Universal Arts New Town Theatre

For the month of August however, it is a temple to the true Spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and plays host to one of the most exciting and eclectic programmes in the city – Universal Arts.

Run and curated by Edinburgh-based arts & culture champion Tomek Borkowy, this is Universal Arts’ 21st year at the Festival Fringe. This year they once again bring a diverse international programme of theatre, music and dance to delight and entertain within the marbled corridors of the New Town Theatre.

With two striking performance spaces – the aptly named Majestic and Mysterious – and its own dedicated bar & refreshment areas, when you climb the steps into the New Town Theatre, you feel like you have been transported into a place where Culture is recognised, respected and revered.

Here, we preview the intriguing selection of shows on offer as part of 2010’s Fringe.

Rodney Bewes in Three Men In A Boat

Likely Lad Rodney Bewes performs in his own one-man adaptation of Three Men In A Boat, combining his natural warmth and charm with the well-loved tales of Jerome K Jerome.

Meanwhile, Fringe stalwart and master of the one-man show Pip Utton breathes life into Charles Dickens, promising to peel back the layers of the novelist to reveal his innermost thoughts and desires.

Teatr Praga from Poland complete the trio of theatrical works, with More Light Please, an award-winning play exploring the conflict between dreams and reality as young Natalia leaves her native Poland to join her father in Dublin. Featuring a soundtrack by The Tiger Lillies (Martyn Jacques from the band is going to play live at the performance of More Light Please on the 8th August), this moving yet funny play looks to be well worth catching.

Something Relevant

Then comes India’s leading Jam Rock Band Something Relevant with their live set Feels Good To Be Live. Featuring a seven-strong band, their music is an uplifting fusion of rock, funk, soul & hip-hop and will transport you from Edinburgh’s austere surroundings to the bustling streets of Mumbai.

Music and comedy combine in Rainer Hersch’s homage to Victor Borge, which sees the radio and TV comedian retell the life of the 60’s legend through song, piano and comedy.

And then, of course, there is that glorious collision of musical styles that can only be Barockestra…

Rhythms With Soul

The Czech company 2Landa bring children’s fantasy The White Dalmatian. Colourful and joyous with a moral message, this is a rare chance to see the Czech Republic’s biggest-selling children’s musical ever.

2Landa also bring another musical show – Desire. Telling the tale of wrongfully-imprisoned Ben as he escapes to follow his dreams and desire for beautiful Czech musical star Karin, this original and bold production has once again enjoyed sell-out runs in its home country.

Nochty Productions is a joint Russian / UK company, and bring their physical production of The Lonesome Foxtrot to the New Town Theatre, a romantic interpretation of a classic Russian tale of the power of love in the 1930s.

Artwork by Era Schaeffera

Performed at the Venue 150@EICC this rare visit from Poland’s most prolific artist promises to be something special and unique, transcending genres and cultural attitudes in a production that would not look out of place on the Edinburgh International Festival’s programme.

Tomek, Universal Arts Artistic Director, has a belief that Culture is a vital part of society’s fabric, and without investment in it, we as a nation run the risk of being thought of as poor cousins by some of our more artistically-enlightened neighbours. His impassioned open plea to Universal Arts’ audience to rally around the Cultural banner is heartfelt and genuine – and his 2010 programme is an ideal opportunity to pledge your support by taking in at least one show at this forward-thinking, daring – and precious – venue.

Paul Zedin

Reclaiming the art of ventriloquism for the 21st century, Paul Zerdin returns to the Fringe after last year’s sell-out show with Sponge Fest Revisited.

Paul will bring three characters to life before your eyes: cheek-filled adolescent Sam; grumpy pensioner Albert; and the rather precocious Baby.

Critically-acclaimed, Paul’s charm and comic timing – together with a healthy dose of audience participation – see him delight audiences wherever he plays.

Here, he speaks to us about his show and his favourite Fringe experiences.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

Paul Zerdin Sponge Fest Revisited is last year’s show on a bigger scale. Its a one man muppet stand – up sitcom.

Oh, and there’s also some ventriloquism.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

The Assembly Bar and the Pleasance courtyard.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

More comedy – which has to be a good thing.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

The Witchery restaurant and anywhere near the Castle

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

Getting locked in my room in my apartment on my first morning in Edinburgh and having to pee in a pint glass before breaking the door down.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Getting up at around 9am with usually a slightly fuzzy head.

Reading reviews online over breakfast, then off to David Lloyd gym followed by a late lunch and then eventually tootle off to the venue for the show.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would override the lighting computer at the Tattoo and project my poster onto the Castle during a show.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Nina Conti – Its so great to see another ventriloquist. There aren’t many of us!

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

A cheeky holiday in the South of France, followed by my own first UK theatre tour.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Stand-up, muppety comedy

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

…Ouch!

You can book tickets for Paul’s show on the Assembly website.

Julie-Ann Laidlaw (photo credit: Ryan McGoverne)

Julie-Ann scours the country for the best of the best, ensuring a Blond Ambition event contains zero filler and maximum enjoyment.

With her energy, passion and glamour, she is the Face of UK cabaret’s A-Team, and her shows enjoyed massive success at the Fringe last year, attracting a stellar line of talent eager to fill guest slots on the bill.

This year, Julie-Ann and Blond Ambition are back with a vengeance, bringing two shows to the new-to-the-Fringe venue of the Ghillie Dhu, once again featuring a sequin-studded array of talent, comedy and things you just have to see for yourself…

Julie-Ann took some time out from chomping on her Cuban and told us a bit more…

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I come from a dance and burlesque background and I have always had the desire to bring something unique and entertaining to the Scottish and British cabaret scene.

A couple of years ago I formed Blond Ambition Events, its an extremely demanding job but very fulfilling and I wouldn’t swap it for the world.

Tell us about the shows you’re bringing to the show this year

The past twelve months have been something of a whirlwind.

Last summer I produced my first ever shows on the Fringe and now I find myself hosting a dedicated cabaret venue for The Pleasance at The Ghillie Dhu.

My two productions this year, Me! Me! Me! and Vive le Cabaret, feature the very best performers from last year’s team and have already been earmarked by several critics as ones to watch.

With Me! Me! Me! I wanted to bring together my three favourite musical comedians and give them a platform to demonstrate their solo work.

With Vive le Cabaret the aim is simple.. to produce the best variety show on the Fringe in 2010. Each night is different so come back again, and again.

Describe – if such a thing exists – your average Fringe day…

If you asked 100 different people about their average day on the Fringe you’d get 100 different answers, so I don’t think such a thing exists.

My day will start around 10am and finish at 5am, maybe i’ll bring a bed with me to the Ghillie Dhu? (note to anyone reading this, if you see me during Aug a double espresso would be most welcome!)

The beauty of the Fringe is that it is so diverse, exciting and unpredictable, but that doesn’t stop me looking forward to September just a little bit…when I get a couple of days off before starting preparations for next year.

Are you going to have time to catch any shows yourself?

I wish I had the time, there are so many wonderful shows on, too many to mention.

I am very lucky that a lot of performers I would love to see are doing spots in Vive Le Cabaret, so at least I can get a taste of their show.

Of course, running a venue has its own perks. I’m thrilled to be playing host to Frances Rufelle, Peter Straker, Merill Grant and Denise Black.

Last year’s High Tease and Desmporphia shows were hugely successful. What do you think made them so?

It was the team, without a shadow of doubt, and I’m excited to be working so closely with most of them again this year. All professional, super talented and a joy to work with.

We were a little family last year and I missed them terribly when it ended.

Julie-Ann and Desmond O'Connor (photo credit: Ryan McGoverne)

I think its fantastic that there is such a cabaret boom this year. With two new dedicated cabaret venues – Assembly in Princes Street Gardens & The Pleasance at The Ghillie Dhu – I think we’ll complement each other nicely.

Do I feel responsible for the scene? Haha! no. I just do my thing.

When you’re not bringing your shows to Edinburgh, what else do you and Blond Ambition focus on?

The Fringe is like the beginning of the year for me and the people I work with.

Following last August we took shows to Amsterdam, Berlin, London and Brighton. This summer we’ve got people from Melbourne, Adelaide, Dublin and New York coming to see our new work.

That combined with music festivals and dance festivals around the UK, and our touring dance and comedy show The Mating Ritual which had its Edinburgh premiere last week. There’s never a dull moment.

What do you love most about the Fringe, and Edinburgh in general?

I love the fact that so many people from all around the world have a chance to come and experience the city that I call home. Edinburgh really comes to life during the fringe, its a magical time.

I could live without the bagpipes playing on every street corner though!

What do you have planned next?

The Fringe will always throw a bigger, better, more exciting opportunity your way, so ask me that question in September! but just let me get some sleep first. xx

Andrew Ryan

This year will see him debut at the Fringe with fellow comedian Joe Lycett as part of The Free Fringe.

Andrew is one of the rising stars of the comedy circuit and has recently contributed to the pilot for a television show – this year’s Edinburgh appearance will therefore very likely be the last chance you get to catch him for free.

Andrew took some time out of his last-minute preparations to tell us more.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

The show is ‘An hour of Humour’ at the White Horse at 5.15pm and it’s a double header with Joe Lycett.

We have two completely different but likeable styles and we have gigged our backsides of this year telling silly anecdotes to people so come and see THE FUNNIES!

How will you be promoting your show?

Joe & I have agreed to sell our bodies to get people in to the show.

We will flyer, stalk people, offer sweets, do radio interviews, answer eight questions in preview interviews and hope that people read what I am saying and come along.

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

It’s my first time in Edinburgh. I expect to have loads of fun.

Meet loads of people. Make people laugh. Cry when things go wrong.

And what are you hoping for?

I ‘m hoping to become a better comic.

Anything after that is a bonus.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would get the BBC to say the fringe was cancelled except for our show. ‘An hour of Humour’ IS THE FRINGE!

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

I expect to see a counseller and psychiatrist during the festival.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Ring my bank manager and offer babysitting services to pay for what I have spent in Edinburgh.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

FUNNY, FUNNY & FREE

More details on Andrew’s and Joe’s show are on the Fringe website.

The Pantry Shelf

Can porridge fall in love?

The Pantry Shelf at the Sweet Grassmarket flings opens the door on the hidden and complex goings-on inside your food cupboard.

Queenie – the Quinoa, Date and Bark Bar – is a new ingredient thrust into the pantry, where she quickly learns her branding as a healthy snack is not everything it claims to be.

Five actors in giant foam costumes portray everything from a sexy bar of dark chocolate to a bag of Scots porridge oats in this new satirical comedy from Edinburgh-based husband and wife duo Marion Shortt and Mark Prebble.

Marion and Mark – Team M&M – met in New Zealand in 2004, then relocated to Edinburgh in 2008 to further their scriptwriting and production careers – and also to fulfil their desire to put on a show at the Fringe.

After having produced last year’s independently-funded play In Transit at The GRV, Team M&M are now set to realise their dream and soon their incredible edibles will be adding a colourful touch of satirical humour and fun to Edinburgh’s mix.

You can buy tickets for The Pantry Shelf on the Fringe website.
You can check out more information about the show on the Team M&M website.

Abi Titmuss, starring in Up 'n' Under at the Assembly

Abi Titmuss is keen to point out where her priorities lie.

“It’s taken me 10 years’ effort to get to this point,” she says. “I started at the grass roots level and trained in drama for three years.”

“I worked as a nurse part-time to support myself, then as a model. Now, I’m absolutely passionate about the acting.”

Up 'n' Under

Although she’s had to turn down many stereotyped parts, Abi has worked hard and received critical praise for her theatrical work to date.

She has starred in an award-winning production of an Arthur Miller play, portrayed Lady Macbeth and now is set to appear in the 25th anniversary production of John Godber’s Up ‘n’ Under at the Assembly.

“I played in this at the Hull Truck theatre last year and that was very successful,” Abi says. “John’s rewritten parts of it around the cast and made a few tweaks to it. It’s a real honour to be starring in it.”

Up ‘n’ Under tells the comic tale of a struggling third-rate rugby team who find themselves aiming to beat a rival team, despite being woefully unfit. Enter Hazel – a gym instructress – who takes the team and works with them to knock them into shape – perhaps even enough to win.

“It’s a physically demanding show,” says Abi. “This summer I spent a week at the GI Jane Boot Camp – an extreme fitness course run by commandos.”

“They’d get us up at 5am to go on a five-mile run every morning, and really worked on toughening us up. I lost 10 pounds in 7 days!”

This will stand her in good stead for her next ‘marathon’ – 25 ninety-minute performances of Godber’s knockabout play in 26 days. Does she feel prepared for it?

“I’m an extremist!” she says. “I’ve wanted to appear in the Fringe for years and it’s a massive honour to finally be doing that. And at the Assembly too – I feel so lucky and grateful.”

“I’m going to give it 150 percent!”

It’s obvious from talking to Abi that she is absolutely passionate about her acting and prepared to put in the effort to succeed. She’s also looking forward to the Fringe as an audience member as well as an actress.

“I’ll be catching as many shows as I can,” she says. “There’s so much I want to see, but I’ll definitely be seeing Territory at the Pleasance.”

“Being in Edinburgh for the Fringe just couldn’t be better!”

Acting seems to drive Abi and satisfy something within her she couldn’t get any other way.

“It gives me such respect for myself and I enjoy it so much,” she says.

“I’m always looking to improve, always learning my craft. And I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get this far.”

“I’m still taking it a day at a time – but it now feels as though things are beginning to pay off.”

Abi will also be making a guest appearance at the Edinburgh Foodies Festival in Holyrood Park on Friday 13th August at 2pm, with Matt Powell of Hotel du Vin.

Pete Johansson

This year, he returns with is laid-back and ironic style in Pete’s On Earth, a show recounting Pete’s travels across the globe as he tries to convince everyone else on the planet that they are wrong and he is right.

Pete has been courted by HBO and Warner Brothers and has played sell-out shows across the world. Now a regular at London’s renowned Comedy Store, he has performed alongside Stewart Lee and Simon Anstel, and has recently completed a UK tour with fellow comedian Carl Donnelly.

No stranger to television either, Pete has starred opposite Ed Byrne in BBC4’s Sex Bombs and is shortlisted to appear on Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow.

Here, he tells us a bit more about his forthcoming Fringe show and his Edinburgh experiences.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show is at 9:30 in the Assembly rooms… and from what I can tell from the previews it’s very funny:) It’s an account of my frustrations in life, frustrations we all can relate to, as well as some solutions we might not be ready for.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

I enjoy the chance to see such a vast array of talent, it’s inspiring.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

It’s my second year. My only criticism is the financial burden on the artists is ridiculously unfair.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

There’s an arty cinema called the Cameo on Home road, which I just love. It changes films constantly and it shows matinees which is soo handy when you have shows at night.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

I had a reviewer walk out of my show halfway through, then still review my show like he saw it all. It wasn’t bad, it was just dishonest….

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Wake up, make love. Read the paper, herb tea.

Make love.

Walk to sandwich shop, eat. Nap.

Make love.

Off to show, then second show, head home.

Watch some TV, make love and bed

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I’d give it all to charity and hope that the idea that somebody that needed the money got it would make me feel so good i wouldn’t care if my show was empty.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Arj Barker, Des Bishop, Carl Donnelly and Jim Jefferies are the shows I’m gonna see. Unfortunately there are more I want to see but they are on at the same time as me.

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I am immediately off to Copenhagen for their comedy festival, then to Beruit and Oman for shows.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Jiggly Giggly fun

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

And calculates that his ticket price is not enough to cover the costs of the artist and feels bad for him….

You can buy ticket’s for Pete’s show at the Assembly website

Alexis Dubus

This year, he’s set to lift a lot more with A Surprisingly Tasteful Show About Nudity at The Tron.

The award-winning comic tries to inject his shows with more than just stand-up gags, using information, anecdotes, historical facts as well as jokes to both inform and entertain the audience.

A regular on the UK and world comedy circuit, this is Alexis’ second solo show at Edinburgh, and he took a little time out to tell us more.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show’s called “A Surprisingly Tasteful Show About Nudity,” it’s on at The Tron, and it’s a follow-up to last year’s show about the history of swearing.

You should come and see it to learn a bit, enjoy The Tron’s air-conditioning system, and appreciate the economic use of nob gags.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

The bizarre stuff that you wouldn’t see anywhere else, and the camaraderie between acts, knowing we’ll all be a bit broken by the end of it, whether the shows are going well or not.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

Well I’m starting to recede a bit, and my mouth sometimes let out an unexpected noise when I bend to pick something up.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

I do like to do a bit of an Arthur’s Seat climb once a Fringe, and Princes Street Gardens are a great place to grab a nap when a sunny day rears its head.

I think I’ve had some good times at the Penny Black around 6am, but I’m not really able to go into any detail there I’m afraid.

Nope, still nothing.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

I was booked to do a set as part of a show by some avant-garde Long Island comedy group. The two acts before me were a midget in a nappy riding a hobby-horse, and a ‘vomiting Pope’ act.

You just can’t follow that with observational comedy.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Get up, have late lunch, do promotional gig, go to see show and realise it’s their day off, do promotional gig, pie, do own show, go to see show and realise the run’s finished, do promotional gig, get caught in almighty rainstorm and realise I left umbrella at first gig, try to meet mate at random location, fail to find it, go to see show, pie, do second show, do late-night show, do later-night show, pie.

Throw in some alcohol in between all of the above.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

A machine that projects my show title onto rainbows, so that every time it rains and is then vaguely sunny, it would show up in the sky. I reckon I’d get a lot of usage out of it.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Daniel Kitson, Emo Phillips, Jeremy Lion, Stewart Lee, anything the Invisible Dot are involved with…

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I’m heading out to the Nevada Desert. True story.

Sum up your show in three words for us?

Laughy, learny, lovely

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

…and says ‘well this isn’t my preconceived idea of comedy. I’m going to sit here with my arms crossed frowning for an hour. I’m only here because Stewart Lee was sold out.’

You can buy tickets for Alexis’ show on the Fringe website.

Lady Garden

With their parody, observational sketches and precision timing, Hannah Dodd, Beattie Edmonson, Rose Johnson, Jessica Knappett, Eleanor Thom and Camille Ucan gel together to produce some genuine laugh-out-loud material and look set to continue their rise to fame, having recently secured a 12-month development deal with the BBC.

Award-winning director Phillip Breen cultivates the ladies this year, in a show which promises to be one of the stand-out sketch-based shows of the Fringe.

We spent a little time at the bottom of their garden to find out more about the show. Which, given that it is TOP SECRET, was no easy task…

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

We can’t tell you what it’s about because it’s top secret but what can we tell you? We can tell you that it is an hour of nonsense – funny nonsense.

It’s maybe a bit more off-beat than last year’s show and there are some beautiful surprises in there.

We can’t tell you much more – sorry about that – you really do need to see it though because everyone will say, ‘have you seen Lady Garden?‘ and if you say ‘no‘ they might look at you with a disappointed face like you’re a bit of a failure.

