5
[se]

The Your Sound Showcase
The Edge Festival
A great congeries: essentially an indie-fest, but with a great deal of variety from the four Scottish bands involved in the showcase. Ranging from an upbeat punky alt-country three piece (with a beastly 'tashed drummer) shaking the dust off prairie bones, to straight indie, Interpol-esque but with the odd noise freakout, to psych-folk from a group of apparent loggers, bearded and chequered. 'The Your Sound Showcase' was a great opportunity to witness some sharp rising talent, none of whom came across as if they'd been shunted in to fill numbers, but to really display genuinely good song-writing and instrumental playing in diverse areas, from sax to saw-cymbal.
The Liquid Room, 16 Aug, 7.00pm (10.00pm), £6.00, fpp n/a.
tw rating 4/5
[ab]

Special Ed and the Shortbus
I was thoroughly distracted throughout this show by the immense beard that one of these guys had managed to force out of his follicles. Was it real or just some sort of face wig? Was it bigger than Santa's? Was he Santa? Facial hair aside, this Virginian quintet immediately get the audience on their side with their witty observations about such pressing matters as underpants, Viagra and fat children. They establish their comedy bluegrass roots from the offset but their masterful performance shines through all of this padding. The band switch instruments, fronting duties and genres and move with ease from Zappa inspired rags to eastern influenced virtuoso performances. It's refreshing to find a decent band that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Spiegel Garden, Aug 19-24, time vary, prices vary, fpp 156.
tw rating 4/5
[mb]

POLITICS

Gladder To Be Gay?
Festival Of Politics (in Association With Stonewall Scotland)
I really didn't listen to what esteemed actor Simon Callow had to say; instead I drowned myself in his crisp elocution and overall charm - he is so entertaining. So, a bunch of us queers and actor groupies sat in the Scottish Parliament discussing how far the LGBT effort had come since the 1950s; simply "shocking, shocking, shocking" Callow recalls. He also admits that he was always open and honest about being a poof, never being tormented or bullied. Everything felt wrong though; I expected a trannie rant, dykes who would drop the PC and scream "faggots forever". Then I felt fear: I was thoroughly enjoying disguised conservatism that never answered if I should be gladder to be gay or not - pure entertaining fluff.
Scottish Parliament Main Chamber, 20 Aug, 6.00pm (7.00pm), £6.00 (£3.50).
[zl]

Human Trafficking - Scotland 's 21st Century Slaves
Festival Of Politics in association with the Parliament's Cross Party Groups on Human Rights and Civil Liberties, and Asylum Seekers and Refugees.
With 200 years since the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, celebrated just last year, it is a suitable time to explore the unfortunate reality that is modern day slavery. In these supposedly civilised times, it's estimated that over 600,000 people are illegally trafficked into the EU every year, and several experts in the field gathered at the Scottish Parliament today to discuss just how big an issue this is. Particularly telling were the words of director of Amnesty International UK, Kate Allen, who brought to light harrowing details of the scale of the problem in Scotland. This was a challenging, thought-provoking debate that effectively brought to light a disturbingly real issue.
Scottish Parliament Committee Room 3, 20 Aug, 12.30pm (1.30pm), free non-ticketed.
[tm]

THEATRE

Acceptance
Lisa Nicoll
Seeing an actress-turned-writer demonstrate her craft on stage without resorting to innovative lighting or multimedia technology reinforces the primacy and raw value of story; this is compelling theatre by Lisa Nicoll. She plays Scarlet, who invites us into her flat and begins talking about a young girl, a teenage girl and then a college girl as she progressively downs a bottle of wine. Scarlet is initially removed when talking about these girls, until it unravels that they are vignettes of her life. It's a clever piece of writing, though there is some room for development - there could be more depth about how Scarlet ended up an alcoholic - but this is a heart-tugging story consummately performed; it's everything one-woman theatre can, and should be.
The Vault, 21 - 25 Aug, 8.45pm (9.25pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp n/a.
tw rating 4/5
[zl]
tw

Bedsores
Queen Mary Theatre Company
There's an obvious difficulty with this performance: I'm still not quite sure what it was about. Far from the claims that it was an exploration of 'intimacy and isolation', it seemed to follow the well trodden footpaths of feminist theatre, presenting the emotions of three different stereotypes of women. The inclusion of meticulously choreographed but slightly pointless physical theatre spoiled what could have been a strong acting piece, as the cast of six all demonstrated considerable ability in this area. There was little flowing plot, but there were some fragmented scenes which showed great promise, particularly the emotional female monologues, and a humorous scene with one woman and her husband. Some great acting, sadly displayed in weak writing, and seemingly far from the bedroom.
The Space@Venue 45, dates vary, 9.10pm (9.55pm), £3.50 (£2.50), fpp 185.
tw rating 2/5
[ha]

Are There More Of You?
Alison Skilbeck
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman. What do I know? I have no real understanding of such matters; however, if I listen to the right people I might be able to learn a thing or two. Alison Skilbeck seems to be the sort of person I should trust. This set of monologues, which she has written and performed, casts a glance over the lives of four very different middle aged women living in SW11, teetering on the edge of meltdown, but holding it together. Skilbeck's observational piece draws upon a blend of humour and drama to explore modern life, capturing a curious diversity of femininity. The postcode premise worked well, intertwining the characters, whilst producing four individually defined pieces.
Quaker Meeting House, 18 - 23 Aug, 8.30pm (9.40pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 184.
tw rating 4/5
[mj]

