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ISSUE 1: COMEDY, THEATRE, MUSIC AND MORE – YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE FESTIVAL
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MICK PERRIN FOR
all k out Chec ails at et the d rin.com per k c i m
CellAr
arfringe.com 0844 693 3008
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Welcome to
Fest
FEST IS YOUR FREE GUIDE TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVALS Pick us up from venues across Edinburgh PUBLISHER Sam Friedman
EDITORIAL
Editor Ben Judge Deputy Editor Charlotte Lytton Comedy Editor Stevie Martin Theatre Editor Caroline Bishop Kids Editor Caroline Black Editorial Consultant Evan Beswick
PRODUCTION
Creative Director Matthew MacLeod Photography Editor Claudine Quinn Office Manager Hannah Putsey Web Editor Anna Feintuck
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Lara Moloney, George Sully, Tom McCarthy, Michaela Hall CONTACT FEST hello@festmag.co.uk PUBLISHED BY FEST MEDIA LIMITED Registered in Scotland number SC344852
Cover Photo Claudine Quinn REGISTERED ADDRESS 3 Coates Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7AA Every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the information in this magazine, but the publisher cannot accept liability for information which is inaccurate. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the printer or the publisher. © Fest Media Limited 2012
4 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012
festcontents
SHAPING the fringe
festival acts to describe what the Fest asks some top Fringe viously. Ob . ine the medium of plastic means to them, through
Sam Simmons
anoia into years worth of ego and par “If you smash together a form some ally ntu eve (plasticine) you a kaleidoscope of colours the brown roll n The . wn bro ur the colo assemblage of a show, or turd rolled in a e hav and VOILLAA!!! you plasticine into some glitter me anyway.” For ge. Frin the of rit spi ents the glitter, which truly repres
festcontents 8 FEATURES
8 Hannibal Buress
The USA’s most laid back export is back in Edinburgh with a brand new show and a broken mini-fridge.
12 Les Dennis
Art imitates life for the former Family Fortunes star in his new one-man show, Jigsy.
16 Shopping Centre
Matthew Osborn’s latest theatrical venture explores the downsides of consumer culture.
21 COMEDY 22 Eddie Pepitone’s Bloodbath
Self-loathing has never been so funny as Pepitone makes his Edinburgh debut.
27 Jim Jefferies: Fully Functional
Comedy’s bad boy has gone good, and it’s worked wonders.
31 Richard Herring: Talking Cock
Growing up is off the cards for this mustachioed knob gag enthusiast.
32 Brendon Burns: Home Stretch Baby
The Fringe veteran lets off some steam in his latest anger fuelled show.
41 THEATRE 44 The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs
A world of exploitation belies the genius of Apple in Mike Daisey’s new stage venture.
54 Hand over Fist
There’ll be tears before bedtime in Dave Florez’s new play about living with Alzheimer’s.
58 Mark Grist: Rogue Teacher
The rap battling YouTube sensation swaps schoolkids for the stage in his first festival run.
58 Dylan Thomas: Return Journey
Bob Kingdom poignantly delves into the mind of Wales’ greatest poet.
70 MUSIC
62 The Magnets: Homegrown
The rising stars and a cappella sensations are back with a bang.
62 Street Cries
Under Milk Wood inspires Mitch Feral’s latest opera, set in semi-mythical Logodom.
62 KIDS
64 Sesame Street Live
Elmo fields some tough questions from Edinburgh’s children.
67 Doctor Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown
Our kid critics are blown away by the madcap clown's anarchic antics.
72 LISTINGS
Your essential what's on guide to the world's biggest arts festival.
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perfectday
y a d t c e f r e p e h t
ing that the ing to see or do everyth n at least Face it: you're never go a bit of planning, you ca th wi t Bu er. off to ve festivals ha perfect day e fest team plan your th let ll, sti r tte Be st. see the be Austentatious LAUGHING HORSE @ THE COUNTING HOUSE
Earthy RATCLIFFE TERRACE ahead with a Charge your batteries for the day coffee at this organic foodie joint.
They say the best things in life y are free, so check out this wack improv troupe for comedy in corsets and all things Austen.
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11 :0 0
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Razing Eddie UNDERBELLY, COWGATE looks at This provocative piece of theatre eyes of 21st century culture through the be good. a bad boy desperately trying to
6 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Mary Bourke: Hail Mary! THE STAND and Mary Bourke doesn’t like Mumsnet, of belly she isn’t afraid to say so. An hour charming laughs are guaranteed with this Irish comic.
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perfectday Phil Nichol Rants! ASSEMBLY ROOMS
22 :4 5
muses on everything In his 14th Fringe show, Nichols attendants. from the financial crisis to toilet
Mother India’s Café INFIRMARY STREET
21 :00
Fantastic Indian cuisine served tapas-style – smaller portions with a canyon-wide variety. Delicious, reasonably priced, and right in the middle of town
Tom Thum UNDERBELLY BRISTO SQUARE
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set is fast Rising star Thum’s beatboxing Fringe, so becoming the talk of this year’s catch him while you can.
Brazil! Brazil! ASSEMBLY ROOMS For a night at the colourful carnavale, grab your dancing shoes and head to the Assembly Rooms for the best of favela funk.
18 :4 5
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UNDER
BURESS Photos: Claudine Quinn
Hannibal Buress has a reputation for being a tricky customer. But Jay Richardson finds a man keen to show the world the truth behind the Edinburgh festival.
“I
’M LIKE ‘Yo, ninjas kidnapped my family, so I had to learn standup comedy to entertain them in order to get my family back!’” Hannibal Buress chuckles. “Instead of explaining I got into standup through open mic gigs. Because that ain’t going to sell no tickets.” Ever since the smooth but vengefully sarcastic Chicago-born comic fell foul of a college newspaper, which printed that he “was the most popular comedian in [the] price range of $2,000,” making it harder for him to charge more than that in the future, the 29 year-old has endured a relationship of mutual wariness with journalists. This frustrating episode became a withering routine in his debut Edinburgh show and featured in his television special Animal Furnace, though it’s not risking Fest’s reputation to suggest the former Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock writer is pocketing considerably more these days. Securing an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination and the Rising Comedy Star Award at the Montreal Festival recently, Buress is burnishing a glowing reputation. Nevertheless, faced with the
8 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012
same “goofy” questions journalists tend to fall back on, he hears himself becoming “unfunny and robotic,” so “I switch off the genuineness and start uttering weird shit.” As a measured, low-energy performer, reportedly suffering jet lag and less than enamoured with his Edinburgh accommodation (“the toilet is in a different place to the shower! That’s a horrible fridge! This place cost $2800!”) I’d begun to worry when I was told he was running late for this interview. My concerns deepened when I heard he’d have a documentary crew with him. And would it bother me if they filmed our conversation? I needn’t have stressed. In the US, Buress’ status as The Eric Andre Show’s notional straightman, drily reflecting on his manic co-host’s unpredictable outbursts means he’s at ease in front of a camera, sucking down crisps and explaining that his aim for his new show, Still Saying Stuff, is for it to be “solid… I don’t think I’ve gotten worse, more people should turn up…” He’s also prowling for an Edinburgh girlfriend. Contrary to his low-rev onstage appearance, he’s adopted an ethic of working really hard and gigging constantly from erstwhile mentors
Louis C.K. and Chris Rock. Prior to Animal Furnace, the latter instructed “you’re doing a special so make sure it’s special and not regular. You want it quoted by people because it relates to their lives.” After making a documentary in the lead up to recording the show, he realised he hadn’t seen anyone capture the “crazy intensity” of Edinburgh for a US audience. “It’s almost mythical man, there’s no way to show it.” So, this year, a two-man crew are following him all over the festival. “The Fringe definitely makes me a better comic… an opportunity to get this new hour tight.” And a better cook, he muses, notwithstanding that “bullshit mini-fridge.” There’s much greater openness to him than you might imagine. Despite being a 30 Rock writer for just one season—the lure of performing comedy outside New York proving too attractive—he enjoyed a recurring, onscreen cameo as a homeless bum in Tina Fey’s self-referential sitcom. Incredibly, he confirms, he was so committed to succeeding as a standup in his early days in the metropolis that he had spent time sleeping rough rather than sloping back to Chicago. He downplays this bleak period
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August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 9
festfeature
though. “I just didn’t want to apologise to my sister,” he smiles ruefully. “All I had to do was humble myself and apologise for my mistakes and she’d have let me stay. So it doesn’t seem that crazy. Which is crazy. I could have changed that situation with one phonecall.” On a lighter note, answering to Tina Fey as your boss is “strange man. I’m still a fan, I was a fan while I was working there. She wasn’t in the writers’ room often because she was actively running the show. But once a week she’d pop in for 20 minutes. One time, she was sitting next to me, I left, then came back and her phone was on my phone. I was like: ‘Yo! Tina Fey’s phone is touching my phone! Tina Fey’s phone is touching
my phone right now man!’ I was 28 years-old.” With more collaboration than SNL, where “40 sketches get submitted for each episode and only nine are used,” 30 Rock was a tough, joke-heavy creative environment. “Sometimes when you’re pitching stuff it’ll take an hour to get a joke right. Other times someone says something, someone else says something on top of that and boom! It’s in the script. If everybody laughs, that’s undeniable. You’ve made a room of top comedy writers laugh.” After being in C.K.’s sitcom Louie he’d love a broadcast vehicle of his own, and is acutely conscious of this at the moment, with a current development
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deal with Fox and an ongoing project with Hollywood star Jonah Hill. “It’s very much time. I have to figure out what it is, write it up and get a pilot together before my clock ticks out.” Meanwhile, he’ll be keeping tabs on the US basketball team’s shot clock during the Olympics. But as a touring comic, he rarely punches out early, estimating that he only spends 12 days in his current home in Los Angeles at a stretch. With a show in Alabama the night after Edinburgh finishes, “I’ll work till I’m dead man. I got bills to pay and vices to feed!” Pleasance Courtyard, 9:45pm – 10:45pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, 21, £10.00 – £10.50
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Brett Vincent for GetComedy proudly presents ...
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August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 11
MAN TIME OUT OF
Les Dennis was a stalwart of the working men’s club circuit for over 20 years. Holed up in a Leith boozer, he relives the ‘good old days’ with Sam Friedman. Photos: Claudine Quinn
L
ES DENNIS has been spotted. “Ye’ve been captured, Les,” slurs a bleary-eyed regular in The Strathmore Bar, a classic Leith boozer and one-time working men’s club tucked away near the bottom of Leith Walk. Idling up to our table with a finger pointed at the bemused entertainer, the man continues: “Aw the boys back there, they aw spied ye. Now hows aboot ye buy us aw a roond-a drinks,” he says, only half-joking. Panicked, my mind turns to the scene in Trainspotting where Renton and Begby set upon a wayward American Fringe-goer who accidentally stumbles into a Leith pub asking for the ‘mensroom.’ Luckily, Dennis is distinctly unruffled. Bantering happily with his celebrity-stalker, he trades a few well-meaning Family Fortunes jokes, invites the new friend to his Fringe play Jigsy, and promises to buy ‘the boys’ (all now laughing raucously at the back of the pub) a drink after the interview. It’s perhaps not surprising that Dennis
is at home in local watering holes like The Strathmore Bar. At 17 he started his career playing similarly boisterous working men’s clubs in his native Liverpool. Back then the fresh-faced Dennis was a fledgling impressionist, although he admits “I nicked most of my act from the best,” meaning the great 70s impressionists Sammy Davis Jnr and Freddie Starr. The clubs though, he says in a now softened Scouse accent, were a fantastic training ground. “You had to learn to compete with the Bingo, the pies. Literally, you would go on, do five minutes, and then the hot pies would arrive and the room would empty – brilliant.” Although Dennis went on to have a successful television career, including 15 years as presenter of Family Fortunes, it is less well known that he continued to play the club circuit throughout. This experience made Dennis the obvious choice to star in Tony Staveacre‘s new Fringe play, Jigsy, which is loosely based on the Liverpool comic Jackie Hamilton. The play joins
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Jigsy in 1997 when his career and the whole working men’s club circuit is on its last legs. “He’s a man out of time,” explains Dennis. “He’s getting on, he likes a drink, and he’s here to share his stories.” It’s clear that Dennis remains enamoured with the club comedy of his youth. During our hour-long interview he continually draws upon his impressionist skills to lovingly bring to life the club comics he idolised. Taking me on a vocal tour of the North, we travel to Yorkshire with Charlie Williams, Manchester with his comedy partner Dustin Gee, Liverpool with Eddie Flanagan and Newcastle with Bobby Thompson. He’s particularly nostalgic about Thompson, “The Little Waster”, whose comedy album—Dennis gleefully explains—“outsold the Grease soundtrack in Tyne and Wear in 1978!” Of course not everyone remembers working men’s comedy so fondly, particularly the bigoted standup of Bernard Manning and the cheap mother-in-law gags of Les Dawson, Jim Davidson and
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August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 13
festfeature "Matt Lucas once told me, ‘every comic has their time’, and then audiences move on. But if you become bitter, you get eaten up, you don’t progress.” Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown. “In Thatcher’s 80s, ‘old-school’ was a bit of a dirty word. We had to keep our heads down, we were seen as the old-guard, passé,” Dennis says. Like many of his generation he seems protective of the club legacy and grapples to defend the circuit even if this means sidestepping uncomfortable realities. “But not everyone was like that, ” he protests, referring to the Bernard Manning school. “Yes, when you look back now you go... [Dennis inhales sharply]. But at the time it didn’t seem… Maybe we were less aware...” he trails off. One of the most striking things about Jigsy is the way in which the plot—a faded star reliving the glamour of past successes—seems to echo the trajectory of Dennis’ own career. Indeed at times Dennis seems to talk about himself and Jigsy as if they’re the same person. “My TV career might not be thriving, but that’s just something you have to accept. Matt Lucas once told me, ‘every comic has their time’, and then audiences move on. But if you become bitter—and that’s one thing Jigsy isn’t—you get eaten up, you don’t progress.” The story of Dennis’ misfortune in the 2000s is well documented. But for those who somehow avoided the tabloid orgy, first there was the acrimonious split from Amanda Holden, after her very public affair with Neil Morrissey, and then the infamous Celebrity Big Brother appearance, where a troubled Dennis was filmed conversing with chickens. I deliberately avoid these personal troubles, figuring Dennis has had more than his fair share of difficult questions. But interestingly he brings it up. “Things clearly took a nosedive after Big Brother,” he confides. “But then I was saved by Ricky Gervais.”
