Jo Turbitt reviews Mairy Maclary and Friends, Dickens' Women, The Submarine Show and The Clique Royale: The Queen's Selection.
Day 12: back in the throng and the race. Time away to recharge and I'm back on the show trail with oomph; it's a piece of advice which isn't given to fringe fans - by all means pack it in, but make sure you schedule in a snooze/quiet time. If you're finding that you're resenting this Olympic festival of arts and can't see its glory, benefits or splendour any more then I 100% suggest that you take time out; you'll renter the city centre with a new found appreciation of the festival of artistic champions. Bring it on.
Hairy Maclary and Friends, Nonsense Room Productions, Assembly George Square (****)
This is The Singing Kettle for the 21st Century! I was astounded by the following that these books and subsequently this show has. Even if this show is your first experience of the world of Hairy Maclary, you will quickly be swept up into a whirlwind of stories, actions and songs. I was bowled over when the sold out auditorium echoed with the words from the book, when they instantly joined in with the actions of the songs like they'd been rehearsing since the last time they saw the show. It's cute, very well produced and perfectly pitched for its 2+ audience. They loved it, as did their parents, joining in and enjoying the show as much as their kids. At several moments I watched the audience and saw captivated smiley faces gazing at the stage, the actors and the dogs—all I needed to know that this is a hit with its audience.
Dickens' Women--Miriam Margolyes, Pleasance Courtyard (*****)
If only every English literature lesson was like this, standards of English and appreciation of historic works wouldn't be in the state that it's in. Margolyes is wow, wow and wow again! Her energy, her constantly morphing physicality and her characterisations were enthralling and bewitching. Through the stories and history which accompanied each section and character, about Dickens, his life and loves, you get a real sense of her passion for his works. This passion resonates through the production, and even if you know very little about him or his writing you leave with a title in mind that you should definitely pick up. At the end of the show you feel spoiled: with the gorgeous language, the stories and the magnificence of the actress who has stood before you, crafting each woman so that you feel like you know her and that you've read each book a thousand times. Margolyes is theatrical royalty, and to witness her commanding the stage with delicate oomph was a lesson in brilliance. This is a stunning show: genius. It's sold out, but don't fear, it's going on tour. Chase it and catch it; I guarantee it won't be a waste of you time or money.
The Submarine Show, Jaron Hollander & Slater Penney, C Venues—C Too (****)
Perfect for an 8+ audience with creative brains which stretch like big bits of elastic beyond the unimaginable, The Submarine Show is a physical silent(ish) comedy which encourages you to see beyond the suggested. It's clever, it’s interactive, it's laugh-out-loud and it's mental! Join these two sailors as they jump from world to world, encountering the odd and the odder; their physical storytelling is excellent, and it only takes a few seconds (if that) until you see the ideas and the jokes. There is an underlying understanding and deep appreciation of the art and skill which needs to be invested in this art form, an understanding which originates in the simple ideas which then develop with layers and expand into crazy ideas. It's an imaginative 50 minutes—great fun!
La Clique Royale: The Queen’s Selection, The Spiegeltent, Spiegel Terrace (****)
La Clique returns to Edinburgh after a sabbatical from the festival; the venue and it's eclectic family of performers have come back recharged, full of wonder and dazzling OMG. La Clique's cast changes year in year out, which keeps the show and the performers fresh; kind of like a box of chocolates (without a card!), you never know what you're going to experience. Paul Zenon leads this troops of athletic, burlesque artists through an evening of music, magic and much "how do they do that??!". It's a brilliantly entertaining way to spend an evening at the festival; guaranteed quality and genuine stunning talent. Once again The Spiegeltent delivers one of the must see shows of the fringe; it's great to have them back.
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