|
Post by firefingers on Jun 7, 2017 14:15:20 GMT
So today officially launches the line up for Edinburgh Fringe, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-40186237Anyone planning on going up this year? Any fringe hits returning that we should look out for? Any board member putting on a autobiographical one man play with music about custard they've written?
|
|
578 posts
|
Post by michalnowicki on Jun 7, 2017 14:46:09 GMT
I live in Edinburgh and I always find the Fringe programme so overwhelming, that I rarely make plans. Sometimes I just go to see a random show, because I was given a leaflet. If I were to recommend anything, I would highly recommend this man: tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/colin-cloud-dare if "mind-reading" is your thing.
|
|
213 posts
|
Post by zsazsa on Jun 7, 2017 16:29:37 GMT
I've just had a look through the programme and so far not a lot is grabbing my attention. On my list of shows that I plan to see are the RCS's production of 'Into The Woods' and their 2 original musicals, Ordinary Days (I loved the song Audra McDonald sang from this in her concert) and It Should Have Been You.
I shall wait and see the reviews for further recommendations.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Jun 7, 2017 21:48:19 GMT
Just wondering how people plan?
For me Go through every page in Fringe and Festival Catelogues
Make lists of 'intersting ' options. Do this on large A3 sheets showing what time of day they are on at. Divide into comedy/music/play/whatever
Solicit opinions of one or two others attending.
Make my plans.
Book
Its all very time consuming. Is there an app that would help?
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Jun 7, 2017 22:32:18 GMT
I used to do that! But on A4 because I have very small writing. And I didn't divide into categories. But my last visit was in 2001. The whole thing is too expensive now, and I also can't cope with seeing loads of stuff one after another.
And many of the shows that I'd gravitate towards (small-scale theatre at the Traverse and Summerhall, etc.) can be seen later in London or on UK tour.
However, I still envy people who go! And think I may return one year, or more, before I die.
|
|
2,452 posts
|
Post by theatremadness on Jun 7, 2017 23:15:23 GMT
However, I still envy people who go! And think I may return one year, or more, before I die. And what about after you die, please?
|
|
185 posts
|
Post by boybooshka on Jun 8, 2017 7:08:56 GMT
This is the first year we aren't going since 2010. Had a quick look at the programme and nothing screams out at me.
Our usual planning involves a thorough trawl through the programme highlighting everything that we are interested in then transferring that onto a spreadsheet. We then narrow down and narrow down, then make a timetable. Edmin, it's a fine art lol.
|
|
806 posts
|
Post by duncan on Jun 8, 2017 7:13:13 GMT
I just pick random shows, far more enjoyable than seeing "names". I'll be avoiding the comedy shows this year though.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 9:52:27 GMT
I've never been! the whole thing has as Honoured Guest points out become prohibitively expensive. I did work on some projects connected to the shows Wales is sending up, and thankfully all are doing previews down here first so I at least get to see them!
I tell myself one day I will either a) blag myself a trip through work of some kind b) actually get organised, save money and book accommodation in advance.
Alas this year is not the year.
|
|
806 posts
|
Post by duncan on Jun 8, 2017 10:54:51 GMT
Its not expensive - there are plenty of free fringe shows, you could be there for 2 weeks and never pay for a show and there is plenty of accommodation that isn't that expensive so long as you are willing to put the time into looking for it or are willing to stay outside of Edinburgh itself and commute.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 10:57:15 GMT
You still have to be able to afford a 2 week holiday, including transport to Edinburgh (on a daily basis as well if you're taking a cheaper outside-the-city option), and my biggest expenditure on holidays is invariably food, even when I'm staying in self-catering. I expect you can do Edinburgh on a frugal budget, but not everyone has that frugal budget available to them in the first place. I can't do Edinburgh, the FOMO would kill me.
