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Post by Michael on Jul 31, 2016 11:14:17 GMT
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155 posts
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Post by synchrony on Aug 3, 2016 20:27:57 GMT
So the Fringe begins. Who is going? I am up 15th to 19th August and am currently trying to sort my provisional timetable of what I would definitely like to see. Does anyone have any vital viewing that I simply shouldn't miss? I am going the week after you. :-) I went last year for the first time and one of the best things I saw was 'The Bookbinder'. They're returning again with it this year I see, so I'd recommend it. It was a gripping story and beautifully produced. Let us know if you have any recommendations! |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 4, 2016 5:07:07 GMT
So the Fringe begins. Who is going? I am up 15th to 19th August and am currently trying to sort my provisional timetable of what I would definitely like to see. Does anyone have any vital viewing that I simply shouldn't miss? I am going the week after you. :-) I went last year for the first time and one of the best things I saw was 'The Bookbinder'. They're returning again with it this year I see, so I'd recommend it. It was a gripping story and beautifully produced. Let us know if you have any recommendations! Thanks for the suggestion. I see it's on at 1pm, which is good as my premium slots are all timetabled in, so I should definitely be able to find time for this. I currently have a timetable with 21 shows on, which is probably risky and potential burnout, but I love theatre, and this will definitely test my dedication. My Monday evening is an almost back to back helping of Showstoppers, Nina Conti and Eurobeat (I'm gay, so I can't NOT go to a Eurovision themed show). I had such a hard time timetabling everything in just 4 and a half days so I'll definitely have to book for a couple of extra days next year. I'll keep everyone updated (bored?) With my escapades and recommendations throughout my few days there. Right now I'm enroute to London for a Bodyguard dayseat adventure. |
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Post by stevej678 on Aug 4, 2016 8:39:40 GMT
I can recommend The Human Zoo Theatre Company's Giant (showing 3:40pm throughout the festival, exc 15th, at Pleasance Courtyard). For anyone not going to the fringe, there's also the chance to catch Giant at the Greenwich Theatre from Sunday 11th - Tuesday 13th September. I'm booked to see this show at 8pm and their previous production The Girl Who Fell in Love With The Moon at 4pm in Greenwich on the Sunday. Other recommendations: - We Live By The Sea (Patch of Blue, Pleasance Courtyard)
- Throwback (Silver Lining and Jackson's Lane, Circus Hub on the Meadows)
- The Hogwallops (Lost in Translation, Circus Hub on the Meadows)
- Paper Hearts (Moon Rock Productions, Underbelly Med Quad)
- The Vaudevillains (Les Enfants Terribles, Assembly George Square Studios)
- Ushers: The Front of House Musical (Durham University Light Opera Group, C Venues)
- Hummingbird (Tooth and Nail Theatre Company, Zoo)
- Goggles (This Egg, Pleasance Courtyard)
- The Murderer (Clown Funeral, Zoo Southside)
- Ten Storey Love Song (Middle Child, Pleasance Dome)
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland are also usually excellent. Their musical offerings this year are 9 to 5 at Assembly Hall and an original production, Confessions of a Justified Writer, at Assembly Checkpoint.
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Post by anita on Aug 4, 2016 9:08:18 GMT
To everyone who is going - Have a great time!
I went in 2001 & ended up dishing out fliers & wearing a sandwich board. Saw lots of shows & lots of sightseeing. Had a terrific time & would love to go again.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 11:47:59 GMT
I'll be there the 22nd to 26th, now I'm waiting for reviews/twitter comment to see if I can add to or subtract from the 'to see' list.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 13:10:37 GMT
Is an Edinburgh fringe like a Croydon facelift?
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Post by charliec on Aug 4, 2016 13:26:25 GMT
I'll be there the 22nd to 26th, now I'm waiting for reviews/twitter comment to see if I can add to or subtract from the 'to see' list. Im there then too, but for the TV festival, not sure how much escaping to the fringe I'll be able to do! Also going up next week for a few days, currently looking at 6 or 7 shows a day with gaps planned in. |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 8, 2016 14:42:08 GMT
I just booked a ticket to Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs. It was a sold out show, but they've obviously had some returns/added extra seats. I had one slot available for the time and I managed to get the last ticket for the only time slot I could make. A bit pricey for Fringe shows (at £30, though it is the International Festival as opposed to the Fringe) but it's Alan Cumming, so I am happy to pay for him.
If anyone going wanted to catch this show I would recommend getting on the website and grabbing one of the few remaining tickets before they go.
