Reviews
Review: That Face
Its qualities are extraordinary, that of a Greek tragedy on Prozac performed by St Trinian’s. Prozac Nation’s referenced, but Polly Stenham’s point is how parental damage numbs you out of feeling anything at the right time, with displacement activities chateau-bottled around a bed. Yet it is, of course, very funny. An outstanding revival, given extra intensity by the staging; an intimacy so palpable you both flinch and laugh at the same moment.
Review: Infamous
Emma Hamilton, mother and ward. Expect spats. Nine months since her National Theatre Kerry Jackson opened, April de Angelis arrives at Jermyn Street with the three-hander Infamous, directed by Michael Oakley, till October 7th. Even though the earlier play was staged in the smaller Dorfman, Infamous is chamber music by comparison. As in Kerry Jackson, De Angelis avoids tragedy where it clearly offers itself. The final two scenes though offer more; it’s piquant, momentarily uplifting, a little sad. And dramatically right it’s expressed in dance.
Review: As You Like It
It’s the trio of cousins and lover who ensure this production enjoys its fathoms-deep in love. An As You Like It with an inviting new prologue by Travis Alabanza, underscoring the forest’s healing as well as magical inversions; but shorn of its Epilogue. When you see how that Epilogue’s so rich in queerness and transgression it seems an own goal to the fluffier part of this production’s vibes.
Review: Birthright
There’s no denying Birthright’s sheer power, authenticity and perennial struggle played out between natural justice and lagging custom. It’s the breakthrough work of a masterly writer, whom only the Finborough look set to revive, as they have here. We’d be impossibly poorer without the Finborough.
Review: Henry V
A satisfying seasonal finale: a clear, engaging, visceral production with nothing vital lost. It’s as straight-down-the-martial line as outdoor productions of Henry V need to be.
Review: Accidental Death of an Anarchist
The adage that farce is tragedy speeded up met its greatest progenitor in Dario Fo. In a ferocious new version by Tom Basden of Franca Rame’s and Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist, directed by Daniel Raggett in a stunning production now at the Haymarket, the target here is squarely the London Met. And if you slowed down Basden’s brilliant, no-holds-unbludgeoned telling, details prove tragic enough.
Review: Afghanistan Is Not Funny
Henry Naylor’s fast paced existential crisis raises uncomfortable, but important question about the role of the press.
Review: Billy and The Situation
The show portrays Billy 'Fyre Festival' McFarland and Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino's time as cellmates when they were locked up for fraud in a New York state penitentiary.
Review: Romeo and Juliet
One of the finest OFS productions. Its velocity, tumbling comedy and bawdy, tragedy through lightning brawls, rapier-wit foiled in quicksilver, rapiers foiling wit, headlong teen despair, the exaltation of love flown in lyric sonnets and defying stars: it’s all here, principally because of three outstanding actors. The Romeo of newcomer Isabella Leung, who’s never played Shakespeare in her life, the return of Catie Ridewood as Juliet. And the return from that golden season of 2021: David Samson as Mercutio.
Review: Taiwan Season: The Way Back
Interesting well-performed physical theatre with object puppetry
Review: Schalk Bezuidenhout: Keeping Up
If laughter is the best medicine then Schalk Bezuidenhout is a veritable pharmacy
Review: An Afternoon With Anton Du Beke and Friends
Du Beke would have easily been able to present a polished, over-the-top extravaganza to rival the Ziegfeld Follies, but this being the Fringe, he gave us an intimate, scrappy hour that provided the perfect tonic for a rainy day in the last week of the festival.
Review: Awake, Gay and Writing a Play
Escaping from a high-control religious group is not as simple as walking away. It is a waking-up process that can take years.
Review: Mother of All The Behans
Resilience, rebellion and most compellingly song: The life of Kathleen Kearney Behan performed by Imelda May
Review: Paved with Gold and Ashes
The TrIangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire New York 1911, told by the women workers who were there
Review: Life With Oscar
Cohen plays an impressive array of characters, from his own parents to the Mexican model of the Oscar statuette Emilio Fernandez.
Review: A Mirror
This is a far more ambitious work than Sam Holcroft’s Rules For Living, and grounded in things she’s wished to write for a decade. It’s ingenious, necessary and occasionally at the end needs a tweak more to land. It’s still unmissable.
Review: I’ve Never Met Anyone Quite Like You Before
New gay romantic comedy from the Traverse Theatre's Breakthrough Writer's Launchpad Programme
Review: Purgatorio
Groundhog Day - Saying goodbye to old memories, whilst finding new ones. A beautiful physical representation on our ability to accept who we truly are! Get down to Club Purgatorio!