All we can say is that our TOP SECRET GIG is on at the PLEASANCE BESIDE AT 6:20PM. Come along if you like accessible buildings.

How will you be promoting your show?

We’ve got badges, and funny sketches that people will hopefully tell other people about. We’re relying on the latter quite heavily, to be honest.

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

Once again being free to roam the streets dressed as a dragon without a single eyebrow being raised. It’s always a treat to be able to drink every day and not be judged, not so good for the old liver though.

Looking forward to all living together again. It’s a great feeling to wake up in the morning knowing that you’re going to see some of your fave comedians later either performing or propping up the bar. It’s comedy geek heaven for a month and we love it.

And what are you hoping for?

We just want to be better. Is that so much to ask?

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

We’d buy Edinburgh and paint our faces on every rooftop so that anyone parachuting in for the festival would know what show to see.

We’d also pay the human statues to f*** off but that’s nothing to do with our show, they’re just quite annoying. Standing still is not a job.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Two Episodes of MASH, Toby, Ginger and Black, and Tom Allen.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Rehab.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

TOP SECRET. Sorry.

You can buy tickets for Lady Garden’s Top Secret Gig on the Pleasance website
Check out their official website here.

Carrousel

We’ve been watching the progress of this brand new Fringe venue being built with interest. Now it looks almost complete.

Part of the Assembly family of venues, this one plays host to a wide variety of cabaret-oriented acts, including Meow Meow, Julien Cottereau and the pop club night Guilty Pleasures.

You can see all that’s on offer at this exciting new venue on the Assembly website.

Wil Hodgson shares a tender moment with a friend (photo credit: Idil Sukan)

Back for his 6th Edinburgh run, the Perrier award-winning comedian is back with Punkanory another insight into his pop culture-driven mind.

A regular at festivals all over the world and having appeared on radio and TV, he takes a little time out to tell us more about his forthcoming visit to the Fringe.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show “Punkanory” is 3:50pm at Just the Tonic @ The Caves . It’s an hour of stories about various things including boot sales, the death of British comic books, specialty soft pornography and that kind of thing.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

The best thing about the Fringe is having an hour to perform new stuff in front of a comedy literate audience instead of having to control crowds of drunkards.

And getting tattooed as well. I get at least three tatts done every year by JFK at Studio XIII.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

I think in general the whole thing’s becoming more of a TV trade fair which is sad but inevitable given the times we live in.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

Studio XIII Tattoos, The car boot sale on Sundays in the big multi storey car park, Forbidden Planet, Jimmy Chung’s Chinese Buffet.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

Watching some coked up idiot get a hot meat pie thrown in his face by a chip shop owner he was disrespecting. It was like a savoury Bugsy Malone.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Stressing, performing show, stressing, self doubting, watching the 1966 Batman show on DVD.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I wouldn’t even if I had unlimited money. It should be the quality of your work that sells your show. An extremely naive view I know but I’m a bit of an idealist I guess.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Eric’s Tales of the Sea, Roisin Conaty, Joey Page, John Robbins

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I’m going to a wedding and then doing some gigs hopefully.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Punk Folk Storytelling

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

He says “Ouch!”, it was one of Ian Cognito’s legendary brilliantly chaotic Fringe shows from the late 80s.

You can buy tickets for Punkanory on the Fringe website.

Soap! The Show

Soap! The Show

There’s plenty of family fun to be had at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe in the show Soap!, running 5-30 August at Assembly Hall. Dazzling, daring and dangerous, it features eight acrobats performing in, on and around bathtubs in a show that leaves the audience breathless in admiration. Soap! appeals to both children and adults alike.

Straight from runs London and Berlin and devised by Markus Pabst (creator of the bathboy act in La Clique) and Maximilian Rambaek, Soap! The Show is a variety night with a fusion of musical theatre, new circus and comedy all set within the original confines of a bathroom. The kids will be dazzled by the acrobatics, clowning, and trapeze while the adults will enjoy the opera and risqué humour.

The story is based around Marie the Clown who stumbles into this mysterious world and discovers an array of eccentric characters who take it in turn to showcase their talent. The surreal bathroom setting makes for an intriguing backdrop and the performers utilise the water and bathing equipment to great effect. There are moments of beauty, including a captivating gymnastic performance on a bath-tub ledge and a trapeze sequence, to moments of comedy, such as a foot juggling routine.

Above all the cast demonstrate the beauty and strength of the human form. Soap! The Show is a truly cleansing theatrical experience; upbeat and fun, you’ll never think of the bathroom in the same way again.

Competition

Edinburgh Spotlight will be reviewing this show early on in its run, but we are giving 5 pairs of tickets away for the performance on Sunday 8th August at 1915 hours, if you can answer the following question correctly:

Question: What kind of TV programme is Coronation Street?
(a) Classical ballet
(b) Musical theatre
(c) Soap opera

Email your answers with Soap! in the subject line to competitions@edinburghspotlight.com before 12 noon on Sunday 1st August and we will notify you via email if you’ve won.

Fancy a sneak preview of what Soap! will entail?

Performance times and booking information

Performances: 5-30 August, no shows 16 & 23 August, 7.15pm

Previews 5 & 6 August, 7.15pm

Venue: Assembly @ Assembly Hall, Assembly Hall
Tickets £14-20, previews £10; www.assemblyfestival.com; 0131 623 3030

Theatre Ninjas iPhone app

Want free Fringe Tickets?

Well, Theatre Ninjas and their mobile app (and accompanying website) are here to help…

The concept is simple: half an hour before a participating show is due to start, if it’s not sold out, they’ll post the fact free tickets are available to anyone who can make it along in time.

Details will be available on the Theatre Ninjas website, but also on the iPhone app, meaning you can check it whilst out and about (or inside and inebriated) and see what’s on offer.

The app will also contain details about the shows, the number of tickets available, maps to the venues and links to reviewson Twitter.

The concept is the brainchild of a group of young like-minded folk with a background in theatre and arts, and was developed by Red C, aided by a £1,000 grant from Ideas Tap, an organisation set up to help young entrepreneurs.

It sounds like a great idea to us and everyone’s a winner – shows have the potential to play to packed audiences, and punters have the chance to jam-pack their Fringe days and nights with shows for free.

More details are available on the Theatre Ninjas website and the app is already available for download on the Apple app store.

(And, of course, whilst you’re there, you could always download iEdinburgh, Edinburgh Spotlight’s very own iPhone app…)

Marcel Lucont

After a successful debut at last year’s Fringe, French stand-up Marcel has gone on to further success, playing comedy festivals in Australia and New Zealand, popping up on television and winning 2009’s Buxton Fringe Award.

We were fortunate enough to grab a few moments of Marcel’s precious time as he shared his thoughts about the Fringe with typically Gallic charm and flair.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

It is Marcel Lucont: Encore, it is at the Underbelly, and it is probably entirely sold out by now.

But if you are lucky enough to get tickets you can expect the usual superlative blend of wry observation, wonderful chansons, and a new poem about t*ts.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

An entire country reverting to stereotype to attempt to take as much money from us as possible.

I also like the women of Scotland. I don’t know why the English are so racist towards redheads. I like the flame-haired girls. To me, red means danger.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

A few years ago there were no shows by me at the Edinburgh Fringe. Thankfully this situation has changed.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

I cannot remember their names, so do not expect me to remember their addresses.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

I recall a bizarre incident one evening last year when the show did NOT sell out. Nobody could understand this. I can only put this down to something being not right in the universe.

It still puzzles me to this day.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Why do you wish to know where I will be? I am suspicious of this. I have enough stalkers already, thank you.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

A giant inflatable Marcel, which can be seen from space. It would be a bar, a venue, and a wine cellar, and would remain in place permanently, even after the Festival.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

I am hoping to see some bizarre and wonderful cabaret performers for my Cabaret Fantastique show on August 23rd and 24th at the Banshee Labyrinth.

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

Living out my days on this bizarre planet as its idiot population rapidly increases, which, frustrating as it is, provides me with material and keeps me employed.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Why just three?

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

…he grabs the microphone and talks for an hour, stretching out 3 jokes, one about paedophilia, one about Facebook and one with a vaguely ironic racist overtone, in front of an apathetic audience of 6, then spends the next 12 months complaining that nobody has given him his own TV show, despite his crazy hair style.

You can book tickets for Marcel’s show on the Underbelly website.

Rhys Jones

One of four comics on the bill, the show is The Pleasance’s pick of rising comedy talent and promises to be an hour of laughs and great-value entertainment.

Here, Ryhs tells us a little bit more about the show and his Edinburgh experiences.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

The show is in the Dome at 9.30 every night and it’s all about my experiences climbing out of the ghetto to become a national clarinet champion.

That is of course a lie. It’s a showcase of “new talent” as selected by the people at the Pleasance. There’s four of us providing the humour; Me, Mark Restuccia, Daniel Simonsen and Tom Goodliffe.

You ought to come and see it to quench your comedy thirst.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

People are very open-minded at the fringe. Last year I saw a man in a morph-suit stand on one leg for good half-hour and no one even flinched. He only wanted attention, the poor chap.

The best way to go about getting noticed in Edinburgh is to be as plain as you can, everyone wonders how you filtered out the insanity of it all.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

I saw Barack Obama become the first black president of the USA, which was a good change.

I’ve got very limited experience to draw from as I’m still a teenage nipper, but it’s lovely to see the comedy award get a new sponsor and I’m a big fan of the Five Pound Fringe.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

I love the Royal Mile because I’m addicted to A5 paper.

Last year I found a lovely vintage market full of the sort of garments Noel Fielding wears, but I can’t remember where it was.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

Richard Herring called me a “****” for being “annoyingly talented”. I wasn’t equipped to deal with that at the time.

I also became a central part of Russell Kane’s show on the night I saw it because he noticed we had similar haircuts.

This was all after I had graduated from name-dropping school.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

I awake feeling grim and loathsome, my body a woken corpse which yearns to return to its slumberous tomb.

Then I have some Cheerios or something and get going.

Previously I would queue at the box-office for hours and come out grasping tickets I can’t afford, but following this interview I hope for the sort of fame that will grant me free entry anywhere I go.

Then I’ll be doing the show I’m in and socialising with all sorts of Joe-publics.

I also plan to go swimming regularly this year and I’ll maybe even learn the Ukulele.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would remove David Cameron from office and replace him with Mark Restuccia (from the show). Tom Goodliffe (from the show) could be Nick Clegg and Daniel Simonsen (from the show) would become chancellor.

Naturally, I would assume the duties of the monarchy so I could dress up all posh.

Politics would then be completely suspended for one hour everyday, in which we would perform our show. Laughter would be compulsory and tickets would be thousands of pounds each. I would ensure a sell-out show each night by making unrealistic threats through a megaphone.

(This isn’t really a publicity stunt, just a dictatorial pipe-dream.)

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Bo Burnham is the only person I have tickets for so far. I imagine I’ll go and see his show as many times as I can as I think he’s a genius. I’m also hoping to get along to the Chortle student final as a few friends of mine are taking part.

Otherwise, The Lunchtime Club, Joe Lycett & Andrew Ryan and Tom Basden are topping my list.

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I’ll be going back to University to feign interest in politics. I hope they don’t find out about the above plans.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Celestial. (Not really)

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

and the barman says “I think I’m in the wrong joke…”

You can buy tickets to see Rhys in The Comedy Reserve on the Pleasance website.

Joe Power - The Man Who Sees Dead People

When he appeared on Derren Brown Investigates the talents of Liverpudlian medium Joe Power left the audience and critics divided.

You have a chance to decide if his powers are for real yourself this year with The Man Who Sees Dead People, Joe’s show at the Assembly Hall. With a healthy dose of Scouse humour, Joe will attempt to contact the spirit world each evening – bringing messages from beyond to loved ones in the audience.

But be warned, if you have secrets you’re keen to keep hidden, the talents of this TV regular may just reveal them – to a room packed full of Fringe-going strangers!

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My brand new psychic show will be at the Assembly Hall Rainy Hall. The show is a one hour paranormal activity show with a combination of spirit messages, secrets, psychic readings and all things mystical!

Anything paranormal could happen throughout the show. This is not an illusion – this is the real deal.

If you want a psychic message, or want to know what your future holds, or even a spiritual reading while at the festival, then come and along and see the power.

How will you be promoting your show?

Any way I can – I am hoping to do celebrity readings, haunted walks, ghost tours – any suggestions from anyone, I am ready to find the local ghosts!

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

This is the first time at the festival and I am really excited about the atmosphere, the buzz and sharing my insight about the work I do as a psychic medium.

And what are you hoping for?

To bring as many spirit people and ghosts to the Festival as possible.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would have a Joe Power psychic lottery for a million pounds to give one lucky winner from the Festival a life-changing experience.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

I am looking forward to meeting as may people as possible in Edinburgh, I am also really looking forward to showing my 2 year old son and my baby daughter the sights and watching the kids’ shows with them.

And I am also interested in catching some of the many comedy and music shows.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

A holiday with my partner and babies before I start my theatre tour.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Edinburgh’s Mystical Show

You can buy tickets for Joe Power’s show on the Assembly website.

There are several other shows on our ‘hit list’ that we hope to squeeze in and review for our readers:  

Life of Si : Si Harder return as part of the Five Pound Fringe and last year they demonstrated their talent by captivating the audience with their show.  

Hairspray is set to be a sing-along toe-tapping musical at the Royal High School. We have seen past productions from the company and were so impressed we’ve added this to our list as must-see.  

That’s Lunch Productions are putting on two shows at Stewart Melville’s college, Give a dog a bad name and Apathy.  Written and produced  by Edinburgh resident Michael Shand.  

The Oxford Imps return for their seventh year, providing afternoon comedy at the Gilded Balloon.  

Over at the Hill Street Theatre, the one woman comedy show by Josie Melia What would Helen Mirren Do?  looks interesting and Dame Helen Mirren herself sent the company a good luck message for their Brighton run. 

The Fourth Monkey Theatre are producing A Clockwork Orange and the company is offering some free tickets to anyone who can produce one of the lucky ‘Clockwork blood Oranges’  placed around town to the box office.  

Having recently appeared in the Edinburgh Magic Festival, we’re recommending Lewis Barlow and his Seven Wonders of Magic. 

The gothic comedy, Virtuous Flock by N10 Productions is sure to be an interesting choice for lunchtimes by their energetic cast. 

And lastly for now - Andrew Hungerford’s Of people and not things is a part love, part mystery  striving to find the humour at the end of the world. 

Of people and not things

 

The Ukulele Project

It’s refreshing to hear such enthusiasm and optimism from a Fringe act.

Perhaps that’s understandable: this musical foursome are debuting their show at Edinburgh and have only been together for six months…and they’re barely out of school.

The Ukulele Project are four young musicians with a shared passion for the instrument of choice of the cabaret set.

Two girls – Steph and Oli – and two boys – Marcus and Pete, they specialise in taking tunes old and new and treating them to the signature sound of the uke.

Today, Steph is telling us a little bit more about her band and their forthcoming Edinburgh visit.

“We’d all been playing together separately,” she says, recalling the birth of the Project. “It was a hobby at first, though we were all really enthusiastic about the ukulele.”

“Marcus had the idea of getting together as a band, and we’ve taken things from there.”

The Ukulele Project’s show sounds as though it will be an original and joyful delight, as the four strum their way through a collection of audience-pleasing tunes – everything from Elgar to Lady Gaga; The Beatles to the Scissor Sisters.

“We like playing different genres,” says Steph.

“Everything should be recognisable though – and there’s a few big numbers in the show which should get everyone involved!”

“Though you’ll just have to wait and see the show for yourself to find out what they are!”

The band have been rehearsing hard for their Fringe baptism and have performed a couple of shows in preparation.

“None of us have ever been to Edinburgh before. We’ve heard it’s crazy – thousands of acts!”

The Ukulele Project will be playing London at Christmas, but before that their plucking fingers are itching to bring their sound to the Fringe.

“We can’t wait!” says Steph. “We’re all so excited!”

Such youthful enthusiasm is infectious and hard to resist, and we’ll be catching their show early on its run and reporting back.

With their chosen instrument being in vogue at the moment, The Ukulele Project might just be one of those breakthrough shows that happen to be in the right place at just the right time.

And we can’t wait to hear them cover Electric 6…

You can buy tickets for The Ukulele Project on the Underbelly website.

On August 13, 14 and 15 - Edinburgh’s annual food and drink event, Foodies Festival, joins forces with the Edinburgh Fringe to combine cooking with comedy and Edinburgh Spotlight can’t think of a better combination.

Edinburgh 13-15th August 2010

Visitors are treated to a taste of the Edinburgh Fringe as comedians take to the stage in the Chefs Theatre. Fringe funny men including Stephen K Amos, Brendon Burns, Jon Richardson and Tim Vine will join Scotland’s Michelin star chefs to cook their favourite dishes live for you.

Food lovers can take a break from shopping and sampling to enjoy live entertainment from the Edinburgh Festivals Magazine sponsored stage which will showcase award winning Fringe performances including music, dance and comedy. 

This year, visitors will get the opportunity to see The Scottish Restaurant Award’s ‘Chef of the Year’ and ‘Restaurant of the Year’ 2010 Geoffrey Smeddle of the Peat Inn; Edinburgh’s beloved Mary Contini of Valvona & Crolla and Tony Borthwick of the Plumed Horse; Glasgow’s favourites Paul Tamburini of Hotel du Vin and Stephen Richmond of Yo! Sushi as well as Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Food Award winner Pete Gottgens of Ardeonaig.

The event also features hands-on food and drink masterclasses with plenty of tasting; over 100 speciality producers and local exhibitors; favourite local restaurants and top bars and a Veuve Clicquot champagne tent, as well as live entertainment and children’s masterclasses.

You can buy tickets now for the Edinburgh Foodies Festival and we are delighted to offer 2 for 1 tickets  when quoting foodies241 when booking online  or via telephone on 0871 230 5573.  Accompanied children under 16 go free!

You can follow Foodies Festival on twitter It’s sure to be a great day out filled with food and laughter.  Remind yourself of our visit to the Christmas Foodies Festival here.

Suitable for disabled?   Yes, it’s on ground level with ramps to the theatre, although some general access will be on grass.

Joe Lycett

Since then, his comedy career has continued to rise, and he has been named Chortle Best Newcomer 2010 and gone on to appear on BBC3.

At this year’s Fringe, he appears in a double-headed show with fellow comedian Andrew Ryan in An Hour of Humour. We caught up with Joe and learned a little bit more.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

Our show is called An Hour of Humour and is essentially 30 minutes of stand-up from Andrew [Ryan] and 30 minutes from me.

You should come and see it because we are both lovely, funny boys who like to be nice and friendly and we hope to make everyone feel welcome and enjoy themselves.

Plus, we’re on at the White Horse which is a Free Fringe venue so it won’t cost you a penny.