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Post by ShoesForRent on Aug 8, 2016 14:53:02 GMT
I just booked a ticket to Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs. It was a sold out show, but they've obviously had some returns/added extra seats. I had one slot available for the time and I managed to get the last ticket for the only time slot I could make. A bit pricey for Fringe shows (at £30, though it is the International Festival as opposed to the Fringe) but it's Alan Cumming, so I am happy to pay for him. If anyone going wanted to catch this show I would recommend getting on the website and grabbing one of the few remaining tickets before they go. Oh I'm sooo jelous of you- I was just going to ask if anyone's going to see his show. Love him so much!! hope you'll enjoy it! |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 15, 2016 13:26:16 GMT
So I have just checked into my minimal, but perfectly pleasant student accomodation here in Edinburgh and despite waking up at 3am and landing in Edinburgh at 7:30am I have already seen two shows and have another in 50 minutes, so I shall keep this update brief.
I caught 'The Country Wife' this morning, performed by the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club. An amusing play, though the general story lost its way in places, and the general point was lost somewhat. It's hard to convey the character traits of so many people in such a short piece, so I will forgive the slightly confusing story and with maybe 15 minutes more it would have sat better with me. I imagine this could be a running theme of my time here, where pieces are cut down to fit them into alloted time brackets. I enjoyed it as my first taste of the fringe, and a bargain for me at £6 (the joys of having a student card). I wouldn't 'not' recommend it, the venue was full all bar a couple of seats, but it isn't a 'must see'.
Coming out of the theatre I had a bit of time to spare before I could check in, so I checked the Fringe app and searched for anything starting soon in the near vacinity, and low and behold the premiere of 'It Just Takes One' a new short play was beginning within the next 20 minutes. It was the tale of an awful day in office work, and this play, although only 40 minutes was really funny, and something I would recommend to anyone with a bit of time. The writing was slick, and the actors gelled well and their characters nicely defined for the short piece. Give this a go if you are in Edinburgh and can get to it. I won't go into details through fear of ruining the play, but the entire audience were lapping up the jokes as they were delivered.
Right, off to 'The Shot Heard Round The World Now', a musical about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 15, 2016 15:57:12 GMT
I can see this thread just being me constantly updating over the next few days. Hopefully some of you will enjoy my ramblings.
Coffee break after seeing 'The Shot Heard Round The World' a new musical written by three 20 year old students about the assassination of Franz Ferdinand (the Archduke, not the band).
I enjoyed this (but then I do love musical theatre). There were some cracking melodies and a large cast delivering the piece to us, with an impressive 5 piece band (or was it 6.....I forget). They were having microphone issues which ruined it a little bit as it made some lyrics hard to hear over the sound of the band, but at least it was mic issues and not the belief that they could put on a musical with loud music and no voice amplification (which I have seen in the past and seriously question the thinking behind such an idea).
A fair few Les Mis references (the waving of flags, an Enjolras styled resistance leader, a Marius type resistance member to name a few). Of course Les Mis do it better, but then that is what we are all used to.
The script could do with a little tweaking, and I hate to say it, but one of the cast could use some acting lessons as he stood out like a sore thumb amongst the other performers in his 'I am torn between loyalties' scenes, maybe he is new and will settle into the role.
The audience were appreciative, but clearly there were a large number of cast friends in this afternoon.
This will go on to me RECOMMEND list if you get the chance to go. Much like 'Only The Brave' which started in Edinburgh a few years ago and was expanded into a full musical that played at the Wales Millenium Centre earlier this year, I think this show could have legs with an expansion of character (again limited by the short running time) and more songs (though they did cram 9 into 60 minutes as well as a lot of dialogue).
Great to see an actually good set of music and lyrics by composers so young.
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155 posts
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Post by synchrony on Aug 15, 2016 22:36:25 GMT
Oh, do keep posting! I enjoy hearing the reviews and all word of mouth will influence what I see!
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 16, 2016 6:53:13 GMT
Shows 4 to 6 completed last night.
First up was Showstopper, which really needs no explanation, I'm sure the vast majority are familiar with their work. They have a 70 minute show in Edinburgh doing what they do best.
Our show was 'When The Ship Hits The Fan' based on Noah's Ark using Hamilton, Les Mis, Gilbert & Sullivan, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and Flamenco themes.
It was my first proper time seeing Showstopper (apart from West End Live) and they didn't disappoint. I've still got some songs stuck in my head, such is the brilliance of this group.
Up next was Nina Conti. I love Nina and this was again my first proper time seeing her, having originally witnessed her skills on a Live At The Apollo ages ago. I was in the front row, and avoided the mask treatment (which is more than can be said for the cast member of 'The Necessity Of Atheism' who I am now tempted to see if Nina's interpretation of his show was at all accurate), but I did have a chat with Monkey. I can imagine her routine is a bit samey, afterall it mostly revolves around putting masks on audience members, but it's my sort of ridiculous humour and I loved it.
