Here's a quick run-down of everything we've caught at the festival!
WITH THE DEVIL'S ASSISTANCE
Theatre - Storytelling - Music - Age 16+
16:45 - Scottish Storytelling Centre
★★★★★
"This is impeccable storytelling, the hour flies by with performer Shona Cowe's beautifully artculated and detailed account of an infamous woman of the high streets of years gone by. With cheeky humour and brilliant musical accompaniment accordionist Neil Sutcliffe, this is one of the most memorable shows at the festival this year. Deserves more audience so go see it!"
PAUL CURRIE: THE CHORUS OF GHOSTS LIVING IN MY SKULL KEEP TELLING ME TO TAKE A...
Comedy - Stand-Up - Absurdist - Age 12+
21:00 - Just the Tonic at the Caves
★★★★★
"Bonkers, hilarious, a little bit messy (in more ways than one!). If you're a fan of Currie you might not find anything new here (though Currie does reveals more of his life than ever before) but if you're new to his work - wow, you're in for a treat!"
LIVING A LITTLE
Theatre - Comedy - Drama - Age 14+
18:55 - Underbelly Cowgate
★★★★★
"A very funny take on your typical zombie apocalypse story. Two friends are holed up in an apartment and a new member joins the group - hence some mayhem ensues. The cast are great together and the jokes fly fast and the show breathes new life into a genre that's starting to get a little stale elsewhere. So don't put the thought of zombies put you off but if you are a zombie fan, then it's definitely worth catching."
KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN: HOME TRUTHS
Comedy - Stand-Up - Age 16+
19:05 - Monkey Barrel Comedy
★★★★★
"Kiri is at the top of her game at the moment and this delightfully hilarious set is the perfect platform for her instantly likeable and relatable brand of comedy. Kiri pokes just as much fun at herself than anything else but she's an assured and accomplished female comedian who is knocking it out of the park at the moment and there's some profound thoughts in there as well as she holds up a mirror to society. Great stuff."
A EULOGY FOR ROMAN
Theatre - Solo Show - Interactive - Age 12+
run ended.
★★★★★
"My favourite show at the festival this year. This was a heartwarming and hilarious hour where we're invited to say a farewell to a man's best friend. The audience interaction and creativity in this piece was very sweet, heartfelt and outstanding - and very funny! I loved it, if it's back next year I'll be taking everyone to see it!"
AVA BEAUX: WHICH WITCH
Cabaret and Variety - Magic - Theatre - Age 18+
21:15 - PBH's Free Fringe @ CC Blooms
★★★★
"A very nicely crafted magic show here with an intriguing set-up. Our host has been split into two personas and this sprightly magic show is performed with gusto by Ava Beaux. There's some really great tricks in here as well that had the audience scratching their heads in awe. A fun, sweet show but with a tinge of darkness and danger. The ending is pretty special too. Go see it!"
CONFETTI
Theatre - Comedy - LGBT - Age 12+
14:20 - Assembly George Square
★★★★
"The actor Will Jackson gives a terrificly fun performance as Felix who is a gay man organising his best female friend's hen-do. There's plenty of laughs to be had in this odd venue (a box container) that adds to the intimacy of the retelling of the account of Felix's story. Worth catching!"
MARK SIMMONS - QUIP OFF THE MARK
Comedy - Stand-Up - Age 18+
13:45 - PBH's Free Fringe @ Liquid Room
★★★★
"Simmons gives punch-line after punch-line in this very funny hour. There's jokes in here you'll definitely steal for yourself in every day use! Simmons has recently been one of the front-runners for best joke at the fringe and the show was packed out when I went. It is free (donations) so make sure you get there early if going along. It's a great laugh for an hour!"
OLIVES AND...
Theatre - Comedy - Drama - Age 14+
21:25 - theSpaceTriplex
★★★★
"Actor Ollie Maddigan gives a terrific performance in this one-man show as it recounts a teenager's coming-of-age tale of facing his grief amongst the usual rumble tumble of teen life. It's often very funny and very well played by the young actor who commands the stage for just over the hour."
GRANT BUSE: SENTIMENTAL
Comedy - Cabaret - Music - Age 16+
20:30 - Gilded Baloon Teviot
★★★★
"Full of nostalgia for the '90s this delightfully quirky stand-up routine relies heavily on the fondness for the era. Nothing wrong with that! Buse's best stuff comes in his excellent songs such as the Sex and the City rundown. A fun hour with a totally daft ending""
LIFE'S A DRAG
Cabaret and Variety - Drag - Comedy - Age 18+
18:00 - Laughing Horse @ The Pear House - Free Festival
★★★★
"Dean Misdale is a fantastic singer and commands the tiny stage in The Pear Tree. We're maybe a bit done hearing about how everyone coped with lockdowns by now but there's still plenty of laughs in the stories re-accounted here. A great first drag show for anyone to go along to. An enjoyable hour to start your evening with a likeable and very talented hostess."
What else?...
THE MISTAKE - ★★★
Intriguing two-hander by two accomplished actors reaccounting the Hiroshima bombing. Outstays it's welcome slightly but food-for-thought.
MARTHA MCBRIER: WHO KNEW? - ★★★
Old-timer comedian takes a look back at the '70s. A little slow and maybe more appealing for those who remember the time but McBrier is a likeable host for the hour.
CHARACTER BUILDING EXPERIENCE - ★★★
An improvised RPG comedy that is creative but could do with involving it's audience a bit more.
And the rest....
Tarot: Cautionary Tales - ★★★★★
Mr. Chonkers - ★★★★★
Silly Words from My Stupid Face - ★★★★
Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch - ★★★★
Mischief Movie Night - ★★★★
Charlie Caper: Magical - ★★★★
Hamlet with Ian McKellen - ★★
Make sure you've booked in for Mix Up Theatre DRAMA CLASSES!