How will you be promoting your show?

We will be doing lots of little taster spots elsewhere in Edinburgh to showcase our talents, plus there will be lots of flyering going on before the show, not to mention radio interviews and hopefully some nice reviews!

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

It is Andrew’s first time for the full run; last year I was in Edinburgh for the full month doing The Lunchtime Club.

As a comic you are traveling the country all the time, constantly in cars, trains, buses and so on. One thing about Edinburgh is that you know that for one month the only transport you will require is your legs.

Plus, because everyone else that you see once, maybe twice a year on the circuit is there so you have about 100 people on the other end of the phone at all times if you fancy a coffee or a catch-up.

And what are you hoping for?

This year both me and Andrew intend to use the Fringe as a way of developing and building as comics – last year at the festival I performed a total of 71 shows which, whilst being exhausting, made me into a comic ready to hit the circuit.

This year I intend to emulate that but on a bigger scale, doing longer sets and getting comfortable doing those longer sets.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would buy all the national newspapers and turn them into shrines to our Edinburgh show. Then I would also get drunk.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

The list stretches out into eternity! Gary Delaney is probably top of my list; he’s been a circuit favourite for years and this is his Fringe debut and I’ll be very surprised if it’s anything but absolutely brilliant.

I will also be catching The Lunchtime Club: Class of 2010 as it was where I performed last year and the quality of acts this year is great.

As well as all that I will be trying to see Tom Wrigglesworth, Sarah Millican, Susan Calman, Joel Dommett and Eric Lampaert, Ivo Graham and Alfie Brown, Shappi Khorsandi, Jack Whitehall, Alun Cochrane, Sara Pascoe, and so many more that I will definitely miss.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

My diary is already looking fairly busy so it will be straight back onto the circuit. I believe my first gig is in Liverpool. A good place to start.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Lots of fun.

More details on Joe and Andrew’s show are on the Fringe website.

Carl Donnelly

His podcast with fellow comic Chris Martin is listed by the Guardian in their top ten comedy podcasts, and as well as touring with the likes of Russell Howard and Rhod Gilbert, he’s appeared on television in Grouchy Young Men and The Comedy Store.

Unlikely to be stuck in the not-quite-famous limbo for long, Carl tells us about this year’s show and remembers some stories from Fringes past.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show is at the Underbelly each night at 20:55 and is basically a collection of stories about how different my life is now compared to how it was at the start of the last decade.

It covers my degeneracy and how I grew out of it to become a successful comedian and normal member of society (although I still have the odd lapse!)

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

The best thing is that there is an unbelievable amount of things to see or do throughout the month. At any point of any day you can just find something entertaining.

The rest of the year you have to make plans to see something amazing whereas at the Fringe you just have to wander around for five minutes and something will pop up!

The best thing about the Fringe as a performer is the sense of achievement you get at the end having lasted the month without causing serious harm to yourself!

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

The Free Fringe Festival is probably the biggest change over the last five years. I did my first ever Edinburgh show with a couple of other guys in 2006 as part of the Free Fringe and there were maybe four or five venues with a bunch of shows each day. There are now four or five hundred shows in a large number of free venues.

The positive side of this is that it gives people a chance to perform if they can’t afford to do so in one of the bigger main venues. The down side is that there is less quality control in the Free venues which sometimes leads to a lower quality of show.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

Climbing Arthur’s Seat is a great way of clearing a hangover. The Mosque Kitchen is amazing if you want good cheap food.

Bruntsfield Links free Pitch and Putt course is a nice place for a round of golf to relax away from the craziness of the Fringe.

The Rowan Tree (the bar at The Caves venue) is the best place to have a coffee and snack in between shows.

Finally, the Meadows is a cool place to chill out on a sunny day. When there, keep your eyes peeled for the comedians playing football (every couple of days) as it is quite a sight seeing 20 comics insulting each other for 90 minutes!

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

It is one of those places where so many funny and strange things happen that it is impossible to narrow it down to one thing.

A little run-down just to give you an idea of the sorts of things that go on: in my time at the Fringe I have: finished a late show by spraying a C02 Fire Extinguisher into my mouth, performed a gig in my pants having lost a bet, caused a gig to be cancelled for the remainder of the Fringe, seen a comedian wet himself onstage (on purpose) and had the police called to my festival flat due to an overzealous game of hide and seek!

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Wake up around 11 groggy from a late show and more alcohol than was originally intended. Breakfast/Lunch while trying to avoid reading reviews.

Give in and read reviews.

Feel depressed/happy.

Go out to either see shows or do embarrassing PR exercise. Dinner/Relax before doing my show.

Get nervous.

Do show.

Feel depressed/happy.

Start drinking. Do late show while drinking. Carry on drinking.

Cry.

Bed

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would hire a selection of the biggest most famous comedians in the country right now to flyer for my show during which they would all cite me as their “inspiration”

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

There are so many comedy shows I want to see this year, particularly comics doing their first shows such as Greg Davies, Seann Walsh, Roisin Connaty & Doc Brown.

I’ll also be seeing Phil Kay as many times as I can as he is the one comedian who encapsulates everything that is great about the Fringe. I believe he is doing five shows a day this year!

A few others that I’m excited about are Kevin Eldon, Arj Barker, Tommy Tiernan, and Addy Van Der Borgh.

I do plan to see some theatre and music as well but will let these be spur of the moment choices!

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I’d like to say a month of rest and recovery but I’m actually climbing Ben Nevis two and a half weeks after the Fringe to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society! I see it as offsetting the fact I’ll be spending a month being selfish and egotistical in Edinburgh it will be nice to do something for someone else.

If people want to sponsor me they can go to www.justgiving.com/thedonnellys

Sum up your show in three words for us?

Best Show Ever!

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

….sits down and spends ten minutes listening before he realises it’s not the show he bought a ticket for so gets up and sheepishly makes his way to the door causing the comedian to ask why he was leaving so soon.

The man explains what has happened. The comedian questions how it took him ten minutes to realise his mistake, the audience laugh at which point the man makes a dash for it.

Everyone laughs as he exits. The comedian feels a bit guilty for mocking the man’s embarrassment (TRUE STORY FROM MY EDINBURGH SHOW LAST YEAR)

You can buy tickets for Carl’s show from the Underbelly website.

We caught up with producer James Seager as he prepared to bring his Terrible Infants back to the Fringe for more surreal, musical and – in some cases – macabre adventures.

“We’re bringing three of our shows to Edinburgh this year,” says James.

“It’s a restricted run – one of them is even only on for one night. But that’s been a deliberate choice in some ways.

“We’re always conscious of bringing back shows to the same audience – so this year, we wanted to come back with a mixture of favourites and new material too.”

The Terrible Infants

“Oliver was definitely inspired by things like A Nightmare Before Christmas,” says James.

“He wanted to create something which would appeal to adults and children, with a distinct vaudeville style and dreamlike mood.”

“Oliver stars in the show, and the rest of the cast are all actor / musicians. They love doing it, and hopefully that transfers to the audience.

“We last took The Terrible Infants to the Fringe two years ago,” he says, “and it had a great response. This year’s show is a slightly updated version, so hopefully it will go down just as well.”

It’s most certainly a show worth catching, and – having seen it in 2008 – we can testify to its charm and magic.

Ernest & The Pale Moon

“We’ve just finished a three-month tour of Ernest,” says James. “It’s been very successful too, so we’re delighted at that.”

“Some Edinburgh venues can be a bit restricted when it comes to staging and lighting.

“This year, we’re at the Pleasance Grand; and we have a new lighting design for Ernest created by Paul Green – it’s added so much to it.”

With its greaspaint-caked characters and themes of moonlight and shadow, we are definitely looking forward to seeing this visually-updated version of Ernest & The Pale Moon – even if we have to watch it from between our fingers.

The Vaudevillains

The company’s new show for Edinburgh sounds more intriguing still. For one night only, Les Enfants Terribles will perform The Vaudevillains.

“It’s a musical murder mystery,” says James. “It’s set in a Victorian music hall, where one evening the owner is found dead.”

“Through a series of flashbacks and backstories of the weird and wonderful acts – everything from knife throwers to cojoined triplets – we piece together exactly what happened on that fateful night.”

“It’s been created by the same designer and director as The Terrible Infants, but is definitely more adult in style.

“We’ve been inspired by the cabaret and burlesque movements, but very much wanted to set it in the Victorian music hall era – it’s very British in style, and should hopefully be an intriguing show for anyone who comes to see it.”

Based on previous shows and performances, The Vaudevillains is very near the top of our list of shows to check out. With the cabaret scene at a crest of popularity, Les Enfant Terribles’ characteristically dark take on the genre is impossible to resist.

“Our vision for that show is to have it as a residency in some site-specific venue – ideally a real old music hall.”

“After the Fringe, we’ll be taking it on an 8-week tour, so we do have high hopes for it and are looking forward to its Edinburgh reception.”

“We’ll also be knuckling down after Edinburgh in preparation for our 10th year celebrations.

“It’s been so exciting to see the company grow over the years. We’ve been so lucky too – we’ve got a cast and crew of around 40 people who are at the top of their game.”

Based on our experience of Les Enfants Terribles, we agree with his view here – though as he’s too modest to admit it, we’ll add that a great deal of their success is down to the company’s talent and vision into the bargain.

Over the last two years, this company has staged some of our favourite Fringe shows of all time; they have a knack of capturing popular tastes and audience’s appetites for something a little different, and do it with a charm that is practically impossible to resist.

So, we’re looking forward to meeting some old friends next month – and getting acquainted with some weird and wonderful new ones too…

You can buy tickets to all Les Enfants Terribles’ shows on The Pleasance website.

Keith Farnan

Keith’s shows dare to deal with weighty issues, and Sex Traffic is no exception. In it, this ex-solicitor asks the question: do we value women, or simply put a value on them?

Critically-acclaimed and a regular on the UK and worldwide comedy circuit, Keith looks set to provide yet more challenging and witty food for thought this year, prior to his imminent appearance on Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow.

We asked Keith to tell us a bit more about his show and his Edinburgh experiences.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

The Show is about the value of women in the world today and is entitled Sex Traffic:How Much is that Woman in the Window?

My previous shows, Cruel and Unusual and No Blacks No Jews No Dogs No Irish All Welcome were shows about the death penalty in America and racism respectively, and I’ve continued with this show in discussing themes of man’s cruelty to man…or women, in this case.

The show isn’t specifically about sex trafficking, but touches on it in relation to how easy it can be to devalue women, even now, and debunks the myth that the pendulum of equality has swung too far in favour of women.

All my shows tend to look sideways at issues like this, and I was trying to find a comparison, and I saw an old episode of the West Wing last week, which had so much in the writing, but was witty, smart and compassionate at the same time, and I’d like to think that if Aaron Sorkin (the writer and creator of the West Wing) had been a stand-up, that we might have been in the same ballpark…or at least the same bar.

The show is on at the Underbelly at 6.20pm

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

It gives performers, writers, stand-ups, directors, generally creativey types (see, so creativey I just made up a word, creativey) a chance to really try to do something the want to do, in front of an appreciative audience.

When you’re a stand-up working the clubs every week, it can be hard to really focus on what you want to talk about in front of a dozen stag and hen parties who don’t want to hear about the collapse of Iceland’s bank system due to the fact it’s national bank was Landskibankski and that any bank run by the Swedish chef from the Muppet Show is going to collapse.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

This is only my third Edinburgh, so in two years, any changes have been slight; venues have started getting air conditioning, which can be crucial to a show’s success.

Money is always the bad change as it keeps running away from you whenever you bring a show to this festival but, besides that, it’s nearly all good.

Audiences are appreciative and comedy-literate, the standard of shows and writing is soaring, and initiatives like the Free Fringe are changing the face of the festival again. It’s an ever-evolving beast.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

Anywhere there’s not a hill.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

I was flyering on my first year, on the Royal Mile. I had no flyer team, no producer, no publicist, nothing. I literally had one thing, and that was an Irish flag I flew over my head, and just stood there flyering as people came over to chat to me about the Irish (and some Italians with colour blindness).

I was standing there when a drunken Glaswegian started shouting at me, “Are you Irish?” (A strange question, considering the flag). I said “yes, why are you shouting?”

He then shouted “it’s because you’re Irish…and a catholic…and I’m a protestant”.

So I stood there, quietly, as a crowd gathered and eventually lifted my head, looked him in the eye, and said “I’m so sorry…I really am…I can’t fix you.”

And I’m still here, which proves I can run really really fast.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

My shows have always been on around the 6.30pm mark so after a wake-up call at the crack of noon, I head down to the Underbelly, chat to my flyer guys and gals, send them out with a pep talk, usually sit down, drink coffee, staple flyers with whatever needs stapling and i tend to wander around the venue for the afternoon flyering people.

I kind of enjoy the chats and get to recommend shows to people who mightn’t be around for my show, but are just in the Underbelly looking at what’s on.

It’s always nice to be able to direct them towards something good, that might not be getting a crowd, it’s a karma thing, I can only hope someone else is doing it for me. And if you’re not…then why not?

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I don’t really like publicity stunts, but for this show, if I had limitless money, I would pay all the lap dancers and pole dancers in Edinburgh and Glasgow and Scotland and wherever else to take the month off and come along to the show and just chat for a few minutes about how they got into the life, and show these women as real people.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Magnus Betner is over at the Stand who’s a Swedish comedian I’ve heard a lot about.

I try to see a lot more theatre than stand up as I’ve always loved plays and I think it’s getting harder for small theatre groups to get crowds.

And Comedy Bitch may have to be the show I see on my day off at my time slot which is always a tricky decision, as it’s the only one chance in the fest to see the show that’s on at the same time as you.

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I’m off to Hong Kong and China for some Stand-up shows over there in September, then I go back to Dublin in October where I’m still touring last year’s show, No Blacks. No Jews. No Dogs. No Irish. And sleep.

Somewhere in there, I’ll sleep.

Sum up your show in three words for us?

Funny Compassionate Compelling

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

…he sees there’s no other audience, just the tech and a forlorn looking performer sitting on the edge of the stage, his head hanging down.

Instead of turning away and walking out, he taps the performer on the shoulder and tells him to begin the show. The performer gathers himself up, brushes away his despair and proceeds to give the performance of his life to this one man.

The show ends, the man stands and gives a standing ovation. He hands him a card that says “BBC – Head of Commissioning One Man Shows for TV ” and leaves him with the line, “Call me and we’ll give you a show”, and he walks out the door. And then the performer wakes up the next day… And rings the Man… And gets his show. …..

It’s less a joke, more what gets you out of bed every morning. You want a joke, come see the show.

You can buy tickets for Keith’s show on the Underbelly website.

The entire 16-strong company will be arriving at C Soco soon to create The House Above – a custom-built environment where all of Belt Up’s shows will be performed. Details are a closely-guarded secret at the moment, but we’ve been told not to assume the walls of The House Above will stay where they are; and not to be surprised if things are a little different there each time we pay it a visit.

This York-based company have created a buzz since their inception in 2008, where their debut at the National Student Drama Festival was quickly followed by an Edinburgh International Festival Award for their Red Room project. Their past Fringe performances of The Tartuffe and The Trial realised the dreams of many a theatre company, by gaining five-star reviews and sell-out runs.

This year, they return with a programme of varied, exciting and intense drama – here’s a look at the tales which will unfold within their ever-changing House.

Antigone

In Antigone, adapted from Sophocles’ original by Belt Up co-founder Alexander Wright, a dreamlike atmosphere will swirl around the audience members as they attend the funeral procession of a princess, learning of the intrigue and family drama that led to this point.

Tragedy and self-sacrifice will haunt Antigone like melancholy spirits as this intimate piece of storytelling progresses, with music, dance and physical theatre used to recount the moving tale.

Atrium

Atrium is a new work from co-founder James Wilkes. In it, we will be welcomed into the nightmarish mind of Malcolm Kinear, who knows that you are just a figment of his surreal and outlandish imagination.

As he sits down to pen his life story, he welcomes the opportunity to toy with us, his imagined audience, in a performance that promises to warp itself into something different each evening.

The Boy James

The Boy James is one of two productions which look to JM Barrie for inspiration. Here, Alexander Wright asks us to become the childhood companions of James, a bright young boy faced with the prospect of growing up.

Pretend and make-believe soon give way to harsh reality and bitter truths as we follow James’ journey from boy to man in this heartbreaking yet funny new production.

The Second Star To The Right

The Second Star to the Right is the mirror to The Boy James, taking place in Neverland as Wendy listens to the previously-unheard tales of the Lost Boys. With each new story, Wendy is faced with her own innermost thoughts and fears as she too realises youth is a fleeting thing.

The Second Star to the Right is performed by the all-female Paper Weight company, whose members have all worked and performed as part of Belt Up in the past. In the gardens of Neverland, they will captivate and beguile with their lyrical, bittersweet tales which will resonate around the shifting walls of The House Above.

Lorca Is Dead

Things will take a stranger turn with Lorca is Dead, a new production by Dominic J Allen. Here, the Surrealists have assembled in Paris between the Wars to commemorate and celebrate the life of their late colleague, poet Frederico Garcia Lorca. Whilst the winds of war blow strong outside, the fires of conflict between the artists themselves burn stronger still, resulting in a play which turns from comedy to tragedy in the tick of a melting clock.

Lorca is Dead promises to take Belt Up’s trademark approach of audience immersion to the next level, in a production which looks set to blur the lines between actors and audience – then completely erase them.

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is an adpatation of Kafka’s modern classic by James Wilkes. A reprise of Belt Up’s very first production, it deconstructs the original and builds it piece by piece into a world which surrounds the audience in its vision of 1920s atmosphere, humming with the beat of constant hardship and tragedy.

A mysterious chorus recount the tragic tale as the audience witness a family’s destruction play out before them in this unsettling and disturbing tale.

Octavia

The pressure is lifted a little by Octavia, Belt Up’s first ever family-oriented show, penned by Jethro Compton. Princess Octavia is on a quest to restore order to her war-torn kingdom, meeting all manner of strange and colourful characters on her journey.

Inspired by tales of Cornish folklore, Octavia will captivate and involve its audience in the princess’ adventure, allowing young and old alike to lose themselves in a magical world of myth and legend.

Odyssey

Dominic J Allen turns his pen to an interpretation of Homer’s classic in Odyssey. Here, a three-strong cast transport the original into a post-apocalyptic nightmare, in an intense and physical performance which takes the audience on a whirlwind journey of terror and tribulation in The House Above’s ‘junk room’.

Hard-hitting, powerful and claustrophobic, Odyssey will challenge and provoke those who are brave enough to accompany Ted Stirling on his travels through a distopyian nightmare.

Quasimodo

Quasimodo sees Jethro Compton strip Hugo’s original back to its raw and central theme: that of the doomed and tragic love story between the hunchback and the object of his desire.