That’s interesting, what does he mean ‘saved?’ “Big Brother certainly wasn’t the best timing but if I hadn’t done it then Ricky wouldn’t have picked up the phone and given me the chance to play a twisted, demented version of myself.” Dennis is of course referring to the 2005 episode of Extras, where Gervais cast him brilliantly as a deranged semi-fictional pastiche of himself. “It was a real turning point. I’d had 15 years on Family Fortunes and suddenly I wasn’t on telly anymore. And as Jigsy says: ‘It’s all you can do, so you carry on.’” But this is where the similarities between Dennis and Jigsy end. While Jigsy is a relic of a dying culture, Dennis has demonstrated an impressive professional versatility in recent years. Certainly he’s older and a little wider than his TV days, but this hasn’t stopped him carving out a successful life as a stage actor. And the
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Fringe, he says, has acted as a pivotal staging point. “It’s like turning the Titanic when you’ve got a reputation as a gameshow host, but I’ve always done things that challenge me, like Edinburgh, put my head above the parapet. It keeps you going forward.” In person, Dennis certainly defies his lingering public profile as ‘sad Les’, the washed-up entertainer plagued by his past. In fact he’s far more like Les from Family Fortunes – upbeat, good company and full of cheery charm. Indeed, as we leave, Dennis makes a point of returning to his now semi-inebriated Leith fanbase, before quietly taking out his wallet, putting £30 behind the bar, and honouring his round. f The Assembly Rooms, 2:50pm – 4:00pm, 1–26 Aug, not 13, £14 – £15
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THEATRE
STATEMENTS
AFTER AN ARREST UNDER THE IMMORALITY ACT, BY ATHOL FUGARD THE FUGARD THEATRE, IZINJA
2-27 AUGUST 12.15
AND THE GIRLS IN THEIR SUNDAY DRESSES
MOTHER TO MOTHER
THE MARKET THEATRE
FREEVOICE PRODUCTIONS
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COMEDY
MIES JULIE
BARELY LEGAL
BAXTER THEATRE CENTRE, SOUTH AFRICAN STATE THEATRE
WOZA ALBERT! MARKET THEATRE
THE 18-YEAR-OLD DEMOCRACY MARSHALL CORDELL LOYISO GOLA AND ‘KING OF IMPROV COMEDY’ AVE LEVINSOHN - ComedyCentralAfrica.com
2-27 AUGUST 14.00
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MUSIC ASSEMBLY IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE SOUTH AFRICAN SEASON AS PART OF THE CULTURAL OLYMPIAD.
SEWING MACHINE
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WORDSMITH’S THEATRE FACTORY
BAXTER THEATRE CENTRE
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MATERIAL Photos: Claudine Quinn
WORLD A standup comic moonlighting as a playwright and actor, Matthew Osborn tells Ben Judge about his new play, Shopping Centre, and how he got involved with the Comedians Theatre Company
E
VEN IN Edinburgh, a city mythologised for its level-playing-field festival Fringe, there is a noticeable distinction between the raucous comedy audience and its more reverential theatrical sister. The very act of deciding, as a producer, whether a comic play appears in the comedy or theatre section of the official programme can influence how, and by whom, that production will be received. Comedy, in particular standup comedy, is in the middle of a strange cultural moment. Its increasing popularity is undisputed, its output increasingly varied and interesting, but it has long faced a struggle for acceptance among the guardians of high-brow culture. The highly regarded comedian Simon Munnery, in a response to a 2009 review calling his work “the closest comedy gets to being art,” joked about making the leap from comedian to “shit artist,” highlighting the wrong-headed perception that standup occupies the lowest rung on the cultural ladder. So it is perhaps unsurprising to see an increasing number of comics moonlighting as thespians. And, through the Comedians Theatre Company, one can almost say that they’ve unionised. “The idea behind the Comedians Theatre Company was to show that
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comedians could do other things,” says Matthew Osborn, the playwright (and standup comic) behind the company’s latest Fringe offering, Shopping Centre. “I think to a greater or lesser extent all standup performances are acting. And also, being a standup comedian makes you enormously conscious of what the audience are doing and how they’re reacting. I don’t know…if you’re just an actor, you are conscious of the audience; but as a standup your focus is the audience.” Since its founding in 2006 by Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning standup Phil Nichol and director Maggie Inchley, the Comedians Theatre Company has become a significant player in Fringe theatre. Indeed, in recent years, it has gone from producing good, solid adaptations of established plays to developing and performing new writing of its own. After Cul-de-sac—the first production to come out of the company’s new writing project, Itch: A Scratch Event—received near-universal acclaim at last year’s Fringe, Osborn returns with Shopping Centre; a play which examines contemporary consumerism. “It’s inspired by a story that happened in Ikea in north London a few years ago. When it was opening, they had a lot of special offers on—sofas for twenty quid and stuff like that—and
people got so excited that they queued overnight. When the doors were finally opened they all barged in. There ended up being a big fight, almost a riot, and that idea I found funny and interesting.” Shopping Centre takes place during such a riot, and follows the story of a down-on-his-luck loner, while looking at just what it is that makes people so wildly, rapidly obsessed with cheap consumer goods. But Osborn is careful not to be preachy. “I think it’s too easy to say that it’s entirely wrong that people have these relationships with objects, particularly because there are objects that people have a relationship with that are quite positive. Like when someone’s handed their father’s watch. Some objects have a sentimentality, a value to them, and so I didn’t want to be so simplistic as to say consumerism is bad. I wanted to look at the power these things have over people.” Osborn writes in such a way as to betray his roots as a comedian. In much the same way that an observational comic has the capacity to bring fresh perspective to the most everyday and mundane facets of life, Osborn is shining a new light on that most humdrum of institutions. “The shopping centre is one of these places that gets neglected. It’s one of these places where people spend so much of their time and even though people might not realise it, they are hugely important places for good or ill. But they get ignored and people don’t think about them enough or they don’t realise how important they are. “It is an unfashionable thing to admit – it’s a lot more fashionable to say I like going to the farmers’ market or the deli. But most people don’t do that. And so shopping centres bring a whole world to people, but of course they bring with them all sorts of peculiar and unpleasant things and wanted to explore all of that.” There is a strong dystopian current running through the piece, in much the same way as with the Orwellian Cul-desac. Indeed, Osborn wears his literary influences proudly. “I’m a big fan of Orwell. I’m always conscious of the misery that human beings can inflict on others. For Shopping Centre, the big influence is JG Ballard. It deals with the cold, hard, shiny modernity of the kind of bleak inhuman world that Ballard captures.” In a city which celebrates smart, literate and darkly funny theatre, comedians such as Osborn are pushing their way into more refined reaches of the Fringe programme. And doing so with some style. Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 4:30pm – 5:30pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £10
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 17
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HHHH Legendary Aussie comic makes a triumphant return to the Fringe Page 32 Photo: Claudine Quinn
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BRENDON BURNS
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 21
festcomedy Eddie Pepitone’s Bloodbath
HHHHH
US standup Eddie Pepitone isn’t scared of hecklers. With his own deep level of self-loathing, he himself can far outdo any insults audience members might throw at him. At one point he even steps into the crowd to show us how it should be done, if we really knew what was going on inside his head. The result is an unsettling torrent of self-contempt, and it’s painfully funny. He’s a man full of seething fury—at hypocrisy, TV commercials, Twitter and himself—and he lets it out as a relentless, high-energy stream of vitriolic wit. If you don’t like one gag, there’s another immediately behind it, and it all combines in an ever-expanding cloud of cynicism. Some of his targets are a bit obvious, but he has plenty of fresh and often
Jason Byrne: People’s Puppeteer
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You have to admire—even grudgingly—the ability of Jason Byrne to take what many comedians would consider the warm-up portion of their hour and make into an entire show. Save for the ridiculous ending (a school-play style homage to the equally ridiculous David Copperfield), this latest offering from the 40 year-old Irishman relies slightly less heavily on audience interaction than many of his previous shows. That said, there is still plenty of time for Byrne to break from his largely bodily-related material to banter with his punters and often misinterpret them, either genuinely or as part of his deliberate style of raising the stakes and the perceived hysterical tension of his gigs this ruse being the most likely reason for the show’s title. Among the sections that
shocking angles on them – he tells it like it is, and doesn’t spare anyone his rage, least of all himself. There’s an excellent riff on a TV commercial audition, where Pepitone manages to turn an innocuous remark about the freshness of newly laundered shirts into a despairing attack on our fractured society – it’s breathlessly funny, and he’s got a point. He might not always hit his target—a few routines fall a bit flat—but he soon lets us know when he thinks he’s failed. Pepitone is remorseless in his realisation that he’s craving approval from a roomful of drunks, but that’s just what he gets. And with his screaming yet appallingly funny outrage, he has us all on his side. [David Kettle] Just the Tonic at The Tron, 11:40pm – 12:40am, 5–26 Aug, not 14, £8.00 – £10.00
most clearly resemble routines are his opener where he feigns indignance that mothers and grannies are reading the zeitgiest erotica Fifty Shades of Grey. Elsewhere he contorts himself around the theme of having an itchy bum. Yes, it is edifying stuff. The audience, however, love it. Just when you think the hyperactive comic is never going to be able to bring his physical comedy about body matters towards any kind of truth, and therefore go beyond any kind of point, he plucks a home truth from deeper inside our consciousness. Perhaps the title bears another significance, an inherent warning that this is a performer who could easily become a caricature of himself, but one who has thus far been malleable enough to avoid being so boxed. [Julian Hall] 150 @ EICC, 9:20pm – 10:20pm, 4–12 Aug, £17.50 – £19.50
22 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS
54 George Street 0844 693 3008 www.arfringe.com
festcomedy Chris Martin - Spot the Difference
but sometimes revealing his considerable strengths. An opening routine concerning a squirrel-based epiphany is too far fetched to impress, but Martin soon changes tack. Dwelling on culinary politics for much of Spot the Difference, his observations are so broad and universal that he seems to conjure solid material out of nothing. Emitting the verbal tick “but food is weird, I’m obsessed with food,” between each gag, he appears to act outside his own will, musing on vegetarianism, biscuits and cheese like a man possessed. Only when he reads from his father’s food diary, an interesting idea in itself, does he slow down and relinquish his command of the audience. Frequently inane but always good natured, the hour flies by. [Lewis Porteous]
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Chris Martin cuts a trim figure on stage, sports a fashionable t-shirt/cardigan combo and leers at us from behind neatly cultivated facial hair. He speaks of relatable, everyday phenomena. Backed by a major promoter, he is being bred for success and will go far so long as he continues to share his name with an existing megacelebrity. It’s tempting to dismiss Chris Martin as a generic young standup, lacking in originality yet poised for national success. Outside of a significant poster campaign, there’s little to distinguish him from countless other hopefuls, each desperately clambering for a slot on Live at the Apollo. A tricky proposition to market, the superficially bland 26 year-old shines thanks to his material—sometimes mundane,
Peacock and Gamble Don’t Even Want To Be On Telly Anyway
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If there is a genre of TV Ray Peacock and Ed Gamble are destined for, it’s children’s television. The best skits of Peacock and Gamble Don’t Even Want To Be On Telly Anyway are those involving toys. Muppets masquerading as Apprentice candidates, a duck wrongly blamed for domestic disasters and a snowman who raps Vanilla Ice songs when an ‘Audience Lull’ siren blares all show smallscreen promise. Peacock and Gamble do not. The pair have been producing a popular podcast since 2009. Though their second Fringe show is more tightly structured than these rambling radio affairs, few of its gags would you actually
24 fest edinburgh festival
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 8:45pm – 9:45pm, 5–27 Aug, not 14, £10.00 – £12.00
download to keep. Among them, the oddly pleasing compound “slut-vulture” and the degeneration of a list of facts into a slow-jammed ‘Partridge In A Pear Tree.’ Mostly, it’s exhausting to watch the eternal Beckettian conflict between the two. Straight-man Gamble unflaggingly curates and controls the asinine antics of Peacock; the pun in whose name sets the tone for his crassness. Like actual Beckett characters, they could well be performing from empty bins. The show’s defensive premise produces a repetitive attack on the same
target; Peacock and Gamble’s self-consciously petulant desire to be on TV. This isn’t helped by their franticallypaced sketches and breakneck banter sessions. Miranda Hart casually eating a banana in a mock Skype interview is the only performer who takes the time to fully engage the audience. She emits more charisma in her brief pre-recorded cameo than the starring pair combined. [Catherine Sylvain]
Pleasance Dome, 9:40pm – 10:40pm, 4–26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
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festcomedy Ian Shaw: A Bit of a Mouthful
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There are some performers at the Fringe who you suspect are not aiming for any great things from their shows, but just looking for a laugh with whoever happens to turn up. Professional jazz singer and pianist Ian Shaw has put together one such show, which he describes simply as a collection of “naughty songs,” billed modestly as “the perfect end to a festival day.” If you don’t expect more from your comedy than a few pat observations, some mawkish nostalgia, and a bit of camp crudity, perhaps it is. Shaw is self-deprecating and easy to like. A “practicing homosexual” from Caerphilly in Wales, the 50-something musician-stroke-comic wraps his huge frame around the keyboard with the confidence of a seasoned entertainer, and his booming laugh is enough to cover the few awkward pauses in this first performance. He is a proficient pianist with a decent line in musical parody, including one good James Taylor spoof (refrain: “I’m just gonna sing in this shit nasal voice again.”) But he also covers a lot of obvious comic ground without much in the way of wit. It’s not funny to remind us that Woolies used to exist or that it used to sell Pick’n’Mix and lawnmowers. We might agree that Trinny and Susannah are annoying, but to tell them they “look like two blokes in a dress” is hardly a satisfying comic sucker punch. And while wee, poo and sex can be gigglesome whatever age you are, at least a little effort has to be put in to the jokes. Shaw’s ambition is modest, his achievement more so. [Tom Hackett] The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 10:35pm – 11:50pm, 4–26 Aug, not 13, £10.00
Naz Osmanoglu: Ottoman Without An Empire
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If Naz Osmanoglu became a comedian to work through some impressively peculiar disentitlement/daddy issues, then he picked perhaps the only course of action worse for the wallet than shitloads of therapy. The Turkish-English 26 year-old’s loss is our gain: as he sweats, shouts, gesticulates wildly and generally works himself up into a right old state, it feels less like watching standup than it does witnessing a man in the throes of some kind of comic emotional exorcism.