|
|
806 posts
|
Post by duncan on Jun 8, 2017 11:08:25 GMT
It doesn't have to be for 2 weeks though, that was to say you could be here for that long and never pay for a show. People can come for a weekend or an extra couple of days - its all about planning in terms of travel costs and accommodation. Even food doesn't have to be that expensive, we have the Tesco meal deal up here as well
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 11:11:12 GMT
duncan I seem to have riled you on every post today haha! I'm WELL versed on doing a holiday on the cheap, believe me. But for me the a) sheer logistics of it (and the fact that for the past 5 years my work contracts have ended in June/July which mean I spend August either job hunting or starting a new job) means it's just a logistical nightmare. And for me, frankly I'd prefer to use the 'holiday pot' of time and money elsewhere.
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Jun 8, 2017 11:26:16 GMT
In the past, 20 to 30 years ago, I'd go for between 4 and 7 days and see at least four shows a day and it works out to cost more per show (with travel, accommodation and food) than it would if I saw them in London (travelling on a budget from Cardiff and being able to spare the extra time it would take).
When Duncan talks about free shows, I assume he's referring to the limited numbers of venues which present shows on a Pay-What-You-Like basis. I think you would have to be a pretty disgusting human being to see this as an invitation to glut yourself on two weeks of theatre and pay nothing. In any case, you'd be excluded from the vast majority of shows which have standard ticketing.
If you relish seeing huge numbers of shows in a limited time, with a very wide choice, in a city festival environment stuffed full of micro-venues (some very large!) and surrounded by what feels like the whole theatre world of practitioners, programmers and enthusiasts, then Edinburgh is for you! Most of the companies are sleeping three to a mattress in Duncan's outside toilet and the like, which are rented out for this purpose at exorbitant ratew for the month.
|
|
12 posts
|
Post by hussymare on Jun 8, 2017 12:38:49 GMT
Anything The Traverse offers is usually good. I'm going to Frogman and Meet Me At Dawn
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 12:39:08 GMT
I've never been! ]I tell myself one day I will either a) blag myself a trip through work of some kind b) actually get organised, save money and book accommodation in advance. Never been either. I think emicardiff and I were planning a joint trip when our "50 Shades" immersive show has its premiere, too. I'm writing next year's funding application as we speak....
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 12:44:57 GMT
Excellent. Don't forget, neither of us do less than 4-star, 5 if it's more than a mile from the venue. I don't get out of bed for less than 5* and I don't do walking.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 13:40:25 GMT
The cast on the other hand are very willing to get INTO bed.
|
|
578 posts
|
Post by michalnowicki on Jun 8, 2017 13:55:48 GMT
The cast on the other hand are very willing to get INTO bed. And yet I was close to saying "I have a spare bedroom"...
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 13:57:29 GMT
The cast on the other hand are very willing to get INTO bed. And yet I was close to saying "I have a spare bedroom"... hahaha not ME the cast. Which I fear Monkey wants responsibility for. I'm fully housetrained (in a non 50 Shades way...)
BUT major question, what colour have you painted that spare room?
|
|
578 posts
|
Post by michalnowicki on Jun 8, 2017 14:07:13 GMT
And yet I was close to saying "I have a spare bedroom"... hahaha not ME the cast. Which I fear Monkey wants responsibility for. I'm fully housetrained (in a non 50 Shades way...)
BUT major question, what colour have you painted that spare room?
Haha, fair enough! I think we'll be painting 3 walls grey and we'll keep one wall white. But this is still to be decided! Once we repaint it we will put in on AirBnB to see if anyone fancies staying with us during the festival.
|
|
155 posts
|
Post by synchrony on Jun 12, 2017 13:38:49 GMT
LOVE the fringe – I went for the first time in 2015 and realised I’d been wasting my summers all these years. I’ll be up for a week in August.
If wanting recommendations, I would suggest:
“All Quiet on the Western Front” (I saw this last year and it was excellent and is returning again). “ Lula Del Ray” by Manual Cinema (I saw a different production by them last year which was really original and beautiful. Can’t say if this will be as good of course, but if you’re looking for something different....)
