
Welcome to our coverage of the Edinburgh Fringe. This year’s Fringe runs from 4th – 28th August 2023.
- Neil Frost co-director of theatre company Mad Etiquette talks with Jo Tomalin about Clown and his show The Door playing at this year’s Edinburgh Fringeby Jo Tomalin
- Alex Bird, Co-Director of Tortoise in a Nut Shell talks with Jo Tomalin about their visual theatre charity and how they use research to create shows and their latest piece Concerned Othersby Jo Tomalin
- Turan Ali, Stage Storyteller and BBC Drama Producer talks with Jo Tomalin about how he became interested in stories and producing and performing in Queer Folks’ Tales at the Edinburgh Fringeby Jo Tomalin“Storytellers from a range of backgrounds, ages and cultures share stories of LGBTQ+ lives past, present and future. With a different line-up at every show featuring household names alongside upcoming storytellers and the occasional audience micro-story. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking and always queer. Hosted year-round by Turan Ali (Producer of BBC comedy/drama), this […]
- I’m Not Doing Fringe. Hang On, I’m Doing It: How I Took My Hypnosis Show to Edinburgh Fringe and Had the Time of My Lifeby Matthew ShelleyHey there, fellow Fringe-curious! You may or may not know me as the anything-but-typical hypnotist behind Hypnotist Matt Hale – Top Fun: 80s Hypnosis Spectacular. I’ve been performing at Fringe fests for years … but not Edinburgh. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard all the wild tales about taking part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival […]
- An Affirming Exploration of Grief. In Conversation with Heather Tiernan About White Butterflyby Paul LevyPlaying the final week of Edfringe 2023, White Butterfly is a new theatre piece from Heather Tiernan.” “Grief isn’t a straight line, it’s a never-ending rollercoaster you find yourself on one day. White Butterfly explores grief and how it affects different people through a series of vignettes. From wakes, to therapy, to several years later, […]
- Box Tale Soup’s Paperless Fringeby Paul LevyBox Tale Soup’s Noel Byrne tells the tale of getting sell-out houses without the need to fell trees… Is a paperless Fringe really possible, or necessary? If you’re a new company bringing work to the Festival for the first time, of course you want to do everything you can to promote your show, and the […]
- Guest Blog: Diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder, and bringing a show to the Fringeby Paul LevyBipolar Badass is a one-woman show by New York City artist Mari Crawford. It is a dark comedy about her experience getting diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I didn’t know how my piece would be received by the Fringe audience. Late nights at rehearsal studios in Manhattan and sleep deprived work days filled my time, in […]
- Focus on the Widow of a US President Whose Legacy is Revered in Edinburghby Matthew ShelleyThe memory of President Lincoln is widely revered – there is even statue of him in Edinburgh – but the First Lady who supported him through the Civil War is forgotten in Scotland and reviled in America. Mary Lincoln was a woman who suffered repeated personal losses and tragedy and betrayal. And all this was […]
- Images from the Fringe 2023by Richard Daniels2023 photographs – More Galleries Show Pictures Clearing the Backlog I can’t really believe how quickly the last couple of weeks have gone by as I sit at my computer updating picture galleries, reviewing and sorting photographs to upload. As you may suspect I’m drawn to visually interesting shows and I feel lucky to have […]
- Finola Cronin and Megan Kennedy talk with Jo Tomalin about developing their latest production for Junk Ensemble – Dances Like a Bomb – at the Edinburgh Fringeby Jo Tomalin“Celebrating the strength of mature bodies and challenging the cult of youth, the show is a reclaiming of the ageing body created by dance-theatre innovators Junk Ensemble. Performed by acclaimed actor Mikel Murfi and leading dance artist Finola Cronin (formerly of Pina Bausch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal), the performers are heroic, vulnerable, comedic and completely themselves in […]
- Louise Seyffert and Bart Laere (Vagabond Productions) talk to Kate Saffin about their translation of The Chairs by Eugène Ionescoby Kate SaffinVagabond Productions are back with what they describe as a perfect lockdown party, their own translation of The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco (originally in French). Picture an ancient couple, beached in life and marooned in some isolated spot, inviting many imaginary guests. The result – lots of chairs and characters but no inconvenient social distancing. […]
- Adrian Minkowicz talks to Jo Tomalin about why he changed his career to Stand-up and how he developed his show Brown Privilege IIIby Jo TomalinAdrian Minkowicz Instagram: adriannminkowicz
- Drama, Film and Children’s Shows – Edinburgh Deaf Festival Is For Everyoneby Matthew ShelleyThe second annual Edinburgh Deaf Festival – part of the Fringe – is underway with more than 60 events for anyone and everyone. The 2023 line-up features drama, comedy, film, exhibitions, entertainment for children and young people plus workshops and other activities. Running until 20 August it’s designed to appeal to hearing as well as deaf audiences. Among those taking […]