A late-night production will see the audience welcomed as members of the Parisian underworld’s Court of Miracles, as they find themselves embroiled in this tale of passion and desire which has only one inevitable and tragic conclusion.

So, step through the threshold of The House Above this Fringe and see what awaits you: from original takes on classic tales to unique and innovative stagings of new theatrical works, you are likely to find something to your taste in one of its many, ever-changing rooms…

Mark Allen

For a month, Mark decided he’d see what happened if he took things more slowly. He opted for the stairs instead of lifts. Gave up emails and wrote letters instead. All to see what would happen when you made a decision not to be obsessed with saving every last second of time in the name of convenience.

In this 90-minute show, Mark – who has written for TV and regularly features on Radio Five Live and Sky News Review – will share what he found when he decided to take things a little bit easy. He’ll even provide biscuits.

Here, he tells us a little more about the show and his plans for the Fringe.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

It’s about my increasing frustration with the ridiculous pace of life. I found myself getting angry at pensioners for getting in my way and flying into a rage at my slow internet connection, so I decided something had to change.

I spent an entire month doing everything slowly to see what would happen. Turns out you end up annoying a lot of people.

The show is on at The GRV from 4:40pm-6:10pm (in the spirit of going slowly it’s a 90 minute show)

People should come and see it because it’s funny, interesting and I am ridiculous enough to think I have an antidote to the rapidly increasing pace of life.

If you’ve ever felt bad about swearing at a dawdling stranger just because you’re late for something, my show is right up your alley.

How will you be promoting your show?

I’ll be taking a tortoise for a walk along the Royal Mile every day.

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

Performing my show every day, which is massive fun.

Also getting the chance to catch up with comedians you only see a couple of times throughout the year when you’re on the same bill together.

And what are you hoping for ?

World peace and an end to poverty would be nice.

Failing that, a liver that still works by the end of August would be acceptable.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I’d pay for everyone in the world to have a day off work and declare it ‘National Go Slow Day’.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

I’m hoping to see someone I’ve never heard of before I went to Edinburgh whose show blows me away.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Spending some quality time with my wife and my cat.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

More thought-provoking nonsense

You can buy tickets for Mark’s show on the Fringe website.

Featuring a set which sizzles through numbers by Tom Waits, Nina Simone and Led Zeppelin, seductively wrapped in her velvet voice and performed in the intimate surroundings of the Assembly Rooms Supper Room, Maria’s new Edinburgh show is sure to appeal to those who like their music shaken not stirred – and will likely set a few pulses racing into the bargain.

Maria was kind enough to speak to us to tells us a little bit more about her show – and some of her favourite things about Edinburgh…and Scottish men.

Maria Tecce

Please can you tell us a little about yourself, and your show?

I’m a suburban girl from Boston, Ma. on the East coast of America who was trained to be an English teacher, became a cowgirl, and wound up on the highways and byways of Europe and the UK.

I started singing a few gigs here and there in 2002 and before I knew it I was making my living with my voice full-time.

I just got my EU citizenship in March 2010, a journey that has taken 10 years and fulfilled a dream, so I’m very excited about not having to spend time explaining myself at the passport window every time I come back to Europe!

I’m so fortunate this year that I’m back at Assembly Rooms, I’ve got an earlier time slot of 18:40 so I get to catch everyone before they head off for dinner.

My show is called Maria Tecce – Strapless and each one of the songs in the show is a vignette about the trials and seductions of love and loving, all of which I can relate to first-hand, which probably half the audience can as well.

It’s about being vulnerable, fragile, sassy, and strong; finding love, losing it, falling down and getting a bloody nose because of it, fantasizing about it, and good old fashion lust. 

Take Eartha Kitt, add a dash of Audrey Hepburn, and spike it with Kurt Weill, Led Zepeplin, and Nina Simone.  It’s going to be lovely little ride. 

All’s fair in love and seduction…

Who would you say are your main musical influences?

Eartha Kitt, Sarah Vaughn, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, Maria Callas, Lyle Lovett, Johnny Cash, Carlos Gardel, Astor Piazzolla.

You were at the Fringe last year – how did you find it?

Yes, last year was my baptism as a Fringe baby, I had such a positive experience.

It was manic, for sure, but I had prepared myself for complete mayhem and was ready for pretty much anything. I had hired excellent people and had a great production team.

As I wear the hats of musical director, producer, and performer, it’s important for me to know I have people working for me who I can count on.

What were your favourite experiences?

Favorite experiences include many dinners and drinks with Pajama Men, midnight trysts in the Assembly Bar, Turkish nibbles & learning to tightrope walk in the wee hours with a most delectable Italian stallion, and lots and lots of bubbles served very cold and with excellent company.

What are you most looking forward to about returning to the Fringe; and to Edinburgh itself?

I looking forward to being inspired, both by people and performances.

And I’m also looking forward to Scottish men, such a welcome breath of fresh air! They have an uncanny knack for being both charming and cuttingly witty, and the pickings are thankfully plentiful in Edinburgh, if I remember rightly.

Who else at the Fringe are you planning on seeing; or would like to see?

I’m looking forward to seeing Meow Meow, queen of cabaret, I think she’s a true pro.

I’m looking forward to taking in as much as I can. I’d like to see more dance this year as well.

I’m also planning to catch Freefall by Corn Exchange. I’ll be perusing the program in full pretty sharpish when I get there.

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I’ll be launching my third album ‘Viva’ in Dublin September 10th so preparations for that will be keeping me busy during the Fringe Festival during the day. I’ll also be performing in New York and Boston in October so planning for those gigs will be keeping me busy, too!

You can buy tickets for Maria Tecce: Strapless at the Assembly website.

Visit Maria’s personal website to find out more about her and listen to some samples of her songs.

The Lunchtime Club: Class of 2010

The show is the brainchild of Best Medicine Productions, run by Jon Briley and Lisa Keddie, the masterminds behind the Five Pound Fringe.

Their aim with The Lunchtime Club is to give audiences a chance to sample the cream of the crop of rising new comedy talent in a low-risk, low-cost way – and, of course, to have a great laugh in the process.

Last year, the show featured Chortle award-winning stand-up Joe Lycett and So You Think You’re Funny champ Ivo Graham.

2010’s lineup features acts who’ve all either won or reached the final stages of some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, and includes Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Liam Williams and Tom Rosenthal (son of TV sports presenter Jim).

We spoke to another comedian appearing – Chortle Student Comedian of the Year finalist Ian Smith – to find out more.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

The show is called ‘The Lunchtime Club: Class of 2010’. It’s a stand-up group show featuring some of the best young comedians on the circuit.

It’s on at Downstairs at the Tron on the Five Pound Fringe at 12.30.

People should come and see it because all the acts are brilliant, and it’s a mix of different styles… plus it’s only £5 for an hour and a half of quality! Yes!

How will you be promoting your show?

Flyering, whilst lying about celebrity cameos (Inc. Chico and Pauline Quirke).

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

The creativity of it all, there is so much happening it is such a good place to write and to think of new ideas and new ways to do what you’re already doing.

Also, the tablet – it is one of the tastiest unhealthy fudge-like creations, and I can’t get it in England much.

And what are you hoping for?

I’m in a stand-up competition final, the ‘Chortle Student Comedy Awards 2010 Final’ – I’d really love to do well in that, that’d be amazing.

Besides that, not to die of hunger, for the show to go well, to have enough money to get drunk and to finally get ‘Ian and Michael Smith drug animals’ commissioned for TV.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I’d have the Queen personally Flyering for me, on a miniature-hovercraft, firing the flyers out of some form of bazooka.

There would also be a lion, somewhere. It would maybe have flyers and posters sellotaped / stuck to / nailed / stapled to its body. At some point a helicopter would explode.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Daniel Kitson’s show, Stewart Lee, John-Luke Roberts. Nick Sun, George Ryegold, Terry Saunders, Tom Toal to name a few…

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

I’ll be going up to my Auntie and Uncle’s in Aberdeen to recover and to buy a bag full of peppermint slices. Then I move back to London in September doing more stand-up and working on a lot of exciting writing ideas (Maybe, or maybe not, ‘Pauline Quirke the Musical).

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Lunchtime. Hilarious. The.

You can buy tickets for The Lunchtime Club: Class of 2010 on the Fringe website.

Gemma Goggin

An accomplished singer, actress and cabaret performer, Gemma will reveal all the gory details of her past dating disasters and sexual misadventures in a frank and forthright 50-minute show that promises to entertain and enlighten – but will contain absolutely no pornography.

Unless, as she puts it herself, she is asked nicely or plied with vodka and tonic.

We asked Gemma to reveal even more about her show and plans for the Fringe…

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

I’m on at the Gilded Balloon Teviot in the Turret, each day at 1.30pm – never too early for a conversation about sex!

It’s called “Get Laid or Die Trying”, which should give you some indication of the subject matter….

A show for the gents and the ladies – what we say, what we shouldn’t say, some bad dates, good and bad sex, and a couple of blow up dolls. What more could you ask for?

How will you be promoting your show?

Sexual favours…..? And the odd bit of flyering. Maybe both at the same time….

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

This is my first time up at the Festival doing comedy – last time I was up, I was playing Myra Hindley, so I’m hoping there will be a few more laughs this time round!

Plus a reasonable amount of drinking and intimate relations. It would be rude not to.

And what are you hoping for?

A sell-out run. Aren’t we all?

And to get through the plethora of condoms we bought for the photo shoot, which are burning a hole in my pocket.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

Hmmm. Tricky…. Project my image onto the Castle?? Free contraception to the masses?

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Patrick Monahan, Ava Vidal, Robert White, Roadkill at the Traverse, Phil Nicol… the list goes on.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Sleep & Rehab. Sexual or otherwise.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Filthy. Feisty. Fun.

You can buy tickets for Gemma’s show on the Gilded Balloon website.

The Tiger Lillies

For the past 21 years, they have been peddling their wares around the world, attracting ever-growing audiences in the process. The trio of Martyn Jacques, Adrian Stout and Adrian Huge play songs which spin giddily around a dark and twisted carousel, taking influence from British vaudeville, punk, gypsy folk music and burlesque, whilst managing to be utterly original at the same time.

With a large catalogue of recorded material behind them – including the renowned Shockheaded Peter and the Grammy-nominated The Gorey End – last year saw The Tiger Lillies delight a sell-out Fringe crowd with a ‘greatest hits’ set of twisted tales and disturbing ditties.

This year, they will be showcasing some new material: including songs based on Little Red Riding Hood and The Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner; and some truly taboo-busting songs from a forthcoming opera featuring stories about criminals on ‘Australia’s Alcatraz’, Cockatoo Island prison.

In May, The Tiger Lillies played at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival curated by one of their friends, a certain Matt Groening. Now, they are looking forward to returning to the Edinburgh Fringe next month, and we caught up with falsetto frontman Martyn Jacques to ask him a little about the show and his plans.

Martyn Jacques of The Tiger Lillies

It’s on at the Pleasance Courtyard at 9.45 pm. We’re juxtaposing old songs from our first album with one of our latest “Freakshow”.

People should come and see us because our music is beautiful and unique! Honest guv!

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

Er..when loads of people come and see our show and buy all our 26 albums afterwards.

(Did that come across as a bit selfish? Oh well there you go! ).

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

Slightly more people coming to see us from year to year.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

No one place. It’s a beautiful city and like no other city.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

We once had a woman walk on stage take the microphone and announce to the audience that they should all leave. She then burst into tears while the audience booed and heckled her.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

I write and practice all day, or record with the band.

We’ve recorded a couple of albums in Edinburgh and plan another one this year.

I go out for lunch sometimes. Do the show and go for a drink afterwards.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I don’t think I like the sound of publicity stunts! We’re serious artists you know!

At least that’s what my mum reckons.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

More Light Please at Universal Arts’ New Town Theatre has Tiger Lillies songs in it. I shall also probably go and check out some of the competition like Meow Meow.

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

We’re doing a couple of shows in Russia. Then doing a new theatre show in Prague and straight on to Berlin to do a Tiger Lillies Circus type show.

We travel all over working pretty much the whole year.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Roll Up !

You can buy tickets for The Tiger Lillies show at The Pleasance website.

Helen Arney

Songs for Modern Loving will feature Helen pondering the complexities of finding true love in today’s fast-moving world. A favourite of the festival circuit, Helen will be arriving at the Fringe fresh from the Latitude festival with her collection of bittersweet and engaging songs.

Based in London, where she runs a twice-monthly comedy night called the London Air-Accordion Society, Helen’s credentials – and her ukulele – equip her well to amuse and entertain at Just the Tonic in August. She will also be appearing in James Campbell’s Comedy and Songs For Kids at the Assembly, where she’ll be accompanying James on the piano.

Here, Helen tells us a little bit more about the show and her plans for the Fringe.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

It’s my first hour of unusually funny and original songs about the highs, lows (and really lows) of looking for that perfect someone. At the Caves at 7.35pm every night, I’ll be playing an electric ukulele like you’ve never heard it before… You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll snigger like a teenager and one of you will perform a solo on miniature harmonica. Fact.

How will you be promoting your show?

Handing out flyers with just the words “Lovely show”. Some would say it’s not the best way to market a comedy show. But if you’re not interested in seeing a lovely show, well I don’t think you deserve to find out how funny it is as well.

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

The hills.

And what are you hoping for (this year)?

I’m doing 3 shows a day, so shins of steel by September is my aim.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

Hire the Edinburgh EICC and book Ben Folds and Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy to headline with my arrangements of songs for piano duet and gospel choir. I’ll do the support slot.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Nat Luurtsema “In My Head I’m A Hero”, Broderick Chow “Easy Tiger”, and Tom Goodliffe in the Pleasance Comedy Reserve. We were all in a stand-up show together in 2008, the now-legendary “Homework for Heroes” They’re all brilliant, and all enjoy a good game of potato conkers. Ask any of us how to play it and we’ll give you a demonstration *.

Also Josie Long, Sarah Bennetto, Grainne Maguire, Tara Flynn, Bridget Christie, Charlotte Young and Roisin Conaty have mind-bendingly good solo shows this year.

(* please bring your own potatoes, string, protective goggles and public liability insurance)

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Performing at End of the Road Festival, a month of laryngitis then 2 weeks on a beach in Bali.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Not just ukuleles…

You can buy tickets for Songs for Modern Loving on the Fringe website

Mary of Guise

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it? 

Shakespeare’s The Tempest tells the tale of Prospero, a girl in our version, who sets out to wreak her revenge on her wicked sister and conspirator King for throwing her out of her homeland. Set on a boat in Leith and featuring live music from guitars and a ukulele, this will be a Tempest with a twist.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are? 

The amazing choice of theatre packed into three little weeks. You can go straight from a professional show by a contemporary playwright at the Traverse to seeing a student group doing a Mamet or a Brecht at C venue. It’s an amazing eclectic experience. Edinburgh buzzes. It’s brilliant.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

Ticket prices have gone up. It costs far more now to do a show on the Fringe than it did ten years ago. And with 2,400 theatre shows this year, there’s no guarantee that you’ll sell any more tickets. I’m in favour of keeping ticket prices as low as you can. Theatre is a gamble for a lot of people. They’re pretty sure they’ll get something from a comedy show but are a bit more suspicious of theatre. If we can keep ticket prices down, they’re more likely to give it a go. We need to build our theatre audience of the future.

Where are your favourite places in the city? 

The Trav café in the Fringe is my favourite as it’s a great location, lovely vibe and perfect for star-spotting. C Soco’s Urban Garden is a really laid back, unusual location for a drink outdoors. And the Pleasance Dome is hard to beat for a chilly/rainy night. It’s like being outdoors but with a roof overhead.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe? 

For years, we’ve done shows in Diverse Attractions at the top of the Lawnmarket, right alongside the castle, so we’ve fought Tattoo traffic to get into the venue and then the fireworks at the end of each show. But in 2007, we did a lovely play by AbiMorgan called “Tiny Dynamite”. Same venue but this time around, we managed to time it so the fireworks went off at just the right dramatic climax to the play.  A proper explosive finale!

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day… 

I do a bit of a reviewing in the Festival so I’d start with a show at the Trav or the Assembly Rooms as they do great coffee. Vital for a day on the Fringe. Lunch at Elephants and Bagels and write up my first show. And then I’d catch something at the Quaker Meeting House or C Venue as they always have stacks of really good shows to choose from. At teatime, I’d head off to the barge to give the actors a pep talk before they got started and we’d enjoy a couple of post-show drinks under the stars before I did it all again the next day.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show? 

I’d host a launch party on the Royal Yacht Britannia featuring live music from our brilliant musicians, canapés and Shipwreck cocktails.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see? 

Decky Does A Bronco is top of my list. Grid Iron are fabulous – their Barflies last year was excellent – and I missed this show first time around. I love site-specific theatre. It forces you to think much more carefully about how to keep the audience involved in your story.

Beautiful Burnout is also up there. A NTS and Frantic Assembly collaboration, it promises to be magic.

And A Midsummer Night’s Dream by local group Arkle at the Royal Scots Club looks to be a delightful romp through another Shakespeare classic. 

What do you have planned after the Fringe? 

Next show on the cards for us is a production of a brilliant play called “The Secret Rapture” by David Hare. It’s thought-provoking and very darkly funny. That will be November at St Brides in Edinburgh.

Sum up your show in three words for us 

Magic, music, mayhem.

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into our Fringe show…” 

 …without a ticket and gets arrested for piracy on the high seas. (Thanks, Neil!)

The Grad’s production of The Tempest runs from 9-21 August, times vary.  Buy tickets here.

Shakespeare's The Tempest

We’re of course talking about the explosion of cabaret and burlesque shows, genres which have grown steadily in popularity over the past few years and which are now very much part of the fabric of the Fringe itself.

One such show is Circus Burlesque, appearing at the Assembly Rooms.

Lola Labelle

We spoke with its producer and one of its stars, Lola Labelle.

“The show’s a mix of circus and burlesque,” says Lola, “with a lot of comedy in there too.”

“We take the Seven Deadly Sins and have a routine based on each of them. The whole show is inspired by the Victorian circus tradition – with a modern burlesque twist.”

And can she reveal any of the show’s highlights?

“I don’t want to spoil any surprises!” she says. “But our ringmistress – Tempest Rose – does perform one great song with a lot of audience participation at one point.

“And there’s a great big razzle-dazzly finale – the show definitely finishes with a bang!”

It’s Lola and the show’s first time in Edinburgh – so is she looking forward to it?

“Absolutely!” she says. “It’s an honour to be playing at the Assembly. We’ve never been to Edinburgh before and I’ve no idea what to expect!

“We do have a few tricks up our sleeve for when we get there though…”

Lola’s performed with many fellow cabaret artistes – such as Desmond O’Connor – in London, where she is based.

Tempest Rose - one of the stars of Circus Burlesque

“The big international acts that you don’t often get the chance to see,” she says. “Definitely the Tiger Lillies; and I really want to see Ali Cook, the magician too.”

