Originally seen at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2011, Howard Brenton’s Anne Boleyn gives Henry VIII’s second wife a radical reinvention. Gone is the ambitious schemer using sex to snare the king, and in her place is a well-intentioned religious fanatic. With better casting and a less clunky production it might have worked, but there’s not enough connection or energy on stage to maintain the pace during the frequent theological digressions.

The Festival Theatre is an unfortunate choice of venue. This is a play designed to acknowledge the audience, but when they are kept at a safe distance by the proscenium arch the actors struggle to make a real connection with them. A more intimate space, preferably with a thrust stage, would have created a greater sense of involvement and resolved some of the issues with use of the stage, which was sadly unimaginative. Too often the cast appeared to be spreading out to make it look full, forcing them to bellow at each other from a distance. It’s difficult to believe that characters are exchanging heretical secrets that could cost them their lives when they seem to do nothing but shout about them.

Perhaps there would have been less shouting and more emotional range had the casting been less odd. There’s very little chemistry between David Sturzaker’s Henry VIII, who would look more at home in a George Street bar than a Tudor court, and Jo Herbert’s gangly, jolly Anne. Their seven-year courtship seems unlikely enough, but the idea that such a lukewarm love affair could play a key role in the Reformation is downright implausible.

Anne’s ladies in waiting boost the number of roles for women but are used for pretty set-dressing rather than fleshed out into real characters. In sharp contrast, Julius D’Silva delivers a sleek, nuanced performance as Thomas Cromwell, ably matched by Colin Hurley’s Cardinal Wolsey. Tim Frances also stands out as down to earth heretic William Tyndale, but it is unfortunate that his meetings are attended by so many stock yokels that they seem less like a hotbed of subversion and more like a Tudor edition of The Archers.

James Garnon teeters dangerously on the brink of parody as James VI, sporting uncontrollable hair and an accent borrowed from Billy Connolly. By far the most interesting character, King James flits between dazzling displays of political acumen and twitching idiocy. It’s a strong performance but slightly undermined by the accent lapsing into comedy Scot and a tendency to play the moments of twitching and stammering for laughs.

The relationship between the worlds of James VI and Anne Boleyn are interesting if a little unclear, but the script is witty enough to be forgiven much. In the early scenes much is made of Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe of 2000 gowns – a shame, then, that Anne is only ever seen in two. The simple set makes sense for a production of a play clearly influenced by Shakespeare, but less austere costuming might have helped to create the world of the Tudors and give a sense of the passage of time. It is a pity that English Touring Theatre’s revival of The Globe’s production looks and feels makeshift rather than the sumptuous treat it could have been.

8 – 12 May, 19.30 Festival Theatre

Vive le Cabaret at the Brighton Fringe

Kicking things off in their own inimitable style this year are Edinburgh-based Blond Ambition and their five-star sellout show Vive le Cabaret (produced in conjunction with O’Connor Arts & Ents).

A firm feather-festooned Fringe favourite, Vive le Cabaret is a riot from start to finish, and is the perfect way to sample the best of new British cabaret in one easy-to-swallow bite.

This year, the Vive le Cabaret talent includes EastEnd Cabaret, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, Dusty Limits, Mat Ricardo, Paul Dabek, Frayed Knot, Adriano Fettucini and Doug Segal – nearly all of whom will be gracing the Edinburgh stage in August.

So, if you find yourself down Brighton way this weekend, put some panache in your pavilion and high-kick over to Komedia where you can Vive it up with the best of them.

Vive le Cabaret is at Komedia in Brighton on Thursday 3 May. Tickets are available on the Brighton Fringe website.

Some photos of Edinburgh city centre as the sun was setting this afternoon. We were just wandering around the shops and detoured through Princes Street Gardens to appreciate the city we live in .

Melville Monument St Andrew Square

The Balmoral Clock and the rising moon

The Mound

Edinburgh Castle in shadow

Scott Monument

Sunset through the trees

Toddler Play Group

From the people behind Edinburgh’s excellent Knot Stressed comes a brand new Toddler Play Group from 10th January 2012.