- The Unabomber – No Eco-Terrorist Monster Just A Frustrated Musical Theatre Starby Matthew ShelleyA subversive satirical musical comedy about the infamous Ted Kaczynski arrives from the USA Set at a parole board hearing, Ted Kaczynski (aka The Unabomber) recounts his life through song in the hope of proving that he never wanted to be a monster, he only wanted to be a star. While he may have spent […]
- Alison Skillbeck discusses creating ‘Uncommon Ground’ with Kate Saffinby Kate SaffinAlison Skillbeck is no stranger to the Edinburgh Fringe. She is a writer and actor with several critically acclaimed plays under her belt Are There More of You?, The Power Behind The Crone and Mrs Roosevelt Flies to London. In this interview she talks to Kate Saffin about the isolation of lockdown, how important the […]
- Lara Foot, adapter, writer and director of JM Coetzee’s Life & Times of Michael K presented at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 talks with Jo Tomalin about directingby Jo Tomalin“The Baxter (two-time Scotsman Fringe First winners) in collaboration with Tony Award-winning Handspring Puppet Company (of War Horse and Little Amal fame) are at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at the Assembly Hall! The UK premiere of JM Coetzee’s Life and Times of Michael K, adapted for the stage by Lara Foot. A Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus (Germany) […]
- Florence Poskitt & Adam Souter talk with Jo Tomalin about developing Fladam – their creative partnership during lockdown and their latest show Green Fingersby Jo Tomalin“A deliciously Dahl-esque treat from madcap duo Fladam (Flo Poskitt and Adam Sowter), about a boy born with gunky, green fingers! Is he really rotten, or just misunderstood? Maybe the answers lie in the mysterious school garden… Featuring live music, puppetry and plenty of humour.”
- Ambrose Uren talks with Jo Tomalin about how he began doing Stand-up comedy and developing his show African-ishby Jo Tomalin“South African comedian, Ambrose Uren, shares his unique story in this stand-up comedy show filled with unexpected twists. His off-grid lifestyle, deep connection to the struggle of goldfish in aquariums and admiration for indigenous fashion choices have him constantly trying to figure out how to navigate his own existence. Come and bare witness to the […]
- Prolific playwright Gail Louw talks to Kate Saffin about her work and writing The Mitfordsby Kate SaffinGail is an award winning playwright who has her plays performed throughout the world. Gail Louw, an award winning playwright and writer of The Mitfords, talks to Kate Saffin about how she came to playwriting, some of the subjects and topics her work has covered and the work and process of researching and developing The […]
- Molly Sedgewick and Dean Osgood talk to Jo Tomalin about how and why they created and perform their show about teachers and teaching The Academy Trustby Jo TomalinHave you ever wondered what goes on behind the school gates? Why do people become teachers and then leave so soon? With schools being asked to become multi-academy trusts, the school working world is becoming very different. Come and see the hilarious, unbelievable and simply sublime situations this group of teachers get themselves into in […]
- Sci-fi Shows at the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul LevyScience fiction is usually broadly defined in fringe festivals including spectulative fiction and fantasy often in the form of alternative worlds and alternative versions of the future, often in which one form of technology (such as artificial intelligence) has come to dominate our world. For kids shows it is usually about robots and space ships, […]
- Five #firsttimefringers as spotted by Kate Saffinby Kate SaffinThere’s a first time for every Fringe writer, performer, director, producer… and sometimes they are they are all the same person! Those pre Fringe nerves will all be tingling as they get ready for their first show. Will the set/costumes/props last the month? Should we have made more cuts? And the big one, will anyone […]
- Artistic Director of Theatre de la Feuille Ata Wong Chun Tat talks with Jo Tomalin about developing his physical theatre company and show Fall and Flowby Jo TomalinThéâtre de la Feuille is a physical theatre company based in Hong Kong created and led by Artistic DIrector Ata Wong Chun Tat. Ata trained internationally in physical theatre, martial arts, and Beijing Opera to name a few genres. He talks with Jo Tomalin about how he trains his company in physical theatre before creating […]
- Free Fringe Theatre at Edfringeby Paul LevyThe free fringe at the Edinburgh Fringe takes two forms. PBH’s (named after founder Peter Buckley-Hill)Free Fringe and The Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival headline offer pay what you can shows across all the main genres. There is history between these two festivals within the Festival which we won’t go into. Suffice to say that they […]
- Jo Tomalin’s List of Performance Art and Installation at Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Jo TomalinPerformance art, according to the Tate means “Artworks that are created through actions performed by the artist or other participants, which may be live or recorded, spontaneous or scripted.” Installation art, according to Wikipedia is “an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space.” This year’s Fringe offers several performance art and installation pieces of varying […]