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Osmanoglu is—and we’re not making this up, it’s on Wikipedia and everything— 19th in line to Turkey’s former Ottoman throne. A birth rite that’s about as useful as the mega-afro shaped exotic blue hat he wears at the show’s beginning. Then there’s the matter of the man from whose loins he and his pointless entitlement sprung. The grumpy, bitter, confrontational Osmanoglu Snr looms over this show like a black cloud, and his boy mines their complex, strained relationship for laughs with, at times, hilariously brutal honesty – peaking with a description of the time they got into a kind of Mexican-standoff after
the young prince inserted toy cars into the VCR as a kid. Osmanoglu’s more common observational material—about troglodyte PhD students and jobsworth gremlins in fluorescent jackets—is good, but we can get that kind of stuff from countless other standups at the Fringe. You’re a thwarted Turkish royal fathered by a guy upon whom it sounds like entire therapy textbooks could be based, need we remind you Naz. Get deeper into that and you’ll be a king in our eyes. [Malcolm Jack] Underbelly, Bristo Square, 8:00pm – 9:00pm, 4–26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £9.50
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festcomedy Jim Jefferies
HHHHH One of the greatest myths in rock ‘n’ roll is that you can’t write a great song sober. Inspiration is to be found at the bottom of a bottle of Jack Daniel’s or in a cocktail of LSD and mescaline. True genius is chemical. Bollocks! Much fuss has been made pre-festival about Jim Jefferies cleaning up his act. He’s (largely) given up drinking. He’s settled down, with a baby on the way, and focusing more attentively on his writing. And in Fully Functional, this new approach has certainly paid off. Jefferies is back at his provocative best; this is his first set in years to genuinely rival the giddy heights of the 2006 and 2007 shows that made him the international comedy star he is today. Gone is the nasty, straightup misogyny and unreconstructed malice that marred Jefferies’ most recent Fringe
runs – in particular, 2008’s Hammered. But that’s not to say he has become safe or embraced the mainstream; you still won’t be able to bring along Karen from the office. Instead this is provocative, aggressive, close-to-the-bone standup but with a likeable, even liberal, undercurrent running below the surface. Moreover, this is probably Jefferies’ most technically accomplished and varied set. He deals with both the personal and the political in a way that is both edgy and consistently very funny. If pushed, one could criticise the show for almost fizzling out with the weakest of Jefferies’ stories—involving an awkward erotic encounter in a Canadian hotel room—but given the strength of the preceding 50 minutes, Fully Functional is a welcome return to form. [Ben Judge] Assembly Hall, 9:00pm – 10:00pm, 4–26 Aug, not 13, £16.00 – £17.50
Carl Donnelly: Different Gravy
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Carl Donnelly may amuse some, but he will surprise noone. While his self-awareness keeps Different Gravy from entirely becoming Fringe standup-by-numbers, the show offers little originality except in its unconventional structure. Donnelly builds his routine around spoken excerpts from his eponymous unpublished, highly embellished autobiography, which not only describes Donnelly’s life so far, but predicts what will happen in the years to come. The fictional memoir has a rich comic history, from Spike Milligan to Al Franken, but Donnelly never takes full advantage of its imaginative possibilities. Having given himself full license
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to make things up, Donnelly still cannot make his autobiography interesting, and jokes which would be mildly amusing on the page are not improved by the giggling, self-satisfied delivery.
Donnelly always maintains a cheerful, motor-mouthed demeanor, but assumes too easily that the audience is having as good a time as he is, or that they agree with some of his
more unforgiving opinions. The material covers some wearily familiar moans about celebrity culture, digressions on Donnelly’s troubled adolescence which don’t probe deep enough to be gripping or insightful, and worst of all, an excess of jokes about the standup business itself. While this is not exactly forbidden subject matter, it can quickly become alienating for the casual audience, and in Donnelly’s case, it seems more than a little self-indulgent. Donnelly has gone for the easy jokes, and in many ways he is an easy comedian, unchallenging and unremarkable. But, if you want more than that, look elsewhere. [Sean Bell] Pleasance Courtyard, 8:30pm – 9:30pm, 4–26 Aug, not 13, £10.00 – £12.00
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 27
festcomedy Damien Crow: The World According to Damien Crow
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Anyone who recalls the Goths’ long dark reign of the Edinburgh underground—more specifically, the steps outside the chippy off Cockburn Street—will likely have cracked a joke or two at their expense. You had to laugh at the absurdity of hordes of non-conformist teens gathering in uniform and collectively bemoaning a cold-hearted, uncaring world, while their mums were all probably making them fish fingers for tea in cosy middleclass homes. It’s this obvious irony around which promising young Scottish comic Chris Forbes wraps an hour of competent but fairly bloodless and uninspired character comedy. Six feet tall, dressed head-to-toe in black, his face caked white
Gareth Richards: Introvert - Never Been to Disneyland
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Gareth Richards is, as his show title would suggest, an introvert. He tells us as much himself right at the start of his perfectly genial blend of comedy and songs. He doesn’t like parties, prefers his own company, and finds it uncomfortable talking to strangers. You might wonder why on earth he’s chosen standup as a career but, if he hadn’t, we’d be missing his easy, slightly geeky charm and effortless storytelling ability. He’s a natural, likeable and confident performer, spinning out tales involving sometimes surprisingly intimate areas of his home and family life to back up theories on a wide range of topics from capitalism to Dungeons and Dragons. A lot of it is thoughtful stuff but, when emphasised by Richards’s laconic
28 fest
with make-up, Damien Crow is a misunderstood school age misfit from Milngavie. He listens to loud, sludgy music by bands you’ve never heard of, writes bad self-pitying poetry, fantasises about murder and suicide (and his step-mum’s breasts) and has nothing but unkind words for his father, despite sounding like a pretty generous and affectionate guy
(“why can’t I have a regular Scottish dad who gives me a beating after a drink?”). It’s neatly played by a very natural performer, but the material settles into the pattern of tame predictability, save perhaps for one cracker about Andy Murray as a frustrated Goth. An upbeat accordion-based finale finally kicks things in a weird and
unexpected direction, but it’s much too late. Crow won’t have you laughing much—a dark, black-souled cackle or otherwise—but he’s entirely capable of making you do something else most un-Goth like: smile. [Malcolm Jack] The Assembly Rooms, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £10.00
delivery, is perhaps a little too low-key to really lift it above, well, a perfectly genial blend of comedy and songs. There are more than a few belly laughs, though, and his songs accompanied by an 80s electric harp are enjoyable, if a little too meandering at points. Richards soon moves beyond the whole introversion concept, and things are revved up a gear as he tackles his own guilt – and that of his parents, who flew to Disneyland without taking their children. Cue shocked reactions from the audience. Richards has got some pretty scathing things to say about his own young kids, though, and a horrifying but hilarious story involving a Tigger toy brings it all together in a neat but slightly unsettling way. Solid insights and well-constructed material from a promising standup. [David Kettle] Pleasance Courtyard, 9:45pm – 10:45pm, 4–27 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
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Amnesty International presents…
No pressure to be funny
Topical comedy panel show with Ian Rankin, James O’Brien, Mark Thomas, Dana Alexander, Phil Nichol and Loretta Maine. 18 August, 3pm £10/£8 @ Venue150
Latest line up: www.amnesty.org.uk/edfest Box office: venue150.com / 0844 847 1639 @amnestyuk
30 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
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festcomedy James Acaster: Prompt
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Richard Herring: Talking Cock
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Herring wants you to praise the penis. Again. Sporting a sharp suit, massive projector and impressive arsenal of willy synonyms, Talking Cock returns with Herring giving the penis centre stage through the medium of hard (wahey) facts gathered from a survey of around 10,000 people all answering varying questions about their manhoods. This is a strong offering from the seasoned pro, zipping through a hell of a lot of stats and facts punctuated by his
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own reactions to the often hysterical answers from the general public. However, there’s so much going on that it feels almost too fast-paced and, at times, reeling off Cock Fact after Cock Stat leaves barely any room, oddly, for Herring himself. Yes, his seminar is laced with knob gags, but you’ve barely time to register them. The second half is where the balance between him as a standup and him as a phallic-obsessed, breakneckpaced lecturer starts to settle. Here, he works through promiscuity, gender differences and The Dreaded Size Situation in more detail, using the stats to inform
and back up his opinions as opposed to acting as an amusing aside. Such focus gives his routines, musings and throwaway lines space to breathe, allowing the show to hit its stride. All the elements come (wahey) together for an intelligent, poignant climax (sorry) that doesn’t try to answer such universal questions, only impress upon us all the importance of celebrating the Spam Javelin. And why women should stop laughing hysterically when a man can’t get it up. [Stevie Martin]
Mildness isn’t a quality often found in your average standup so, approaching his routine with all the frenzy and hostility of a stuffed toy, James Acaster is relatively atypical. The tousle-haired, boyish Kettering comedian still isn’t quite the finished article—his material could do with plenty of extra kick—but as it is you can’t help but be charmed, and just plain put at ease, by his calm and crafty observational wit. No sweaty browed sweary ramblings or cheap knocking jokes from Acaster – he would rather stay at home preparing a lengthy research paper about bread than go on a lads night out. Many of his routines last for ages—his live remix of a Kettering Town FC terrace chant incorporating the principles of ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ (Kettering fans are missing a trick if they don’t seize it en masse) is brilliantly, knowingly so—but they somehow work. He keeps you chuckling consistently, even if his stuff only fleetingly tempts outright hysterics. Like many young standups still growing in confidence, Acaster could benefit from loosening the reigns on his pre-written material a little. The best bit of the show is an ad-lib with a lady in the audience to who is apparently genuinely shocked that Subway sandwiches—“too big,” she complains—come in half sizes (we’re back to bread again). “Blew your mind,” Acaster deadpans. Mindblowing isn’t quite the right way to sum him up just yet, but it could be, come future Fringes. [Malcolm Jack]
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 8:15pm – 9:15pm, 4–26 Aug, £14.00 – £16.00
Pleasance Courtyard, 8:15pm – 9:15pm, 4–26 Aug, £10.00 – £12.00
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 31
festcomedy Mitch Benn: Reduced Circumstances
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Mitch Benn’s politics are best illustrated by an anecdote in which he equates an online endorsement from Billy Bragg with receiving a high five from Jesus. However, while the folk rock doyen tirelessly participates in leftist protest movements and channels the socially aware spirit of Woody Guthrie into his lyrics, Benn is best known for contributing humourous ditties to Radio 4’s gently satirical The Now Show. His intentions are honourable but the execution of his ideas is often a little too cosy. Reduced Circumstances’ introductory song promises us the “same shit” as always, only now with additional references to the performer’s weight loss. Happily, Benn is at his best when ruminating on more personal themes. His insight into why he may have gained so much weight in the first place is one of the afternoon’s highlights, as is a thoughtful apology to the overweight fanbase he presumes to have alienated. By contrast, routines concerning homophobia and racism are sincere but often lacking in bite and one can’t quite shake off the feeling that this is incredibly safe territory for the comic to occupy. A partisan audience of middle class liberals titters merrily when he compares the international banking situation to the faltering steps of a young child and claps in support of the BBC, but Benn’s insistence on preaching to the converted ultimately cheapens the hour. [Lewis Porteous] The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 3:00pm – 4:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 8, 13, £10.00
Brendon Burns
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Considering it’s opening night, Brendon Burns can be forgiven for a slightly shambolic opening to this year’s show. Mic issues aside, his opening gambit is a little all over the place as he discusses himself as an ageing rock-and-roller, plugs his book and feels around in the dark for something to connect. Then, easing into a heartfelt anecdote about his dad on his death bed (“this isn’t a ‘my dad’s dead show’ don’t worry”), everything connects, rocketing off in an explosion of vitriol, surprising poignancy