All parents with children from toddling age (around 1.5 years) to 3 years old are welcome.

This new and exciting group will take place every Tuesday from 11.15am-12.15pm at the Calton Centre, 121 Montgomery Street, Edinburgh EH7 5EP.

The group is primarily a social group for parents and toddlers. However, each week we will include activities such as toddler yoga, action singalong, musical instruments story time and soft football.

There will also be a selection of small toys out for free play time, including a pop up tent, musical steps, a floor puzzle and a crawl-through tunnel.

The groups will be small and friendly (group size between 5-15 parents and children).

Plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits are provided for the grown ups and the little ones are welcome to bring a snack/packed lunch with them.

The cost to drop in is £3, which helps to cover the cost of the room and snack.

The group will be facilitated by either Onie (with the help of her nearly 3 year old, Mairin) or Frances each week.  Occasionally, there will be extra help from willing, friendly parents!

Where possible, there will also be fun guest activities and speakers.

The Toddler Play Group will run every Tuesday until 18th December 2012. For further information, contact Knot Stressed.

For fans of alternative guitar-based music, this gig at Henry’s Cellar Bar from Bainbridge Music seemed like Christmas come early.

Royal Edinburgh Music

First up were Royal Edinburgh Music, a five-piece outfit led by the slightly unhinged (in a good way) Jo. Their sound was of the swooping swirling kind, providing a cinematic Cocteau Twins style mood to accompany Jo’s eccentric onstage persona: one part Kate Bush, poured over a generous serving of Bjork, shaken and stirred.

The band have a few rough edges which they’d do well to spend time smoothing: as with a little more love and attention, Royal Edinburgh Music could have a lot to offer in the leftfield art-rock department.

half a dead bird

Plugging in next were instrumental post-metallists half a dead bird. Laden with guitars, effect pedals and ebows, this amped-up quartet proceeded to create music of often epic proportions.

A typical half a dead bird number starts with a gently-strummed refrain, upon which piles and piles of guitar and drums are layered until the whole thing starts descending towards the earth’s core under the weight of its own intricately-wrought soundscape.

The song structures are complex but effective, with riffs and refrains echoing off each other throughout each number’s length. And when they build up to a full-strength crescendo, their onstage energy matches the ferocity of their music and they become exciting to watch as to listen to.

The Red Show

A trip through east from Glasgow’s The Red Show is always welcomed by local fans of their spiky Pixies-like sound, and tonight they deliver a cracking set of alternative angular rock to an appreciative crowd.

Recently pared down to a two-piece, The Red Show call on the services of guitar and bass-wielding cohorts during their set, bolstering their live sound beyond that which drums and guitar alone can achieve. That said, as a duo they are just as capable of delivering jaggedly effective slices of tightly-wrought music, and their set has a variety on display few bands can match.

Well worth catching the next time they make another road trip along the M8.

Hagana

Headliners Hagana unveil their new lineup tonight with recent addition Gary on bass. His slightly nervous appearance is unjustified, as within seconds his skill with the four-string is contributing excellently to the sound of what is probably Edinburgh’s best power-pop trio.

Hagana‘s songs are driving alternative rock classics with US slacker and surf-tinged tones. Frontman Leo sweats in his sweater as drummer Dave keeps the engines revved up with tight percussion and backing vocals.

The band play the kind of music that makes you want to throw away any stuffy Edinburgh gig-going inhibitions and dance: and dance their fans do, ending up onstage during Hagana‘s final number and ably demonstrating that this is a band to give a great big sweaty bear hug to and cherish as one of the city’s finest. And the fact they sound better than ever with the addition of their new bassist is a bonus.

26 Treasures

The National Museum of Scotland’s Scottish galleries provide a fascinating insight into the nation’s history all year round, with their diverse collection of Scottish objects from prehistory to the present day.

Every object has a story to tell, and – from now until 29 January – you can hear twenty-six of them brought to life in the 26 Treasures exhibition.