Assassins
Rather Like A Shark/DULOG
An excellent musical manages to embed a tune in your head; a day later you catch yourself singing it, which this time jarred me, because this musical is about nine US president assassins, from John Wilkes Booth through to Lee Harvey Oswald. A comment on the conflict between American ideals and reality, this dark and funny Sondheim has been neatly staged, sung, and acted by a talented cast whoextract full value out of witty speech and indulgent gunshots - who would have thought Charles Manson is the 'Son of God'? The actors shouted and yelled most of the time, making the performance difficult to settle into; this crisp production is worth a thought, and a laugh, however.
Bedlam Theatre, 18 - 23 Aug, 10.00pm (11.30pm), prices vary, fpp 168.
tw rating 4/5
[zl]

365
Edinburgh International Festival/National Theatre of Scotland
365 follows the lives of several teenagers newly released from care homes to start out on their own. Authority figures and guidebooks are generally of little help to them; one heartbreakingly confused lad becomes obsessed with developing a fire escape plan without really knowing why, and when all of the youngsters line up to take a survey of their progress, it becomes clear how inapplicable it is to their lives. Georgia McGuinness deserves a medal for the set; it's flexible and innovative, while maintaining functionality and a bricky, unadorned appearance fitting to the piece, while the direction - particularly the unison elements - is visually captivating. The script doesn't reveal the characters' stories immediately, and is frustrating in places, but this is fascinating, valuable theatre.
Edinburgh Playhouse, 22 - 25 Aug, times vary, prices vary, eifpp 15.
tw rating 4/5
[jwm]

Sideshow: The Weirdest Show On Earth
Sideshow
Delirious with raw, sexual humour, this late night cabaret show promises a visual treat full of the weird and wonderful. Led by The Bloody Ringmaster and his small entourage of freaks and burlesque acts, the show provides a hilarious escapade of dark humour and mischievous antics, including disjointed shoulder blades and crude but strangely catchy songs. Following the show itself, audience members are invited to continue partying with the cast in true burlesque style, although despite the temptations of a convenient bar at the side of the stage, this concept never really took off, most likely due to smaller audience members. Nonetheless, the audience were delightfully teased and amused by a curious array of eccentric and disturbing characters.
Underbelly, 31 Jul - 25 Aug, 12.15am (4.15am), prices vary, fpp 230.
tw rating 4/5
[am]

Spring's Awakening
Queen Mary Theatre Company
Only at the Fringe does one find oneself trying to subtly lean round an interpreter for the deaf, to get a better view of the young man on the floor, reciting Shakespeare in white underwear, while masturbating. A fresh bouncy cast confidently grasp the knobbly issues in this dark play about a group of fourteen-year-olds and their budding sexualities. The cast aren't fourteen (phew), but ably shave off the years to play the awkward teenagers. Main characters Melchior, his depressed friend Moritz and the object of his lust, delicate Wendla, are particularly moving, supported by a captivating cast including the disembodied voices of the parents. This hard hundred-year-old play certainly awakened me to an uncomfortable degree.
The Space @ Venue 45, dates vary, 8.10pm (9.40pm), prices vary, fpp 232.
tw rating 4/5
[se]
tw

Grim - Free
The Goldsmith's Drama Society/Laughing Horse Free Festival
Not all of us lose our virginities in brothels, but evidently some do. And so begins one of 'Grim's' cautionary tales - the one about the girl who wanted too much too soon. Loosely based on stories by the Brothers Grimm this play mixes the pseudo-feminist with the macabre to demonstrate some of the problems us lassies face in the modern world. Remember when you worked as a morgue technician and you fell in love with the dead guy, so you stole his heart? No? Just me then? Anyway, fair play to the enthusiastic and unconventionally good-looking cast of this odd little number, for at least managing to keep straight faces while discussing the unsavoury details of deflowering a girl.
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 15 -25 Aug, 7.30pm (8.20pm), free, fpp 202.
tw rating 3/5
[rsj]

Looking At Tazieh
Edinburgh International Festival/Abbas Kiarostami
Tazieh is a type of traditional Persian theatre, used as a form of worship in remembrance of the grandson of the prophet Mohammed. 'Looking at Tazieh' is a short, documentary film showing a Tazieh performance and its audience. Visually, the film was stunning. Two huge screens present the audience, close-up, in black and white, which contrasted beautifully with the small colour screen in the middle displaying the performance of Tazieh. While it was fairly interesting, the performance was in Arabic, making it hard to follow, and so it became no more than an exercise in observation. After watching for over an hour, however, it did become fairly monotonous, losing much of its initial fascination
The Hub, 15-18 Aug, 6.00pm (approx 7.00pm), £8, eifpp 13.
tw rating 2/5
[lp]

Jonny Woo - International Woman of Mr 'E'
Bistrotheque Productions
Fresh from the soho theatre, Jonny Woo performed the most brilliantly bizarre show I have seen so far in the Fringe. It was immensely camp, over the top and glamorous, which is probably why it seems to drastically divide opinion, you'll either love it or hate it; I absolutely loved it. To quote Jonny, it's a "tranny variety show", which includes singing, dancing, poetry, and a few tacky costumes. Within seconds of being on stage, he was dishing out witty lines of poetry reminiscent of that of the beat generation, except that the content's a little more nineties rave culture. Jonny's a larger than life character with an interesting story to tell, and he does so with poetic flair.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3 - 25 Aug (not 13), 9.00pm (9.55pm), prices vary, fpp 208.
tw rating 4/5
[km]

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