32 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
and occasional c-bombs to exhilarating effect. He may have mellowed with age but when he lets loose, Burns is just brilliant. Some things, his “vile” stepmother especially, provoke an anger so strong he runs out of adjectives, whereas his bemusement at teen porn is more measured, creating a hypothetical scenario as sad as it is funny. Burns picks and chooses his rants as the show unfolds – there’s no shouting for shouting’s sake here. As he visibly relaxes into the material, it flows effortlessly; complete with knowing references to age without,
for the most part, falling into cliché. He’s always been charming, but topics such as masturbation, pornography and doing unspeakable things to a goat barely make up a quarter of the show and are delivered with equal parts likeability, grace and swearing. Even the elderly couple who walk out, do so apologetically. “That’s lovely,” Burns says, genuinely touched, “they didn’t call me shit. It just wasn’t for them. I respect that.” [Stevie Martin] Pleasance Dome, 10:00pm – 11:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 9, 16, 23, £12.50 – £14.50
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festcomedy David Longley: My Favourite Things
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“It’s gonna get serious from time to time,” warns Derby born comedian David Longley near the start of his show My Favourite Things. And he’s not lying. Anyone who uses the theme of cognitive dissonance—the ability to hold two contradictory opinions at the same time—as their starting point would be wise to let the audience know. That’s not to say this isn’t a funny hour. There are jokes—real jokes, as Longley points out, with punchlines and everything—as well as pointed observations about relationships and family life. Longley has a smooth, quick delivery, and he quickly strikes up a good rapport with the audience: you feel immediately involved but never threatened. He has a great routine on so-called “harmless” racism that challenges just what you are and aren’t allowed to say,
and he’s not afraid to stoop to downright silliness – especially in an absurd CBBC video that opens the show. But as the hour progresses, the gags come less frequently as Longley’s references grow increasingly personal: he talks of the mixture of love and resentment he feels towards his two young kids, and the realisation that his parents weren’t quite the people he thought they were. He delivers it all with such disarming bluntness that sometimes it’s difficult to laugh, but there’s always plenty to think about, and things get darker still when he moves onto the topic of his dying grandfather. He refuses to give the show a simplistically happy ending but, even so, still manages to bring things together with a positive message about embracing life in all its messy splendour. [David Kettle] The Stand Comedy Club II, 4:40pm – 5:40pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £8.00
Mae Day
HHHHH Ideally, a standup show should be judged once it has been practiced and polished; on the opening performance, some missteps and uncertainties can be forgiven. So it is all the more impressive that, on the first night of Canadian comic Mae Martin’s Fringe run (the ‘arc’ of which she admits is still evolving), she turns in a warm, vibrant, involving and very funny meditation on the imminent apocalypse, the horrifying truth about Kesha, the effect of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on burgeoning sexuality, adolescent crushes on camp councillors and the meaning of being young. Mae Day is an uneven mixture of music and standup. While the songs don’t lack charm (helped by Martin’s
solid, Amanda Palmer-esque singing voice) and usually reach their punchline so quickly they finish in under a minute, they do pale in comparison with the disarming, sweetly genuine, off-kilter monologues in between. There are two challenges for the autobiographical comedian. Firstly, their life must be funny or at least contain enough amusement to enter-
34 fest edinburgh festival guide 2011 | August 7 - 9
tain an audience of strangers and, secondly, it has to be interesting. Many can achieve the former, but few the latter. The plentiful laughs Martin elicits show her comic talents are not in question but, by the show’s end, the audience are also fascinated by her life, opinions, neuroses and fantasies. Balancing wry cynicism, knowing innocence, selfdeprecating sentimentality
and a sardonic awareness of her own eccentricities, the worst you can say is that, sometimes, she doesn’t seem to think herself worthy of such interest. Those willing to invest themselves in her story, however, will be rewarded. [Sean Bell] Just The Tonic at the Caves, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 14, £7.00
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Star of ITV Mad Mad World & Murray from Flight of the Conchords
WINNER
Fred Award Best Show, 2012 NZ Comedy Festival
8PM www.rhysdarby.com |
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August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 35
festcomedy Croft & Pearce Do it Like a Lady
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The graceful, wordless conclusion of Hannah Croft and Fiona Pearce’s show is wholly in keeping with the preceding 50 minutes. It’s inoffensive, suited to the early afternoon time slot and carried by the duo’s eminent likeability. The majority of the audience smile, but few actually laugh. Ultimately, it’s a bit too gentle. From the very first sketch in which the overuse of social media is parodied, it’s clear that the performers aren’t going to break any new ground, but rather put on a slick show informed by no discernibly strong opinion or world view. We are introduced to women at both ends of the sexual satisfaction spectrum, a self-absorbed actress and an irresponsibly liberal parent. All are wellobserved but none say or do anything to surprise. They
exist not so much as characters, but ideas that are abandoned once the laughs diminish. The sketches rarely have strong pay-offs and punchlines often seem wearily inevitable. The strongest piece revolves around a competitive Brownie teacher and benefits from taking a sudden and unexpected turn down darker comic territory, in which there is something actually at stake for the characters. Another recurring highlight charmingly subverts the notion of lecherous teachers preying on pupils with great sensitivity. It is during these moments that the drama school graduates seem truly in control of their show and demonstrate legitimate star potential. If only they’d shy away from crass generalizations about Thailand and male Dusty Springfield fans. [Lewis Porteous] Gilded Balloon Teviot, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, 5–27 Aug, not 15, £8.50 – £9.50
Axis of Awesome: Cry Yourself a River
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There was a time when Axis of Awesome were at the forefront of Fringe originality. But that time was 2008, and, four years later, the trio are something of a disappointment. Still trading on their former success, there is nothing new or exciting to be found in their latest show, Cry Yourself a River, and their apparent reluctance to engage with the zeitgeist is costing them dearly. Things start off deceptively well, with an amusing number lambasting Game of Thrones fans and the like who fail to read the books of the TV series’ they feign to adore. But then come the rather stale ‘comedic’ interludes between songs, during which the threesome bemoan past criticisms that they are lazy and obvious, and that their dance moves are poor.
36 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Sadly, however, all of these jibes ring true, and their attempts at parodying these critiques only add to the distinct lack of innovation in the show. The lazy, obvious comedy which the band so vehemently malign would be welcome here if performed to perfection, but Axis of Awesome do not have the musical flair to offset the tedium of their lyrics. When the band start finally tapping into pop culture again in the latter half of the act, things take a turn for the better, and a number pointing out the ubiquitous elements of contemporary dance tracks is reminiscent of their earlier, better work. But they finish off with their signature track from ‘08, which only serves to reinforce the impression that their best years seem to be behind them. [Charlotte Lytton] Pleasance Courtyard, 6pm – 7pm, 5–19 Aug, £14 – £16
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August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 37
festcomedy Hal Cruttenden: Tough Luvvie
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“Not only do I sound like Tony Blair, I sweat like him too”, says Hal Cruttenden, warming up the crowd in the stifling Pleasance Cellar. This isn’t all that he has in common with the politician or indeed, any politician. Giving an impeccable standup performance of popular topics with strong Northern Ireland material, Cruttenden also displays some wonderfully discomforting views you’d suspect Blair of actually sharing. Taking on more sinister topics such as policemen hitting students and a light, teasing spot of faux-misogyny, these are Tough Luvvie’s most dangerously funny parts. After briefly flirting with the eponymous themes of toughness and loveliness, Cruttenden proceeds to run through the typical and topical like a comedy checklist prepped by Alistair Campbell. Olympics, riots, Andy Mur-
Barbershopera: The Three Musketeers
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Fringe favourites Barbershopera are back with a vengeance (and swords) in their take on Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel The Three Musketeers. the eponymous musket men remain, but gone are the traditional elements of the chivalric tale, and in their place, a mission to save the town of Pissypooville. Sophisticated humour it is not. Saddled with two useless brothers (one who thinks he is a pomegranate and another with a crippling fear of otters), Nicole D’Artagnan is sent to Paris to save their town from the evil grasp of Cardinal Rich Tea. Japes in floppy hats and pantaloons quickly ensue, and under her new mustachioed alias, Nicholas, she joins the Musketeers. The quartet are soon drafted in by King Louis XIII to retrieve
ray, EU, PMQs, WWII... like a real Campbell checklist it descends into acronyms. Safe as the Houses of Parliament are Cruttenden’s views on Prince Phillip, Nando’s, and John Terry. His pacing is perfect, his timing well-observed, and his audience interaction politely professional. But it’s the occasional gaffe that endears him the most, such as starting a gag with a self-conscious “I have a black friend...” Cruttenden certainly has an edge to him. Perhaps it’s from existing on the edges of things; the edges of London, the edge of middle-age, the edge of middle-class (“Like Ron Weasley”) and the edge of greater fame. The established standup and actor somewhat resembles an edgier Michael McIntyre, if he’d let this side show more he might get the roadshow he deserves. [Catherine Sylvain] Pleasance Courtyard, 9:45pm – 10:45pm, 4–26 Aug, not 13, £9.00 – £11.00
his golden plums—an invaluable love token foolishly given to his concubine, the Duke of Buckingham—and hotfoot it to England to protect the monarch’s reputation and prove their worth. It’s all for fun and fun for all in this madcap musicomedy, which peppers the 17th century story with closet homosexuality, comedy wigs and lively harmonies. Rob Castell’s turn as the fabulously camp Duke is expertly judged, and a number revealing his penchant for spanking is comedy gold. The rest of the songs are somewhat more obvious, however, and this leaves the piece missing a certain spark. But the foursome work well together, and their enthusiasm makes for enjoyable viewing. [Charlotte Lytton] Pleasance Courtyard, 11:05pm – 12:05am, 4–27 Aug, not 13, 20, £11.50 – £12.50
38 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Lucy Porter: People Person
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It’s two years, one husband, and two children ago that the elfin darling of the comedy world, Lucy Porter, last leapt on to a Fringe stage. For her return she’s chosen the adult, fuss-free venue of The Stand, somewhere comics often go to be taken seriously. Inevitably childbirth has changed the 39 year-old’s priorities, but—despite worrying that being a comedian has not prepared her well for post-pregnant human interaction—Porter remains resolutely upbeat. Thankfully, this is not a show that dwells on the wonder of children – far from it. Overcoming a desire to put people down in everyday situations (especially those who go gooey at the sight of her pregnant belly) as if they’re
hecklers at a club, Porter sets about the task of shaking off the lures of daytime TV and the all too revealing reviews of products on the Argos website. The consequent task of finding new friends to get her out of the house reaps unwitting and unintended results, and provides a super ending that seals up all the steady and warm goodwill she has generated in the previous 50 minutes of her show. People Person is a steady return to form for a comedian who has barely missed a Fringe since her career started. It’s more than likely that the mainstream venues still offer Porter her best audiences, and the theme of her next show will no doubt be made with this demographic choice in mind. [Julian Hall] The Stand Comedy Club, 5:15pm – 6:15pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10.00
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festcomedy Andrew Bird’s Global Village Fete
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WitTank
HHHHH Three-man sketch group WitTank have the right early evening slot for their hour of easy-going comedy, setting up for the more challenging, intelligent shows later on. It’s a polished act, though: fast-paced and with some immediately funny ideas—a yeti in disguise, a flirtatious duck and what your brain does when being shown someone else’s holiday photos— but it’s also lightweight, as though the threesome haven’t squeezed every drop of comic potential from their material. They have some easy targets—posh boys, estate agents— but the guys do often manage to come up with inventive ways of poking fun at them. It’s all quite gentle, though, and a more barbed approach might have set the performers apart and given them a stronger sense of identity among the sea of sketch trios. The sketches’