Review: The Impresario
A light Opera which touches upon big ambitions in a perfect and evocative rendering of a long forgotten time.
Review: Pinocchio! The Panto
A pantomimic romp through Carlo Gollodi’s masterpiece that is very, very punny.
Review: Plague, Poo n Punishment
A brilliantly gruesome encounter that runs through the worst but the best of Edinburgh’s history.
Review: Memories of the Early 1950’s
It is one of those rare things that makes the Fringe special: a real connection with another person, another artist.
Review: Kieran Hodgson: Big In Scotland
Through skilful storytelling we are immersed in a tale that brings to life character after character with sharp cutting whit
Review: Brain Hemingway
A blocked playwright with a looming deadline is haunted by the subject of her last failed show: Ernest Hemingway.
Review: Shortlist
Shortlist really must be experienced by anyone who appreciates excellent theatre, brilliant writing or those who simply want a good laugh.
Review: AFTER ALL
Weinachter is an interchangeable chameleon: not just a dancer, but a rare performer who can do it all! Her style and execution of ideas paints a beautiful memory of her idiosyncratic talents in exploring the beginning and end of life. Stunningly poignant.
Review: Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World
A scintillating play of ideas about the internet and its impact on what we know and how we know it
Review: Janitor/Manager & How to Have an Affair Without Really Trying
Well worth seeing now as they are, especially so you can say you caught them before they took the Fringe by storm.
Review: Colleen Lavin: Do The Robots Think I’m Funny
“ Murderbot is going to asses my performance,” says Lavin at the top of the show, “And then you’re going to decide if you care.” At least in this case, the robot did find Colleen Lavin to be very funny. I have to say I agree.
Review: Bangers
Aria and Clef craft a musical world of wonder and despair in this nostaligic Banger of a play.
Review: Lost Soles
A beautifully imagined flight of fancy on the sole of a dance shoe that taps out such wonderful rhythms.
Review: ‘I Love You, Now What?’
A wonderfully sad and gut wrenchingly funny three hander about loss and love
Review: The Little Iceberg Musical
An iceberg feels isolated and stranded until her friendship with a bird changes her outlook.
Review: SHOOT THE CAMERAMAN
Enthralling. Poignant. Unforgettable. Two cameras. One couple. A beautiful dance between the private and public world of this turbulent couple. Not to be missed!
Review: Shakespeare in Love
You’ll forget the film; you might even forget any staged version of Lee Hall’s in the West End. The mystery’s in the ensemble, the production, its bewitching leads Lewis Todhunter and Melissa Paris. With Claire Lewis’ direction, Michael James’ music, and Graham Brown’s movement direction to the fore, it’s a mighty reckoning in a little room – seamlessly transferred to an ampitheatre.
Review: The Taming of the Shrew
A slowly evolving, involving reading. Alex Louise can certainly develop this to a full-scale production. She just needs to take care of the script’s truth, though it seems contradictory. Confidence and imagination will soon sort that.
Review: Gerry Carroll-Young
At age 70, Gerry Carroll-Young is bringing his clown comedy to entertain Fringe audiences.
Review: After This Plane Has Landed
New musical drama based on the harrowing story of kidnapped British journalist John McCarthy and Jill Morell's relentless campaigning for his freedom.
Review: Fergus O’Donnell, Losing the Plot, Rebecca Frew Safe, Bernadette Cremin Painless
Erin Burbridge kept tech sound and lighting effectively sashaying throughout, and tre propsl, particularly in the latter piece, attractive and undistracting. In just three months work, with term-breaks, this course run and directed by Burgess tonight has produced something vital. It needs celebrating and its best work a swift life in full-scale productions.
Review: Furious
Daly is the Pied Piper of Edinburgh – Enchanting, witty, interactive and relatable. A one woman show that pokes fun at satirical characters from her past!
Review: Declan
A child-like young man scours a hostile town and his imagination trying to find answers to the disappearance of his missing friend, Declan..
Review: Debating Extinction
It is a beautiful, delicate sapling that, with some gardening, will no doubt grow into a strong Oak under the capable hands of the Torch Ensemble.
Review: WONDER DRUG: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis
Charlie Merriman is a gifted performer and story teller, with every part of him used to take us on his quest for the Wonder-Drug
Review: Mother Courage and Her Children
Beautiful production with stylised movement and physical acting
Review: Dances Like a Bomb
Intriguing, witty, strong and tender dance-theatre, beautifully performed.
Review: How to Find a Husband in 37 Years or Longer
One woman's coming of age story about failed relationships
Review: Character Flaw
Heartfelt, connected and more than just a little bit touching, Character Flaw is a train ride you'll be glad you hopped on board for.
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