When did I get old?
Fringe day 2 - or day 1 depending on you're counting system, apparently. I'm knackered! When and how did this happen? Last year, I went from show to show until the wee small hours. 2014, and two shows in and I'm desperate for another 5 hours of sleep and a very large coffee -a very large coffee indeed...and maybe a muffin. Instead, I man (or woman, or non gender-specific) up and get myself together with all the ingredients to survive Fringe 2014!
Self-indulgent linking to my own post on Fringe Survival:
Edinburgh Fringe Survival 101
In three words: *ambivalent French shrug*
Highlight: Silhouette scenes
I admit, buying this ticket was a bit like going hungry into a supermarket. I went in for one thing and came out with something completely different - often just dessert! Perhaps I picked iti I empathise with Sleeping Beauty (or at least the sleeping aspect). Unfortunately, this show is likely to fall between the gaps of the Fringe. It is neither so good nor so bad that I am likely to talk about it for the next year or even week. It committed the sin (note to self: decide the 7 deadly sins of the Fringe one day) of being forgettable.
A Liverpudlian "Princess" takes you through a story of council estates, shoplifting and drugs - so, no, not exactly a tale for children (the 14+ age guidance suddenly makes sense). It is delivered with a very Northern sense of humour which feels slightly at odds with the sporadic French translation which accompanies the narrative. The show is held at the French Institute so perhaps it was a stipulation of the venue but, as there is no other French theme, that it reminded me slightly more of a Linguaphone cassette than anything else. However, where this show triumphs is the use of beautiful lighting and clever visuals, especially during the shadow sections, which create a suitably dark atmosphere. The sharp humour and some of the deeper emotion was sometime lost in delivery but storyteller, Collette Garrigan, successfully characterises the teenage princess, especially during the party sequence. Her rendition of the malevolent grandmother (wow, what a great evil cackle!) also helped bring the piece to life. All in all, this show had so much promise but may struggle to live happily ever after.
Scaramouche Jones - 3.5 Stars
In three words: Making a clown
Highlight: The mime of execution
The tale of a 100 year old clown, told on his last night alive - Boy, do I know how to pick some upbeat shows! I will start by saying that I may have enjoyed this more had the room not been so distractingly cold. Fitting, perhaps, for a tale told on New Years' Eve in London but as audience members sat in hats and scarves I can only say that this did not feel done in the aid of authenticity - it felt f**king freezin'!
Scaramouche Jones welcomes you into his circus dressing room and uses the basic set and props to take you through the fantastical story of his life. Although it was hard to believe that the clown was actually 100 (he was more high energy and physically spry than I am), he was, in a way, completely ageless. Diverse and wonderful characters were creatively embodied in just one man who managed to jump from Gypsy mother to Italian prince with relative ease, though some accents were more successful than others. The story was everything it should be: darkly comic, physical and, at times, extremely moving. Actor, Justin Butcher's telling of his clown's time in the concentration camps is a stand-out moment that is deeply affecting. The life of this clown is touched with joy and tragedy, and although the suffering he feels does not always come across as strongly as it should, this is truly a tour de force from a talented actor and sensitive production. Not exactly the laugh riot of the Century but I seldom let that stop me!
And now for something completely different...
Divallusion with Christina Bianco and Velma Celli - 3.5 stars
In three words: So...many...divas!
Take-away line: "Can I get a Gay-men?!"
YouTube sensation, Christina Bianco and drag queen Velma Celli dish out (highly musical) lessons on how to be a diva - Like I need those, darlings! Christina Bianco - a little lady who somehow managed to swallow a barrel of divas - is truly the star of this show. For the price of an ordinary ticket, the audience is given access to a concert starring a bucketful of Broadway and pop greats. This woman is truly talented ... what a b**ch! I would have happily paid to see a solo show.
The play between Bianco and Velma Celli is fun and bubbly, with just a slight whiff of diva rivalry, though not all sections are created equal . Velma Celli, as a towering drag queen with a crackin' Northern English accent, knows how to belt it out. Now, perhaps I've been spoiled by too much RuPaul's Drag Race (available on Netflix - there is no such thing as too much RuPaul) but I expect to see my divas tucked and cinched. UK female impersonation is still dragging behind (you had to give me one pun, come on!) the US. This is probably a minor niggle in a great, feel-good and upbeat show that makes you want to, in the words of Ms Celli, diva the f**k out of life... well you should be doing that anyway!
Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Soho - 5 f**king stars!
In three words: Maggie, Maggie, Maggie!
Take-away lines: "Bitchy"
"Any spare change? - Yes thank you. Lots!"
"It's just a phase you grow out of... like empathy"
Sometimes in the Fringe, it pays to trust your instincts. We picked up tickets to this (for the bargainous price of £5 each, oh yeah!) after seeing Maggie herself, complete with staple handbag, strolling around the Assembly Gardens. Let's put it this way.... Instincts: 1 - Planning: 0. This will be the only football, rugby or any other sport reference you will see from me.
This may be the standout comedy show of the Edinburgh Fringe. Margaret Thatcher successfully straddles (interesting and potentially scarring mental imagery) high camp and cutting political satire. A drag performer plays the eponymous Maggie and gives a very convincing Thatcher - except you actually like her! From entering the Assembly Bosco tent, I was in pain-causing, tear-giving laughter. From the moment Maggie gets on stage, we room transforms into a bitingly witty, musical extravaganza. Thatcher dishes out quips so funny and cutting that I want to go back and write down all the lines I want to use on people (and probably shouldn't). Unadulterated brilliance!