starting points are often striking, but sometimes seem to run out of steam, and there are a few times when they stop mid-air. It’s Mark Cooper-Jones who’s the strongest in the show and, although his over-the-top antics sometimes fall on the wrong side of overacting, he’s charismatic and establishes an immediate rapport with the audience. Naz Osmanoglu has developed versatility this year—whether mumbling as the murderous yeti (who coins the show’s catchphrase) or trying to impress the ladies as a horrific Mexican seducer. Kieran Boyd doesn’t get as much time in the spotlight, but he’s an effective foil for his colleagues’ antics. There’s few real misses, and plenty of laughs, but by the end it does feels a little bit thin. [David Kettle] Pleasance Courtyard, 6:20pm – 7:20pm, 5–26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £9.50
That old truism about comedians writing shows on the back of a cigarette packets en route to Edinburgh reflects the Fringe’s unpolished charm, but with last year’s sell-out Village Fete, Andrew Bird proved himself adept and it’s a shame he didn’t take a similar planned approach this time around. A cigarette packet would, quite frankly, be good stationary wasted on this show’s half-arsed premise – something vaguely to do with how globalisation is killing Britain’s diversity of local character. It’s a tenuous excuse for nostalgia based around growing up in the Northamptonshire sticks – it’s a mischievously chapping doors for kicks, number-ofgears-on-your-bike as status symbol, kind of thing. Bird explains that a planned tour of British villages was aborted when he began making enquiries with nonplussed parishioners – “humour’s not really our thing,” responded one bloke brilliantly. It’s the kind of natural comedy you can’t make up, and yet, like a lot of good material, it’s dashed off with undue haste. Patient build-ups and pregnant pauses for effect aren’t Bird’s style – a shame, since silence would have been funnier than his groansomely lazy gag expressing
admiration for Chinese people not being fat when they eat Chinese all the time. Possibly flushed with last year’s success, Bird might have anticipated skipping on to arenas by now – his matey, comedy-for-all shtick fits the arena mould, and with more constructive writing he can feasibly fill them in time. Until then – best get smoking. [Malcolm Jack] Gilded Balloon Teviot, 6:50pm – 7:50pm, 5–25 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
AT THE FRINGE
CElEbRATING 10 yEARs oF FEmAlE ComEdy Specially curated ShowS with complimentary goodieS from the BENEFIT COSMETICS BENEBUS
Supported by
2012 funny women awardS Semi-finalS lara a king - people pleaSer WINNEr OF 2011 FUNNy WOMEN AWArdS
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3-26 AuG 2.00pm
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@funnywomen
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 39
40 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
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Heartbreaking without being mawkish, Hand Over Fist is a revealing and sensitive take on Alzheimer's disease. Page 54 Photo: Claudine Quinn
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festtheatre
HAND OVER FIST
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 41
festtheatre Bullet Catch
HHHHH Rob Drummond has slowly built up a reputation as one of Scotland’s most interesting artists and performers. In this piece, presented by acclaimed Glasgow arts centre The Arches, he adopts the character of William Wonder, a magician who wants to attempt a ‘bullet catch’ – a trick in which he will catch a bullet in his teeth after it has been shot into his mouth by an audience member. Drummond really does pluck a volunteer for this task from the audience, so don’t raise your hand at the start of the show if you’re not up for shooting a gun at him. Through the story of another magician, William Henderson—who died while performing the bullet catch stunt—Drummond considers ideas of belief and nihilism, and whether free will really exists. He’s an earnest but very likeable performer and goes to great lengths to make his chosen volunteer and the audience comfortable with what he’s doing. But there isn’t enough focus here to make Bullet Catch truly gripping. Drummond’s constant reassurance that what he’s doing is safe is comforting for anyone whose nerves are feeling a bit frayed,
Appointment with The Wicker Man
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Make sure you take the time to read the programme given to you before Appointment with The Wicker Man begins. It provides a brief history of the Loch Parry players—the am-dram group at the centre of this panto-like production from the National Theatre of Scotland—and biographies of the characters, which may alleviate confusion when you’re
but it also means he breaks character too often, losing momentum in the process. His character, William Wonder, isn’t well realised either, and too easily interchangeable
with the performer himself. Still, Drummond creates a convincing atmosphere and the audience is palpably uneasy when the ultimate trick—which is bewildering
and impressive—is finally executed. [Yasmin Sulaiman]
unsure of who’s related/married/going out with whom. It also makes very clear that this is not a straight adaptation of the cult 1973 horror film The Wicker Man, or the woeful Nicholas Cage remake. Instead, it’s a play within a play: the enthusiastic Loch Parry players are remaking The Wicker Man as a musical. They seem harmless at first, if a bit odd. But when a hotshot TV actor from Glasgow (played by Harry Potter’s Sean Biggerstaff) arrives to replace a cast member
who’s mysteriously disappeared, it seems they all have their own secrets. This is a slick and colourful comedy, written by Chewin’ the Fat’s Greg Hemphill and Donald McCleary and is directed by outgoing NTS Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone. Chloe Lamford’s sets are fantastic, especially the forbidding wicker man. But, although it’s a play that’s meant to be over the top, it feels a little too overdone. The songs are suitably amateurish
but that also means they’re not memorable or engaging, though there is some very funny deployment of the original Wicker Man music. But the cast has a lot of fun, which means the audience does too. And while it’s perhaps not one for die-hard fans, you don’t need to know the film to appreciate its sending-up either. [Yasmin Sulaiman]
42 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Traverse Theatre, times vary, 5–26 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £17.00 – £19.00
The Assembly Rooms, 3:10pm – 4:50pm, 5–26 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £16.00
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festtheatre Bottleneck
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Boy In A Dress
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In his exuberant cocktail of autobiographical monologues, cabaret musical interludes, avant-garde performance art and sensuous comedy, former stripper and fashion model La JohnJoseph earns the audience’s attention from the moment he walks out on stage. One-person confessionals on sexuality and family dysfunction are rarely in short supply at the Fringe, so it is to JohnJoseph’s credit that he quickly convinces us of the uniqueness of his misadventure-filled life. At worst, a performer reflecting on their own personal
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history can seem narcissistic, with nothing for the audience to connect to. JohnJoseph, on the other hand, has the talent of a natural storyteller and places us in his shoes with skill. He saunters through a string of distinctively bizarre anecdotes that, in the hands of a lesser writer, might have made for just a few minutes of sustainable material, but he plays upon both the emotions of the audience as well as their sense of humour. As JohnJoseph explores his identity as a third-gendered fallen Catholic; remembers his troubled, muchmarried mother; and sardonically details the gulf between the glimmering dream of New
York and the grim reality he discovered when he arrived, he never loses our interest, or sympathy. The only portions of the show which slacken are when his philosophy becomes too abstract and strays from the story we have become so invested in. The music (a collection of wryly paraphrased cover versions) is almost uniformally excellent, thanks largely to JohnJoseph’s singing voice, but sometimes seems too epic for such an intimate venue. [Sean Bell]
Greg Williams is a 14 year-old schoolboy in late 1980s Liverpool. He’s a typical teenage lad: obsessed with girls, football and action movies, and constantly fighting with his father (his mother having shacked up with a “big gay photographer” in Crosby). Greg’s horizons start at ‘the Boot,’ the working-class housing estate where he lives with his dad, and end at Anfield, the hallowed home of his beloved Liverpool FC. The Boot is a place where children like Greg grow up fast. We meet him bouncing a football and complaining that Sarah Jane’s “fanny smells like quavers.” He longs to emulate his father and grow a moustache – although he has less time for his dad’s militant politics. Bottleneck is essentially a coming-of-age tale; Catcher in the Wirral, if you like. Over the course of an hour we watch Greg go from ebullient youngster to scarred adult after a harrowing afternoon on the terraces at the Hillsborough disaster. James Cooney excels as Greg, marrying physicality with a pronounced sense of pathos, while Luke Barnes’s script fizzes with sharp lines and adroit cultural references (Reliant Robins, replica Liverpool shirts sponsored by Candy). The cramped Attic space in the Pleasance adds to the sense of claustrophobia during the Hillsborough scenes. The dénouement is telegraphed a little too clearly, and the narrative would have probably benefited from longer between-scene pauses to allow Cooney and the audience to draw breath, but Bottleneck remains a tight, thoughtprovoking, well-produced piece of contemporary theatre. [Peter Geoghegan]
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 4:20pm – 5:25pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £10.00
Pleasance Courtyard, 2:00pm – 3:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 43
festtheatre The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs by Mike Daisey
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It is difficult to know how to characterise Mike Daisey’s hour long monologue about the exploitative working practices of the Fox Conn factories used by the global technology giant, Apple. It is part anthropological lecture on the power of computers and the internet to change the way we view the world (“If you have never given any thought to your operating system you are living an unexamined life,” quips the narrator), part political speech from an Apple apostate, and part excellently realised theatre. Daisey’s monologue has been revived in its original, unexpurgated form (Daisey was forced to make cuts after it was revealed he couldn’t verify all his claims first hand) by Grant O’Rourke for Edinburgh. O’Rourke’s performance is never less than perfectly
pitched—throughout the course of the hour he manages subtly, almost imperceptibly, to change his narrative persona from that of a Jack Black-alike loveable geek to a campaigning journalist fuelled by righteous anger. Could Daisey’s monologue be accused of being preachy? Probably. But it is the way he mixes chilling tragedy with light touch humour which gives the play its lasting power. The realisation of horror only comes after the laughter. Similarly there are times when it feels like Daisey is not sure what he is trying to expose—the ruthless genius of Steve Jobs or the working practices at Fox Conn? For all this, The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs feels like important theatre, and it is salutary to be reminded that it is not only the apples of Eden which corrupt. [Miranda Kiek] Gilded Balloon Teviot, 2:15pm – 3:15pm, 5–27 Aug, not 14, £10.00 – £11.00
Dead Man’s Cell Phone
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The most charismatic performance in Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone comes from a corpse. This is not an insult, however, since this cadaver is more talkative than most. It is his phone, which still buzzes with life long after he has expired, that propels the plot of this darkly absurd family drama. The shy but impulsive Jean (played by Alyssa Hagerbrant with great naturalistic comedy), moments after discovering the deceased Gordon (a wonderfully snarky Ashish Ramachandran) next to her in a cafe, answers the phone on his behalf and begins to pick up the trail of dysfunction left in his wake. Using the phone in a quixotic attempt to give
Gordon’s death some meaning, Jean stumbles from one lie to another, becoming embroiled with Gordon’s eccentric family, his mistress, and his increasingly ominous business associates. The play is an odd stylistic mixture—gallows humour, awkward romance, social commentary and a very American magical realism—but thanks to
44 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
a script that is a masterpiece of brevity, no single element outstays its welcome. Though unbidden monologues on death, communications technology and human relationships weigh down the plot’s flow, the tragicomedy of errors that leads to much of the sparkling character interaction more than makes up for it. Unfortunately, the play loses
focus near the end in its scramble to tie up every dangling plot thread, where preserving some of the metaphysical mystery might have been preferable. But that flaw only highlights how sad, funny and involving the preceding meditation has been. [Sean Bell] C venues, 3:45pm – 4:50pm, 5–11 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
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festtheatre Jigsy