Lola is originally from LA but has been based in London for the last two years.

There, she has been performing on the cabaret scene regularly, and last year started the House of Burlesque: a collective performing group, which Circus Burlesque is part of.

What does she put the success of the genre down to?

“There seems to be a real interest in burlesque and circus right now,” she says.

“And in all my time performing, I’ve never found anyone who hasn’t left a show and not enjoyed it!”

“It appeals to real mix of people too – both male and female. It has such a feel-good atmosphere too!”

It’s hard to disagree with that. Go to a burlesque show with an open mind, and you’re very likely to be entertained, have a good time and leave with a smile on your face.

By incorporating circus into her show, Lola looks to have created an appetising mix of genres which is likely to appeal to a wide audience. Can she sum up Circus Burlesque in a few words?

“Wow,” she says, thinking for a moment.

“How about: captivating, energetic and intriguing?”

We’re sold – and will be taking our place at the ringside when Lola’s circus rolls up into town next month.

Circus Burlesque runs from the 5th to 30th August (not the 23rd) at 9.20pm at the Assembly George Street.

Tickets are available on the Assembly website

Maff Brown

An ex-professional footballer, Maff’s career in comedy started in 2005 and has written material for Shooting Stars, appeared at the Leicester Comedy Festival, and won the Chortle Best Comedy Venue award for the Outside The Box Comedy Club in London, which he founded and comperes.

Looking after Lesal is the moving yet funny tale of Maff’s father and how he came to terms with his life after Maff’s mother died. Using film, video and comedy, the show promises to be a personal examination of his family and the challenges it faced; whilst being brilliantly funny at the same time.

Maff took some time out of his show preparations to tell us a little bit more.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show is called “Looking after Lesal” and Lesal is my dad. Its about what has been happening with him and me for the past 18 months.

Its on at the Pleasance Courtyard (Attic – 9:30pm) and people should come and see it because its a true story thats both funny and heartwarming and you will probably have something in common with me at the end of it!

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

The atmosphere and the fact that its so well attended. Plus you can see some nutters who in any normal circumstances shouldn’t be allowed out the house, but give them a stage and thats ok.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

This is only my fourth year up, so I haven’t seen a great deal change, apart from the sponsor of the comedy award.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

The Pleasance Courtyard on a weekend evening.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

I once filmed Edward Aczel having an argument with Sky on the phone because they wouldn’t give him the password to the wifi, when it turned out it the supplier of said wifi wasn’t Sky.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

I tend to stay at home watching boxsets before the gig, and then after i normally hang out in Brookes Bar with Ed winding him up

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

Get Maddona, Puff Daddy and Robin Williams to flyer for me

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Edward Aczel, Jon Richardson and Greg Davies

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

Hopefully take the show on tour!

Sum up your show in three words for us:

funny heartwarming story

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

…and says hang on, this used to be a bar.

You can order tickets for Maff’s show on the Pleasance website.

Princess Cabaret

The ubiquitous girls from Princess Cabaret tapped into the power of social media, appearing on the front cover of The Scotsman and playing at the EdTwinge party as a result – as well as putting on a hugely successful hour of comedy and songs at the Gilded Balloon every evening.

Princess Jasmine (@JasCabaret to her Twitter friends)

We caught up with the girls as they prepare to bring their slice of magic and fairy dust to the Fringe once again.

What adventures have the Princesses had since appearing at Edinburgh last year?

In between ruling our kingdoms and chatting with friendly forest creatures we’ve performed at 2 major Australian festivals – the World’s Funniest Island Festival and the Sydney Comedy Festival.

Princess Cabaret took the #edfringe Twitter world by storm last year – how much of this was planned – or did it come as a surprise?

Well we’d hoped that it would be effective as a way of spreading Princessy love, but we were still pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to perform at fun events like the Twinge Party!

Will you be doing similar this year, or do you have something else planned?

The Princesses will indeed be returning to their twitter posts. We have a few surprise tricks up our silk sleeves too, but you’ll have to wait until August to find out about those!

Princess Aurora wakes up at last year's Fringe

Well, Aurora slept through most of the festival so we’re hoping we can perk her up with a coffee from our favourite breakfast spot Elephants & Bagels.

Ariel was a big fan of the weather in Edinburgh- people complain about the rain but for a mermaid, it’s perfection.

Cinderella loved our venue The Gilded Balloon- her step-sisters kept her away from the Castle and the Balloon is the next best thing.

Belle’s Beast is a big fan of animal rights, so she likes to frequent Susie’s Wholefood Diner for their delicious vegan fare.

Snow White and the dwarves took daily walks up to the top of Arthur’s Seat- though Tinkerbell preferred to fly up.

And Jasmine is looking forward to getting back to the Mile every day and checking out the street performers.

Can we expect some new delightful ditties and whimsical stories from Princess Cabaret this year? If so, can you give us any details?

Well we’re not sure if you’ve heard, but as of this year there’s a brand new Princess- the lovely Tiana. She’s a little shy, but we’re hoping to bring her along for the ride. So she may bring a couple of stories of her own!

Brownilocks from Fairy Fail

Fairy Fail is an original kids show about Brownilocks, Goldilocks’ lesser known little sister.

When she is unexpectedly sent off on a mission to find her sister, she meets the other residents of Fairyfail – including The Big Bad Wolf, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel & Gretel and many others- and discovers they don’t quite live up to their reputations.

How do the Fairies and Princesses get on with each other – is there any rivalry or competition here?

The Princesses haven’t been too keen on Brownilocks- they tend to be a little jealous of new girls on the scene.

But Tinkerbell has been acting as a liaison and we think they’ll be fine.

Thank you for your time – we look forward to the Princesses and Fairies arriving in Edinburgh by land, sea and magic carpet – any last words or messages for our readers before you bring your sprinkling of fairy dust and magic to Edinburgh?

We can’t wait to see you all there- make sure to come and say hi to any Princesses you see roaming around town.

And until then, you can follow us on twitter- @ArielCabaret, @AuroraCabaret, @BelleCabaret, @CindersCabaret, @JasCabaret, @SWCabaret, @TinkCabaret – and @Tumbletwigs.

You can order tickets for Princess Cabaret and Fairy Fail on The Gilded Balloon’s website.

Molly Naylor - Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You

The reality was a little more stark. As well as the thankless jobs and neverending parties, she found herself on the underground train that was targeted by the 7/7 bombings.

Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You is Molly’s personal and poetic recollection of this time: a period of her life when her naive hopes and dreams were literally ripped apart.

We asked Molly a few questions about the show and her plans for Edinburgh.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show is called Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You. It’s a quirky, darkly comic coming-of-age story with a twist.

It’s on at The Zoo (the Aviary) at 13.55 every day (except 17th and 24th).

How will you be promoting your show?

Loudly.

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

I’ve been told to expect many horrific things, like abject poverty, alcoholism and a nervous breakdown. I’m very excited.

And what are you hoping for?

I want to become a fearless performer, as well as meet some lovely people and have an ace time.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

It would involve many hot air balloons.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Ross Sutherland is top of my list.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

I’m working on a sitcom that’s taking a back seat at the moment. I plan to finish that as well as hopefully tour this show.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

‘Funny, sad and lyrical’. (Jonathan Coe)

You can buy tickets for Molly’s show on the Fringe website.

Elis James

I stumbled across Welshman Elis James at last year’s Fringe.  The first time as part of comedy sketch show called Superclump, in which Elis shone out as one of the funnier cast members.  His appearance in that show impressed me to the extent that I found time for his solo show- in which he managed to hold his own for an hour of comedic ramblings about life.

This year sees Elis return with another stand up routine as part the wonderful Five Pound Fringe and yes, you’ve guessed it, a ticket will cost you £5.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

The show is called Daytripper, and is about the way I spend time before gigs, invariably being alone in a town I don’t know and with very little to do. It’s also about some of the weird things the UK has to offer tourists and discusses my obsessive side, which can get quite embarrassing. It is also meant to be funny.

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?

It’s the biggest arts festival in the world, so there’s some really amazing stuff to see. It’s also a superb excuse to drink every day for a month and pretend that real life isn’t happening to you.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?

I’ve only been going to Edinburgh since 2008 so I can’t really comment, although there were posters from the 90s in my dressing room in ‘08 and the prices seemed a lot cheaper back then, even taking inflation into account. I think the Five Pound Fringe is a great antidote for that, as there’s some great acts at an affordable price. On a personal level the fringe becomes more daunting every year, as each year I became more aware of the sheer scale of it.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

Penny Blacks, a pub that doesn’t open until 6am, and Monster Mash on Forrest Road. Something has gone right if my day has involved those two things.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

I used to have material about Jim Rosenthal the ITV sports presenter, which he found out about somehow. He was visiting the festival to see his son, and decided to watch my show and see what I was saying about him. About halfway through my set he stood up from the darkness and shouted ‘the first bit was true but that’s a lie’ and we then had this shouted discussion about my set which a lot of people thought was set up, but took me totally by surprise.

The bouncers at the venue were Australian though and didn’t know who he was, so I had to stop him being chucked out, and by doing that all the non-sports fans who didn’t recognise his voice suddenly realised what was going on, and that I was being called to task about my jokes by the subject himself.

It was absolute bedlam but he bought me a drink afterwards, and is one of the nicest people I have ever met. It got mentioned the next day in The Independent and The Daily Mail, which I’m quite proud of. I had watched him on telly since I was a kid, so it was quite strange hearing him say ‘oh I don’t know about that’ whilst I was on stage talking about him.

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Wake up, panic. Am told what extra gigs I have booked. Boil the kettle, walk around in circles for a bit having forgotten what it is I’m meant to be doing. Reiterate to people that I don’t want to read reviews, eat a joint of lamb. Throw most of the lamb out of a window, try to work out why I did that. Do the gig. Post mortem in my head, go for a drink. Go home, brush teeth, cry. Repeat.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

It would have something to do with the Red Arrows, huge amounts of marzipan and Diana Ross.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Golden Lizard, Tom Craine, Nat Luurtsema, John Robins, Henry Paker, Mike Wozniak

What do you have planned after the Fringe?

I am going to have a big lie down for a day. The start gigging again immediately. If I go cold turkey after Edinburgh I become a bit weird, as I will have done 5/6 gigs a day for a whole month. Once the winding down process has reached an acceptable level I will go away for the weekend to a British cathedral city with my girlfriend. 

Sum up your show in three words for us

Funnier than war.

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

…and adjusts his expectations accordingly based on the opening couple of minutes.

You can catch Elis at Downstairs at The Tron 5-29 August at 1940 hrs.  You can visit his myspace page.

Gala performance

By Elliot Bibby 

From dancing brush handles to quick-change artists, the Edinburgh Magic Festival drew to a close with a spectacular gala show last night in the Royal Lyceum Theatre. The 2-hour performance showcased the talents of six performers and two socks entertaining the packed theatre.  Compered by the very funny Gavin Oattes, it was an excellent family night out.

The French magician Xavier Mortimer opened the show, with some incredible manipulation using cymbals, making butterflies appear, and then an amazing dancing cane routine, which I am still trying to deconstruct in my head. It was truly spectacular. 

Following this was the current Magic Circle ‘Stage Magician of the year’, John Archer who’s magic was perfectly intertwined with on the edge comedy. His act began with a young couple selected from the audience blindfolding the magician with coins, a blindfold and secured with duct tape; from where he proceeded to correctly describe three pictures drawn by random members of the audience. He is gifted with being a naturally funny person and had the crowd laughing throughout. 

A sock was sawn in half

The ‘Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre’ where up next and already winners of the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Insider Comedy Award, they showed everyone what they were all about. They executed a show that literally ‘blew my socks off’. It included funny songs to their own take traditional acts like cutting a ‘lady (sock) in half’. A comical performance that had the whole crowd in stitches, and a great act to throw in amongst the other illusionists. 

 ‘The Great Nardini’, was up next and simply incredible. You could see how he travels the world with this performance. When the audience was anticipating the appearance of a dove from his white gloves, he gestured a flying motion with his hands, but what resulted was a flutter of feathers and a worried look on the magicians face. This was one of the many classic tricks that were delivered with a twist. And the theme continued throughout, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats and wanting more. The entire performance had been written very well, and even kept us magicians guessing at what was coming next! 

The 20-minute interval was welcomed, and gave everyone the chance to chat about the marvels that they had just witnessed in the first half. 

The second half opened with Alan Hudson, performing a mind reading trick, correctly guessing the order in which a chosen spectator would burst five coloured balloons – but to make it harder both he and the volunteer were both blindfolded. The audience responded with a welcome series of oohs and aahs, especially when the spectator almost missed a balloon and the sharp needle was almost implanted in the magician’s hand! Alan went on to demonstrate his skill by performing a manipulation of thimbles that was very entertaining and something I had never seen before on a stage. 

The professional performance was another great success of the evening, 

Colin McLeod

The next performer didn’t need an introduction. He has been named as the new Derren Brown – and with a stunning mind-reading performance, Colin McLeod didn’t disappoint. As you might imagine, he involved many audience members and really brought the audience together. And even when everyone had thought it had all gone wrong, Colin surprised all by slowly undoing the buttons on his shirt to reveal the symbol of the chosen spectators superhero. The crowd erupted into huge applause. 

The finale of the Gala show was conducted by Keelan Leyser and Charlotte Marie, who are undoubtedly the best ‘quick change’ artists currently performing in the world today. With some delightful dance moves and full costume changes executed in seconds, the pair dazzled the astonished audience. The performance was full of energy and had everyone clapping along with the musical backing. 

And with that, the first ever Edinburgh Magic Festival drew to a close. The five-day festival has been a great success. Tremendous Edinburgh venues housed world class magical talent entertained fellow magicians and ‘mere mortals’ alike. And I am sure that the spectacle will flourish and can only grow in this magical city for many years to come.

Holly Burn - a funny girl!

Holly Burn is a slightly crazy lady, but a very funny one.  She first came to my attention in Mark’s Watson’s The Hotel at the Fringe 2009.  When I heard that she was doing her own show, At Home With Holly  -  I immediately snapped up a ticket and laughed myself sore for an hour.

This year sees Holly return to Edinburgh with a brand new show, which will no doubt be slightly wacky, bizarre and utterly bonkers.  We caught up with Holly ahead of her return to the Fringe.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show is called Living and Dying and is on at Just The Tonic Caves 5-29th (not 17th) August 3.35pm (50mins).
 I stage my own birth and death. It will be unlike anything else you will see – it’s a sort of messy hybrid of stand up/sketch and character comedy with  general silliness and surreal bonkersness.  See http://www.hollyburn.org.uk/

What do you think the best things about the Edinburgh Fringe are?
 
The exhilaration, the buzz, the opportunity.  The amount of people and shows . The way it is so unlike the rest of life.

What changes have you seen – good or bad – over the years?
 
More complicated form filling in process, which tends to go more wrong each year.

Where are your favourite places in the city?

Any where you can get decent phone reception on O2.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at the Fringe?

- Someone walking into my bedroom at 10am while I was in bed snoozing and asking to buy a ticket for my show
- Setting a woman’s jumper on fire in my show.
- Having to get changed daily on Dublin St in full view of passing traffic.
- Taking legal action and winning the court case 2 years later

Describe, if you can, your ‘average’ Edinburgh Fringe day…

Sleeping, hassling people , eating, hassling more people, preparing, emails, phone calls, more emails , more phone calls, show, hassling other people, hassling the same people , drinks, shows, drinks, crepes,  bed.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

Buy up every ad space in The EdFringe brochure and put out the same picture of an animal in each one.  Hire every single venue space out and do my show at each space time after time after time. Day after day.   Ok, so maybe this is actually impossible irrelevant of finances.

Or I’d just ‘close’ the entire city of Edinburgh for August and just invite people I want there.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?
 
There are other people doing shows?! What?!
 
What do you have planned after the Fringe?

Living life.

Sum up your show in three words for us
 
Wild, innovative, unexpected.

Complete this joke for us: “A man walks into a Fringe show…”

…but he hasn’t paid so he really should walk straight back out. But he doesn’t have much of a conscience.

Thank you Holly

Holly Burn, Living and Dying 5-29 August at Just the Tonic at the Caves.

Fringe 2009

Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer

This year, he’ll be appearing alongside co-stars Desmond O’Connor and Sarah-Louise Young in Me! Me! Me!, as well as popping up in Vive Le Cabaret.

With impeccable dress sense and songs such as ‘Straight Out Of Surrey’ and ‘Hail The Chap’, his sartorial style and accomplished strumming and rhyming are a delight to watch and to listen to.

On a mission to introduce manners and the proper use of the Queen’s English to hip-hop, this dapper gentleman and his ‘banjolele’ are sure to entertain, elucidate and enlighten wherever they appear.

We had a most splendid opportunity to catch up with Mr B as he prepared himself for a return visit to the Fringe. So join us as we donned our finest striped blazer, filled our pipe and settled into a wing-backed chair next to possibly the most mannered man in music.

How in the devil did you come up with an idea like Chap-Hop?

It was something of a culmination of various things I had previously been doing.

I’ve always loved Hip-Hop and have rapped in numerous guises, I’ve been playing banjolele for a few years and once performed at Fatboy Slim’s birthday party at his house with my old band Rock Onic and Bob.

And I’ve always been something of a Chappist, so I just dragged all those aspects together.

Kicking and ruddy screaming.

Mr B at last year's Edinburgh Fringe

I have seen you perform at shows where your fellow performers are – shall we say – colourful to say the least. How do you find rubbing shoulders with such people? Is at odds with your mission to bring manners to the masses at all?

I’m sure I have no idea to whom you may be referring!

That said I do remember sitting in a boiler room in Croydon chatting to a lovely chap in his mid 40s who was wearing a tutu and a hair net and applying some over the top make-up and thinking to myself ‘How the blazes did I get here?‘.

None of this is at odds with my mission of course because these people all have impeccable manners.

How do you find pipe-smoking in this age of the indoor ban? What else irks you about the modern way of life today?

Obviously I feel strongly that the smoking ban should be reined in a little so that pipe smokers be allowed to practice their art indoors unhindered.

The most depressing sight I saw recently was at the Liberal Club, where I discovered the ‘Smoking Room’ had ‘no smoking’ stickers on its door.

As far as life in the modern world goes, I’m all for slovenliness, but only if coupled with elegance. Sartorially this country has plummeted to depths from which I fear it may never recover.

That though, is why I am here.

Straight Out Of Surrey - Mr B and his banjolele

I was at the Fringe for a week last year. In a way it’s a little similar to how people refer to the 1960s – if you remember it, you weren’t really there.

I have rarely seen a city so obviously ‘alive’ as I have in Edinburgh during the Fringe. It is truly an organism!

Pardon my French.

You are appearing in an entertainment called Me! Me! Me! with Mr Desmond O’Connor and young Miss Sarah-Louise. I understand there may be little jocular rivalry between the three of you. Care to elucidate? Any amusing (or scandalous) tales you can share about your co-performers?

