|
|
Post by firefingers on Aug 22, 2019 14:42:03 GMT
Saw a couple more shows.
Green and Blue: the tale of two guards on the British boarder in Ireland. Neat little play, half done as characters talking direct to audience and then half in dialogue with each other. I orefered the dialogue half but my companion preferred the monologues. Good book and wized by. 4 stars.
Werewolf Live: A daft premise that is perfect for the festival. A different group of seven comedians (and where better to get seven comics than during Edinburgh Festival) play a game of Werewolf. Of the seven, five are harmless villagers, and every "night" the two werewolves bump off one of the group. In the day the group try and figure out who the werewolves are and execute someone. A game of fantastic lying and coercion, and the line up varies nightly so you could see it many times and get different results and humour each time. Genuinely hilarious and conceptually brilliant. Will try and do this at every festival from here on out. 5 stars.
|
|
|
|
Post by talkingheads on Aug 23, 2019 9:49:41 GMT
Did anyone else get the chance to see Baby Reindeer by Richard Gadd? Never had a more intense, emotional experience in a theatre! An astonishing work, especially as it's true!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2019 15:19:01 GMT
I had a great year and, from the looks of it, a completely different one to some (given the number of shows, probably to be expected!)
Outstanding shows include -
Sh!t Theatre Drink Rum With Expats (a sideways look at expats/immigration).
Who Cares (Lung Theatre verbatim play about young carers).
Total Immediate Collective Imminent Terrestrial Salvation (slippery Tim Crouch play about truth, among many other things).
TG Amsterdam’s Robert Icke directed Oedipus (Hans Kesting, incredible as usual, with a supporting cast that was uniformly strong too).
Belgium’s Ontreoerend Goed’s Are we not drawn onward to new erA (the clue is in the title).
Shenanigan from Daniel Kitson, his storytelling show that is, ostensibly, about a relationship breakdown but also, a rumination on truth and stories.
Theatre Re’s beautiful physical theatre show Birth, which had me in buckets of tears.
Scottee’s coruscating show about Class, which hit right home.
Three great musicals too - the semi-autobiographical The Canary and the Crow, Scottish eco-folk-looping musical Islander and Electrolyte (which I missed last year).
That’s half of the shows I saw and only a few of the rest went down to merely okay.
I usually hit on a couple of clunkers but I seem to have made better choices this year. I left booking until late, apart from a couple that were going to sell out, so that helped, I think.
The one show that I want to catch up on is Baby Reindeer by Richard Gadd, tickets went quicker than I’d expected.
|
|
237 posts
|
Post by harrietcraig on Aug 23, 2019 16:43:28 GMT
In all the focus on theatre I forgot to mention seeing some excellent visual art in Edinburgh. Best was the Edinburgh College of Art exhibition. I didn't see all of it but really enjoyed what I did get to see. The David Batchelor exhibition at the Ingleby is worth a visit as is the Victoria Crowe at the City Gallery. The latter is ticket-only at £6. I didn't go to the Bridget Riley show at the National, I'd have liked to. A much pricier one though, at £16 I think. Sadly one of my favourite galleries there, the Fruitmarket is closed for a major refurbishment reopening next year. But hopefully it'll be better than ever and will be significantly expanded. , thanks for the tip about the Victoria Crowe exhibition. I saw it this afternoon, and enjoyed it greatly, as did the two friends I dragged along with me. None of the three of us (all Americans) were familiar with her work before today, but we left the exhibit as enthusiasts. |
|
2,496 posts
|
Post by zahidf on Aug 23, 2019 18:40:07 GMT
Did anyone else get the chance to see Baby Reindeer by Richard Gadd? Never had a more intense, emotional experience in a theatre! An astonishing work, especially as it's true! I saw it, I agree it was great! May Well see it again in London |
|
|
|
Post by firefingers on Aug 23, 2019 19:19:35 GMT
Few more from me.
Enough
Maybe I was missing something, the reviews certainly suggested I have. I get the idea of two very different women having to present themselves as idealised (they are both air hostesses) and the limitations and effects of that but I found it dull and pointless. 2 stars.
Electrolyte
Can see why it is back as it is a fantastic show. Very talented cast, cool music and a great way to tell a story. 4 stars.
Square Go
Loved this. Staged in the round, a boy and his friend prepare for a "square go", a fight with another kid who is not to be messed with. We the audience chant and cheer as the hilarious and familiar story of how they got into this mess. Great fun, very Scottish, and staring Prodrick from GOT, what's not to love? 5 stars.
Mouthpiece
And just before the end of the fest, we have a new winner for my show of the fringe. Gripping, thrilling, tense and bedded firmly in the town we're in. It is a show largely about writing which I usually hate but here it is used so gloriously that it is on a different level. A simple robust two hander with so much passion and energy and fire, the perfect festival hard hitting play. Fully deserving of it's long returns queue, and already in its second year, I can see it coming back again and again. 5 stars.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2019 19:33:17 GMT
I saw my final show of the Fringe on Tuesday - What Girls Are Made Of. All I'm going to say is it is a brilliant, meaningful piece of theatre. Try and catch it when it's in London next month.
|
|
1,827 posts
|
Post by stevej678 on Aug 26, 2019 16:08:28 GMT
Ticket sales for the Fringe have topped three million for the first time, recording a 6% increase on the previous high set in 2018.