A number of objects spanning Scotland’s history were selected, then paired randomly with twenty-six Scottish writers: poets, novelists, journalists, screenwriters and more. Each writer was then tasked with using exactly 62 words to capture something about the object in whatever style they wished.

We therefore have Elspeth Murray’s circular poem about the Bute mazer, novelist Harriet Smart’s elegy to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s travelling canteen, Sara Sheridan’s lyrical tribute to the Queen Mary harp – and twenty-three other evocative pieces which bring the objects’ histories to vivid and literary life.

There is a trail map accompanying the exhibition, allowing you to track down the objects across the galleries’ six floors. Each item also has a QR code next to it: scan this with your smartphone and you’ll be able to hear the writers read their pieces aloud.

Backed up by a series of events at the museum, 26 Treasures is an original and enjoyable way to explore the Scottish galleries: and to discover all the history, intrigue and drama behind this small part of its impressive collection.

Not only that, but members of the public have a chance to contribute to 26 Treasures themselves, via a tweet or 62-word entry about any object in the whole of the National Museum, in an online competition (where they can also win a Kindle).

Best-selling novelist Sara Sheridan has been instrumental in helping to bring this 26 Treasures to the National Museum of Scotland, which follows similar exhibitions in London, Ireland and Wales. There is now an online initiative to raise funds to have an anthology of all the participating writers’ works published in a book, which you can read more about here.

26 Treasures – photo gallery

The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of our recommended attractions in Edinburgh, and makes for a fascinating day out at any time of year.

This weekend, Britannia celebrated Christmas, as it was adorned with decorations in a recreation of how life onboard may have been during the festive season. The State Apartments were resplendent with their tinsel and trees; and the officers’ and crew’s quarters also had little touches of cheer amongst the more serious items on display.

One thing that’s always struck us about Britannia is how much of a ‘home from home’ it appears to have been. Although Royal barges and the garage containing a Rolls Royce give away who its previous owners were, some of the other rooms are surprisingly modest.

This is emphasised even more during The Royal Yacht Britannia’s Christmas weekend, where it’s the little touches – the presents sitting on bunk beds; or the stockings hanging next to electric fires – which are the most memorable.

Here are our video and photos of Britannia‘s festive weekend.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is open every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Details are available on the website.

Although it’s probably more famous for being the final resting place of the faithful Bobby, Greyfriars Kirkyard is reputedly one of the most haunted places in Edinburgh.

Whether that’s true or not, what better day of the year to have a wander around the historic graveyard – on the lookout for some of the spookier and more macabre carvings on the tombstones and mausoleums…

Click on the thumbnails to view our photos – and Happy Halloween!

Evelyn Evelyn (photo credit: FourthEye Photography)

Evelyn Evelyn has a wonderful conceit – a pair of ‘sisters’, sharing one heart and joined at the hip, are presented as part of a Victorian-style freakshow act by a suave and charming sideshow owner. Shy and awkward, the sisters take to the stage then perform a series of musical numbers on keyboard, accordion and guitar; as well as finding the time to present a grotesque shadow puppet play and a fantastically fake psychic oracle act.

With the mood set to high camp and affectionate parody, it is easy to overlook the talent of the performers. Each with a single hand free and constantly joined by the costume, they share the musical duties: Palmer strumming the guitar or pressing the accordion keys as Webley operates the other half of the instrument. The harmonious singing and the fumbling, slightly terrified mannerisms of the sisters complete the picture, creating something unique and hugely appealing.

The songs all reflect the sisters’ ‘condition’, with versions of Lean On Me and a quietly beautiful cover of Love Will Tear Us Apart effectively used without feeling exploitative. Some original numbers follow a similar theme: the predicament of living and loving when you can’t escape your other half. And yes, there are probably themes of ego and self here if you go searching for it, but Palmer and Webley’s performance is so tongue-in-cheek that they neither expect or demand you to.