I couldn’t possibly say! They’re both dear, dear friends and I wouldn’t dream of dishing the old dirt.

That said I fear only one of us may leave Edinburgh alive.

Will you be treating audiences to any fine new material this year?

Possibly. At the moment we are seeing it as a ‘greatest hits’ show- our favourite original songs from the last couple of years, but never say never.

I have just penned a rather cheeky little number about goats.

How do you intend to relax between performances? Any other performers you are hoping to see whilst in Edinburgh?

I would imagine my means of relaxing will largely be sleep. As and when I can get it.

There’s so much I want to see, but I shall no doubt simply take on the role of flaneur and wander aimlessly about the place seeing what I can find.

What next for Mr.B after doling out your particular brand of mannered entertainment at the Fringe?

I shall retire to my summer home in Hove for a week or two, then plan the next stage of the Chap-Hop revolution!

Then probably play a couple of weddings and oh yes, on my way back from Edinburgh I shall be dropping into Birmingham to play at a Terry Pratchett Discworld convention.

It’s a funny old game as I believe they say!

Thank you, Mr B. Best of luck with your Edinburgh shows, old chap.

Pip pip!

Comedy Bitch: Them Is Us

Most of the group have theatrical backgrounds, which appeared to serve them well for last year’s run as they received strong reviews and were one of those word-of-mouth cult hits on the Fringe that saw them practically sell out all of their shows.

With observational sketches that have a little bit of darkness about them, 2010 sees Comedy Bitch back in Edinburgh and back in heat.

Here, they took a little time out of rehearsals to answer our questions about their show and Edinburgh plans.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

‘Them is us’ is brought to you by the new hot sketch act on the circuit, Comedy Bitch. We’re on at The Underbelly, 6.15 pm.

What’s the show about? It’s about funny.

Why should you see it? You’ll laugh a lot.

How will you be promoting your show?

We’ll be adopting a policy of group kidnapping.

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

Last year we had a wonderful sell out run, and so we’re looking for another one…

And what are you hoping for?

Love.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

We’d buy Edinburgh and put a poster on it.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Stuart Lee, Daniel Kitson,

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Emigrate.

Sum up your show in three words:

Them is us.

You can buy tickets for Comedy Bitch: Them Is Us on the Fringe website

The Edge

The Edge is one such work. A one-act play debuting at Edinburgh, it deals with the difficult and emotional subject of teenage suicide.

Written by Scottish playwright Ron Nicol and peformed in aid of NSPCC’s Childline service, the play centres on the roof of a city tower block.

A pair of teenagers (Emily-Grace Hyland and Joseph Bader) step towards the edge – and the tense and powerful drama unfolds.

Performed in a room on the 8th floor of the venue, this site-specific work not only aims to give an insight into the complexity of its subject matter, but also to give the audience a sense of The Edge’s bleak and forbidding setting.

Tickets for The Edge can be booked online at the Fringe website.

Two Episodes of MASH

With Diane’s credits including Mock The Week and Phoenix Nights, and Joe not only winning the 2006 Hackney competition but also having supported Alan Carr and Russell Howard, these are two comedians at the height of their game.

A pilot of Two Episodes of MASH recently aired on BBC Radio 2, receiving some great reviews in the press. 2010 will be their third appearance at the Fringe, giving you have the chance to catch it live before it breaks into the big time.

We asked Diane and Joe a little about their show and plans, and received answers in their own inimitable style…

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

Our show is in the Pleasance Dome at 4.20pm.

We describe the show as ‘Low key, mundane glamour’ and you should come and see it as there is a couple of opportunities to win a screen print of an ostrich.

How will you be promoting your show?

We will be promoting the show in the traditional Victorian way.

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

The best thing about going back to Edinburgh is seeing old friends and seeing their shows and taking a brass rubbing of a different part of the castle.

And what are you hoping for?

We are hoping for lots of people to come to the show and hopefully enjoy it.

Last year Diane won a few quid on a scratch card so that’s going to be hard to top.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

We would give out those chocolate cakes with cornflakes in them or buy a large bell.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Daniel Kitson, Ginger and Black, David O’Doherty, Tom Wrigglesworth and loads of others.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

We plan to buy walkie-talkies.

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Fast mundane glamour.

You can buy tickets for Two Episodes of MASH on the Fringe website.

If you think you can do better, you have until noon on Monday 12th July to submit your entry.  Good luck!

The Tempest -  We’re the only show on the Fringe that you reach by crossing a drawbridge

Dusk on the river Nile - We’re a new company, with a new script but we’re telling the oldest story of humanity – the myth of Isis and Osiris.

Dildon’t - Because second-hand sex shops don’t get enough business these days – bloody recession…”

Two Brothers and one World Cup - With the audience choosing the sequence of events at each performance ; not only will every Scot revel in the delight of watching a pair of useless England fans squirm at their beloved teams failures in World Cups 1982-2010, they will also enjoy a  guaranteed premiere at every show.

Hamlet for Girls - I went through IVF, failed to conceive a child but produced Hamlet for Girls instead; it is literally my baby, and it deserves to live!

Of People and Not Things- because we blew our entire advertising budget on pie (Mmm… pie).

For 21 nights only! - because clouds have got some bad publicity this year what with all the ash clouds so we need to get people loving clouds again, especially comedy ones.

Jacob’s Ladder  is a dark, slightly twisted, character driven, brand new comedy by young playwright Emily Moir; maybe we don’t deserve to win but, by god, are we sexy.

The sexy Jacob's Ladder

The ginge, the geordie and the greek – I have been to the Great Wall of China, I have seen the Pyramids of Egypt, I’ve even witnessed a grown man satisfy a camel, but never in all my years have I witnessed something as beautiful as this….

Watch the video here

Authors appearing at the Book Festival

SELLING THE STORY – SELLING MORE BOOKS 

A chance conversation at the launch of this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival between Edinburgh Spotlight and author Angus Whitson, resulted in this preview of the presentation he and co-author Andrew Orr will be giving in the Writer’s Retreat in Charlotte Square on Monday 30^thAugust at 2pm.   They will share their ideas with other writers on how to take responsibility for marketing their books – and sell more!  Their talk is based on their experiences of marketing their book “Sea Dog Bamse, World War II Canine Hero” which has become a Scottish bestseller.  

We explained to Angus about social media presence and use of the internet for marketing purposes and have allowed him a few paragraphs to preview his own event. 

Angus Whitson previews his event. 

Andrew and I first met when we both had fresh complexions and fine heads of hair.  Andrew had joined a medical practice in the east coast of Scotland port of Montrose where I was in business. 

Half a lifetime elapsed before Andrew heard about the true story of Bamse, a World War II Norwegian St Bernard dog who escaped from German-occupied Norway in 1940, accompanying his master who was captain of the Royal Norwegian Navy minesweeper KNM Thorodd, and sailed to Scotland to fight his war for his country’s liberation. 

Bamse displayed a huge affinity with humans of all ages and quickly became a potent symbol of freedom.  Gentle when it mattered and ferocious when those he cared about were threatened, he held together the morale of the young sailors far from home.  As his reputation grew he was elevated from ship’s mascot to mascot of the Royal Norwegian Navy and of all the free Norwegian fighting forces.  

War-time life was not all work and Bamse became fully integrated into the social life of the ship’s crew and towns’ folk of Dundee and Montrose.  He died and is buried in Montrose, where his grave is still cared for by Montrosians who remember him with the greatest affection from their childhood.  

Andrew Orr was fascinated by Bamse’s story and over a period of some three years collected statements about Bamse’s life and achievements from people in Montrose, Dundee, Norway and America who remembered the great dog.  Under the auspices of Montrose Heritage Trust, he chaired the Bamse Project to raise funds for the erection of a statue to commemorate Bamse’s life. 

In 2006 the statue was unveiled at Montrose harbour by HRH Prince Andrew.  The grave and statue have become places of pilgrimage for Norwegian visitors, and the Royal Norwegian Navy who have made official visits to Montrose to honour Bamse’s memory since 1984. 

I started writing professionally in 2000 aged 58.  As a Montrosian I took a great interest in all Andrew’s work and was excited to be asked to collaborate in the writing of Bamse’s story.  Working to a tight deadline “Sea Dog Bamse, World War II Canine Hero” was published in August 2008.  It quickly became a Scottish bestseller and subsequently came out in paperback. 

Andrew and I were ambitious to do our part in publicising our book to reach a wider audience.  As soon as the book had been sent to the publishers for editing we embarked on a focused strategy to sell more books.    

Setting targets, careful record keeping, building relationships, radio and television appearances, monitoring sales all take time and effort.  Not everything works but if you do nothing, nothing will happen. 

The Norwegian fishing port of Honningsvag at North Cape, where Bamse grew up, commissioned a copy of the statue at Montrose, which was unveiled in 2009 on Honningsvag’s quay side; miniatures of the statue are also now on sale – all of which help keep Bamse and his story in the public eye, and sales of the book climbing. 

A touch of “thinking out of the box” helps – Andrew and I designed the commemorative “Sea Dog Bamse, Pride of Norway” tartan.  At this stage we don’t know where it will take us, but a first order for tartan scarves and ties has been placed. 

Be ready to talk about your book and yourself – you never know who you’ll meet. 

Look how I sweet-talked Edinburgh Spotlight  at the Book Festival launch into giving Andrew and me this preview.  O.K., in reality, it was Alison who suggested it, but I must have said something right. 

Overseas markets and rights, book fairs and festivals, networking and selling online – your publisher can’t do it all so, if you want it, get out there and make it happen. 

Thank you Angus, it was a pleasure to meet you. 

For more information, visit  http://www.bamsemontrose.co.uk/.   Their book is published by Edinburgh based Birlinn. You can visit both of Angus’s websites http://www.manwithtwodogs.com/ and http://www.writehand.co.uk/

You can buy tickets for Angus and Andrew’s event via the International Book Festival website , in person at The Hub, telephone on 0845 373 5888 or in person at the on site box office at Charlotte Square once the Book Festival opens. 

John Robins

John has gone on to great success since appearing at the Fringe, with appearances on BBC6 Music and XFM, as well as popping up on television as a guest on Arthur Smith’s Comedy Club.

Prior to returning to Edinburgh for the fourth time as part of the Five Pound Fringe, we asked John to tell us a little bit more about this year’s show and his plans.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show’s called ‘Nomadic Revery’ and it’s on at The Tron at 6.20 pm.

It’s about embracing naivety and innocence, and how the young kids these days grow up too quickly. It’s also about a miniature bottle of cognac, a trip to Cheddar Gorge, and the beauty of the sad-winky face

How will you be promoting your show?

The quite fantastic Five Pound Fringe street team and head honchos will be doing most of the promoting, bless them.

I will be promoting it by doing interviews like this, whilst drinking tea, and by being as awesome as possible as often as possible, also, perhaps, whilst drinking tea

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Edinburgh?

This is my fourth full run in Edinburgh [Comedy Zone ’07 / Carl Donnelly Vs John Robins Vs Predator ’08 / Skinny Love ‘09].

I’m very much looking forward to being the barman in ‘Fordy’s Lock In’, a late night unscripted panel show set in a bar. It’s a great way to kick back and relax after stressing about my show.

I’m also looking forward to playing darts with Tim Vine, which always keeps me sane. The best feeling though, is that first walk into town, before it starts, the posters, the familiar faces, the buzz.

And what are you hoping for?

Large and happy audiences. That is literally all I want.

Twice last year I played to grumpy people sheltering from the rain. You can’t blame them for that, five pounds for an hour’s air conditioned sitting isn’t bad. But it makes doing comedy very hard.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I’ve never done a publicity stunt really. I hope to Baby Jesus that good shows sell themselves. Though TV profile has changed everything. People can sell out whole runs from one spot on Macintyre or Mock The Week. . . In 2005 I did a voice over for a vehicle testing centre in Bristol, fingers crossed that will start to reap rewards this year…

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Phil Kay, Kitson, Gareth Richards, Josh Widdicombe, Elis James, Jon Richardson. The legends mainly… I’ve only just seen the brochure so going to do most of my planning soon.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Sleep and tax returns

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Sad-Winky-Face

Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of following the assembled bands and performers from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as they march and play through Holyrood Park. Or maybe you’ve always longed to take your place amongst the community groups, samba bands and Fringe acts which give the Cavalcade its carnival atmosphere.

Maybe you just want to fall into line behind Cavalcade and Edinburgh Fringe regulars The Lady Boys of Bangkok…

Though it's unlikely to be as ordered as this, you too could be drumming in this year's Cavalcade!

This year, Freddie Rutz and his Rhythm Drum & Dance show are giving you the chance to fulfil those dreams.

Rhythm Drum & Dance (photo copyright Sabine Brinker)

To – quite literally – drum up business for the show, Freddie is offering 100 people the chance to appear with the performers from Rhythm Drum & Dance in this year’s Cavalcade procession.

The parade itself takes place on Sunday 8th August in Holyrood Park. Before that, successful applicants will have the opportunity to study a video of the choreography which Freddie will email to them before August 4th. Then, on the 5th & 6th of August, open rehearsals will be held for those taking part, allowing them to practice and fine-tune the routine.

And, as if appearing in the Cavalcade was not reward enough, everyone taking part will get a free t-shirt and tickets to the show itself that evening.

This offer is limited to the first 100 applicants – so if you want to be in with a chance of appearing, fill in the form on Rhythm Drum & Dance’s website today!

We already have…

Drew

By Sophia Brennert

“Are you sure you don’t want to swap with me?“ says Mentalist Drew McAdam, extending an envelope containing a £50 note to an audience member.  “But I’m telling you the money is in here. Please swap with me!” Yet still the man resists, clutching his own sealed enveloped instead.  This is just one part of Drew McAdam’s Mindplay, a magic show without any bunnies pulled from hats or cheap slight of hand, rather it is a demonstration of Drew’s remarkable ability to manipulate the subconscious of his audience, leaving them baffled yet smiling at the end.

 
You cannot lie to Drew. A shrug of the shoulder, the way you cast your eyes or manoeuvre your weight from one foot to the other, tells him all he needs. Having spent years in the business of interrogation, Drew knows every trick to throw you off guard, until your body language reads like an open book.  He makes no secret of his skills, going so far as to demonstrate how creative imagery and storytelling can resemble almost supernatural mental powers. But drawing our attention to how our own minds have tricked us doesn’t make it any less fantastic.

Drew McAdam’s nightly MindPlay  runs at 7pm nightly until Saturday United Augustine Church, George IV Bridge.  Tickets from The Hub or online.  

Drew also featured in our recent article covering a seance at Mary King’s Close.  

Suitable for disabled?  Yes, venue is completely accessible

Colin McLeod

Colin McLeod is a rising star in the mind reading world and he has achieved so much for someone the tender age of 23.  Hailed as the new Derren Brown, Colin has travelled the world performing his show, but the Edinburgh International Magic Festival sees him return to Edinburgh,  giving people a rare opportunity to experience his skills, live.  

My friend and I were intrigued to see Colin in action and were not disappointed as we took our seats at Augustine United Church this evening.  A short video of the mystical man welcomed us to his show and the first ‘demonstration’ began.    

Colin was confident on stage, with genuinely funny gags linking his show together.  With a forensic scientist background, his ability to read body language and people’s minds was evident from the start.  Randomly picking audience members to assist him led to gasps of astonishment  as he mystified the audience again and again. 

I don’t want to give away any ’spoilers’ to the show, but I was particularly impressed when he got one audience member to read another’s mind and unlock a padlock combination.  In fact, I was amazed at every aspect of this show – as were the rest of the audience. 

Colin has a clear ability to predict what people will say and do which was demonstrated in front of my own eyes and will have you convinced he can actually see what people are thinking.  I just don’t know how he does it, but will be pondering his possible methods for a long time to come. 

Verdict?  Colin is an excellent performer and his routine was slick, skillful and utterly compelling.  

Suitable for ages 12+    

Colin McLeod, I Know runs nightly until Saturday at 8.30pm,  United Augustine Church, George IV Bridge.  Tickets from The Hub or online.  

Colin also featured in our recent feature covering a seance at Mary King’s Close.  

Suitable for disabled?  Yes, venue is completely accessible 

Sarah-Louise Young

“It blew my mind,” she says. “I came here as a student and I was immediately hooked by the whole thing. And I ran up a huge amount of credit seeing all the shows I wanted to catch!”

Now, this talented singer, comedienne and actress is a regular at Edinburgh. Although she doesn’t attend every year, 2010 will be her 8th visit as a performer. In 2009, she brought her act ‘Cabaret Whore’ to the Free Fringe, and also appeared as her tortured French chanteuse La Poule Plombée character at Ministry of Burlesque’s High Tease, presented by Blond Ambition Events. In addition to that, she took to the stage with Desmond O’Connor in his Desmorphia show.

“The Free Fringe was fantastic,” she says. “The word of mouth about the show quickly grew and we went from initial audiences of 40 and 50 to playing to standing room only. And around half of the audience were from Edinburgh, which was great.”

This year, the ‘cabaret explosion’ sees Sarah-Louise once again jump into the Fringe with both feet.

Sarah-Louise as La Poule Plombée

“I’m returning with Cabaret Whore Encore!” she says. “As well as La Poule Plombée, I’m bringing three new desperate divas from around the globe – lots of different wigs!”

In addition to that, Sarah-Louise takes a starring role in Me! Me! Me! with fellow cabaret and musical stars Desmond O’Connor and Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer; she is also appearing in Showstopper! The Improvised Musical.

“It appears I must only perform in shows with exclamation marks in their titles!” she laughs.

Recently returned from great success at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Sarah-Louise is one of the stars of the new alternative cabaret, regularly appearing at venues such as London’s Soho Theatre.

Kaisa - one of Sarah-Louise's new characters

So, will Sarah-Louise have time to see any other shows this year, given she herself is appearing in so many?

“Absolutely!” she says. “I love so much at the Fringe. Last year I was in 66 shows – and still managed to see 32!”

“I’ll catch Smoke & Mirrors and Frisky & Mannish, of course. And there’s a fantastic physical theatre piece called Pedal Pusher which I’ll definitely see. Then there’s places like the Bedlam Theatre and C Venues – so much to see!”

With so much planned for August, how does she prepare herself for it?

“I don’t drink during the Fringe,” she says. “I stop drinking around mid-July – I must be in the minority there!”

It’s difficult to imagine how else she could cope – halfway through the interview, she remembers she’ll also be performing guest slots at Vive Le Cabaret in addition to her other shows.

“Gosh yes!” she says. “I suppose I am appearing in four shows after all! And the odd appearance at The Bongo Club too, no doubt…”

It’s safe to say Sarah-Louise will be a hard person not to see at this year’s Fringe. Her unique style of comedy musical cabaret is excellent and taps into an appetite for this type of entertainment which seems to grow every year.

