Tom Lenk is Trash is trash. That’s not even a cruel review, it’s literally what he told me to say. And after seeing the show, I am not going to be so stupid as to say anything he doesn’t want me to.
‘Could be a relevant & illuminating discussion’: CONSPIRACY – Edinburgh Fringe
Three conspiracy theorists have gathered to unpick discrepancies and inconsistencies in the 1932 photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ in Conspiracy.
‘Some moments that really hit home’: HOT FLUSH – Edinburgh Fringe
Hot Flush is a great idea and there are some moments that really hit home, but while Hot Flush is far from a complete washout, it’s hard to be fully engaged.
‘Charming & sweet’: Lobster – Edinburgh Fringe
Lobster is charming and sweet, if rather naive, making for a refreshing take on the cesspit that is dating by app today.
A Roundabout rundown: Six Paines Plough shows at Edfringe
The Paines Plough Roundabout is the most reliable, new writing venues at the fringe. With a collection of work that represents the width and breadth of the UK both geographically and thematically, this year’s offerings are universally strong.
‘Every moment is memorable & engaging’: A GAME OF DEATH & CHANCE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
In A Game of Death and Chance, the National Trust for Scotland’s first ever Fringe show, four characters from the 17th century – and death himself – have occupied an old Edinburgh tenement to tell stories of Scotland’s past.
‘Gives a voice to those who need it most’: WHO CARES – Edinburgh Fringe
A fierce indictment of cuts and callous indifference, Who Cares? comes straight from the mouths of young carers in Salford.
‘Writing a play is cheaper than therapy’: Tom Hartwell’s play Before 30 has a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe
Tom Hartwell’s play Before 30 is now making its way up to Edinburgh for a stint at the Festival Fringe prior to a one-off performance at the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York this November
NEWS: The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 Programme is published with #MakeYourFringe as the theme
The 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme has been launched, featuring a diverse selection of work from the worlds of theatre, dance, circus, physical theatre, comedy, music, musicals and opera, cabaret and variety, children’s shows, spoken word, free shows, exhibitions and events.
‘A truly moving show to see’: DREAM OF A KING – Brighton ★★★★
Christopher Tajah’s passion and delivery in his performance in Dream of a King that he has written, directed and stars in is a truly moving show to see.
‘Some of the best of this year show anger, fear, uncertainty’: Top Ten productions of 2018
Growing global discontent has been the hallmark of 2018, and 2019 is looking even worse. The last few years have marked a rise of the far-right, but theatremakers in opposition are letting audiences know it from the stage. Some of the best shows of this year show anger, fear, uncertainty or simply let the world know that enough is enough – it’s time for a fairer, more peaceful society that pays homage to all of its people.
‘A masterclass in storytelling’: PICKLE JAR – Soho Theatre ★★★★★
Maddie Rice (star of the recent tour of Fleabag) brings her debut play Pickle Jar to Soho Theatre, following on from an acclaimed engagement at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
MISSED THE BOAT: Fleabag
Thankfully, Nick Hern Books has published the playtext of Fleabag, so I thought it was about time I made the most of that for this series of posts.
‘Sublimely silly, upsetting, radical & dark’: UNDERGROUND RAILROAD GAME – Soho Theatre
The New York Times listed Jennifer Kidwel and Scott R Sheppard’s razor-sharp comedy as one of the 25 best plays since Angels in America. Like a role-playing game that gets completely out of hand, it’s easy to see why.
MISSED THE BOAT: What Girls Are Made Of
Whilst I do feel like I’ve ‘missed the boat’ slightly, as I’d have loved for a great female and Scottish story to round off my first Edinburgh Fringe, I’m sure there will be a future life for this one somewhere down the line.
‘What is the aim of staging this work in the UK?’: ON THE EXHALE – Edinburgh Fringe
This is an important play and a convincingly guttural response to Sandy Hook, but staging it outside of America makes me uneasy.
‘A massive learning curve’: Debbie’s final thoughts on the Edinburgh Fringe 2018
So now I’m back in London (filled with my own special brand of Fringe Flu), and all my reviews are done (though I’m still not quite sure how I did it), I thought I should really make sure I rounded up my time at the Fringe and worked out how to do things better next time…
‘Everything you look for in a musical on the Fringe’: THOR & LOKI – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
The Norse mythology musical you’ve been waiting for, unashamedly silly and brilliantly performed – and there’s even a tap number.
‘The most emotional I’ve felt at the Fringe’: QUEENS OF SHEBA – Edinburgh Fringe
I walked out of Queens of Sheba feeling a bit teary in a kind of happy/sad/exhilarated way. It’s the first Fringe play I’ve seen that has evoked such a strong emotional response.
‘Exploring power & manipulation’: About Lady White Fox With Nine Tales – Edinburgh Fringe
Seeing a Korean company stake a claim on Macbeth and intersperse the story with its own cultural myths and legends is a potent reminder of the relevance of Shakespeare’s stories and themes.