- Greg Byron’s Spoken Word Picks for the Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Gavin RobertsonGreg Byron, the legendary “Standup Poet”, offers his well considered choices for poetry and spoken word at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. When I came to Spoken Word fairly late, and was at Assembly in 2018, I was heartened to have a couple of Loud Poets come see me and stay for a brief chat afterwards. […]
- Jo Tomalin’s picks for Clown and Mime shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Jo TomalinClowns are playful, happy or sad, with or without a red nose, they may play an instrument, may speak or be silent – clowns have a naiveté about the world and always have quirky characters and individualistic costumes. Mime is traditionally a silent art form but mime characters may make sounds and usually use gestural language to […]
- Joe Angella’s Comedy Choices for Edfringe 2023by Paul LevyHere is my no-nonsense list of shows to see in the “comedy” category at Edfringe. As a judge for the Amused Moose Comedy Awards, I see quite a lot of comedy, so these are very much personal favourites mixed with a bit of research into the positive press these folk have garnered. Janey Godley, a […]
- Leo Miles’ Musical Theatre Picks for Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Jo TomalinIf you travelled back as far as Ancient Greece or even more recently to Shakespeare’s time, you could enjoy plays with songs and musical interludes. But you’d have to wait till the 1800s for musical comedies to flourish.To paraphrase theatrical legend Bob Fosse, ‘When the emotion becomes too strong for speech, you sing, when it […]
- Jo Tomalin’s Puppetry recommendations for Edfringe 2023by Jo TomalinPuppets create imaginative and visual storytelling. Puppeteers bring inanimate objects to life with a variety of puppetry techniques and styles such as glove puppets, rod puppets, shadow puppets and object puppetry. While puppets are thought of as a children’s entertainment they appeal to adults, too. Here are some recommendations to start you on your journey… […]
- Sketch comedy picks for the Fringeby Paul LevyMany shows at the Fringe are listed under “sketch shows”. Here we offer some early choices for classic sketch shows that are largely built on … er… sketches. And Now… features “songs, skits and nonsensical moments” and is billed as ” a must-see for anyone who enjoys dumb jokes and wants to experience true nonsense at […]
- Kate Saffin’s five solo shows by womenby Kate SaffinSolo performers probably outnumber every other group at the Fringe if you include theatre, comedy, spoken word and music. The 262 solo theatre shows listed this year offer diverse work across every genre and style, every venue and every imaginable topic (well, possibly not every one but certainly a great range!). Many are new writing, […]
- Game shows and games at the Fringeby Paul LevyGamification is the buzz word of the new ’20s. You’ll find it in business speak, in coaching and education. But the compelling nature of interactive theatre and performances for audiences with a distate for the “fourth wall” means that there’s a ready marketing for the live gameshow format as well as shows based on games. […]
- Free Workshops from FringeReview at the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul LevyFree Events for Fringe Performers Use the form below to book Workshop 1 How to hit the ground running at the Edinburgh Fringe A gritty, hands-on session for ensuring you get the most out of every minute at this Fringe. What are the essentials of a successful and satisfying Fringe? What shoukd you do […]
- Interactive and experimental shows at the Fringeby Paul LevyInteractive theatre, comedy and some of the more uncategorisable shows on offer at the Fringe are to be found under the headings “interactive” and “experimental”. So, if you are looking for something a bit different, you might just find a few recommended below. In interactive theatre the fourth wall if often shown and the border […]
- Patricia Silver’s a cappella picks for Edfringe 2023by Patricia SilverIt’s just the voice – and there is the power! A cappella – singing without instruments – has been around for millennia. People sing to communicate, to express feelings of joy or sadness, to join in community, to pray, to entertain. Everyone has a voice. Singing is universal and transcends language, cultural traditions, and demographics. […]
- Jo Tomalin’s Children’s and Family Show Recommendations for Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Jo TomalinThis year there are 125 Children’s Shows at the Fringe and it’s a perfect opportunity to introduce children to the wonders of live performance. Stories, puppets, magic, music, and zany characters engage the imagination and there are shows for the very young to tweens and teens. Topics and styles vary so there’s something for everyone, […]
- Gillian Lacey-Solymar talks to Jo Tomaln about writing her first Edinburgh Fringe show, IrrePRESSible: The Musicalby Jo TomalinGillian Lacey-Solymar is a first-time Fringer at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Gillian is the Bookwriter and Lyricist of IrrePRESSible: The Musical and she talks to Jo Tomalin about how and why she is inspired to create the show. Gillian’s career includes working as a consumer affairs correspondent at the BBC and as a senior […]