Self-indulgent linking to my own post on Fringe Survival:
Edinburgh Fringe Survival 101
Sleeping Beauty - 2.5 Stars
 |
| Taken from http://vivelefringe.org/ |
In three words: *ambivalent French shrug*
Highlight: Silhouette scenes
I admit, buying this ticket was a bit like going hungry into a supermarket. I went in for one thing and came out with something completely different - often just dessert! Perhaps I picked iti I empathise with Sleeping Beauty (or at least the sleeping aspect). Unfortunately, this show is likely to fall between the gaps of the Fringe. It is neither so good nor so bad that I am likely to talk about it for the next year or even week. It committed the sin (note to self: decide the 7 deadly sins of the Fringe one day) of being forgettable.
A Liverpudlian "Princess" takes you through a story of council estates, shoplifting and drugs - so, no, not exactly a tale for children (the 14+ age guidance suddenly makes sense). It is delivered with a very Northern sense of humour which feels slightly at odds with the sporadic French translation which accompanies the narrative. The show is held at the French Institute so perhaps it was a stipulation of the venue but, as there is no other French theme, that it reminded me slightly more of a Linguaphone cassette than anything else. However, where this show triumphs is the use of beautiful lighting and clever visuals, especially during the shadow sections, which create a suitably dark atmosphere. The sharp humour and some of the deeper emotion was sometime lost in delivery but storyteller, Collette Garrigan, successfully characterises the teenage princess, especially during the party sequence. Her rendition of the malevolent grandmother (wow, what a great evil cackle!) also helped bring the piece to life. All in all, this show had so much promise but may struggle to live happily ever after.
Scaramouche Jones - 3.5 Stars
In three words: Making a clown
Highlight: The mime of execution
 |
| www.theatretoursinternational.com |
Scaramouche Jones welcomes you into his circus dressing room and uses the basic set and props to take you through the fantastical story of his life. Although it was hard to believe that the clown was actually 100 (he was more high energy and physically spry than I am), he was, in a way, completely ageless. Diverse and wonderful characters were creatively embodied in just one man who managed to jump from Gypsy mother to Italian prince with relative ease, though some accents were more successful than others. The story was everything it should be: darkly comic, physical and, at times, extremely moving. Actor, Justin Butcher's telling of his clown's time in the concentration camps is a stand-out moment that is deeply affecting. The life of this clown is touched with joy and tragedy, and although the suffering he feels does not always come across as strongly as it should, this is truly a tour de force from a talented actor and sensitive production. Not exactly the laugh riot of the Century but I seldom let that stop me!
And now for something completely different...
Divallusion with Christina Bianco and Velma Celli - 3.5 stars
In three words: So...many...divas!
Take-away line: "Can I get a Gay-men?!"
 |
| Taken from bbc.co.uk/news |
YouTube sensation, Christina Bianco and drag queen Velma Celli dish out (highly musical) lessons on how to be a diva - Like I need those, darlings! Christina Bianco - a little lady who somehow managed to swallow a barrel of divas - is truly the star of this show. For the price of an ordinary ticket, the audience is given access to a concert starring a bucketful of Broadway and pop greats. This woman is truly talented ... what a b**ch! I would have happily paid to see a solo show.
The play between Bianco and Velma Celli is fun and bubbly, with just a slight whiff of diva rivalry, though not all sections are created equal . Velma Celli, as a towering drag queen with a crackin' Northern English accent, knows how to belt it out. Now, perhaps I've been spoiled by too much RuPaul's Drag Race (available on Netflix - there is no such thing as too much RuPaul) but I expect to see my divas tucked and cinched. UK female impersonation is still dragging behind (you had to give me one pun, come on!) the US. This is probably a minor niggle in a great, feel-good and upbeat show that makes you want to, in the words of Ms Celli, diva the f**k out of life... well you should be doing that anyway!
Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Soho - 5 f**king stars!
In three words: Maggie, Maggie, Maggie!
Take-away lines: "Bitchy"
"Any spare change? - Yes thank you. Lots!"
"It's just a phase you grow out of... like empathy"
Sometimes in the Fringe, it pays to trust your instincts. We picked up tickets to this (for the bargainous price of £5 each, oh yeah!) after seeing Maggie herself, complete with staple handbag, strolling around the Assembly Gardens. Let's put it this way.... Instincts: 1 - Planning: 0. This will be the only football, rugby or any other sport reference you will see from me.
This may be the standout comedy show of the Edinburgh Fringe. Margaret Thatcher successfully straddles (interesting and potentially scarring mental imagery) high camp and cutting political satire. A drag performer plays the eponymous Maggie and gives a very convincing Thatcher - except you actually like her! From entering the Assembly Bosco tent, I was in pain-causing, tear-giving laughter. From the moment Maggie gets on stage, we room transforms into a bitingly witty, musical extravaganza. Thatcher dishes out quips so funny and cutting that I want to go back and write down all the lines I want to use on people (and probably shouldn't). Unadulterated brilliance!
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