As Amanda and Jason reappear as themselves at the end of the performance, Palmer tells us the future of Evelyn Evelyn is uncertain. If that is the case, and we have witnessed their very last performance, then we are fortunate indeed – as this sideshow has more talent, humour and charm then most top-billing acts.

Evelyn Evelyn’s run is over

Our junior reviewers were in for a treat of the musical kind this afternoon as we headed off to the Edinburgh College of Art to seek out the Main Theatre, the venue for the Oxford Belles who are performing their current show ‘Bellissima’.  This gave us the opportunity to take in some of the exhibitions which are currently running there too.

One of our junior reviewers had been to see another of Oxford’s a cappella groups last year (In the Pink), and we were happy to see more.  As there are several groups from Oxford performing this genre of music at the Fringe this year, we wonder whether there’s a huge appetite for a cappella in that particular area of the country.

Although the roots of a cappella music are in church music, there was no religious chanting in this particular performance, which started off with ‘It’s Raining Men’ and continued with ‘Hot Stuff’ before slowing down a little to an older standard ‘Stand by Me’.

At one of the brief intervals between the songs, it was explained to us that this particular troupe owed its origins to a visiting student from the United States, who wanted to bring this format of singing to the University, and founded the group in 1995.  The members have between 2 months and 2 years of singing together at the moment, but are lucky enough to have taken their singing to New York and Los Angeles in the past and perform regularly at Balls and Charity Events in Oxford and the surrounding area.

The second half of the set was more to our junior reviewers liking, with more up to date renditions of popular chart songs, including a particularly beautiful rendition of Snow Patrol/Leona Lewis’s ‘Run’.  The songs in this part of the set were also more tightly choreographed, with the girls moving well together.

A perfectly enjoyable afternoon’s diversion to keep old and young amused.  The only slight criticism would be the dress of the performers.  Their ‘uniform’ consisted of a cardigan and hockey-skirt-length skirt and white t-shirt, and it would have been good to see them a little more smartly dressed, or at the very least all wearing the same casual uniform, with perhaps a touch of colour in there somewhere as it did look a bit drab on stage.

Added comments by Helen (13): I enjoyed this and there were some strong singers amongst the girls.
Added comments by Alex (9): It was amazing how they made the noises of the rhythm as well as the singing.

Dates: Until 29th August 14:35 @ http://www.edfringe.com/venues/c-venues-c-eca

By The McNaughton Family Review Team

A wee snap of the Udderbelly from high in the Gilded Balloon.

Udderbelly

Flawless at the Edinburgh Fringe

When the mini-members of Edinburgh Spotlight met Flawless

Flawless are currently touring the UK with a spectacular dance show called “Intergalactic Dream”. Having the chance to interview them with the back-drop of the space-age architecture of Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh was a real treat for our junior Fringe reviewers, who were fresh from awarding  their Edinburgh Fringe show a well deserved 5 stars.

All ten of the Flawless members turned out this morning to meet our young reviewers, and were very approachable, professional in their approach and a real delight to meet.

The questions had been prepared by Helen (aged 13) and our our youngest reviewer Alex (aged 9) and were asked through a mixture of nervousness, excitement and whisperings of “I can’t believe I’m doing this”.

What inspired you to start dancing?

Michael Jackson was an influence, as were Beat Street and Break Dance, but the real inspiration definitely came first of all from our love of music.

Is there any one specifically who you base your dances on?

We don’t have any specific influence – we are really open to all styles, and have no limitations.   We want to create our own new styles.

Why do you come to the Edinburgh Fringe?

We had heard that there was a great atmosphere, and when started our stage shows last year we thought it would be good to start with smaller venue as we built up our experience. We loved last year so much, we just had to come back.

What do you do when you are here when you’re not on stage?

We chill out and rest between shows but are now determined to get out and do some shopping and sightseeing now that we’re settled in.

Going to the cinema is what we’ve been doing in this weather so far and if it ever stops we’d really like to get to Edinburgh Castle. [Our junior reviewers recommended a trip to the Vortex Tunnel at the Camera Obscura too, which the guys thought sounded fun!]