- Improvised Theatre and Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul LevyWhere do you start with impro at the Fringe? It’s been growing for years and now there are plenty of shows on offer. It claims to never require a script, but nearly all of then have an underpnning, more or less hidden, structure. There are a range of formats, some which grew out of competitive […]
- Jo Tomalin’s Physical Theatre Choices for Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Jo TomalinPhysical theatre is an interesting and creative genre of theatre because most physical theatre shows result from developing a gestural language to express a story or topic. A physical theatre show is devised by a director only or by the director and the cast in collaboration. A piece can be based on a true story, […]
- Jo Tomalin’s Dance Choices for the Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Jo TomalinShows based on dance range from pure technique of a single style, or a creative mix of more than one style, to those that integrate other skills such as physical theatre or spoken word in their visual storytelling. Topics and inspiration vary from personal experiences to research about important issues in the world. An empty […]
- Tribute shows at the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul LevyTribute shows take different forms at the Edinburgh Fringe. Most prominent are the many musical tributes to those stars, legends and icons of stage and screen. There are also tributes to literary greats, film and theatre stars, artists, philosophers and politicians. There’s an onverlaps between tribute shows and biography shows but here we’ll stick to […]
- Fringe Wisdom: Hard won lessons for Fringe successby Paul LevyHere is some of the wisdom we have shared with fringe show and art makers over recent years in an easy, digestible, shareable form…
- Explorations and Examinations of History at the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul LevyHistory, from recent to ancient, is explored each year at the Fringe across all the genres and in many different ways. Whether it is a standup comedian commenting on recent political events, or a theatre company recreating an episode from the middle ages, an inquiry into a trial in the 19th or 20th century, the […]
- Solo Comedy Preview: Ultimate Jewish Motherby Paul LevyThe UK comedy circuit’s only Orthodox Jewish Comedian returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with an original new lunchtime comedy show. Whether it’s a relationship problem, how to word a sensitive work email or the best way to cook a brisket, this Jewishmother has all the answers you’ll need. Award-winning comedian Rachel Creeger presents her brand-new […]
- Storytelling at the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul LevyStorytelling can be a catch all term toi include a lot of stand up comedy shows listen in the Fringe programme. Storytelling is also a craft going back thousands of years and becomes a genre in its own right in August in Edinburgh. Traditional tales, fables, myths, legends, and histories form the backbone of storytelling […]
- Going site-specific at Edfringe 2023by Paul LevySite-specific theatre and performance has been just about everywhere in Edinburgh from down at the docks to a graveyard, from a real hotel room to the underground catacombs that honeycomb the city, from swimming pools to the register of births and deaths. Site-specific theatre takes you away from traditional performance spaces and the location becomes […]
- Verbatim Theatre at Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Paul LevyVerbatim theatre is define as. “Verbatim theatre is a form of documentary theatre which is based on the spoken words of real people. Strictly, verbatim theatre-makers use real people’s words exclusively, and take this testimony from recorded interviews.” (Source). It can also involve using words from recorded video, from papers and documents, such as court […]
- Our early hot ticket theatre choices at Edfringe 2023by Paul LevyA search of the Edfringe 2023 programme under the genre of “theatre” yields up 867 results (as we go to digital print). That’s heartening given the fact that many theatre shows have fled into the comedy section in the hope of bigger audiences. So here are some of our early picks for theatre this year. […]
- Advertise your show or event on FringeReview at Edinburgh Fringe 2023by Paul LevyBoost your box office sales with an advert on Fringe Review, the guide to good Fringe and one of the world’s most respected theatre publications. Book a single advert for just £50. Advertising for the Edinburgh Fringe 2023 is now open. We have a limited number of discount advertising slots. First come, first served. Advertising on FringeReview […]
- OPINION: A Personal Fringe view about the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul LevyWhen I began to work with Fringe Review, I opined that I hated the Edinburgh Fringe. Over the years I have softened and my old joke that people believe we have a cultural supermarket each August, and think it is Sainsbury’s when it is actually Aldi or Lidl has been used so often it is […]
- Fringe Viewsby Richard DanielsWhen I’ve had the chance I’ve taken a few pictures around the fringe, late at night and during the day. Here are a few in a slideshow. Note to self: Must get out and about more!
