31 July - Gin and Fringe (aka the preview of the main event)

It's BAAAACK!!

I have missed the Edinburgh Fringe! Armed with two weeks of annual leave (thank you work) and soon to be dangerous with a gin and tonic (drink responsibly), I finally cast off the relative shackles of the office and practically skipped my way - I should have tried literally skipping as, in Edinburgh during this season, no-one would have noticed and I could have probably sold tickets to it - to George Square, Assembly Gardens.  Here, I bathed in the atmosphere and played a fun game of "Fringe Performer or Lunatic?" - Undefeated champion! 
After moving on to the Gilded Garden, where I couldn't give away free tickets (but that is another story), we intrepid Fringers headed to lose our 2014 Fringe virginity with...


Red Bastard - 4 stars

In 3 words: I feel better!
Take away line: "I'm flattering you" (with accompanying arm motion)

This is not a show for the faint-hearted. When willing victims were told in the queue that Red Bastard had no barriers and there was no way of knowing where he would go, I admit that my initial reaction was "oh dear". Actually, it was "Oh" followed by a four letter word - you may insert your preferred term here.  Audience participation is mandatory here - those who do not do what red bastard says will may end up with a moistened finger in their ear (the dreaded wet willy). The experience is completely surreal and high energy and I loved every crazy second. Perhaps the gin helped (Seriously - drink responsibly; that gin is mine). 

During the second half of this show however, this melted into something different and much deeper. I can only describe it as a kind of group therapy where the doctor (in this case a spherical, red doctor with qualifications I know of) is crazier than the patients. Audience members were invited to share their dreams and the things that had previously gone unsaid. If you go in with a secret then expect to leave it in the theatre- you'll feel better if you do. Honesty is rewarded and I was witness to some truly brave people - as well as some people that we labelled "chicken shit". Over all, a crazy, red, cathartic experience that really revealed all. It also led to more gin and some serious life discussions afterwards which (somehow) brought us to.... 

Official Publicity Photo - dixeyshow.com 

Dixey: Where Gentlemen are Always Immaculately Undressed - 4 stars

In 3 words -Take it off!
Highlight - Butterfly wings dance.

Boylesque! For anyone who doesn't know the term, first... shame on you! Boylesque is, perhaps unsurprisingly, burlesque but with boys, males, lovely lovely men. Dixie is set in a magical, fairytale land,self-described as "Disney with dix"! Presented to you from a world of glittering cardboard trees, we are brought a cast of fantastical characters (portrayed by The Stage Door Johnnies and Russell Bruner) including a whimsical leaping unicorn and a pole-dancing storybook snake so seductive that I'd quite happily take him home to try and cure my fear of that particular creature. Emceed by the bizarre and brilliant mascara-smeared TIGGER (no relation to the bouncing tiger) who, at first glance during one of his racier numbers, has you saying "where is that tassel coming fr.... never mind!". The production is a little rough around the edges and some of the acrobatic turns were not as effortless as it could have been but you are so carried away by the humour, sparkle and twisted darkness that this is soon forgiven and forgotten. It is a full on (and sometimes full frontal)feel good experience! Come whoop, whistle and leave your cares behind - and there were some very nice behinds!

In conclusion
I finally declare this Fringe... Open! 

And all who sail in her.