HHHHH Tony Staveacre’s one-man play takes place in the grubby backstage of a Liverpool working men’s club in the 1990s (beautifully evoked in Harriet de Winton’s set). While the bingo is called on stage, the eponymous comic, a fading star from decades past, embarks on a lengthy monologue, remembering a whole history of classic Liverpudlian comedy – and the sometimes tragic characters who delivered it. The show’s draw, of course, is Les Dennis in the central role, and he doesn’t disappoint. It’s impossible not to see his own career mirrored in that of the has-been Jigsy, but it’s a connection Dennis uses to his advantage, openly playing on his years of experience in comedy. His timing is spot on in the play’s well-worn gags, and he has the audience transfixed with his tales of
comedians long gone, and the hard times of a comic’s life. Everyone seems to get a lookin—from Bernard Manning to Tommy Cooper, Charlie Williams to Cannon and Ball—and they’re all victims of Jigsy’s tongue. But his sometimes shocking revelations about their lives never fails to raise a smile. Hannah Chissick’s direction keeps things moving yet allows space for some of the play’s tougher themes to emerge. The problem is that they never really develop – we hear about Jigsy’s hard background on the Liverpool docks and his imminent divorce, but by the end he doesn’t feel like a fully rounded character. The show comes across as an entertaining set of anecdotes, but there’s not much sense of delving deeper. [Benjamin Edwards] The Assembly Rooms, 2:50pm – 4:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £15.00
Glory Dazed
HHHHH Written in response to the large number of ex-servicemen in prison, Glory Dazed is a powerful and affecting look at adjusting to life in the UK after military service. Part of the Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh season, it started life as a radio play, but has been seamlessly adapted for the stage complete with an intricate set. The action takes place entirely in a Doncaster pub: it’s decked out in worn wooden tables, wonky optics and fading wallpaper, emanating the sense of despair and neglect its characters feel. Ray, an aggressive, hard-drinking ex-army man, bursts into the pub—which is run by his best friend Simon—looking for his ex-wife Carla. Nobody wants him there, except Leanne, the young barmaid eager for some
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drama to break up her dull life. What follows is a tense hour that takes an unflinching look at the problems that face ex-military men when they return home, and the rifts that their changed personalities create between them and their loved ones. The cast is excellent, and Samuel Edward-Cook particularly shines as the often repulsive but sympathetic
Ray. Cat Jones’s script is taut, funny and well-researched. It was created in response to discussion groups with exservicemen prisoners, who are said to make up between three and ten per cent of the UK’s prison population. The production company, Second Shot, is a social enterprise based in HMP and YOI Doncaster and counts a
few ex-servicemen prisoners among its crew. These elements lend the show an authenticity and strong voice, imploring us to not just consider the strains of everyday life on ex-servicemen but to help them too. [Yasmin Sulaiman] Underbelly, Cowgate, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 15, £10.00 – £11.00
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 45
festtheatre The Intervention
Slapdash Galaxy
An alcoholic’s intervention might seem a wonderfully amenable premise for a play. A locked door, a host of causes, conflicts and the promise of ritual humiliation make for intoxicating drama. But in the case of The Intervention, Dave Florez and Phil Nichol’s second Fringe collaboration, it’s a conceit that feels a bit too purpose-built, a bit too-prefabricated. Despite being filled with compelling topics, The Intervention never approaches the discomforting curveball brilliance of last year’s awardwinner, Somewhere Beneath It All, A Small Fire Burns Still. As the friends and relatives of Zac—an alcoholic teacher— each have their right to intrude upon his life systematically dismantled, he emerges The Intervention’s most dignified character. It’s a predictable process and the characters verge too closely on caricature. Certainly the cast—all familiar British TV faces—are convincing; particularly Nichol as Zac. Pathologically unable to do anything by half, the Canadian comic storms the stage nude and remains magnetic throughout. The play isn’t helped by the blending of black comedy into an already thick, dark drink. Alongside themes of transvestitism and child abuse, Zac’s bumbling buddy Henry insisting that he’s like an alcoholic but for Creme Eggs feels inappropriate. A Woody Allen-esque interjection—“It’s all cod psychology, but some of our best psychologists were cods”—is lost on a too-tense audience. Florez is certainly capable of witty writing but in this context it waivers. You want to intervene to draw attention to the gags but The Intervention’s heavier themes deaden them, while the plot somewhat plods. [Catherine Sylvain]
Say the words “shadow puppetry’”and most people imagine something sedate, delicate and traditional. In this recklessly inventive, determinedly ramshackle sci-fi romp, Canadian puppeteer Jeff Achtem seems intent on changing our minds. All sprouting sideburns, mad grin and dungarees, Achtem uses all manner of household junk— drinks bottles, cutlery, party balloons, bubble machines and the like—to tell a simple yet cinematic tale of “two brothers, lost in space.” With his method fully visible to the audience throughout most of the show, Achtem projects his arsenal of tools onto three white screens, where they can become rockets and monsters, stars and galaxies.The makeshift style belies an impressive level of technical skill and a cineliterate approach, as Achtem approximates all manner of camera and editing tricks with his simple equipment. The audience gets involved too: one punter’s head becomes “the shaggy planet,” his nose and mouth a “mountain range,” the gap between another pair’s
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Assembly Rooms, 7:05pm – 8:20pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £15
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Don Quixote! Don Quixote!
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It must be tempting when adapting a surreal work of fiction into a piece of physical theatre to indulge in the wackier themes of the text at the expense of coherence. Unfortunately Panta Rei’s version of Cervantes’s 17th century novel seems to have fallen victim to this trap. Here Don Quixote is a deluded and anxious man—who only speaks Spanish—wandering a never-defined landscape in search of his lost sweetheart, Dulcinea, and his lost horse. Soon he wanders bizarrely into
46 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
shoulders is a ravine where the spaceship crash-lands. In one ingenious section, a brown cardboard puppet is turned one way to look like the cackling head of a “space pirate,” then perpendicular to become the same pirate in wide shot, riding on a rocket. Adding to the funny, frenetic appeal of the show in this first performance were a good number of technical hitches, deliberate
and not-so deliberate, which Achtem tackles with infectious good humour. The plot is a little too loose-weave at times, but the simply drawn characters have a real emotional pull and the peril of the final showdown will be keenly felt by adults and children alike. [Tom Hackett]
Hamlet, or more specifically into a pair of Hamletian gravediggers confused about life and death. The plot ambles from scene to scene without making much sense. Without any attempt to root the delusions of Quixote in solid reality we are left unable to grasp hold of any kind of story. To give Panta Rei due credit it creates some beautiful images on stage, some haunting, some comic: wooden spoons used as droopy donkey ears; a sensual sequence where Don Quixote hallucinates visions of Dulcinea, diaphanous and surrounded by umbrellas draped in silk; or the subtle transformation of weightless bubbles to hard marbles. But whenever mean-
ingful, quality drama promises to emerge—such as Sancho confronting Quixote about his delusions—the gravediggers reappear like experimental theatre despots bellowing cod philosophy or dancing around with saucepans on their heads. The company has produced the piece as part of a collaborative project with an institute of psychiatry, and while exploring mental illness through theatre is to be commended, this incoherent patchwork of scenarios doesn’t have much to report back. [Lucy Ribchester]
Underbelly, Cowgate, 1:00pm – 1:50pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £10.00 – £11.50
Pleasance Dome, 5:25pm – 6:30pm, 5–27 Aug, not 14, 21, £9.00 – £10.00
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‘blood and guts Shakespeare as a drive-in movie’ The New York Times
2008: Macbeth After WilliaM ShakeSpeare
Tr Warszawa Directed by Grzegorz Jarzyna Military commander Macbeth unleashes a nightmare of carnage and destruction in a brutal contemporary war. A multi-media, highly physical, theatrical film.
Sat 11 – Sat 18 august lowland hall, royal highland Centre NeW return bus link service from city centre – book your tickets in advance
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Charity No SCO04694 Photo: Anna Grzelewska
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 47
festtheatre Half a Person: My Life as Told by The Smiths
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Any show which invokes The Smiths in its title implies a certain degree of doom and gloom, and Half a Person wholly lives up, or perhaps down, to this promise. Following the trials and tribulations of its protagonist, William, the play touches upon sex, love and death, set to the backdrop of Morrissey’s haunting tones. A one man show inevitably requires a talented individual to carry the entire performance, and actor Joseph Murray is engaging and affable in his portrayal of a lovelorn, twenty-something Smiths obsessive. Recounting the moment he met the love of his life in a coffee shop and the subsequent downward spiral that ensued, the story flits from comedy to catastrophe as the very real pains of human existence are explored. But amiable as Murray is, the performance is lacking in a certain rawness: a slight disconnect in communicating what he is saying with the blistering sadness it requires. When William talks of the decline and eventual death of not only his relationship but his best friend, a poignancy seems somewhat absent. Murray also sings many of the songs rather than playing the original tracks, and one cannot help but think that he might be better equipped to tap into his emotions if he was reacting to the words as sung by Morrissey, rather than himself. This bittersweet tale undeniably has its good moments, but falls some way short of producing a truly meaningful piece of theatre. [Charlotte Lytton] Zoo Southside, 7:50pm – 8:45pm, 5–27 Aug, not 15, £8.00
Belt Up Theatre’s A Little Princess
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Few things age less predictably than children’s literature. Bound up as they are in adult conceptions of both what kids want and what they should aspire to be, a popular classic of one era can easily seem twee and patronising to the next. Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess (a slightly less popular work than her perennial The Secret Garden), suffers somewhat from this phenomenon, as does this otherwise very good adaptation by young— but already well-established— York theatre group, Belt Up. Offering an immersive, site-specific experience, the
group recreate a turn-ofthe-century drawing room, where the audience sit in the round on sofas and cushions, the walls decked with ball masks, books and instruments. This is a school for girls, run by the fierce and small-minded Miss Miller, played with appropriate menace by the strikingly bearded Dominic Allen. Seven-yearold dreamer Sara Crewe (Serena Manthegi) is brought from an idyllic life in India into this stifling environment by her military father (Jethro Compton), who then disappears on a long tour of duty. Aiming at invention and wit rather than realism, Belt Up use their audience as extra cast members, from the other girls at the school
to the grand Viceroys and Vikrams in Sara’s substantial story-within-a-story that she tells to her peers, which both mirrors her own experience and offers her a form of escape. It’s a sweet fable for the power of story-telling, efficiently and interestingly told. But Manthegi is unable to bring much nuance to Sara, who is something of a cloying goody-twoshoes to modern eyes, and your emotional reaction to the whole confection will depend largely on how much sentimentality and idealised childhood innocence you can take. [Tom Hackett]
Theatre owner John Kemble (Richard Hansell) needs to be a bit more despicable to provoke the sort of rabble that this play requires: it’s too easy to feel a little sorry for him. Although Hansell’s sometimes nuanced performance is enjoyable, it falls short of achieving the show’s aim of inciting a mob mentality. At one point, Kemble declares that he must “open the eyes” of the public because
otherwise they would just watch “bloody pantomime.” This did cause a few murmurs of dissatisfaction in the audience but, actually, a little more of the pantomime villain wouldn’t go amiss in Hansell’s characterisation. [Anna Feintuck]
C venues - C nova, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, 5–27 Aug, £10.50 – £12.50
Kemble’s Riot
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Covent Garden Theatre, 1809. Ticket prices have just been hiked up and the patrons are unhappy. Very unhappy. Ostensibly about the power of personality and the Georgian fear of the mob, Kemble’s Riot quite subtly tackles wider issues of privatisation and access to the arts. But it is also a study of the audience itself. Or ourselves, really, as the real life audience is asked to take on the role of the imagined audience: the rioters. Adrian Bunting’s Kemble’s Riot is a conceptually interesting piece but suffers for its over-reliance on audience engagement. This demands charisma and encouragement from the actors, and Steve North, playing audience member Henry Clifford, manages to elicit some foot-stomping, chanting and jeering. But the dialogue between Henry and theatre-loving Mary (Julie Nash) is poor – lengthy and repetitive to the point of killing any spark that North manages to ignite.