- Preparing to leave the fringeby Richard DanielsFinal few days Friday of the last week opened to a dreary Edinburgh with rain in the air. Fortunately the rain cleared as I made my way to the final ‘FringeReview’ gathering for this year. These are one of my favourite mornings of the fringe as I am guaranteed to have a good chinwag. Today […]
- Guest Blog: Edinburgh and Its Part in My Downfallby Paul LevyEdi 2022 in Review (15-21st Aug) – Alec Snook Well, my first Fringe, but absolutely the first of many to come. Edinburgh chewed me up and spat me out, directly into the lap of a passing angel… Despite a sociopathic, accommodation-based episode, I managed to complete all my spots for the week, performing to several […]
- Guest blog at Edfringe 2022: Mark Saltveit’s first Edinburgh Fringe adventureby Paul LevyWhy did I think it was a good idea to create my first Fringe show at age 60? That’s easy: it’s an adventure. I started a “zine” about palindromes in 1993, before web pages existed, and it got out of hand, creating a worldwide (though very small) network of palindrome writers. (You know, palindromes like […]
- Guest Blog at Edfringe 22: ASSISTED – a cautionary tale about love and learning in the age of Artificial Intelligenceby Paul LevyEvery ten years or so, our relationship with technology is revolutionised. Just thirty-odd years ago, mainframe computers dominated the landscape; since then, we’ve raced through desktop computing, the internet, smartphones and the explosion of social media. Will the next revolution be in voice computing and conversational AI? The uptake of this new technology is happening […]
- Street Musicians to Concerts: Kerry Lynch and Jacopo Lazzaretti talk to Jo Tomalinby Jo Tomalin
- Street Performing as a Training Ground: Pamela Banchetti talks to Jo Tomalin about her experience on the famous ‘Mile’ at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 and developing her clown show Poldo and Pinolino Puppetsby Jo TomalinPamela Banchetti – Instagram @pamelaandpinolinoPoldo and Pinolino Show Reel
- Czech Cirk La Putyka on tour: Lenka Capova and Ethan Law talk to Jo Tomalin about the company from Prague and their new show Runnersby Jo Tomalin“Award-winning contemporary circus company returns with an extraordinary show looking at the hectic pace of today’s world. In a unique set design featuring a giant treadmill, four performers and two musicians mix dance, running, cyr-wheel acrobatics and original live music, while running almost a whole marathon. This UK debut for Runners marks the company’s fourth […]
- Guest Blog at Edfringe 2022: Russ Pollard: The taste of the fringeby Paul LevyWe are delighted to welcome Russell Pollard as a guest blogger. Watch his show trailer. DAY 6 – 27th August 2022 Day 6 at the fringe – Renewed afresh Last chance to see me is 14:00 today. The reality is that while I might do the fringe again, it will not be such a personal […]
- Guest Blog at Edfringe 2022: Jenson Parker-Stone from Game Night: “We have arrived!”by Paul LevyWe have arrived, and it’s a feeling like no other! The city is alive, and you can feel the passion from each artist radiating in every step.’Game Night’ has been in the works for a few years. We’ve been met with a few roadblocks, time outs, the longest Monopoly ‘Go to Jail’ sentence that at […]
- Guest blog: Creating Floodgate – science fiction theatre at the Fringeby Paul Levy“It’s 2061. A coastal town is quiet, deserted by those seeking higher ground. As three siblings clear out their grandma’s belongings, they find a diary left behind that will change everything. Locked within are journals and love letters set amidst a world of climate chaos. With the audience’s help, the family secrets are spilled. When […]
- Pat Silver’s a Cappella shows to see in the last week at Edfringe 2022by Patricia SilverInnovative, entertaining, and fun – that’s a cappella at this Fringe This year the Fringe is sporting at least 23 a cappella shows, ranging from barbershop to choral to contemporary a cappella. My original story profiled the genre and some of the upcoming shows. / Now at the Fringe, I had a chance to review […]
- Samara Neely Cohen talks to Kate Saffin about navigating a show that partly concerns sexual violence as the only woman in the company.by Kate SaffinActor, Samara Neely Cohen talked to Kate during Edfringe 2022 about 9 Circles, 9 Circles by Bill Cain asks how can a soldier be trained to be a cold-blooded killing machine while clinging on to the threads of humanity? A Dantesque descent into the conundrums, contradictions and hypocrisies of war through the eyes of a […]
