After 4 days at EdFringe I’m taking a couple of days at home to be a quiet person and give my feet a rest. Here are a selection of short reviews which I’ve posted against each show on www.edfringe.com in case you are wondering what to track down in the glorious City of Edinburgh. (Listed in the order I/we saw them)
PEKKU: A gloriously inventive laugh outload non-verbal joy from start to finish. From the opening moment giggles and wonderful energy were flowing back to this skilled artist from 3yr olds through to this 60+ years older inner child. This show could and should play globally to families of small children. Thank you Alice and Redbridge for bringing it to us. Perfect setting in Zoo Southside. Joyful start to my Fringe month. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/pekku
DREAM SPACE It may be discomforting when young audiences are uncensored in their views…but it is wonderful to see the puppets and the company eventually generated a change from “what is this ?” to “I loved that” from one of the few young people there. The many adults also ended up relatively enchanted. Korean storytelling and demonstration is very different from British styles. I feel sure the company is steadily developing the style which best gets children and adults on their oceanic journey. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/dream-space
HOT MESS Hot Mess is sure hot…but is definitely no mess. Fantastic powerhouse casting. Sensitive direction. Deeply witty wordplay throughout. Music for the Six generation and just. maybe there could be a sequel or an alternative ending. That is up to Humanity. Earth is doing her best. Congratulations to Vicky Graham and Birmingham Hippodrome for giving creative heft and the best opportunity for this new show. A cheering packed Sun aft audience. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/hot-mess
WHEN BILLY MET ALASDAIR I was an Alan Bissett virgin, but no longer. In this premier he weaves a fascinating exploration of perseverance as an artist himself, and through an exploration of two 20th Century titans. Beautifully layered, warmly delivered. This work deserves to be seen at literary festivals and storytelling seasons around the world. I may not ever tackle the mountainous climb of Lanark but he has given me a view from the summit. Thank you. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/when-billy-met-alasdair
DREGS My 2nd Pick of the Fringe is most definitely Dregs at the Storytelling Centre. A beautifully balanced selkie story told through the use of spoken English, signed BSL, and visual storytelling. Two phenomenal storytellers took us through the un-mythical monstrous world of Glasgow on a Saturday Night into the maybe-mythical world of a very special selkie world. Thank you for total aural and visual enchantment. I hope this show will tour throughout the UK and then find a place internationally bi-translated. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/dregs (picture above)
SEX DRUGS AND CONSCIOUS SOULS A Seattle regular at freefringe said to the performer creators after the show that this was the most professional show he’d seen. I would add that it is rich in truth. If any word in their copy causes a seriously negative reaction then maybe avoid, otherwise like me, if you identify with some of the key descriptors, head to the very welcoming Street bar and have a joyous time at this high paced fascinating and heart opening autobio drama. I hope these two very special Newcastle based folk grow this show to play to a wider and wider audience. I would cheer if they get a producer and a way of developing this piece, without losing the person centred wisdom they share. Congratulations. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sex-drugs-and-conscious-souls
TILLY NO BODY I had heard about Lulu and Spring Awakening but I knew little about the author or his muse, wife, voice piece of Tilly. A second show in my review cycle considering who is the voice…the author or the actor…and if those lines creep into the lovers real loves what damage or challenge can they bring. I am intrigued to read more and welcome this illumination from husband and wife, director performer team. Thank you Andy Jordan producer for always bringing dramatic voices into this Fringe world https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tilly-no-body
So 7 shows plus of course seeing Kath’s amazing Mairi Campbell Pendulum Trilogy. https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mairi-campbell-living-stone-pendulum-trilogy which is the extraordinary bringing together of 10 years of work on three different shows, marking the 20th producing anniversary of Kate Taylor also. Don’t miss one or more of them.
The storm knocked out my planned visit to Ben Moor when the Pleasance Courtyard was closed but I will definitely catch him later. I have about 20 more shows already booked and will keep gathering my tiny reviews in case they are useful.
My two popular hits so far are Pekku for young audiences and Dregs for storytelling audiences in spoken English and BSL Two very special pieces of work. And the free fringe show I really look forward to seeing develop, which will most definitely not resonate with many people since it tackles true life adventures of a very open kind, is Sex Drugs and Conscious Souls.
Time to get back out into the EdFringe sunlight for my 5th Scottish Storytelling Centre show. It has the most fascinating programme this year. Thank you Daniel for inspiring choices and the care you and your team give to every company. https://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com/