Some outstanding performances overcome a series of gimmicky directorial choices in the UK National Theatre’s touring production of A Taste of Honey at the King’s.
‘Provides some moments of genuine theatrical magnetism’: SOLARIS – Edinburgh ★★★★
Dealing with troubling questions about human interaction, the Lyceum’s adaptation of Solaris is – like all the best science fiction – not really about alien planets but about our own world.
‘Characters create an interesting dynamic’: MADAME GEORGE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Madame George, by award-winning playwright Keir McAllister at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose on Chambers Street is a dark comedy filled with easy laughs that are tinged with a great sadness.
‘Queer identities couldn’t be explored in a more delicate way’: THE HAPPINESS PROJECT – Edinburgh Fringe
The first thing that strikes about The Happiness Project is the colours. Shocking pink and neon yellow on a plain background and plastic-grass floor.
‘Truly magical’: THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★
In a world full of fear and worry, we all need a reminder that there’s still hope. Luckily, in The Man Who Planted Trees at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, two storytellers and their puppets are here to give us just that.
‘Simple yet well executed’: PINK HOUSE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Exploring grief and the impact of trauma on memory and family relationships, Paradigm Lab’s Pink House by Madison Pollack at PQA Venues is somewhat heartbreaking and completely honest.
‘Likeable & informative’: THUNDERSTRUCK – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Thunderstruck by David Colvin at Assembly Checkpoint is a deeply felt and human tale, whose relationship with its source and inspiration nevertheless makes for some uncertain moments.
‘Worth any number of over-literal, full cast adaptations’: OF MICE AND MEN – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
Of Mice and Men, in the Gilded Balloon Teviot Wine Bar for the full fringe, benefits from one fine performance and one exceptional one.
‘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.
‘Delivered with slickness & a certain panache’: DOWN IT FRESHER! – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Sassy, rude and distinctly scuzzy round the edges, the Anonymous Badger Creative’s production of Down It Fresher! in the Free Fringe is a case of writing what you know about.
Edinburgh’s professional theatre companies at the Fringe 2019
As the fringe continues to grow, so does the input from Edinburgh-based companies. This year there are an unprecedented 93 different productions in the theatre section of the Fringe programme alone.
‘Sort of treat which gives musical theatre a good name’: AMELIE THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
Amelie is a slick, clever and hugely appealing production which reveals the heart of the original in a way which the initial Broadway production did not, if the clips of the latter are to be believed.
‘Feels remarkably relevant’: THE SIDESHOW – Edinburgh ★★★
In the week when moves to regulate Airbnb failed and it was decided to curtain Princess Street Gardens off during commercial gigs, Active Inquiry’s The Sideshow feels remarkably relevant.
‘It soars in its second half’: HAIR THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
Over 50 years on and the Age of Aquarius is still providing a relevant, controversial (in parts) and – eventually – thunderously entertaining piece of musical theatre in Hair.
‘The heart & soul is caught with sometimes burning intensity’: CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN – Touring ★★★★
This touring production of Captain’s Corelli’s Mandolin allows aching heartbreak to overcome any nods to cloying sentimentality.
‘Fun, entertaining & feelgood’: CLUB TROPICANA – Touring ★★★★
Passports at the ready! It’s time to jet off to the Club Tropicana Hotel in this brand new jukebox musical which is touring the country.
‘Should you go & see it? I have a strong suspicion that you should’: THE MOUSETRAP – Touring ★★★
The world’s longest-running stage production The Mousetrap returns to Edinburgh to thrill a whole new audience in this classic murder mystery tale at the Playhouse
‘Hard to beat’: THE DUCHESS [OF MALFI] – Edinburgh ★★★★
The blood-soaked events of The Duchess [of Malfi], a co-production between the Lyceum and the Citizens Theatre, are almost unwatchably intense at times. As a depiction of timeless and timely considerations, however, this production is hard to beat.
‘Even non-sports fans will love it’: THE RED LION – Touring ★★★★★
Rapture Theatre shoots, and scores, in Red Lion, a soccer drama by Patrick Marber that even non-sports fans will love.
‘A great deal of fun & surface gloss’: ABIGAIL’S PARTY – Touring ★★★
There are plenty of laughs to be had in the production of Abigail’s Party which finishes an extensive UK tour this week at the King’s.