- @ theSpaceUKby Richard DanielsWith All Jew Respect Cyril Squirrel Grounded Self Service The Sound of Mucus
- Guest blog at the Edinburgh Fringe: Red Hat Diaries from Around the World Backwards’ with Donnella Perkinsby Paul LevyIn 2019, I was at a Fringe Festival in Canada and I realized I had a story I had to tell. I wrote a synopsis and sent it to a few venue producers in Edinburgh, because if you’re going to do the show of your life, why not do it at the best Fringe Festival […]
- Guest Blog at the Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Stefanie Rummel, a bar stool and a stand for a glittering costumeby Paul LevyPerforming in at the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time has so many facettes.The theatre I am in is the Roman Eagle Lodge which is called at the Fringe C aquila temple right at the edge of the Johnston Terrace.When you enter the foyer… there are chandeliers. Then you go all the way upstairs and […]
- Guest Blog at the Edinburgh Fringe 2022: Eleonora Saravalle share’s her gritty flyering wisdomby Paul LevyWe are delighted to welcome Eleonora Saravalle as our guest blogger who brings her new piece, Dried Apricots to the fringe. I am reporting from Edinburgh, where I’ve been giving out flyers to attract audiences to my solo show. It’s my first time and I’m learning fast and spotting some patterns. The Scam: People in […]
- Guest blog at the Edinburgh Fringe: Up Her Sleeve on Why Menstrual Health Education is More Important than Everby Paul LevyYou’ve probably seen the fact that endometriosis is as common as diabetes plastered over billboards, newspapers and the TV recently. If you haven’t I’ll fill you in. Endometriosis is as common as diabetes and Channel 5 have recently decided to create a 4 part documentary to better equip menstruators with information that they may need. […]
- Daniel Cainer shares stories of 15 years of bringing Jewish Chronicles to Edfringe with Kate Saffinby Kate SaffinDaniel Cainer and Kate Saffin met in a dressing room at Sweet on the Grassmarket as Fringe virgins in 2006. Since then Daniel has brought his ever evolving stories in song show to a number of different venues and now seems to have permanently settled at Underbelly. In this interview he shares something of those […]
- Irish Dance and Theatre: Jennifer Hogan Roxburgh and Nikii Fenton talk to Jo Tomalin about Irish Dance, Siamsoir’s Irish Dance Village in Edinburgh and how theatre blends together in their show Decision – An Irish Dance Playby Jo Tomalin
- Strange Futures: Matt Simmonds and Will Moore talk with Jo Tomalin about their company, devising physical theatre from research about nature then expressing science and facts physically and vocally in their show The Endlingby Jo Tomalin
- Hilary Abigana of the Fourth Wall Ensemble talks to Kate Saffin about a musical show with two versionsby Kate SaffinFourth Wall’s musical show Fruit Flies Like a Banana comes in two flavours for their first Edfringe: one for children and a longer one for adults (not that there is anything unsuitable for children in the longer version, it is just framed differently). It’s a show that combines extraordinary physical acrobats with virtuoso musical skill […]
- Guest Blog at the Edinburgh Fringe: The Cambridge Impronautsby Paul LevyWe are delighted to welcome guest blogger Dylan Perera producer for the impronauts at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. I just spent a week performing an improvised reality TV Edinburgh Fringe show, Keeping Up With the Kimprov. And it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had”. I’m on the 10am train from Edinburgh to London, reflecting […]
- Restarting a Career: Anne Rabbitt talks to Jo Tomalin about restarting her writing and performing career after a few years and her new solo show Self Serviceby Jo Tomalinwww.annerabbitt.com
- All-Women Improv: Ciara Berkeley talks to Jo Tomalin about why she started an all-women improv troupe, Broad Strokes Improv, and the choice to do long form improvby Jo Tomalin“Dublin’s hottest all-women improv troupe brings you an unscripted comedy show unlike any other. We create extended and continuously improvised stories based entirely on your suggestions, full of whacky worlds and crazy characters.”