Final show of the day was Eurobeat and all I can say is, if you love Eurovision then you need to see this. A brilliant send up of everyones favourite international singing competition and some of the songs are actual really catchy. I haven't seen it before, but from what I understand they've updated the show for this year. Plus the beauty is the audience do the voting via text and the money goes to the charities that the Fringe is supporting.
If you hate Eurovision, steer clear, but if you don't then book book book.
On todays schedule is Techies The Musical (I'm thinking Ushers but backstage), Ushers (had to get them both in on the same day), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Murder She Didn't Write (an improvised murder mystery) and Gender Spanner (have no idea, but my friend said I should go).
I may get something else in before my first show this afternoon, but after little sleep I may prefer more sleep (I'm only up to beat the breakfast rush).
Until later TheatreBoard.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 16, 2016 18:13:25 GMT
Four shows completed so far.
First was a brand new musical adaptation of Great Expectations by Shrewsbury School and all I can say is WOW. This was written by the MD and one other and performed by a company of teenagers, not that you'd tell by the rounded and polished performance they put in. Great music, great voices, slightly stagey dancing, but perfectly accepted. Quite possibly the best school show I've ever seen and it was a pity when it ended.
A 90 minute piece so the story was a bit rushed. Give it an extra 30 minutes and an interval and give it a life outside Fringe. Definitely on my WATCH list if you can fit it in.
Then it was on to Techies, which was, as expected, an hilarious look at the life of working behind the scenes on a new overly ambitious show. Very good for 50 mins.
Then 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which, if you don't know, is a musical set at said event. Hadn't seen it before but heard some of the songs and this production was performed well. Not much else to say. It was good.
Finally I'm just out of Adam and Eve and Steve and that was absolutely wonderful. Witty lyrics and big props to the three leads on their costumes, especially Adam and Steve who spent the whole thing in a pair of leaf pants (and easy on the eye......). This performance was sold out, so I recommend buying in advance if possible.
Now in a queue for Ushers.....
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Post by lynette on Aug 16, 2016 20:17:09 GMT
Dead jealous, wish I woz there.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 17, 2016 10:03:31 GMT
So Ushers was good. I think 5 musicals back to back in quick succession made this final one a chore, though if it was the first thing of the day I'd seen it would have been wonderful. This was a case of me over indulging than a sleight against the company who performed well.
Then onto Murder She Didn't Write, a show so popular that the company was asked by the venue to put on an additional show in the evenings as they were selling out their earlier shows. They do a 5pm (ish) family show and a late night 9:45pm showing where gender roles are reversed and the cast drag up. I was at said showing. Our detective introduces herself as Dr Alice Gordon (took me a while...) and much like Showstopper! the audience offer ideas of the setting, and after an introduction to our characters for the evening an audience member chooses the victim and assailant unbeknownst to everyone bar the cast (and the audience member if they so wish since it is done via card selection) and on with the show as the murder mystery unfolds. It was funny and a definite recommendation. I'm sure the more family friendly showing is equally is good, but the late night version allows the controversy to ramp up and the cast were clearly having a treat time, and what great talents to produce a story off the top of their heads like that but make it look so seamless.
Closing my day was Gender Spanner, a burlesque, cabaret show by an independent artist about labels and gender issues. It was a 'different' way to end the evening, but then Fringe isn't just about musicals and plays. I definitely recommend catching some of the late night independent shows if possible as these are the people who will struggle for audiences, performing in tiny spaces as they aren't performing 'traditional theatre'.
Right, onwards into day three. Having a later start today to save my energy because my afternoon/evening is pretty busy with another past midnight end of day.
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Post by talkstageytome on Aug 17, 2016 19:50:49 GMT
I arrived in Edinburgh at about midday today. Pretty exciting! Already seen some great stuff. Standout is Paper Hearts, an adorable new musical. Kind of felt a bit like if you mixed The Last 5 Years, Once, City of Angels and Fiddler on the Roof together, and it works somehow. So uplifting, I am totally enamoured with it.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 18, 2016 7:28:47 GMT
I arrived in Edinburgh at about midday today. Pretty exciting! Already seen some great stuff. Standout is Paper Hearts, an adorable new musical. Kind of felt a bit like if you mixed The Last 5 Years, Once, City of Angels and Fiddler on the Roof together, and it works somehow. So uplifting, I am totally enamoured with it. I'm seeing 'Tomorrow, Maybe' this afternoon which has been described to me as a bit like the Last 5 Years. I shall see. If you get a chance over the next two days I highly recommend Dark Heart, a new Rock musical by an American theatre group. The cast are all teens, but the voices, wow!!! It's a bit dark though. |
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Post by talkstageytome on Aug 18, 2016 7:32:31 GMT
Ooh, sounds interesting. Thanks for the suggestions!