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Pleasance Dome, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, 5–27 Aug, not 13, £11.00 – £12.00
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CtheFestival Kipper Tie Theatre, I Theatre & C theatre
C theatre
2 – 27 Aug 1.20pm C too
1 – 27 Aug 10.00am C
Our Island
C presents... & Showdown Productions
News Smash
Shakespeare for Breakfast
Backhand Theatre & C theatre
Backhand Theatre & C theatre
Giddy Goat
1 – 27 Aug 5.30pm C eca
1 – 27 Aug 12.15pm C
Kipper Tie Theatre & C theatre
C presents...
2 – 27 Aug 11.55pm C nova
Tales from Edgar Allan Poe
The Ugly Duckling
1 – 27 Aug 11.00pm C eca
1 – 27 Aug 10.00am C
C theatre
C theatre
Dead Posh Productions
1 – 27 Aug 1.15pm C
1 – 27 Aug 11.15am C
2 – 27 Aug 3.20pm C aquila
2 – 27 Aug 10.00pm C nova
This is Soap
Hansel and Gretel
C theatre
Icarus: a Story of Flight
Still Life (also known as Brief Encounter)
Cabaret Nova
CW Productions & C theatre
The Madness of King Lear
1 – 27 Aug 5.30pm C
With more than 210 shows and events across our venues in the heart of Edinburgh, we celebrate our 21st year with a huge programme of theatre, musicals, and international work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. See it all with C venues.
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Assembly Hall
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23 Liquid Room
Victoria St
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Assembly Roxy
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24 Meadows Festival Big Top
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BBC @ Potterrow
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Bedlam Theatre
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The Bongo Club
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C Venues
Chambers St
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C Nova
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Bristo Sq
27 Pleasance @ Essential Edinburgh
George St
28 Queen’s Hall
Clerk St
The Space @ Surgeon’s Hall
Nicolson St
The Space @ Symposium Hall
Hill Sq York Place
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33 The Stand II
York Place
Blair St
34 The Stand III & IV
Th orny bank
Grassmarket
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York Place Summerhall
18 Gilded Balloon Teviot
Home Street
35 Summerhall
19 Jazz Bar
Chambers St
40 Venue 150 @ EICC
Morrison St
20 Just the Tonic @ the Caves
Cowgate
41 Zoo
St Leonards St
21
Hunter Sq
42 Zoo Southside
Nicolson St
16 Electric Circus Gilded Balloon @ Third Door
Lothian St Bristo Sq
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Grassmarket
37 Traverse Theatre
Cambridge St
38 Underbelly
Cowgate
39 Udderbelly’s Pasture
Bristo Sq
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Just the Tonic @ The Tron
Market St
36 Sweet Grassmarket
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Leven Street
Edinburgh Playhouse
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Place Panmure
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32 The Stand
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Lauriston Place
Jeffrey St
Johnstone Terrace
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The Space @ Jury’s Inn
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14 Dance Base
26 Pleasance Dome
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Cabaret Voltaire
The Pleasance
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Victoria St
25 Pleasance Courtyard
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Terrace melville
festtheatre All That is Wrong
HHHHH
Ontroerend Goed’s name has become synonymous with challenging and inventive theatre at the Fringe. But this latest work from the Belgian company is a more sober, if equally thoughtful, affair. It’s the third instalment in their trilogy on growing up, following 2008’s Once and For All We’re Going to Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up and Listen, and 2010’s Teenage Riot. In All That is Wrong, Koba Ryckewaert—who appeared in both aforementioned productions—has turned 18. Drawing with chalk on blackboard panels across the floor, she creates a mind map of anxieties, starting with her family (“single mum”) and her appearance (“skinny girl”) and branching out to global issues: racism, corruption, the environment, child soldiers, the euro and the Batman shootings all get a mention, among over 100 other concerns. There’s almost no speech at all, though a video camera helps project Koba’s written words onto a screen for better visibility. The chalk and blackboard set also offers a school-like innocence. It’s a deeply personal piece, based on the things Koba really feels and cares about. But while there is some valuable humour amongst the angst, there’s a sense of action missing from the production. Writing about the world’s problems is important but it’s not enough by itself, and the show doesn’t take that step towards resolution, even if it’s implicitly aware that these issues may never be solved. Still, it’s a touching window into the mind of a young person still coming to grips with her place in the world, and the deeply likeable Koba radiates vulnerability and hope in every letter. [Yasmin Sulaiman] Traverse Theatre, times vary, 5–12 Aug, not 6, £17.00 – £19.00
Punch
HHHHH What do a Punch & Judy show and a Twitter gag have in common? Childishness, flippancy, or an inherently cartoonish violence? Steven Bloomer’s new play Punch draws a striking and original parallel between the two that’s urgently topical to both time and location. John is a Russell Brandesque standup negotiating custody of his daughter with a harassed young social worker. In the hands of Frisky & Mannish’s Matthew Jones he’s a monstrously gregarious geezer. The comic’s glibness in all situations, including the
Perle
HHHHH Using a man who can only speak through his television set doesn’t seem like the most obvious way to re-imagine a medieval poem. But in his version of 14th century text Perle, writer and performer Thomas Eccleshare has found a tender, intelligent and vivid way of dealing with the subject of grief and loss. Thomas, the protagonist, initially seems to be one of those lonely and eccentric silent clowns, a man who communicates awkwardly with members of the audience through pre-recorded
52 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
discussion of his injured child, is flippantly labelled an “occupational hazard.” As a careerruining tweet is referred to, echoes of Frankie Boyle and the ethics of comedy begin to clamour louder. Punch’s most powerful blows are to John’s standup, which, in the context of theatre, is unsettling for the audience. Do we respond to his goads? Do we snicker politely at his filth as at a late night comedy club? It’s uncomfortable both to resist and oblige and that’s Punch’s knockout. “Cancer can be funny in context,” John proclaims self-righteously after we’ve chortled at a gag about the Olympics.
Punch isn’t perfect. John’s manoeuvering of the moral high ground over the predictably earnest social worker feels too easy, and her own relationship troubles seem hackneyed. But Punch & Judy tropes such as linked sausages, clowns and crocodiles lend an absurdity to the proceedings. When is violence not violent? When is the filthy inoffensive? The curtains close abruptly on this Punch & Judy but pose questions that need to be asked at the Fringe. [Catherine Sylvain]
chat-up lines that appear on his TV. But there is a darker side to Thomas’s disengagement with the world which becomes painfully apparent when the images on his television keep returning to a single white circle – the ‘perle’ of the title. When it begins to take the shape of a little girl’s face, he repeatedly has to switch it off. By using video as the only means for Thomas to interact with us, Eccleshare throws up all kinds of questions about the way we store, nurture and erase memories—particularly in a digital age—as well as providing a creative and painfully honest analogue
for feelings of detachment and loss. All the objects in Thomas’s world exist only on the television screen. When they cross over into the real world—when he answers a ringing phone for instance— they become nothing but invisible mime. Eccleshare is a performer you want to watch—warm, adorable and heartbreaking in his melancholy—while Serge Seidlitz’s illustrations bring a childlike charm to this touching live cartoon. [Lucy Ribchester]
Underbelly, Cowgate, 3:40pm – 4:40pm, 5–26 Aug, not 9, 16, £10.00 – £11.00
Assembly Roxy, 1:45pm – 2:45pm, 5–26 Aug, not 13, £9.00 – £10.00
www.festmag.co.uk
festtheatre DDLE´S
WINSTON RU
CIRQUE
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 53
festtheatre Bitch Boxer
Hand Over Fist
Bitch Boxer is part of the Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh season – a first time venture from the Old Vic with the aim of giving emerging theatre talent the chance to take their work to the Fringe. Bitch Boxer’s author and sole performer Charlotte Josephine certainly qualifies as talented. She is the possessor of the rare ability to create characters for whom audiences end up genuinely caring. Characters like the fiercely independent, yet achingly vulnerable boxer of the play’s title – a young woman who must prepare for a major fight and negotiate her first serious love affair, while still reeling from the recent death of her father. Josephine’s script, which is in the form of a present tense monologue, has the pacey, rat-a-tat rhythmicality of a boxer’s sparring practice. Frustratingly, however, it does not follow through on all of its half-promised themes (the beginnings of a discourse on women in the male-dominated world of boxing, for instance, is left tantalisingly inchoate) and some of the sentiments teeter on cliché, especially in the sections covering her father’s funeral. Nevertheless, such is the vivacity of Josephine’s performance that her script never hits the ropes. Besides, there are plenty of excellent lines to balance out weaknesses. When told to keep her “chin up” by her mother, the young boxer is dismissive: “Chinup?” she says questioningly, “chin down and fists up more like!” To use boxing jargon, Josephine is one upstart whose future career will be worth a ring-side seat. [Miranda Kiek]
It takes a monumental effort not to break down in tears at the end of Hand Over Fist, writer and comedian Dave Florez’s new play about Emily, an elderly woman coming to terms with Alzheimer’s. That’s not to say it’s manipulative or sentimental – far from it. The monologue is littered with expletives, sexually explicit anecdotes and dirty jokes. But through a combination of Florez’s sharp writing, deft direction from Hannah Eidinow and Joanna Bending’s gut-wrenching turn as Emily, its humour crescendos into an agonising finish. The audience starts off just as confused as Emily. As he showed in his 2011 hit, Fringe First winner Somewhere Beneath it All, a Small Fire Burns Still starring comedian Phil Nichol, Florez favours an obscure-and-reveal style of drama. We follow Emily’s turns of clarity and confusion
HHHHH
Underbelly, Cowgate, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, 5–26 Aug, not 14, £10.00 – £11.00
HHHHH
carefully, as she tries to relate a story about the first time she met a lover. It’s like someone has opened a door into the mind of an Alzheimer’s sufferer, and the audience is engulfed in the unedited stream of thoughts as they occur. Bending is exquisite, striking a great balance between being flippant, funny and agonisingly sad. Eidinow’s hand is also evident. In the past, she’s seen acclaim for directing plays with tragedy at their centre—2011’s real-life
euthanasia story An Instinct for Kindness, and Lockerbie: Unfinished Business in 2010— as well as Florez’s Somewhere Beneath It All last year too. But ultimately it’s Florez’s writing, which refrains from sentimentality without ever losing sight of Emily’s tragedy, that shines brightest, marking him out as a serious dramatic talent. [Yasmin Sulaiman]
white set of stencilled shapes that suggest water, fire and curling branches. There is little to fault about this show but in many ways it falls short of becoming anything more than a sweet little tale. The fragile plot seems only to act as a facilitator for some graceful aerial set pieces. But even these are all too brief and fleeting. Lewis Davidson
and Hattie Gregory create an arresting duo on static trapeze when they first meet, their silvery bodies entwining against the backdrop of a pale sun. If only they, like Icarus, had stayed a little longer in the air. [Lucy Ribchester]
Pleasance Courtyard, 1:55pm – 2:50pm, 5–27 Aug, not 8, 15, £10.00 – £11.00
Icarus: a Story of Flight
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The Icarus myth is given a happy ending postscript in this fairytale piece from physical theatre and aerial circus company Backhand Theatre. We join the famous waxenwinged one just after his fall when, after tumbling into the ocean, he is rescued by a recluse called Guy who has been stranded for years on a desert island. Guy recounts his story to Icarus and tells him of his own desire to learn how to fly so he can reunite with his long-lost family. Meanwhile, Icarus finds another reason to take up wings again when he falls in love with a fallen star. And so their quest to the land of the firebird begins, through forests and mountains, all beautifully imagined in an ice-
54 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
C Venues - C eca, 5:30pm – 6:40pm, 5–27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
www.festmag.co.uk
August 20-27 0131 662 6892
www.zoofestival.co.uk www.edfringe.com
9:50 PM
www.metartmorphose.blogspot.fr
THE STORY OF WOODY GUTHRIE
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 55
festtheatre The Fantasist
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Louise is an artist living in a secure mental health unit, being treated for bipolar disorder. Not that we would know this at the start, for the world she usually inhabits is of her own involuntary creation, peopled by curious, mischievous objects and fantasies of a tall, velvet coat-wearing muse. What begins as slapstick slowly becomes an overwhelming headwreck of hallucinations, at first filling Louise with a frenetic energy that nourishes her painting, before turning into a crawling, cloying nightmare she cannot escape. There are shades of Anthony Neilson’s The Wonderful World of Dissocia here, but where Neilson’s play splits the world of its protagonist into two acts—fantasy world and real world—here, perhaps more plausibly, Louise flits erratically between the two, being rudely interrupted from her luxurious delusions by her “jovial jail keeper,” health worker Josie, and later pleading with Josie to intervene as the visions become too much to bear. The puppets co-designed by Julia Yevnine—who also plays Louise—walk a tightrope between charming and horrific, all brilliantly handled by Cat Gerrard and Julia Corrêa. Bruised women pop from cupboards and sing ballads about their deformed faces, a tiny doll makes squealing conversation, and the tall dark man mixes sinister seductive potions for Louise to drink. But the piece’s quiet power comes through in the way it deals with the two sides of the disorder, the enrichment and the debilitation, without either romanticising or victimising Louise. “I’ve been riding on the back of a tiger,” she confides frantically to Josie, “but I want to get off.” [Lucy Ribchester] Underbelly, Bristo Sq, 12:25pm – 1:25pm, 5–27 Aug, not 15, £8 – £9
