Missy Lorelei shares some insight and picks concerning the upcoming Festival.
It's unavoidable: in August, the world's biggest arts festival, featuring over 2,500 shows, returns to the fair city of Edinburgh. Sensible citizens generally flee Auld Reekie as their home transforms into a hedonistic freak show, but for the rest of us, it's a fantastic buzz.
Over 2,500 shows! More than 250 venues! With these head-melting statistics in mind, it can be difficult to select just a few. When ordering, do note that various 2-4-1 offers are on, especially within the first few days, when the previews begin. Not only are they cheaper, but you get the added incentive of performers trying out new material, bringing a frisson to proceedings as some will die on their proverbials and some will work beautifully. Old favourites may be worth a look, but it is generally more interesting to find some new gems for yourself, in obscure, badly-lit venues, amid rats and the 'authentic' stench of stale piss.
Okay, so perhaps not. There is one cavernous venue I can only ever speak of in hushed tones- I won't lie...it gave me the fear. And the acts played to eleven people, of which I was one. But many smaller venues have edgy, illuminating material that is overlooked by Pleasance and Assembly bookers, appealing to a more niche crowd who want something more challenging than some misanthropic stand-up from Bolton, trying to cloak his casual racism under the convenient banner of 'irony'.
Site-specific theatre productions are gathering ubiquity, but much of these depend on how brave you are- you could find yourself being water-boarded, groped in the dark or being chased down Fleshmarket Close; possibly all three, if you're lucky.
So, which shows do I recommend? Here are a few that may appeal. If you're not sure, the Half-Price Hut offers just that, and 2-4-1 for you and a friend mean you haven't lost too much ticket money.
Kids
Peter Pan: Flying High Theatre Company present their own adaptation of the classic children’s tale by JM Barrie, which, like its central character, never seems to age. Combining physical theatre with storytelling and songs, it should keep the little ones enchanted (and hopefully quiet) for almost an hour. The Space on Niddry Street.
Pop Lock-in: Oh, I see, Peter Pan too traditional for your brand-aware, hip rugrats? Try this one instead. A mini-nightclub for kids, with street dance instructors, cupcakes, mocktails, karaoke and DJ Hero on the menu. This will definitely wear them out- two hours of dance, fun and mayhem- and there's even a quiet space for parents to retreat to, for a little calm before the e-numbers wear off. Baby Loves Disco UK have thought of everything to keep the 5-11 year olds happy. And the old 'uns. Electric Circus.
The Amazing Bubble Man: Suitable for the whole family, this show will fascinate with ''the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles''. Presented by Louis Pearl, it will undoubtedly be a case of who will exclaim, ''Coool!" first- Mum, Dad, or the kids? Perhaps not as subversive as Jeff Achtem's shows, it will nonetheless be a winner. Magic! Fun! Giant bubbles! What's not to like? The Assembly Rooms
Dance
Booking Dance Festival Showcase: Showcasing some of the most diverse dance talent around, this eclectic, dizzying mini-festival is always worth a punt. Seven companies from America feature disparate styles, from jazz to ballet; contemporary to street dance. Glorious stuff. Venue 150 @ EICC
Menage A Trois: This gorgeous, inspired Multimedia piece from Scottish performer Claire Cunningham and video artist Gail Sneddon, in conjunction with National Theatre Of Scotland is a witty look at society's ideals of perfection, love and dating. Utterly unforgettable and highly recommended, you will be smitten from the very start. Paterson's Land.
Unholy Trinity sees three female choreographers/ soloists, comprising Avatara Ayuso, Giorgia Nardin and Aoife McAtamney, melding dance with powerful physical theatre in one of Edinburgh's most intimate and exciting venues around. Definitely one to check out. Dance Base
Cabaret
La Clique: I remain mostly unconvinced by the mainstream burlesque revival- artistic and parodic, or just tits and tassels? Hmm. Perhaps La Clique can convince me otherwise. A Fringe favourite, it features magic, song, circus, comedy and burlesque in the fabulously ornate, glam setting of the Spiegeltent. The Famous Spiegeltent @ George Street
Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer: Can't Stop, Shan't Stop: What ho, chaps and chap-esses, he is back. One of the finest moustache wearers in all of Christendom, the rapper with etiquette returns to his rightful place at the top of the cabaret tree, with some new ditties and old favourites. Bring classy tweed, cravats and Pimms for the quaffing.Rather! The Voodoo Rooms
Le Gateau Chocolat- I Heart Chocolat: Big star, big voice and a big night out. The unique opera diva with a wardrobe to make Gaga blush, Le Gateau Chocolat is quite extraordinary- a star in the making, and with melodies that melt in your mouth. Serve at room temperature-HOT! Underbelly
Comedy
Bridget Christie A Bic For Her: Her other half Stewart Lee may well be a perennial Fringe comedy favourite, but Ms Christie is a wonderful comedy performer in her own right, fusing the surreal with the inventive and is often drolly political. An engaging and likeable talent. See her as a best-kept secret, and you can say you caught her first. The Stand.
The wonderfully named Red Bastard returns to the Fringe to strike fear into unsuspecting audience members. Nobody, but nobody, is safe from this most malevolent of bouffons. Don't think sitting at the back will help. Oh, no. I can say no more.You have been warned... Assembly George Square.
Alexei Sayle, everyone's favourite erstwhile Marxist aggressor has been out of the stand-up loop for 17 years, focussing instead on writing his rather splendid books. Time may have (slightly)mellowed this Liverpudlian legend, but his intellect and hatred for Ben Elton remain as sharp as ever. A welcome return, but get in soon. He'll sell out quickly ( but never in the political sense. Arf.) The Stand.
Theatre
Cora Bissett's masterful Whatever Gets You Through The Nightis a true labour of love- a collaboration fusing film with acting, dance and live bands, all evoking the possibilities of night-time in Scotland, with all the romance, danger, sadness and joy that entails. It is to Glasgow what Woody Allen's Manhattan is to New York city, albeit with kebab shops instead of Elaine's diner. It will smash the Fringe. The Queen's Hall, Clerk Street.
Bryony Kimmings is my kinda gal- playful, naughty, but with a feminist intelligence bubbling under her perverse humour. The woman who once revisited her sexual history in Sex Idiot and stayed inebriated for a week - all in the name of art (Seven Day Drunk) is back, this time with her nine year old niece in tow. Depressed at the lack of role models for little Taylor to aspire to, Kimmings decided to create her own. See the results for yourself in Credible Likeable Superstar Rolemodel. Pleasance Dome
Entertaining Mr Orton should be a winner- promising standard theatre themes of ''sex, murder and lies'', Tower Theatre Company present an alternative universe in which the controversial playwright Joe Orton's alter ego Edna Welthorpe really existed, in a new play by Martin Mulgrew. Not for the faint of heart or prudish I'm sure, but an intriguing and bold premise for everyone else. C, Chambers Street.
For more information and tickets, contact Box Office on 0131 226 0000, or visit www.edfringe.com
RSS