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Aug 18, 2016 15:42:20 GMT
Ooh, sounds interesting. Thanks for the suggestions! Just out of Tomorrow, Maybe and it's phenomenal. Book a ticket, I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm sad it's my final day day here tomorrow because I would have booked to see it again. |
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Post by synchrony on Aug 20, 2016 18:22:26 GMT
I've bought a ticket to Tomorrow, Maybe on your recommendation so the pressure is on!
I am not sure whether anyone is interested in my reviews at this late stage of the festival, so here's a short list of opinions on things I've seen thus far. If anyone would like details let me know.
OUTSTANDING
1. Ada/Ava
2. Undermined
3. All Quiet on the Western Front
GOOD
1. Eurobeat
2. Lucy, Lucy and Lucy Barfield
AVERAGE
1. The Ruby and the Smoke
POOR
1. Cut
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Post by Scots UK Theatre on Aug 20, 2016 21:39:58 GMT
9-5 by RCS is a thoroughly enjoyable production. Its at the half price booth most days so worth a punt at £6.00
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Post by stevej678 on Aug 20, 2016 22:25:34 GMT
9-5 by RCS is a thoroughly enjoyable production. Its at the half price booth most days so worth a punt at £6.00 Several of the 9-5 company are also in Confessions of a Justified Songwriter, another RCS production, 16:05 on alternate days at Assembly Checkpoint.  |
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Post by duncan on Aug 21, 2016 22:15:06 GMT
Today, I saw -
Bridget Christie (stand 1) - dreadful old toot, starting off with "I'm not talking about Brexit" and then spending the next hour doing nothing but Brexit material whilst seemingly not having noticed we havent actually left the EU yet. Continually saying "I'm not saying Leave voters are all racist, gullible and stupid" and then following it up with repeated attempts at humour that suggest you think they are just isnt funny. Part of the problem are the media commentators and comedians like Christie who live in their own bubble and who dont realise what is going in this country with millions of people and the gap they feel to the political elite and their decision making process. Maybe try and and understand why people voted the way they did Bridget instead of slagging them off in a dreadfully unfunny show, who knows it may actually give better material.
(should point out I didnt vote to leave the EU)
Captured (Udderbelly, Big Belly)- a two hander about a famous photographer who after 5 years has finally tracked down the Muse who made him famous. He wants to know why she walked out on their relationship, she wants to remain the person she has become. An interesting if flawed production, the story doesnt actually go anywhere and just peters out at the end.
The Mission (Pleasance Above), yikes!!!! a 200 seat venue and there were 19 of us in. Which was a crying shame as once we got past the first 5 minutes of movement theatre with excessive jazz hands this was a very well told tale of the first astronaut to be sent to Europa. After the failure (and death) of the Mars crew, to win back the public trust and interest the space agency decides to send a normal person instead of a proper astronaut on the next mission. How would you react if you were chosen as the epitome of normality and were sent on a one woman mission to an alien moon? Is the main thrust behind this, lots of movement and some puppets tell a very well told tale. Crying shame there was no one there to see it.
Radio Active (Pleasance One)- David Chuzzlenitt and Whats Going On? for those that are interested. Brilliant to see it live. Status Quid and the HeeBeeGeeBees made an appearance as well. A nice tribute to Geoffrey Perkins in the changeover between episodes. Great stuff.
Showstopper (Pleasance Grand) - not too sure on this one, on the one hand its very well done but on the other I suspect that they have the story beats set out beforehand and then work the suggestions into the outline. They also ignored the clear audience vote winner for the setting of the musical and instead went for another choice but that then showed that them there London types dont understand the Scottish language and when we say "Carnival" we dont mean the sort of thing they have in Rio - we mean dodgems and the like. The attempts at the differing musical styles suggested by the audience also varied wildly, there was a rather good pastiche of Phantom of the Opera but the section that was based around Mamma Mia! had nothing of the style of Abba or the musical to which it gave its name and could just as easily have been any other show.
(Mamma Mia, Phantom, Bob Fosse(!!!), Sweeney Todd, Matilda and Hamilton being the styles on show)
Michelle McManus - all this time, who knew she was so gallus. An exceptionally entertaining end to the day as the winner of Pop Idol 2003 takes a 30 minute journey through some brushes with fame from turning down a photo opportunity with Mickey Rourke to opening the new Rutherglen Lidl she has done it all. The other half of the show is Michelle belting out some tunes.
Not a bad day out.
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