As the interview closes, that question has to be asked. How often is Sarah-Louise mistaken for the ‘adult entertainer’ of the same name, (in)famous as the first British pornographic actress to make £1 million.

“I must get about one mail a week asking me if I’m one and the same person,” she laughs. “I wrote a show based around my namesake four years ago and brought it to the Fringe. She’s supposed to be a lovely person; and now working as a lawyer in Germany. I’d love to meet her – we’re both from Kent, apparently!”

“And it’s amusing on her wikipedia entry. It reads ‘not to be confused with the mainstream actress Sarah-Louise Young‘.

So, of course on my website I have ‘not to be confused with the adult entertainer Sarah Louise Young‘”

You can buy tickets to see Sarah-Louise in Me! Me! Me! and Vive Le Cabaret here.

More information on Cabaret Whore Encore! and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical are on the Fringe website.

And lastly, why not visit Sarah-Louise Young’s website?

(Just don’t confuse it with the site of her namesake…)

Mike Keat

In The Lyin’ Bitch And The Wardrobe, Mike will spend an improvised hour of comedy, song and dance as he shares tales from his life and the characters who have made him famous.

Mike took time out from Fringe preparations to answer our questions about his show.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

My show is about growing up in Scotland and New Zealand and always having an obsession with clothes, wigs and showing off.

It’s on at the Gilded Balloon, 7.15 pm in the Billiard Room. I can personally guarantee a fun filled show with some male nudity, a little dancing and 25 proper bum-falling-off laughs – or your money back with a packet of out of date Wheat Crunchies.

How will you be promoting your show?

Every night at 10pm 200,000 fireworks will go off above Arthur’s Seat spelling out my name, The Gilded Balloon and a huge image of me naked on a unicorn with 2 penises – that’s right….TWO.

What are you most looking forward to about playing Edinburgh?

I am from the Toon and am looking forward to the festival atmosphere, young ladies in corsets shouting in olde English on the Royal Mile, my granny’s stovies and to reclaim the title of Sheriff of Southside.

And what are you hoping for?

World peace.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

See question 2 but with 2 million mini rockets and maybe even some Catherine Wheels spinning on a walking stick in my bottom. [not literally inside my bum - the stick would visibly protruding..........oh forget it!]

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

Omar, Andrew Maxwell,Glen Wool, Big Reg, Henning When [great name], Geoff Premises, Miguel Mantovani, Ridley Scott, Cher and Method Man.

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

I’ve another child due the same weekend as I host my fave festival Bestival on the Isle of Wight which is nice, then my album THE CB’S-YO BONITA comes out on the 16th of September so I’ll start touring that in the UK and Asia, then my Barry Peters film ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ is released which is a comedy about my character Baz’s pilgrimage to Bon Scotts grave in Freemantle, so i will be promo-ing that in October.

Snakes and busy – bring on the bairns!!

Sum up your show in three words for us

Fun and action!

You can buy tickets for Mike’s show at the Gilded Balloon website, and on the Fringe site here.

Barockestra

“There’s real sincerity in this project,” says Steve Grant, lead performer with fun and exciting new Fringe show Barockestra.

His wife and co-producer Deena Payne nods.

“It’s a real labour of love,” Deena says, who as well as playing Viv Hope in television’s Emmerdale, is a trained dancer and singer, having played with BA Robertson, Alan Price and Cats UK; and appeared in London West End musicals.

“It’s a brand new show,” she continues. “We’ve had no chance to do the ordinary circuit of small gigs and appearances, so we’ve decided to start with a bang!”

And Edinburgh is certainly in for a bang when Barockestra hits town at Universal Arts on August 5th.

A musical and theatrical extravaganza, it features Steve and four other rock musicians, accompanied by opera singers and ballet dancers, bringing down the house with their unique interpretation of familiar classical hits from Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and more.

“There’s a lot of fun in the show,” says Steve, who as a multi-instrumental rock musician has played with George Harrison, David Essex and Suzi Quatro; and after having played in The Animals reunion tour is now a member of the reformed The Sweet.

“Although it’s loosely based around the history of classical music, we uncover some little known stories along the way – such as the time Tchaikovsky met Bob Marley, or the story behind the Artist Formerly Known As Beethoven…”

“And don’t be surprised to see some familiar friends and faces pop up on the giant video screen at the back of the stage,” says Deena, smiling.

Steve and Deena promoting Barockestra

“It started off as an idea for an album,” says Steve, “then grew from there.”

“We’ve really had it ready in its current form for a year or two,” says Deena. “We’ve been fine-tuning it since then, and although we’ve played a couple of preview shows – which got standing ovations – Edinburgh will really be its debut!”

By now, it’s obvious the couple are passionate about Barockestra, and have an enthusiasm for it which proves infectious.

“I’m thrilled with the journey so far,” says Steve. “And I can’t wait to bring it to Edinburgh. People who like We Will Rock You or The Rocky Horror Show are going to love it!”

“Especially the cancan routine!” says Deena.

Whilst Steve has been responsible for the musical side of things, his wife has used her extensive dance training and organisation skills to take care of things behind the scenes.

“I auditioned ballet dancers in London,” she says. “I ended up with a pool of twelve great girls. And I sourced all the clothes and wardrobe too, using some of my theatrical contacts to find frilly shirts, peasant outfits and all sorts of great costumes. Now, we’ve got a great visual show – a real mix of rock and classic outfits, with the visuals on the big screen adding to the spectacle.”

“I want the audience to be entertained but also intrigued by the show,” says Steve. “But above all, I want people to have fun.”

“Although we’ve rehearsed loads and lot of the show’s scripted, there’s still a real frisson of excitement for us as performers playing a brand new show for nearly a month – things could go wrong.”

“But that’s all part of the fun!”

Deena will be taking a month off and will be promoting the show as hard as she can.

“I’m touting demos, organising CDs and t-shirts, doing radio interviews,” she says. “I’ll be up in Edinburgh for the first two weeks of the show doing everything I can to get the word out!”

“We’re on in the evening, so we’ll be bringing the band and the ballerinas up to the Royal Mile to advertise it too.”

As we leave Steve and Deena to take a well-earned break from their schedule to relax, they’re still talking about the show and their plans for it in Edinburgh.

We get the impression they’re going to enjoy Barockestra just as much as the people who come along to see it.

Barockestra runs at Universal Arts in George Street from 5-29 Aug (not 17th), 10.10pm-11.20pm. Tickets are available from Universal Arts’ website.

Ali Kennedy-Scott

We spoke to Ali about her show, its inspiration and her plans for Edinburgh and beyond.

1. Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

The Day the Sky Turned Black is a one-act play which chronicles the poignant stories of everyday heroes who fought the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires, now known as Australia’s greatest natural disaster. The bushfires claimed 173 lives, destroyed 8000 homes and generated energy equivalent to 1500 atomic bombs

The show, playing at C SOCO August 4-30 at 5:30pm, is based on interviews with survivors, journalists and a global arson expert, and charts 5 characters’ personal journey from before the fire’s arrival, to their return home and the rebuilding of their lives.

People should come and see the play because it is full of captivating true stories. Watching people overcome adversity is inspirational and reminds us that we are all more powerful and capable than we know. The play is deeply moving but also full of humour. It’s a roller coaster of emotion that leaves the audience with a message of hope for the future.

2. Do you ever regret swapping a corporate career for a theatrical life?

I’ve always had a love of performing. Even at 3 years old, I was so known for entertaining my neighbours with stories that they called me ‘have-a-chat’.

Switching back to the student life was tough. It was a constant balancing act financially, but not once did I wish to swap my tinned baked beans for asparagus tips!

3. How will you be promoting your show?

We’ll be promoting the show through a big publicity photo event that will involve hundreds of people, followed by an Aussie Barbie and beers. It should be a great day!

We’ll also be hitting the streets with flyers and using the Fringe stages set up on the Royal Mile to perform excerpts. Do look out for our posters – they show a woman holding a paper house.

The Day The Sky Turned Black

I’ve been to Edinburgh as a tourist but not as a performer. I’m expecting some of the most intense 4 weeks of my life. Fantastic theatre, masses of people, performing every day, meeting people at night, flyering like crazy and having a ball!

5. And what are you hoping for?

I’m hoping audiences will be as captivated by the show in Edinburgh as they have been in Australia. I’ve performed the show at the Adelaide Fringe and in Sydney to many international visitors who knew nothing about bushfires but were captured by the inspirational stories of people overcoming adversity and pulling together in tough times.

I hope the reviewers attend and enjoy the show. We were lucky enough to be awarded 4.5 stars in Adelaide so fingers crossed for Edinburgh!

I also hope promoters are interested in taking the show to their theatres in Europe and/or the Americas. I believe the show has a universal message regarding the experience of natural disaster that all can appreciate.

6. If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would fly all the heroes who fought these fires over to Edinburgh for the Festival. I’d organise a parade or some way for them to be honoured and I’d invite them all to the show so they could see how their stories inspire audiences around the world.

7. Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

I would love to see all the other verbatim theatre works, also Rhythm, Drum & Dance, plus some great comedians, and, of course, all the shows at C venues!

8. What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

The current plan is to head back to Australia. I’m currently organising further tours of the show to Victoria (where the fires occurred) and Canberra – the home of Australian federal politics. There are some pretty key issues raised in the show, especially about the lack of arson prevention programs for adults in Australia. I believe it’s important to bring this issue to the government’s attention often enough so they’ll do something about it and prevent further deaths.

9. Sum up your show in three words for us

True, Inspiring, Raw

You can find out more about Ali and The Day The Sky Turned Black on the production’s website; and you can buy tickets for the show on the Fringe website.

Matt Tiller's Awkward Situation

Matt Tiller is one such comedian, and wishes to regale you with his experiences in Matt Tiller’s Awkward Situation, including the point he realises the girl he’s been wooing is racist; unsavoury advances from lorry drivers whilst hitch-hiking; and romantic mishaps involving false teeth.

The ‘geekish likeability’ of this musical comedian has won over audiences since his Fringe debut in 2003, and has seen him perform at all of the UK’s top comedy festivals.

With his Awkward Situation, he’ll have you groaning, cringing and – of course – laughing at his stories – all of which he assures us are absolutely true!

Tickets are available on the Fringe website.

Pale Moon

With the huge number of companies who descend on the city from elsewhere during August, it’s sometimes easy to forget Edinburgh has a thriving fringe theatre scene all year round.

One of the newest Edinburgh-based theatre companies – Cathartic Connections – debut their show Pale Moon at this year’s Fringe.

Written and directed by local playwright and performer Andy Henry, Pale Moon is set in a dystopian world twenty years after the fall of the world economy. Rat-like businessmen run the world and hold onto the scarce supply of money. Neighbours Buck and Arth struggle to survive in this climate, ordinary people trying to cope against extraordinary circumstance.

This powerful and physical piece features a cast of five and examines how people react and change when money has all but vanished.

An opportunity to sample some home-grown theatre amongst the huge worldwide choice available at the Fringe, Pale Moon looks to be well worth checking out.

You can buy tickets for Pale Moon on the Fringe website.

Joe Lycett & Andrew Ryan: An Hour of Humour

Two exciting and talented young comedians for the price of…well, none. Can’t really say fairer than that, can you?

Chortle Best Newcomer Joe Lycett teams up with Hackney Empire New Act of the Year finalist Andrew Ryan in An Hour of Humour at The White Horse as part of PBH’s Free Fringe.

Joe and Andrew will each spend 30 minutes making their comic observations on life: from the ridiculousness of meaningless abbreviations to the bizarre world of lookalikes – with loads more humourous and witty tangents in between.

Joe has been on the comedy circuit since 2008 and has risen through the ranks quickly to emerge as one of the its strongest new talents. Andrew’s wit and charm has gained similar accolades and acclaim, with the Irish comedian reaching the finals of many industry competitions and being compared to the likes of Ardal O’Hanlan in the process.

An Hour Of Humour is one of those shows that does exactly as it says on the tin; though this particular 60-minute comedy container has the bonus of containing two rising stars of the UK’s scene…and costing nothing at all.

Read more about Joe and Andrew on their websites.

Win an advert!

With over 2,000 shows competing for attention at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, it can be a challenge to get your show noticed.

We’re running a short competition to help – if you are a performer or a promoter, email us and tell us in one sentence why your show deserves to be picked and we’ll run an advert for it on the site!

With thousands of unique views a day before the Fringe even starts we can guarantee you exposure (sadly, we can’t guarantee you ticket sales..!)

We’ll also feature the winning show in a small preview piece.

So, email us by noon on Monday 12th July, telling us why you deserve to win this fantastic prize.

The winning advert will be displayed on our dedicated Fringe section of the site, from the 12th July until the 30th August.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Keith, Alison and the Edinburgh Spotlight review team.

competitions@edinburghspotlight.com

Edinburgh International Magic Festival

So, were the magicians able to conjure up the spirits of the Close’s long-dead inhabitants; or did they have other tricks up their sleeves?

The event began with a short tour of the underground attraction, in the capable hands of 17th century sisters Agnes and Senga. The costumed tour guides focused on the spookier aspects of the long-forgotten warren of streets and rooms, telling us tales of hauntings, ghostly sightings and eerie events which have happened in the location since it opened as a visitor attraction in 2003.

We peered into the home of cantankerous Andrew Chesney, the last resident of the Close – who some say never really left. We listened in horror to the stories of the Close’s plague victims and the terrible afflictions which befell them. And we stood in silence as we heard the sad tale of Little Annie, the child who was left behind and whose ghost is still said to wander the dark passages and chambers.

Then, it was on to the main attraction. Two of the stars of the forthcoming Magic Festival – Colin McLeod and Drew McAdam – were to recreate a Victorian seance in one of Mary King’s Close’s darkest and most eerie rooms.

Spelling it out…

Colin McLeod

As we crowded around a table laid out with lettered cards and a single wine glass. Colin, dressed as a Victorian parlour magician, welcomed us – and the magic began.

The acclaimed 23 year-old performer first demonstrated his ability to slow – and then completely stop – his own pulse, before turning to the spirit world to see if they had any messages they wished to tell us. Volunteers were asked to step forward and place their fingers lightly on the upturned glass which – after a little while – began to move as if of its own accord.

As the glass slid across the table with an eerie squealing noise, it stopped on certain letters: first spelling out the name of a person another volunteer had previously written down in secret; then revealing a message for all of us. As Colin turned over the cards chosen by the seemingly-possessed glass, the phrase “I WATCH YOU” was revealed…

Is there anybody there?

Drew McAdam

Drew McAdam, Scottish mindreader, psychologist and ‘The Interrogator’ from Channel 5’s Trisha Goddard show, asked for a pair of volunteers to bind him and sit him in front of a table in the centre of the room. As the lights were turned out, a candle on the table dimly illuminated a bell and wicker ball placed next to it.

We joined hands and formed a circle around Drew. He then blew out the candle: all we could then see were the glowing shapes of the other two luminous objects.

“Is there anyone who wishes to communicate with us?” asked Drew. We could hear each other’s breathing and some shuffling of feet, but nothing else out the ordinary.

Then, strange things began to happen. People felt cold wafts of air; sensed names popping into their heads; and thought they could see green mists appear near the entrance to the room. All the while, the objects on the table sat still, their glow beginning to play tricks on our eyes. Suddenly, a loud bang as something dropped and rolled across the stone floor. We laughed, nervously.

“Did anyone drop something?” asked Drew.

No-one answered.

He continued to ask the spirits to make themselves known. To incredulous gasps, the ball in front of the bound magician began to slowly move and rotate. The bell shuddered. More unexplained noises. Was that a voice from the empty corrdor outside?

Then with a loud clatter, the bell flew off the table. Colin asked Drew if he wished to continue. There was no reply. As Colin turned the lights back on, we saw Drew slumped back in his chair, still tied and seemingly unconscious.

As Colin attended to his fellow magician, we were – with some relief – led back upstairs…

A magical week

So, what really happened? Was some form of hypnosis and suggestion used to make us believe we heard, saw and felt things that weren’t really there? Was trickery employed to manipulate things without us knowing it? Or was it something more…?

One thing’s for certain: both Colin and Drew are excellent performers and their routines were slick and skillful.

They’ll be joined next week by a whole host of world-class magicians, illusionists and mindreaders in Edinburgh’s first ever Magic Festival.

Founder and Edinburgh-based magician Kevin McMahon has put together a spellbinding programme of shows and events, which he explained was filled with performances from some of the finest magicians working today.

Running from 7-11 July, the Magic Festival includes a gala performance at the Royal Lyceum Theatre on 9 July, as well as competitions, a magic school for kids and a special collaboration with the Filmhouse featuring a season of magic-themed movies.

So, why not experience a little bit of magic yourself next week when the Magic Festival opens its box of tricks in Edinburgh for the first time?

The full programme of shows and events is listed on the Magic Festival website.
Further details on Mary King’s Close are available here.

Edinburgh Mela 2010

From August 6 to 8, Leith Links will be the new home to all the colour, spectacle and excitement of the Edinburgh Mela Festival.

Bringing together culture and entertainment from across the world, the Mela has been an Edinburgh festival favourite since 1995, and is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Arts Council.

This year’s event promises to be one of the biggest and best yet. The new location allows room for large-scale events and performances, such as the Jaipur Kawa Circus from Rajasthan, who bring their charming tale of a travelling troupe of entertainers; and the big top tent, which will feature collaborative music, dance and theatre performances.

A highlight of this year’s Mela will undoubtedly be the premiere of CARGO, a large-scale outdoor performance piece dealing with the theme of cultural migration, and which is funded by the Scottish Government. This dramatic physical and multimedia piece will be unveiled at the Mela, before continuing its run during the Edinburgh Fringe.

As well as ethnic food, crafts and family-friendly and children’s events, other highlights of a packed programme include:

• a set from Northern Xposure, a BAFTA nominated brother & sister rapping duo from Edinburgh
• traditional drumming and dance from Guizhou Ethnic Arts from South West China
• Something Relevant, a group from Mumbai playing a fusion of blues, reggae, soul and hip-hop
• The ever-popular Mela Fashion show, featuring Scottish saris from local designers
• a festival-closing set from BBC Asian Network’s DJ Wax

Also new this year is Naturally, Inspired, an innovative new programme shared by the Mela, the Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Featuring theatre, music, dance and stories inspired by Scotland’s natural landscapes, this exciting cross-festival collaboration will take place at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The Edinburgh Mela Festival is one of the city’s best-value festivals, with day passes giving unlimited access only costing £2 in advance, or £2.50 on the day.

So, for a celebration of cross-cultural diversity and some colourful and exciting entertainment, head to Leith Links this year and revel in the atmosphere which the Mela conjures up so well.

Check out the Mela website here. You can also visit the Mela on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Advance tickets for the Mela Festival can be bought from The Hub.

Mela launch 2010

John Robertson's A Nifty History of Evil

Featuring puppetry, music and comedy with a dark edge, his show sounds as though it will be a dark highlight of PBH’s Free Fringe.