International Festival sales are up 1% on last year to 425k, however still down on the 2017 record which topped 450,000 for the 70th anniversary celebrations.
Next year's Fringe and international festivals will run from 7th-31st August.
|
|
|
|
Post by talkingheads on Aug 26, 2019 23:17:29 GMT
I'd highly recommend Scream Phone. A deliciously campy, OTT horror spoof with an eighties soundtrack sung by three very talented ladies with brilliant voices (even more impressive considering it's the final day after 25 performances!)
|
|
1,827 posts
|
Post by stevej678 on Sept 19, 2019 8:55:06 GMT
I've been waiting for Premier Inn to release their prices for next year's Fringe and wondering why they were holding them back (with all their Edinburgh hotels and those in surrounding areas unavailable to book for the whole of August 2020, while Premier Inns elsewhere were widely available).
They finally released their prices yesterday and they are astronomical! I paid £450 for a nine-night stay in the Hub by Premier Inn near Haymarket this year and in previous years have stayed at the Premier Inn at Edinburgh Park (around ten minutes from the centre of Edinburgh on the train) for around £750 for the same number of nights (always booking for the following year as soon as one Fringe has come to an end).
The pricing for next year has all Premier Inns, including the one at Edinburgh Park, between £1,550 and £1,750 for nine nights, around £170-£195 a night, while the Hub by Premier Inn has tripled in price from what I paid this year to £1,450, with all of these prices on a pay-now, non-refundable basis. You can book flexibly but it's another £100+ extra to do so.
I'll be looking at alternative accommodation over the next few days but if other hotels and B&Bs are being inflated in price to this extent then it looks like next year might be a Fringe-less one for me. Anyone else struggling to find something even remotely affordable for next year or able to offer recommendations?
|
|
|
|
Post by talkingheads on Sept 19, 2019 9:11:58 GMT
I've been waiting for Premier Inn to release their prices for next year's Fringe and wondering why they were holding them back (with all Edinburgh hotels and those in surrounding areas unavailable to book for the whole of August 2020, while Premier Inns elsewhere were widely available). They finally released their prices yesterday and they are astronomical! I paid £450 for a nine-night stay in the Hub by Premier Inn near Haymarket this year and in previous years have stayed at the Premier Inn at Edinburgh Park (around ten minutes from the centre of Edinburgh on the train) for around £750 for the same number of nights (always booking for the following year as soon as one Fringe has come to an end). The pricing for next year has all Premier Inns, including the one at Edinburgh Park, between £1,550 and £1,750 for nine nights, approaching £170-£195 a night, while the Hub by Premier Inn has tripled in price from what I paid this year to £1,450, with all of these prices on a pay-now, non-refundable basis. You can book flexibly but it's another £100+ extra to do so. I'll be looking at alternative accommodation over the next few days but if other hotels and B&Bs are being inflated in price to this extent then it looks like next year might be a Fringe-less one for me. Anyone else struggling to find something even remotely affordable for next year or able to offer recommendations? I avoid Travelodge and Premier like the plague. Got a quote through a website which was declined because "the quotes are automatic and don;t take into account the August hike" as the owner put it to me, she wanted £250 a night, I politely told her where to go. Trouble is, I need to stay somewhere relatively central, I was in Livingston this year, great flat at a great price, but a fortune in late night taxis (why Edinburgh can't run the rail service beyond midnight for the Fringe considering the extra money they're getting is shocking), so it'll have to be that bit more |
|
2,496 posts
|
Post by zahidf on Sept 19, 2019 12:19:01 GMT
I've been waiting for Premier Inn to release their prices for next year's Fringe and wondering why they were holding them back (with all their Edinburgh hotels and those in surrounding areas unavailable to book for the whole of August 2020, while Premier Inns elsewhere were widely available). They finally released their prices yesterday and they are astronomical! I paid £450 for a nine-night stay in the Hub by Premier Inn near Haymarket this year and in previous years have stayed at the Premier Inn at Edinburgh Park (around ten minutes from the centre of Edinburgh on the train) for around £750 for the same number of nights (always booking for the following year as soon as one Fringe has come to an end). The pricing for next year has all Premier Inns, including the one at Edinburgh Park, between £1,550 and £1,750 for nine nights, around £170-£195 a night, while the Hub by Premier Inn has tripled in price from what I paid this year to £1,450, with all of these prices on a pay-now, non-refundable basis. You can book flexibly but it's another £100+ extra to do so. I'll be looking at alternative accommodation over the next few days but if other hotels and B&Bs are being inflated in price to this extent then it looks like next year might be a Fringe-less one for me. Anyone else struggling to find something even remotely affordable for next year or able to offer recommendations? I'd try and get one of the student rented flats: I've got mine reserved for edinbrugh metro hostel. Private bedroom, shared bathroom |
|
4,993 posts
|
Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 19, 2019 15:00:10 GMT
