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.
‘A feat of ingenuity & organisation’: 80 Days: A Real-World Adventure – Underbelly Southbank
Guided by a web app, participants have 80 minutes to earn as much money as possible by answering cryptic puzzles. They must choose what equipment to spend their cash on before returning to the meeting place.
‘Reminds us that we can handle our obstacles’: SPARK – Edinburgh Fringe
Using the word ‘strong’ to describe women and girls is redundant. Putting up with all the trash that women have to deal with as a result of their gender, on top of everything else life throws at them, makes them strong by default.
‘Bring all your feminist pals’: Fringe Wives Club’s Glittery Clittery – Edinburgh Fringe
“We’re not here for your pleasure.” “Consent is hot.” The Fringe Wives Club need some merch with these slogans on. Glittery Clittery has everything you need for a cult feminist disco, plus a labia costume.
‘Where will all the incels gather without reddit?’ THE ABODE – Edinburgh Fringe
There are great intentions at work here, but the initial concept is flawed – ultimately it undermines the power that the internet and technology gives to the alt-right.
‘The highs & lows are often extreme but convincing’: NO KIDS – Edinburgh Fringe
This intimate, personal production from Theatre Ad Infinitum is an accurate and emotionally charged snapshot of the pervasive conflict between capitalism and the desire for a family.
LOSING MY MINDFULNESS – Edinburgh Fringe
Our company is restructuring and every one of us has to reapply for our jobs. Tensions are running high, but don’t worry! Our caring employers have asked one of the HR team to lead us in a Mindfulness workshop to help us cope.
‘A beautiful two-hander’: NEST – Vault Festival
In Nest, Katy Warner sets up the characters with such detail and ease, it’s difficult to not be pulled into their world and left wanting to know more when the intense 60 minutes is over.
‘Clever improvisation going on’: CRIMINAL – Vault Festival
Overall, it turns out in Criminal that a murder mystery in a small village is just the right setting for an improv show.
‘Charming & sweet without being saccharine’: I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS – Vault Festival
by Laura Kressly Alice and her husband moved house from a bustling city to sleepy Berkhamsted just 6 weeks ago. She can’t wait to make new friends and get stuck into all that village life offers, even though her new home is hardly trendy like Margate, and none of her friends are willing to visit. […]
‘Hits a perfect balance’: MARGARET THATCHER QUEEN OF SOHO – Vault Festival
The night before Parliament votes on Section 28, an amendment to the Local Government Act which prevents schools or similar local authorities from promoting homosexuality, Margaret Thatcher finds herself in a Soho nightclub. This is the fabulous premise to the now iconic drag cabaret: Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho.
‘A whirlwind of emotions’: THE CAT’S MOTHER – Vault Festival #Vault2018
Witty, laugh-out-loud, Irish brilliance: Erica Murray’s London debut of The Cat’s Mother demonstrates how a female-centric production can truly be a hit.
‘Too disjointed to really enjoy’: THE INTERNET WAS MADE FOR ADULTS – Vault Festival #Vault2018
There are some real nuggets of gold hidden in The Internet Was Made for Adults, but nothing is quite in its rightful place. With such a huge creative team at Hitting the Wall Productions, it’s no wonder it feel a bit mish-mash, but it definitely needs some tightening up before they take it anywhere else.
MENDOZA – Southwark Playhouse
Mexican company Los Colochos Teatro not only knows how to utilize Shakespeare’s Scottish Play in order to tell a story of the here and now, but also uses human imagination in a simple, yet creative and immersive way. Their Mendoza, based on Macbeth, is one of the best Shakespeare productions I have seen.
MAIDEN SPEECH – TheatreN16
In world of Harvey Weinsteins, Bill Cosbys, MRAs and other own-brand misogynists in and out of the arts, A mini-festival of feminist theatre should be a soothing balm to the wounds wrought by male privilege. It is, in part.
MAIDEN SPEECH – TheatreN16
In world of Harvey Weinsteins, Bill Cosbys, MRAs and other own-brand misogynists in and out of the arts, A mini-festival of feminist theatre should be a soothing balm to the wounds wrought by male privilege. It is, in part.
Submission & Sarah, Sky & Seven Other Guys – #EdFringe
A British Pakistani Muslim tries to reconcile his faith and family with his love of men and clubbing. A gay guy and his straight female BFF share a flat, a mutual adoration for classic films and the occasional man.
SECRET LIFE OF HUMANS – #EdFringe
Ava is fascinated by human beings. Not just generally, but in the academic, evolutionary sense. She’s also going through a tough time and needs a break, so she’s on the pull.
MINE – #EdFringe
A woman falls asleep in front of the telly waiting for her teenaged son to come home. Instead, the police knocking on her door wakes her up at 3 am. Her son’s fine, but he’s done something so horrendous she refuses to disclose it.
CATCH ME – Underbelly Southbank
Originally from Quebec, Flip FabriQue deliver Attrape Moi; meaning Catch Me; in London as part of an international tour to Tenerife, Edinburgh, the USA and Quebec Canada. For seventy-five minutes, performers Christophe Hamel, Bruno Gagnon, Hugo Ouellet Côté, Jérémie Arsenault, Camila Comin and Yann Leblanc, showcase a range of skills that are, (if a little tenuously at times), threaded together by a loose theme of travelling with friends.