What is the most embarrassing thing a fan has done to get your attention?

Fans have camped out in the hotel lobby and have even got on to our tour bus. [Our junior reviewers suspected that there might have been another story as there was definitely an embarrassed giggle from one of the guys, but maybe it wasn’t a family story!]

What’s your favourite country to visit (besides Scotland)?

We loved visiting New York City in the USA, and Dubai, but a highlight has been going to Monaco where we got to perform and see the Grand Prix.

Flawless at Dynamic Earth

By this stage, our interviewers were more relaxed in their questioning since Flawless were so patient and Alex piped up: “I did street dance at school last year, can you give me any tips to get better?” to which he was advised to keep practiscing, reasearch different dance styles and above all, have fun.

Conversation soon turned to birthdays and Helen asked the Flawless boys what they did to celebrate theirs. “No matter what we’re doing, whether it be rehearsing or touring, it always involves cake!” Sounds like our idea of heaven, but then if we were burning as many calories as them each performance, we could eat lots of cake as well.

The tables were turned on our reviewers as Flawless wanted to know what our junior reviewers had enjoyed most in the show last night.

Helen informed them that hers was when the glove was used as the starting point for a Michael Jackson dance routine while Alex explained that he liked the bit where the coat sparked a dance inspired by the Matrix movie. We all had a good laugh when Mum said that she’d seen the black leather coat and thought “oh crikey, Ozzy Osborne – what’s coming next?”

Our reviewers

As the interview came to an end, the boys told us that after their Edinburgh Fringe run of shows, that their second movie Streetdance 2 will be coming out in March 2012. They’ll be continuing to tour up and down the country and keep thousands of fans happy in the process.

Flawless are:
Marlon “SWOOSH” Wallen
Allan “L.BOOGIE” Kabeja
Paul “STEADY” Steadman
Nathan “Neo” Gordon
Anthony “A.D.” Duncan
Leroy “FX” Dias  Dos Santos
Simon “SHOCK” Smith
Nathan “ODDEY” Kabs
Christian “BOUNCE” Alozie
Paul “BREAKER” Samuels

Information:

You can check out their official website, find Flawless on facebook and follow them on twitter.

Flawless: Intergalatic Dream is on at the Pleasance, Edinburgh until 29th August 2011. More information on the Fringe shows can be found here.

We would just like to thank Flawless for being so friendly and professional throughout all our encounters with them. Always full of smiles when meeting the audiences after their Edinburgh shows as well as endless autographs and photos. The Flawless boys are excellent role models for youngsters in the UK and beyond and we’ll certainly be firm fans for life.

The Fringe has well and truly started! With a brief space in between shows yesterday, we decided to snap as many faces on the Royal Mile as we could in 10 minutes, within a radius of 10 metres from the chosen starting point. Here’s our favourite 10 from selection we took.

Living statue

Royal Mile

Singer on the Royal Mile

Promoting his show

Royal Mile

Friendly smile

Royal Mile

Performer

No face

Sadly, this show suffers somewhat from the short Fringe guide description which plays up the dance and circus aspect of this show. A few minutes of trapeze work and some climbing do not “circus” make,

and punters who come looking for acrobatic displays are likely to go away disappointed.

Instead, focus on the description of Images as a “raw, honest work”. In this context it should live up to, and perhaps even surpass, expectations. The two female cast members deliver a series of monologues and some duologues, reflecting on isolation, personal space and the loneliness of living in a city where people seldom stray outside their own “bubble”.

These vignettes are augmented with a smattering of dance and aerial work. The two female cast members are graceful and the use of movement unquestionably complements the script. However it is the words that pack the biggest punch. Sitting on the floor of a dark room as a succession of characters discuss their unbearable yearning for sensation turns out to be a highly emotional experience in the hands
of these gifted performers.

This unusually intimate, unashamedly brave and vulnerable experience is a welcome respite from the more slick and superficial offerings which sometimes threaten to flood the Fringe.