Both of these sold out last year so would probably need booking in advance.
Rebecca Vaughan and Pip Utton also do really good stuff.
|
|
155 posts
|
Post by synchrony on Jun 12, 2017 13:42:39 GMT
“The Road that Wasn’t there” might also be worth a look. They did “The Bookbinder” before, which was the best thing I saw in 2015 (it’s a children’s story, but really quite dark, gripping and beautiful). If this is anywhere near as good it’ll be excellent.
|
|
1,878 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jun 13, 2017 18:54:04 GMT
I'm going for the second year running. Bit disappointed with the plays and musicals compared to last year. Far too many new pieces and not enough fresh new interpretations of old stuff.
|
|
806 posts
|
Post by duncan on Jun 19, 2017 15:51:33 GMT
The Fringe should always be about new pieces and if it wants to stay fresh it needs to avoid rehashing old stuff - for example this year has Whose Line....again although without Paul Merton this year and some radio script readings of episodes of Dads Army.
That's the kind of dreadful filler that the fringe should be avoiding but I guess its what people will pay to see as its a name. Give me the new undiscovered show any day of the week, 48 weeks of the year you can see versions of Cats or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Edinburgh is for exploration, use it to aim for the second star on the right and to see what undiscovered countries you can accidentally fall into on the way.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Jul 18, 2017 21:03:28 GMT
Just getting my act together on this.
Here's a recommendation, please pass one on,
Ian D Montfort. Ignore the recent TV disaster in person he never disappoints. Page 179 of the Catalogue.
|
|
1,722 posts
|
Post by stevejohnson678 on Aug 4, 2017 19:36:22 GMT
Arrived in Edinburgh this morning as the 70th anniversary Fringe gets underway.
One of the highlights from the first day has been Glitter Punch by Some Riot Theatre at Assembly George Square Studios - a love story from a teenage girl's perspective, really strong characterisation from the lead actress, and a dark twist to the story.
Equally impressive were the consistently excellent Patch of Blue Theatre with their new show When We Ran at Pleasance Courtyard. A folk-driven tale with soaring vocals of two sisters fleeing a commune. Patch of Blue's most ambitious work to date.
I also caught Napier University Drama Society's Disney homage, Frigid: A Musical Worth Melting For (at Greenside on Infirmary Street). This manages to make being rough around the edges a virtue by sending it up so much, while packing the script with meta theatre jokes and plays on words galore. Great fun.
Happily Never After by The Maydays, an improvised musical inspired by Tim Burton, took nursing as the theme for today's performance. The story was reasonably impressively devised and a song about Scrabble pretty catchy but the vocals, dear oh dear, maybe an improvised play might have been a better idea.
I'm finishing the day at Summerhall to see Middle Child's latest gig theatre offering at Summerhall, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything.
Brilliant atmosphere as always on the Royal Mile despite the inevitable Scottish weather!
|
|
10 posts
|
Post by cptjack on Aug 5, 2017 10:24:39 GMT
Anyone on the board fancy a free ticket for Gypsy Queen tomorrow Sunday at 1 pm. Due to a cancelled show I moved this play up and have seen it on Thursday. It's fab, but I will be seeing Into the Woods instead of going to see it twice... it would be a pitty to let the ticket go to waste. First to respond can have it Edit: ticket is reserved for michal
|
|
578 posts
|
Post by michalnowicki on Aug 5, 2017 15:26:14 GMT
Anyone on the board fancy a free ticket for Gypsy Queen tomorrow Sunday at 1 pm. Due to a cancelled show I moved this play up and have seen it on Thursday. It's fab, but I will be seeing Into the Woods instead of going to see it twice... it would be a pitty to let the ticket go to waste. First to respond can have it Hey cptjack, do you still have the ticket available?
|
|
10 posts
|
Post by cptjack on Aug 5, 2017 18:21:04 GMT
Yes it is, I left you a PM. Enjoy the show.
|
|