I've never been, and had I been considering it, I'm totally put off the idea now. I'm a bit too old to "rough it" with shared bathrooms, and I wouldn't consider paying package holiday to the USA prices for a few days in Edinburgh. No real wonder everybody seemed to be moaning this year that there were too many shows chasing too few customers. Time for the organisers to get a grip, I fancy. Babes have you considered using? www.theatredigsbooker.com/If you did it in London then you could stay in my penthouse 😉 |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2019 18:17:01 GMT
I always stay in a B and B, making sure I get one close enough to walk into the centre of Edinburgh but far enough away and off the main roads (lots of noisy traffic into the early hours). Seeing as I only use it for sleeping, showering, wifi and breakfast I don’t need anything fancy. This year, the one I stayed at was £75 per night for a single room with a bathroom for my use only just across the hall. Talking to the owner, he said that business is down a bit because of air b’n’b but nothing too drastic.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2019 19:03:06 GMT
I've been waiting for Premier Inn to release their prices for next year's Fringe and wondering why they were holding them back (with all their Edinburgh hotels and those in surrounding areas unavailable to book for the whole of August 2020, while Premier Inns elsewhere were widely available). They finally released their prices yesterday and they are astronomical! I paid £450 for a nine-night stay in the Hub by Premier Inn near Haymarket this year and in previous years have stayed at the Premier Inn at Edinburgh Park (around ten minutes from the centre of Edinburgh on the train) for around £750 for the same number of nights (always booking for the following year as soon as one Fringe has come to an end). The pricing for next year has all Premier Inns, including the one at Edinburgh Park, between £1,550 and £1,750 for nine nights, around £170-£195 a night, while the Hub by Premier Inn has tripled in price from what I paid this year to £1,450, with all of these prices on a pay-now, non-refundable basis. You can book flexibly but it's another £100+ extra to do so. I'll be looking at alternative accommodation over the next few days but if other hotels and B&Bs are being inflated in price to this extent then it looks like next year might be a Fringe-less one for me. Anyone else struggling to find something even remotely affordable for next year or able to offer recommendations? I'd try and get one of the student rented flats: I've got mine reserved for edinbrugh metro hostel. Private bedroom, shared bathroom The one at Haddington Place is private bathrooms, really handy for walking back from late shows too. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2019 20:14:45 GMT
I have no problem with accommodation as I live about half an hour away from Waverley on the train, but the dates this year have no overlap with school holidays due to it being a leap year, and in Scotland the schools go back early August. It's really disappointing as I probably won't get a chance to perform next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by irisjeregenboog on Sept 20, 2019 20:17:47 GMT
Hello everyone! This is such a useful thread! I've been wanting to treat myself to a trip to the Edinburgh fringe festival for a few years now after a lovely first trip in 2013 (and a fleeting introduction to it in 2012). But always one (or more) of these 3 problems prevented me from going: 1. No time to take a break from work 2. No one to go with 3. Way too expensive (i.e., no money... ) Well, for the fringe in 2020, I have decided it's never a good time to take a holiday, so I might as well just book it and not worry about not spending enough time at work (like, I am allowed to take days off. This is totally fine. Right?). I haven't found anyone to go with, but screw that: I am going alone! Actually, I think/hope it will be delightful as I can just go to all the shows I want to see instead of convincing very hesitant travel buddies. It will be my first solo (theatre) trip, so I am curious to see how it will turn out. Hopefully, I'll have some more solo theatre experience under my belt come August 2020. And then money. I nearly had a heart attack when I was looking on booking.com: absolutely crazy. But there were some very useful suggestions on this thread that were actually affordable, so I am now happily booked for 5 days in the Edinburgh Metro hostel. Thanks for the tip zahidf ! Can't wait to go!! |
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Sept 23, 2019 15:45:58 GMT
Hello everyone! This is such a useful thread! I've been wanting to treat myself to a trip to the Edinburgh fringe festival for a few years now after a lovely first trip in 2013 (and a fleeting introduction to it in 2012). But always one (or more) of these 3 problems prevented me from going: 1. No time to take a break from work 2. No one to go with 3. Way too expensive (i.e., no money... ) Well, for the fringe in 2020, I have decided it's never a good time to take a holiday, so I might as well just book it and not worry about not spending enough time at work (like, I am allowed to take days off. This is totally fine. Right?). I haven't found anyone to go with, but screw that: I am going alone! Actually, I think/hope it will be delightful as I can just go to all the shows I want to see instead of convincing very hesitant travel buddies. It will be my first solo (theatre) trip, so I am curious to see how it will turn out. Hopefully, I'll have some more solo theatre experience under my belt come August 2020. And then money. I nearly had a heart attack when I was looking on booking.com: absolutely crazy. But there were some very useful suggestions on this thread that were actually affordable, so I am now happily booked for 5 days in the Edinburgh Metro hostel. Thanks for the tip zahidf ! Can't wait to go!! Have a great time. It really is a festival so don't worry you'll find yourself chatting to lots of people in queues/bars/coffee stops/the person giving out flyers (who is often in the show in Question).... |
|