3-29 Aug (not 15) 1630 (1725) @ C eca

A huge crowd gathered outside the National Museum of Scotland this morning, eager to get inside and see all that this fabulous museum has to offer after having been closed for refurbishment for three years.

The National Museum of Scotland - open once again

Dinosaurs, strange sea creatures, firecrackers, drummers – the spectacle was almost as impressive as what lay behind the doors, which 11 year-old Bryony Hare officially opened as Grant Stott looked on.

The entertainment continued on the street outside as the crowds filed inside the Museum’s new street-level entrance, packing the new galleries and proving that the National Museum of Scotland is one of the city’s best-loved attractions.

Have a look at our gallery and video for a taste of the fun which took place outside.

David Mills

“I was here for nine days last year. And I didn’t get laid once.”

The US cabaret performer turned comedian is joking (we think). In any case, he’s also coming to Edinburgh in August to co-host Scott Capurro’s Position with the critically-acclaimed and popular comedian & writer.

“It’s the hottest chat show in Edinburgh,” explains David. “I’ve known Scott for like a hundred years, and what differentiates our show is the banter and the energy we bring.”

That, and the list of confirmed guests: which reads like a roll-call of Fringe talent and includes Phil Jupitus, Nicholas Parsons, Simon Callow, Henry Rollins and Greg Proops.

“We’re also planning to do a Battle of the Hitlers,” says David. “Musical Hitlers, dancing Hitlers, acting Hitlers. All battling to see who’s best.”

“What we try and do is encourage the guests to get real and talk about their Edinburgh experiences. So we ask them direct questions like ‘are you funny??’ – it’s not a show about people’s canned responses.”

“But we want them to relax as well. It’s not like it’s being broadcast across the world, it’s just in front of 150 people – so it’s more like a chat between friends at one in the morning.”

“And Edinburgh audiences are up for it,” he continues. “They realise they’re at ‘ground zero’ for comedy and performance.”

“Though it’s easier to get laid in the US…”

See David Mills in ‘Scott Capurro’s Position’ at The Gilded Balloon from 3rd-29th August throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For more information and tickets see www.edcomfest.com

Edinburgh-based Tightlaced Theatre aim to prove that Fringe theatre in the city isn’t just for August.

That said, they have two shows in the programme this year, including From the Lilypad, the third in a series of charming children’s shows by one of the company’s resident writers Robert Howat.

We caught up with Robert and the cast of the show in their ‘Fort Tightlaced’ HQ to learn some more.

From the Lilypad runs at Out Of The Blue Drill Hall from 3-28 Aug at 09:00. More details are on the Leith on the Fringe website.

Hands- on art - First Impressions

Following on from the success of previous years, First Impressions art workshops will once again be running a summer school at Out of the Blue Drill Hall.

This year’s theme will be “Telling Tales” and the workshops will feature a variety of artistic techniques exploring how art can tell stories: from the Bayeux Tapestry to modern day manga.

Times and dates:
Monday 4th July – Friday 8th July
10:30 – 11:30am Ages 4-7 Cost £25/child
12:30 – 2:00pm Age 8+ Cost £30/child

For further details and booking email julie.dawson@gmail.com

Jim Campbell and Brian Ferguson

Leith fundraisers decide to HitchHop in aid of the RNLI

A couple of Edinburgh men are heading off on a hitch-hiking island-hopping challenge in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Jim Campbell and Brian Ferguson are embarking on this challenge in the west coast of Scotland this July

Inspired by a love of Scotland’s islands, the pair of fundraisers, both from the Leith area, plan to see how many of them they can get to within 14 days next month.

The travel challenge will begin at a yet-to-be announced ferry port on July 1 and will finish at the lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis, the most northerly point of the Western Isles, before Jim and Brian take in the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway.