We caught up with John after his appearance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to ask him about his plans for Edinburgh.

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it?

A Nifty History of Evil is everything you thought you knew about the world, but with all the good bits put back in.

Bones get broken! Blood gets splattered! A couple of dogs explode! And you’ll finally see what the whole world has been crying out for: a puppet show about the Marquis De Sade!

Yessir, it’s a history lesson, but there’s puppets, ukuleles, a man- corset, vampires, Nazis, cannibals and decapitated aristocrats – all presented with gothic charm and menace by me!

Pop along and see it, it’s a U.K debut, it’s unlike anything else you’ll ever see – and it’s got all the info you’ll ever need to get away with murder.

Plus, I’m so charming and bloodcurdling you’ll laugh with joy and fear… and then, later, adoration.

How will you be promoting your show?

I’ll be everywhere. On street corners, standing under banners with fliers and abuse – I’ll be running around doing gigs in all the best places, on the Edinburgh outdoor stages, in pubs, in cracks in the wall, if a voice comes at you from a manhole – it’s me…

I’m working on getting interviewed by Peter Andre, because it’d be a childhood dream come true – and an adulthood nightmare made disturbingly real for Peter.

What are you expecting from Edinburgh?

Attendance, joy, exhaustion, glory, rapture, disappointment, adulation, camaraderie, losing about ten stone from all the running around.

That – and cider.

And what are you hoping for?

The attention you’d give any Messiah, without the crucifixion. Oh – and a BBC radio series.

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show?

I would arrange a fleet of a hundred zeppelins to drive fly about fifty feet above the Royal Mile, while loudspeakers played chants of “ROBERTSON! ROBERTSON!”

Small explosives then would go off, showering the passersby with fliers and the lungs of particularly rare birds.

At this point, a great torrent of blood – literally, a million buckets of blood – would be released at the top of the street, washing everybody away, the crimson filling the cobblestones and the entire street turned into one massive red carpet.

Then I’d deny responsibility.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

I’d like see Mark Watson, I worked with him once – and he’s a wonderful man. Jim Jeffries, my old friends Cameron Davis and Bonnie Davies are doing a show just before mine… Ben Sutton in
Cabahooray… Hans Teuwen!

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

Probably panicking! I’m on a club tour for the entire month of September, so I’ll be based in London and travelling the U.K over.

First gig’s in Plymouth, literally seconds after the Fringe finishes, so I’ll be fairly zipping about.

Finally, sum up your show in three words for us:

History. Puppets. Robertson.

Check out A Nifty History of Evil on the Fringe website here (at the Opium) and here (at Bar 50).

The organisers were of the belief that the low ticket price would encourage people to take a chance on a show without having to dig too deep into their pockets, and it proved to be a great success

This year, The Five Pound Fringe is back. With a full and varied programme of shows to choose from, here’s a look at a quartet of comics who look well worth spending one of those five pound notes on.

James Sherwood - One Man & His Piano

For the length of his run, James will be auctioning the piano on eBay and will be asking stars of the Fringe to autograph it as the days go on. If it sells for more than he paid for it, he’ll give the profits to the charity of the buyer’s choice.

With critically-acclaimed satirical standup and songs, not only will you be in for an hour of clever comedy courtesy of James Sherwood – you could end up going home with a unique (if rather heavy) souvenir of the Fringe.

Nick Helm - Keep Hold Of The Gold

As skilled with a witty one-liner as he is with a poem or a song, Nick will take a sideways look at the power of positive thinking in a show which promises a mixture of styles and comedy.

There may even be dancing.

Henry Paker's 3D Bugle

After his appearance in last year’s hit site-specific comedy show The Hotel, Henry Paker’s 3D Bugle (The GRV, 5th-29th Aug – not the 16th) will be this prolific comedian’s first solo stand-up show, packed with jokes with well-timed buildups and winning punchlines.

So, come let Henry entertain you with his bugle – now in exciting and eye-popping 3D!

Mark Allen's Go Slow

For a month, Mark decided he’d see what happened if he took things more slowly. He opted for the stairs instead of lifts. Gave up emails and wrote letters instead. All to see what would happen when you made a decision not to be obsessed with saving every last second of time in the name of convenience.

In this 90-minute show, Mark – who has written for TV and regularly features on Radio Five Live and Sky News Review – will share what he found when he decided to take things a little bit easy. He’ll even provide biscuits.

Here then is the first of a short series of photographs from Fringes past – this time focusing the lens on 2006.

If you were there, I hope they bring back memories – if not, they give you a flavour of what went on. In any case, I hope you enjoy them!

"Vertigo" - Street performer midway through his act

"Misses America" - performers posing for the camera

"Pythonesque" - Performers advertise their show

"Flex" - performer from Kataklo limbering up

"Commence the Dancing" - performers advertising their theatrical show

"Top Hat" - performer (probably from Dr Faustus...)

"Gamarjobat" - sadly absent from the Fringe for 2 years now

"On the Phone" - performer from a production of The Odyssey

"Balance" - Street performers outside St Giles

“Or maybe an antique,” says Julie-ann, his co-producer on last year’s hit cabaret shows Desmorphia and High Tease.

Desmond O'Connor at 2009's High Tease cabaret show

Whether veteran or antique, Desmond does however scrub up well: with a bit of spit and polish and some vigourous rubbing, this star of the new cabaret scene’s compering and comedy songs shine – providing perfect foils for the varied and colourful acts which make up the rest of the shows.

This year, he’ll be appearing in two separate shows at the new Ghillie Dhu venue (part of the Pleasance group of venues) – Me! Me! Me! and Vive Le Cabaret.

Vive Le Cabaret

Though it wasn’t always this easy. As a sixteen-year-old fresh-faced Fringe virgin, Desmond had a baptism of fire.

“I naively took my performance poetry act to the infamous Late ‘n’ Live show,” he says, eyes gazing off into the distance as he brings back the painful memories. “Or ’stand-up hell’ as it’s affectionately known…”

“Within five minutes, someone had shouted for me none too politely to ‘get’ off; 20 minutes in and the glasses started to fly.”

“But tough gigs like that are important,” he says. “They teach you lessons and prepare you for every eventuality as a performer…and how important it is to properly research where it is you’re going to be playing!”

Today, Desmond’s songs are a highlight of any show he graces with his louche, twinkling-eyed presence. Though not really appropriate for the under 12s, his lyrics are hilariously clever; and he never plays to backing tracks, accompanying himself on that Great British cabaret stalwart, the ukulele.

Me! Me! Me!

“I’ve always been involved in music and musical theatre,” he says. “I used to play clarinet in the National Children’s Orchestra; and whilst at Cambridge, I was musical director of Footlights. We used to bring musicals to the Fringe, and I’ve made lots of great contacts here as a result.”

Prior to becoming a full-time performer, Desmond was involved in education for special needs children (something he remains passionate about); and also served a stint as a Latin teacher at a private school in London. Though the night-time lure of the capital’s burlesque and cabaret scene was too hard for him to resist.

“That gave rise to some interesting situations,” he says, grinning. “There was one time in particular when I played a rather risque show and thought I’d got away with it – only to discover the next day my pupils had managed to find clips of it on YouTube!”

Now, ‘loosely’ based in London, Desmond has been performing full-time for just over a year and regularly plays in the cabaret capitals of London, Amsterdam and Berlin. But he is – as always – looking forward to returning to Edinburgh.

So what changes has he seen at the Fringe over the years?

“The size and number of shows are the obvious thing,” he says. “Together with the appearance of the big venues like the Assembly and Pleasance. ”

“And of course, it’s great to see so many cabaret acts now featuring in the programme.”

Desmond and Julie-ann enjoyed great success last year – attracting stars like Amanda Palmer to perform at their shows – and have taken huge encouragement from that. Indeed, he likes to think they have been in part responsible for this year’s ‘cabaret explosion’.

Desmond & Amanda Palmer

“There are some fantastic acts at this year’s Fringe,” he says. “Meow Meow, Pete Firman, Piff the Magic Dragon, Frisky & Mannish – a lot of our friends and collaborators, and it’s great to see them become more and more popular.”

“I’m proud of the British cabaret heritage,” he says, “and like to think I’m continuing that tradition. Some of the UK’s biggest ever stars were born from that scene: though sadly it went out of fashion some years ago.”

“Now, there seems to be a real appetite for it again. People want to see and be part of live entertainment; and enjoy the fun and variety of our shows.”

And fun and variety are indeed guaranteed factors of any show Desmond appears in. In the grand tradition of end of the pier entertainment and Carry On style comedy, his act has that seaside postcard cheekiness and appeal that is hard to resist.

So, although he may be an antique veteran of the Fringe with the scars and the medals to prove it, Desmond O’Connor is still one of its brightest and most sparkling of stars. So we encourage you to catch one of his appearances at either Me! Me! Me! or Vive Le Cabaret, and let some of the Desmond magic rub off on you.

Check out Desmond on myspace; and view further details of Vive Le Cabaret and Me! Me! Me! here.

Tickets can be ordered online here:

The Pleasance website:
Vive Le Cabaret
Me! Me! Me!

The Fringe website:
Vive Le Cabaret
Me! Me! Me!

Book Festival Programme

Excellent ticket system at EICC

We previewed the Edinburgh International Book Festival earlier this week, but were excited today as the tickets went on sale, via the web, telephone and in person at the wonderful Edinburgh International Conference Centre. 

Members of the public eager to get their hands on the tickets they wanted started to queue from 4am this morning.  The EICC staff took a picture  before they opened they doors at 8am.  Everyone was given a numbered ticket and were called in order to the box office.

Whilst people waited on their number being called, they could sit in the foyer of the centre and have drinks and breakfast, making the whole process an extremely civilised one.

We attended around 11am and spoke with a few people waiting in the queue who were sitting around exchanging stories with each other and of course, many were reading books. 

Ticket system

The delightful Book Festival staff made a podcast containing interviews with those who were waiting.  You can listen to it here.

We spoke with Edinburgh resident, Mari Hood who arrived around 8am and was given ticket number 156.  She bought her tickets a couple of hours later and only missed out on one of her choices, Seamus Heaney.  Mrs Hood told us: “I thought the whole booking system was very efficient and I am delighted with the tickets I managed to get.” 

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Tariq Ali and Robert Winston and just love the atmosphere at Charlotte Square.”

The Book Festival ticket sales are only at the EICC for today.  The box office continues online andvia telephone.  Ticket sales in person  move to The Hub at the top of the Royal Mile from Monday.

Edinburgh Spotlight can’t wait for the Book Festival to start and will be spending many days in the tranquil and civilised oasis in Charlotte Square.

Waiting area

Food and refreshments whilst waiting

The tranquil and civilised oasis of the Book Festival

Firmly established in the literary calendar, the Book Festival draws writers from all over the world: from Nobel laureates to first-time authors; from heavyweight Booker winners to children’s authors & illustrators.

All of this takes place in the familiar and much-loved surroundings of Charlotte Square, where the tented Book Festival ‘village’ features theatres, bookshops, cafes and a beautiful mirrored spiegelbar, which this year plays host to the Unbound series of events, where authors are invited to present and discuss their work in new ways in a relaxed and informal setting.

Regular audience favourite, Will Self

Additionally, Barley introduces several new and innovative features, which – as well as the Unbound events mentioned above – include:

• Guest selectors, where special guests such as Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell and Scotland On Sunday literary editor Stuart Kelly curate a series of themed events
• Elsewhere, where 50 authors have been commissioned to write new pieces based on the theme of ‘elsewhere’, the results of which will be published on the Book Festival’s website and also feature in the programme of scheduled events
• Storyshop, which, in collaboration with Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, allows new writers to present readings of their own short & micro fiction in the book shop, giving them a unique and exciting chance to have their voices heard at one of the world’s biggest and most respected book festivals

And of course, the festival programme is packed with readings and appearances by festival regulars such as Ian Rankin, Iain Banks and Will Self; as well as rare appearances by the likes of Irish poet Seamus Heaney, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, and world renowned architect Lord Norman Foster.

Local literary hero, Ian Rankin

Together with dozens of events, readings and activities for children; book signings galore; and an atmosphere that is truly special, 2010’s Edinburgh International Book Festival looks set to yet again be an unmissable fixture in Edinburgh’s August festival season.

The box office for events at the Book Festival opens at 08:30 on Saturday 26th June, online and over the telephone. This year, and on the first day of booking only, tickets are also on sale at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (Venue 150 during the Fringe), where a dedicated numbered ticketing system will be in operation – together with tea and coffee available for those waiting in line.

After the 26th, tickets are also available for purchase at The Hub at the top of the Royal Mile.

Browse the programme and – from the 26th June – order tickets online at the Festival’s website. This year, you can also follow @edbookfest on Twitter.

Frisky & Mannish

Frisky & Mannish The College Years sees Felicity Fitz-Frisky and Hansel Amadeus Mannish drag their pop parodies from behind the bike sheds and take them to the hallowed halls of higher learning.

School of Pop featured such classic performances as Lily Allen singing Noel Coward; a primary school child’s touching rendition of Meatloaf’s “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)”; and a fantastic Girls Aloud pastiche with the original song lyrics replaced by lines from nursery rhymes.

We can only begin to imagine what exploits F&M will get up to at college, with all its teachings – and temptations – close at hand. We are however sure that this show will be a highlight of the Fringe, and any fans of clever and hilarious musical comedy owe it to themselves to sign up for a place at Frisky & Mannish’s seat of learning.

As an added bonus, a one-night only reprise of School of Pop will be performed at the Udderbelly on 12th August, allowing you to take refresher lessons in Frisky & Mannish’s unique style of eductation. It’s bound to sell out, so don’t be left standing in the corner in a dunce’s hat because you left it to late to buy a ticket.

Enrol for The College Years online on the Underbelly website or at the official Fringe site.

Frisky & Mannish’s School of Pop tickets can be bought here or here.

Check out Frisky & Mannish’s own poptastic site here.

Magic School

Calling all you Budding Harry Potters!

We are looking forward to Edinburgh’s International Magic Festival in July.

From the 7th – 10th July at The Lot in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, the  Edinburgh International Magic Festival will be running a  ‘Magic School’

Are you aged between 7 and 12 with a passion for magic? Do you think you could give Harry Potter a run for his money? Well why not become a budding Wizard or Wizardess with the magical schooling of the amazing Gary James, one of Scotland’s best kids’ entertainers, President of the Edinburgh Magic Circle and the man who once vanished JK Rowling!

Assisted by the incredible sleight of hand Magician, Luke Eaton, Garry James will teach you the tricks of the trade and even help you create your own Magic Tricks to perform for you’re friends and family before giving you a taste of his own skills, with a unique show, Just for you. Who knows, you might even be picked to assist Gary on Stage!  The duration of the school is 2 hours 30 minutes and run twice daily.  The school at 10am is for ages 7-9 and the school at 1pm is for ages 10-12.

Tickes are £10 per child and available from the Magic Festival website,via the booking hotline on 0131 473 2000 or in person at The Hub, Castle Hill.

S1L3NC3

There’s nothing I like better than finding new and interesting shows performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and this one caught my eye immediately.  I can’t work out if I am going to be enthralled or terrified – but I am looking  forward to seeing this over the first weekend.   We caught up with the man behind SIL3NC3 – known only as ‘S’ and asked him a few questions. 

Tell us a little bit about your show – where’s it happening, what’s it about, why should people come to see it? 

S1L3NC3: Mind Reader is an intimate show that has been about 3 years in full development. 

It is essentially a Mind Reading show with a difference where you get to know S1L3NC3, everything from eating razor blades to playing live russian roulette with staple guns. 

The score to the show is especially mixed and mastered, with input from some of the biggest electro artists out there at the moment including Justice, Boys Noize & Erol Alkan.    

It is a very dark show, with no direct speech, so it is not recommended for the faint-hearted or children under 16.  The show is on at 2210 hrs from 6th-21st August at Surgeon’s Hall. 

How will you be promoting your show? 

S1L3NC3 will be performing at a few of the cabaret showcase events, and you might find yourself receiving a memo about the show, straight to your pocket. 

And what are you hoping for? 

It will hopefully be as incredible as everyone has described it to us. 

This is your first time in Edinburgh, what are you expecting? 

The show has been created many times in underground performances in London and Berlin, so it is time to take it to the public, where better a place to do it but at the Edinburgh Fringe? 

If money was no object, what publicity stunt would you do to promote your show? 

A total blackout of the city, complete with sirens and alarms. 

Who else are you planning or hoping to see? 

I haven’t yet managed to catch Frisky & Mannish, so they are top priority. 

What do you have planned for after the Fringe? 

Going to Berlin to put the show on in an old swimming pool… 

Sum up your show in three words for us 

How about 2:
“Reality Abuse” 

You can see this show at 2210 hrs from 6th-21st August at Surgeon’s Hall.  You can buy tickets here. 

Check out the S1L3NC3 website and find him on twitter – @realityabuse and on facebook

Patti Plinko and the Boy

Yet their songs sparkle and spin with carousel excitement and dreamlike energy, and are filled as much with joy and passion as they are with bewitching darkness.

Patti purrs, yelps and hollers through a collection of arresting and immediate songs, accompanied by the mysteriously mute Boy on acoustic guitar. Whether strumming at her ukulele or beating on a saucepan with a drumstick, Patti gives herself over to the music, which swirls around the pair – joined by violin and backing guitar – to create a deliciously surreal and unique atmosphere.

Back in Edinburgh for another year after a sell-out run in London, All is Unravelling promises to give another rare glimpse into the irresistibly seductive place Patti and The Boy call home. Appearing for three nights only at the Assembly Hall on the Mound, spend a Thursday evening in their company and slip into a world of dark, whiskey-soaked decadence and bohemian glamour.

Buy tickets for All is Unravelling on the Assembly website and on the Edinburgh Fringe site here.

You can visit their dark corner of the web here.

Rhythm Drum & Dance - The Drum Show From Berlin (photo copyright Sabine Brinker)

Born from show creator & award-winning choreographer Freddie Rutz’s lifelong passion for the beat, the show will feature an international cast of four drummers and nine dancers in a set filled with joy, passion and talent.

Tracing the history of the pop drum in the 20th century, the show will feature routines based on rock, funk, techno and – in what promises to be a standout segment – tap dancing, where the expert dancers will tap their toes atop of specially assembled drum sets.

Rhythm Drum & Dance (photo copyright Sabine Brinker)

We’ve always loved percussion shows – from the foxy beats of Drum Cat to the mighty samurai pounding of Tao. Rhythm Drum & Dance looks set to make 2010 pound to a different rhythm, and here at Edinburgh Spotlight we’re supporting this show in the lead up to and throughout the Fringe – stay tuned for more exciting news about this show in the weeks to come!

Rhythm Drum & Dance poster

You can buy tickets for this show from Venue150’s website or from the Fringe site.

Check out Rhythm Drum & Dance’s own website here.