- Doing Comedy! Ann Chun talks to Jo Tomalin about how she started doing stand up comedy in NYC and her solo show Ann Chun: Asian Divorceby Jo Tomalin“How do you live your best ho life? Have you accidentally become your parents? These are the questions NYC-based comedian Ann Chun (SF Chronicle, Timeout) explores in her solo show about an immigrant coping with the dissolution of her parents’ marriage in Thailand, while learning how to be a fuccboi in America. Ann’s immersive storytelling […]
- Poet Tina Sederholm talks to Kate Saffin about her transition from three day eventer to poetby Kate SaffinYou are not quite beautiful enough to be rescued. Thank goodness. Anyone can be born talented or gorgeous. Kindness, that takes effort, especially with the annoying people. (Tina Sederholm 2022)
- Director, theatre maker and performer Emilienne Flagothier from Belgium talks to Jo Tomalin about her background, her collective and inspiration for creating We Should Be Dancingby Jo TomalinEmilienne Flagothier creates contemporary dance, directs non-theatrical text theatre and performs in street theatre, a solo show and more. At the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe she directs a new show called We Should Be Dancing, based on observations of children playing, working with her collective from Brussels.
- Returning to the Fringe: Eva O’Connor talks to Jo Tomalin about returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022, writing and show Mustardby Jo Tomalin“Triple Fringe First and Olivier winning Fishamble, in association with Fringe First winning Sunday’s Child, return to Summerhall with the 2019 hit show Mustard by Eva O’Connor. A darkly comic play about heartbreak, madness and how condiments are the ultimate coping mechanism. When the man of her dreams, a professional cyclist, leaves E, she plummets […]
- John Rwothomack talks to Jo Tomalin about physical theatre and creating his new solo show Far Goneby Jo Tomalin‘If I invited you to come with me on a journey, a story, will you come with me?’ Northern Uganda. When Okumu’s village is attacked by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), he and his brother’s lives are changed forever. Far Gone is a profoundly moving story of a young boy’s journey from childhood innocence to […]
- Zack Rocklin-Waltch and Michael MacLeod talk to Jo Tomalin about creating and performing in their new play based on a Greek mythby Jo Tomalin“Pluto and Vector have been dating for almost a year now, but as they hike up the mountain where the Greek god Prometheus was bound as punishment, their relationship hits its breaking point. The myth of Prometheus looms large over the mountain’s cold peak as Pluto and Vector confront their differences, their fears about their […]
- Gilded Ballon Press Launchby Richard DanielsThursday 4th August MC: Lou Conran Maise Adam Mythos Ragnarok James Roque Finlay Christie Elf Lyons Tehran Von Ghasri Grant Buse Basil Brush Pete Firman Kylie Brakeman Just These Please
- 2022 Underbelly Launchby Richard DanielsThursday 4th August – McEwan Hall A selection of photographs of the press launch. Featured shows Dragons and Mythical Beasts Rhys Nicholson Caligari Emmanuel Ja’mime La Clique Balloon Myra Dubois Rob Madge La Clique – Charlie Wheeler Cyr Camille BOOM
- 2022 Greenside Launch Showby Richard DanielsRiddles Court – 12:00pm Thursday August 3rd The morning following my arrival at this year’s fringe I eased myself into the round of venue launches. Here are some photos I took at the Greenside Launch held at their ‘Riddles Court’ venue at the top of the Royal Mile. Following the welcome we saw excerpts from: […]
- The Acts v. The Hacks – How I survived the Edinburgh Fringe’s Meet the Media eventby Paul Levyby David Visick Thirty minutes into the queue for the Meet the Media event at The Speilgeltent I realise I’m wasting my time, but that’s okay, because I have time to waste. The cast are speedrunning lines for tonight’s opening show and at times like this it’s the writer’s job to go away. A long, […]
- The Importance of Being An Earnest Reviewer – Kind of…by Donald Stewart(With apologies…Kind of…) In April of this year, the Oliviers were back. After three years of not celebrating those who have got to the be seen as the best in theatre … We celebrated them publicly and without Zoom. But… There was one story that was deep in my heart. It reminded me that the […]
- 2022 theSpaceUK Press Launchby Richard DanielstheSpace Triplex theSpaceUK bounced back into 2022 with what they claim to be ‘the biggest new writing programme of the fringe’. Here are a selection of photographs from the shows previewed. Featured Shows – Compered by Fraser Brown Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience Crossing the Void Apartness Prejudice and Pride Merrill Means Well Brother’s Keeper The Mistake […]