As well as raising funds for the lifesaving organisation, and awareness of the work of the RNLI, Jim, who works in the mental health sector, and Brian, a journalist, are also planning to promote the magic of Scotland’s west coast and the experiences to be found there via updates on their twitter account and facebook page.
HitchHop will have five key rules:

* Both Jim and Brian have to see foot on an island for it to count.
* All islands will count whether or not they are inhabited – and even if they are connected to another island or the mainland by a bridge or causeway.
* Although Jim and Brian will be using ferries, they will be mainly relying on the goodwill of others to get around during the challenge.
* They will accept an offer of a lift, either on dry land or across water, on any form of transport.
* Although they may make some travel plans in advance, they will not accept any lifts until the day they are travelling.

Jim, 39, said, ‘After coming up with the idea for the challenge we were keen to raise money for an organisation that would mean something to every island community.

‘The RNLI just seemed the perfect choice because of the huge role it plays in protecting islanders and visitors to the islands, and we’re looking forward to visiting as many stations as we can during the challenge.

‘There’s loads of islands we’d like to visit during HitchHop, but a lot will come down to where our lifts take us, either on dry land, or on water. Whatever happens, we’re going to need a bit of luck along the way.’

Brian, 38, added, ‘We haven’t set an official target but we’d like to think we could visit at least 30 islands if we get half-decent weather, although we’ll be giving it our best shot whatever the conditions.

‘Although Jim and I are both regular visitors to the Hebrides, this is a real step into the unknown for both of us, as we have no idea where we’ll end up or when, and we’re particularly excited about setting foot on islands that we’ve never been to before.

‘We hope to inspire people who have never visited the islands to give them a try and discover the amazing scenery and fascinating history round almost every corner.’

Good luck lads!

Links:

HitchHop fundraising page

HitchHop facebook

HitchHop on twitter

HitchHop blog

Tom Goodliffe

Tom Goodliffe first came to our attention on twitter when he joined in the Edinburgh Lies for Tourists day.  His suggestions made us chuckle and his show Tom Goodliffe : The Good Liffe grabbed our eye in the Fringe programme.

Star of the Pleasance Comedy Reserve in 2010, Tom debuts his solo show this year about life, love and living the dream.

We caught up with Tom to find out a bit more about his plans for Edinburgh this year.

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 in a room called The SpeakEasy at Cabaret Voltaire every afternoon at 3.45pm. It’s all about my journey from teenage uber-nerd to twenty-something accountant and how I escaped the rat race. That’s not all though! It’s also about cake and maths and speed-dating and escalators. You know, all the key comedy ingredients. It’ll be lots of fun and maybe just a little bit inspirational.

People should come to see the show if they’ve ever felt trapped in a job they despise, or if they just want a good laugh in the afternoon.

How will you be promoting your show?

I’ll be promoting the show by giving flyers to the general public and praying to the gods of comedy.

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

Coffee-fuelled, flyer-filled mornings and cake-fuelled, laughter-filled afternoons.

And what are you hoping for?

I’m just hoping all the equipment works! Last year I was a guest on a show called Tom:Foolery, a comedy showcase consisting entirely of comedians called Tom. Ten minutes in, there was a power cut in the venue. In true Fringe spirit, the show went on, with our faces illuminated by the other comedians’ cigarette lighters – a little dangerous when you have a beard!

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

I’ve always wanted to work with Kanye West, so I’d get him to flyer for me. And he could operate the lights. All of the lights.

Who else are you planning or hoping to see?

I plan my fringe meticulously on a spreadsheet so I can squeeze in as many shows as possible. Here’s what’s on it so far: Henry Paker, Holly Walsh, Joe Wilkinson, Josh Widdicombe, James Acaster, Nick Helm, Steve Hall, Tom Price, The Gentlemen of Leisure, James W Smith, Boyd & Metcalfe, Michael J Dolan… how long have you got?

What do you have planned for after the Fringe?

I’ll sleep for a week then open a new spreadsheet and start preparing for next year!

Sum up your show in three words for us:

Tax-deductible hilarity.

Check out Tom’s website and say hello to him on twitter.  Times and prices for his show are on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.

Thanks Tom – we’re jealous of your spreadsheet skills!