FIGS IN WIGS: FRINGE SHOW OFFS
"You're so vain you probably think this show is about you" say Figs In Wigs, the self-declared "lowbrow answer to avant-garde". The popular Fringe troupe are back exploring the "new form of narcissism" that's fuelled by social media, and the short attention spans caused by an internet overflowing with people and content, with a fast-paced variety show starring, well, the Figs. Who'd want the share the limelight?
Over the hour the group turn their hands to a number of new genres, many for the first time, including comedy, dance, music, circus and even visual art. We donned our best wigs and cornered the Figs to find out more. Click here to read the interview. |
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VIRGIN TAKES FRINGE COMEDY TO THE SKIES
We all know every room in Edinburgh becomes a venue in August, but it seems even that isn't enough space for the ever expansive Fringe, so much so now the planes above the city are having to be used.
Well, sort of. To celebrate the Festival being unleashed on the city once again, Virgin Atlantic's Little Red service between London and Edinburgh will be hosting four stand-up gigs over the month mid-flight, with Russell Kane, who's doing a three night stint at the Fringe later this month, kicking things off on Friday just gone. Carl Donnelly will now appear at the Fringe venue 30,000 feet in the sky on 8 Aug, Tom Craine on 15 Aug, and the king of Edinburgh Richard Herring will be up there on 22 Aug.
The comedy spots are part of the airline's 'Virgin Atlantic Live: On Air' programme, and on the comedic endeavour Virgin Supremo Richard Branson told ThreeWeeks: "To follow the success of the first on-board live performances in 2013, we're providing our passengers with another great line-up of comedy gigs in true Virgin Atlantic style, ensuring we offer an unforgettable and inimitable flying experience. Virgin Atlantic Live: On Air reinforces again why our customer service is second to none". |
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3 TO SEE: MUSICAL COMEDY
For her final batch of comedy tips, ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses picks some musical comedy shows.
David Elms: Nurture Boy
I believe this is David Elms' first full solo hour at the Edinburgh Fringe, so I don't have much in the way of a Festival record to cite. I can, however, confirm that one of our reviewers, when seeing him in one of those three-stand-ups-in-a-row shows a coupla three years back praised his "calm stage presence and toned down style". Judging by his publicity (and I'm not going to bother researching this too hard), lots of other reviewers had good things to say about him too, and this show promises songs, romance, a charming and inventive debut. So I'm going to give this one a go.
Pleasance Courtyard, from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. Tickets here.
Jollyboat: Five Stars, F*****ck Yeah!
Well, okay, this was one where the title drew me in a little. But also the very clear memory of hearing good things about this show from my trusty writers, and one particularly trusted reviewer in particular, who claimed back in 2012 that these guys are a five star act, warning our readers to expect "expect awful puns, hilarious gags and note-perfect musical parodies". They are still free at the moment, but surely not for long. Catch them before they're on the telly.
Beat, from 2 Aug until 23 Aug.
Jonny & The Baptists: The Satiric Verses (pictured)
You might be a bit more aware of award-nominated musical comedy duo Jonny and The Baptists than you were this time last year, because of a somewhat public spat between them and UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall. "We traversed the UK and Scotland with our Stop UKIP Tour, massively pissing off a plethora of fruitcakes and racists", they say, "and we appear to have learnt something. Well, learnt many things. Conveniently about an hour's worth of things." And 'The Satiric Verses', apparently, is that hour. Should be diverting.
Pleasance Dome, from 30 Jul until 24 Aug. Tickets here. |
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