- 2022 Assembly Launch Showby Richard Daniels40th Anniversary Festival Gala – Assembly on the Mound Gathering in the courtyard of the Mound I prepared to photograph this show. When we were allowed in they ushered us to a specially prepared space for photographers. Yes we had an unobstructed view, but I like to select my vantage point from where to photograph. […]
- Verbatim Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringeby Paul Levy“Verbatim is a type of documentary theatre constructed from the words of real people responding to a particular theme or a real event. These words might be taken from interviews or testimonials, or even from media or news footage.”. (Naomi Joseph) There are always verbatim theatre productions at the Edinburgh Fringe and, if you haven’t […]
- Improvised Comedy and Theatre at the Fringeby Paul LevyImprovised performance tends to be mostly comedy-based at the Fringe. Yet there is also a smattering of improvised music and theatre as well. There are news shows on offer each year and the quest for a novel angle is always at the forefront as compnaies and performers try to win the audience battle. There are […]
- Science Fiction at the Fringeby Paul LevyI have to admit I am disappointed at the lack of science-fiction at this year’s Fringe. Despite it being a comeback fringe with less shows, there are still well over three thousand to choose from. Could it be that our worst sci-fi nightmares have arrived in the present, with environmental catastrophe and AI Hell already […]
- Aca-cool ! A cappella is the Edinburgh Fringeby Patricia SilverTheatre maker, musician, clown and reviewer Pat Silver shares her thoughts on this popular fringe niche. NEW! Pat Silver’s shows to see in the last week for Edfringe 2022. Aca-cool! “But where is the music?” “ I don’t see the drummer but I hear one.” “I sing in a group. Is it ok if we […]
- Kate’s five solo shows to see at Edfringe 2022by Paul LevyMaking sense of life: Age is a Feeling From Haley McGee, a new show, that is different every day, inspired by interviews with hospice workers, interactions with mystics and trips to the cemetery. Age is a Feeling is a story about the glorious and melancholy unknowability of human life that charts the seminal moments, rites of passage […]
- Richard Daniels Edinburgh Fringe 2022by Richard DanielsI’m very happy to be back at the ‘Fringe’ this August with my camera for FringeReview after a couple of years absence. Looking back Enjoyable as it is, this will be very different time for me, because my good friend, the well known fringe performer, “Lynn Ruth Miller” will never be with us again. Sadly, […]
- Joe’s comedy picks for Edinburgh Fringe 2022by Joe AngellaNow that Edinburgh Fringe is back, here are some of my comedy highlights. My apologies for the length of the list, there is so much good stuff to see! I haven’t posted show links; if you’re reading this, you will already know where to find them. The shows are in no particular order. Paul Currie […]
- Here is Joe’s list of Brighton Fringe comedy recommendationsby Joe AngellaBrighton Fringe is back and with it, lots of great comedy. Here are my top tips for some of the best comedy around. Just to make it easier, I’ve included links to each of the shows. First up Shaggers, hosted by Nik Coppin. I was lucky enough to review this show last year, and I […]
- Spirit of War Magician Maskeleyne Brought to Life by Kevin Quantum at Army@TheFringeby Army at the FringeEver heard of Jasper Maskeleyne? Many haven’t these days – but he was quite remarkable. He was known as The War Magician and was a major inspiration for Kevin Quantum‘s ★★★★ Army@TheFringe show The Trick That Fooled. During the show Kevin, who is based in Edinburgh, recreated magic tricks that fooled the greatest and most creative people […]
- Army Head Brigadier Ben Wrench Praises Skill, Talent and Determination of Fringe Performersby Army at the FringeAs Army@TheFringe 2021 enters its final week, the head of the Army in Scotland has thanked performers and spoken of his own love of the performing arts. As a student at Edinburgh University in the early 1990s, Brigadier Ben Wrench, was a member of the Savoy Opera Group. At one point he was the male lead […]
- Writer and performer mandla rae talks to Jo Tomalin about their creative work and new show: mandla rae -as british as a watermelonby Jo TomalinWriter, performer mandla rae talks to Jo Tomalin about their work, how they started writing and performing and their show: mandla rae -as british as a watermelon. “‘My name is mandla. It means power. I gave it to myself’ – mandla rae has a selective memory and they are scrambling to piece together their life. […]