The Lad Himself
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Tony Hancock – who? None of the people awaiting judgement in God’s waiting room have a clue who Hancock is when he wanders in, fresh from his suicide, having carted his oversized ego up the stairs to eternity. If you’re none too familiar with Hancock either, Roy Smiles’ comic play gradually fills you in on the life of this British radio and television entertainer who made his mark in the 1950s and early 60s with Hancock’s Half Hour before spiralling into alcoholism,
56 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
depression and an early death, aged 44, in 1968. The afterlife set-up of The Lad Himself allows reflection on the peaks and troughs of this tumultuous life. As Hancock awaits judgement at the pearly gates, he is pulled up on his flaws—his sense of selfimportance, the physical abuse of his wives—and celebrated for his achievements, which included entertaining the troops during World War Two. There are some nice touches—making God and St Peter female highlights Hancock’s misogyny—and Mark Brailsford is engaging as Hancock, though you’d have to be familiar with
the entertainer to judge how well he’s captured. But the play suffers from a lack of pace in the latter stages of the hour, and some of the characters seem overly simplistic and caricatured, such as a doctor with an evil laugh straight out of a children’s cartoon. This aside, Smiles has created a likeable mediation on fame, legacy and the insecurity that lies behind some people’s desperate desire to leave an impression on the world. [Caroline Bishop] Gilded Balloon Teviot, 1:30pm – 2:45pm, 5–26 Aug, not 11, £9.50 – £12.50
www.festmag.co.uk
T THE GIN JOINT CU
festtheatre Dylan Thomas: Return Journey
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The popular perception of Dylan Thomas has no doubt been affected by The Edge of Love, John Maybury’s cinematic chronicle of the poet’s infamously tangled love life. Dylan Thomas: Return Journey arguably provides a fuller and more nuanced insight into Thomas’s mind, and does so without ever sacrificing entertainment value or the truth of his work. The worry with any fictionalised recreation of a lecture by Thomas is not that a man in a crumpled suit standing and talking about his life and art might be boring (such prejudices should be left at the door) but rather that the performer will fail to live up to the standard set by Wales’ greatest poet. Bob
Mark Grist: Rogue Teacher
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A former secondary school English teacher turned performance poet, whose childhood nickname was ‘cabbage head,’ may not be an obvious recipient of teenagers’ respect. But Mark Grist earned considerable kudos when he won a rap battle against a 17 year-old, primarily by slinging lewd insults at his mother. The video of that contest went viral, picking up two million views on YouTube and making Grist something of minor celebrity, much to his surprise and, later, regret (his opponent’s mother got an apology). His first solo show at the Fringe—he was previously here as part of Dead Poets—charts, through poetry, how he got to this point, dealing with his disillusionment with teaching and his attempts to forge a career out of “shit rhymes,” much to the dismay of his MA tutor at
Kingdom’s magisterial performance as Thomas obliterates such concerns. Kingdom inhabits every inch of Thomas and is never less than utterly convincing, at once nostalgic, erudite, verbose, dazed, curmudgeonly, soulful and hilarious. Memories of growing up in Wales are brought to life with a lyrical mastery of imagery, while witheringly satirical dissections of the American lecturing circuit and the doomed absurdity of artists who flirt with celebrity are as penetrating as they were in Thomas’s time. Though never addressed directly, the poet’s difficult and sometimes belligerent relationship with alcohol and women flits around the edges of the material, revealing itself in a sly nod or a passing remark. And while some of the literary references may escape those unfamiliar with
them, the power of Kingdom’s performance will touch everyone who sees it. [Sean Bell]
Assembly Hall, 2:45pm – 3:45pm, 5–27 Aug, £10.00 – £11.00
Goldsmiths. Shit rhymes they may be—a poem about redheads throws up some corkers—but Grist is all the more entertaining for it. His poems are fluid, clever and funny, his delivery crisp and his self-deprecating persona endearing. It’s refreshing to hear a teacher speak passionately about wanting to support and inspire kids; one poem about a girl whose teachers had given up on her is particularly touching. But Grist avoids teetering into sentimentality – a story about a schoolkid defecating on a beach sees to that. Watching Grist almost feels like being in a lesson—particularly given his only prop, an overhead projector—but one which you want to be in. Accessible without being naff, it’s a good introduction to performance poetry by the teacher you wish you’d had. [Caroline Bishop] Underbelly, Cowgate, 5:10pm – 6:10pm, 5–26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
58 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
www.festmag.co.uk
RashDash
presents
the ugly sisters
10pm 4 - 25 AUGUST Venue 73 NORTHERN STAGE AT ST STEPHEN’S Box Office 0131 558 3047 Book Online northernstage.co.uk ns_festadvert_02_01.indd 8
www.festmag.co.uk
30/07/2012 15:00
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 59
festmusic&cabaret Out of the Blue
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Out of the Blue burst onto the stage looking like a bunch of impeccably well turned-out prefects. But it’s an image that’s immediately shattered by their funky, a capella arrangements of classic songs by everyone from U2 to Jessie J, and by their tight dance routines and fluid moves. The look and the sounds make a surprising combination, at first at least. But there’s a sincerity to Oxford’s Out of the Blue that makes them a real pleasure to watch. The 15 strong a cappella group, who rose to prominence on Britain’s Got Talent in 2011, are a long way from the carefully manipulated image of a manufactured boy band, but what matters here is the energy of the performance and the slickness of the act.
And slick and energetic it truly is, with a sonorous version of Queen’s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ kicking off the show, which later features a very effective mash-up of ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ with ‘Isn’t She Lovely?’, and a colourful ‘Mambo No.5.’ They do some good original arrangements –
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the poise and poignancy they bring to U2’s ‘With or Without You’ is astonishing. And as a combined force, they can produce a sound that hits you right in the stomach. Some voices are better than others, and the balance isn’t always quite right – the lead singer sometimes gets
drowned out by his over enthusiastic colleagues. But it’s the natural charm and enthusiasm of this charismatic group that makes the show a pleasure. [David Kettle] Assembly George Square, 2:00pm – 2:50pm, 5–27 Aug, not 15, £9.50 – £10.50
www.festmag.co.uk
festmusic&cabaret Molly Wobbly’s Tit Factory
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A parody of the RKO Pictures production logo introduces the audience to Mammary Lane and its inhabitants. In spite of being awash with pink lighting, the set is evocative of German Expressionist cinema. Fittingly, the first character we meet walks with a hunch, his limbs twisted and contorted as an angry, torch-wielding mob invades the stage and attacks him. A stylised opening credits sequence ensues and finally the “outrageous musical comedy” begins. Film buffs present may be disappointed that the established arty theme is quickly dropped at this point, with writer/director Paul Boyd taking more of his cues from the world of pantomime. It was no mere coincidence that the Village People’s ‘Go West’
was playing as we filed into the venue – this is as camp as it gets. The show revolves around three heterosexual couples and the tensions created as each woman becomes empowered by a strange potion. After experiencing flashbacks of happier times, they enjoy libidinous awakenings, complain of feeling unfulfilled in their
marriages and finally stand up to their distracted husbands. But why has the mysterious stranger plied them with his unusual concoction? And what muddled point is being made about contemporary culture? Where Molly Wobbly’s Tit Factory falters is in assuming that camp and innuendo translate directly into fun. There’s arguably no need to come up with
anything challenging when lines like “I can never find a screw when I need one” get big laughs, but the lack of ambition on display here is ultimately disappointing, especially after such an interesting opening sequence. [Lewis Porteous] The Assembly Rooms, 4:45pm – 6:15pm, 5–26 Aug, not 14, 21, £15.00
“Now’s the time to bow down at the altar of four-strong a cappella group FORK” METRO
2-26 AUG (NO SHOW 14) AT 22.25 (1 HR) GEORGE SQUARE - SPIEGELTENT TEATRO
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 61
festmusic&cabaret Street Cries
HHHHH Dylan Thomas set his classic Under Milk Wood in the fictional Welsh town of Llareggub (“Bugger all” backwards), exposing the unspoken anxieties of sleeping villagers. Mitch Féral’s dark musical comedy Street Cries shifts focus to Logodom: a post-riot version of London where there’s a banker in every Ferrari and a junkie under every overpass. Writer and lead actor Féral shares Thomas’s love for the sound and shape of words, although this is more explicitly satirical. It shows an admirable contempt for subtlety. The opening transitions from Dick Van Dyke cockneyisms to grim modern day, then touches on everything from homelessness to the royal wedding in broad, dingy caricature. There is a certain charm to the relentless bile, the relentless charmlessness. The music and verse effortlessly switch from Ian Druryesque odes to commuting to a tango for arms dealers. Indeed performers Féral and Kelly Craig deserve special praise: this is a slick production anchored by their versatile talent. At its best and starkest Street Cries is funny and truly memorable, even moving. Yet the targets—bankers and hoodies and Chelsea girls—are too familiar, too easy. Street Cries offers no new approach beyond tunefulness. Worse, it occasionally dips into earnest proclamation. The result is unintentionally funny and makes the show seem condescending without warrant. This is a shame. The quality on show here deserves more fundamental thought underpinning it. As it stands, Street Cries is a droll tour of modern day Logodom, with insight that is closer to Llareggub. [Jonathan Holmes] C venues, 8:25pm – 9:25pm, 5–27 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
The Magnets: Homegrown
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Good a capella is the vocal equivalent of a trompe d’oeil, and when The Magnets perform it is hard to believe that there isn’t a band secreted offstage. The six-man group are long-term festival favourites and on this performance it is not hard to see why. Their combination of technical virtuosity, insouciant sexiness and easy-listening song choices is guaranteed to please audiences. Their new show Homegrown features only British music, and apparently came about as a result
Clinton the Musical
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“I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” claimed a certain president some 15 years ago. But, if Clinton the Musical is anything to go by, those words may not have come from the man we thought they did. Indeed, Egdoh Theatre’s new musi-comedy examines the tenure of not one but two Bill Clintons: separate entities struggling to decide whether satisfying the American people, or their own loins, comes top of the agenda. A whistle-stop tour of
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of the group’s homesickness while touring abroad. Mercifully, in spite of the Union Jack backdrop and an encore featuring a hilarious romp through the past 60 years of British music, nationalism never becomes jingoism – unusual in the year of the Jubilee and the Olympics. Particular highlights of the evening include a joyous rendition of Madness’s ‘It Must Be Love’ and Bad Religion’s ‘21st Century (Digital Boy)’ – a song the group attempts to perform without their beatboxer, who they jokingly accuse of always stealing the limelight. As accusations go, it has some foundation, since beat-boxer Andrew
Frost’s solo set needs to be seen to be believed – or rather not seen. The synchronisation between his beat-boxing and his miming playing the drums is so perfect that when the physical action stops one is puzzled as to how the sound can be continuing. Homegrown offers the ultimate in unchallenging, feel good fun. And on the basis of the delighted reactions of the audience, The Magnets will continue to be favourites at Edinburgh for many years to come. [Miranda Kiek]
Clinton’s presidency through the eyes of both Bills charts his inauguration, marital life and the Lewinsky scandal, rapturously retold through jazzy musical numbers. The undeniable highlight of the show, surprisingly, is neither of the Clintons but one Ken Starr – the lawyer whose investigations were instrumental in the president’s fatal decline in popularity. Forget suited and booted, this Starr (Paul Hodge, who wrote the show’s music and lyrics) is a thong-and-chains toting egomaniac with a penchant for dancing on tables. As a concept alone, the
ideas behind Clinton the Musical have the ability to reach dizzying satirical heights. But while a number of the songs are engaging crowd pleasers, the dialogue tends to fall short, occasionally becoming slow and predictable and detracting from an otherwise lively piece. With a few tweaks, and a more substantial cast to truly showcase the big numbers, Clinton the Musical, much like its namesake, has the potential for global appeal. [Charlotte Lytton]
Assembly Hall, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, 5–15 Aug, £14.00 – £15.00
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 1:00pm – 2:00pm, 5–27 Aug, not 14, £9.00 – £10.00
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 63
festkids
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET TO
SESAME
STREET?
Sesame Street Live makes its first ever visit to Edinburgh. Caroline Black chats to producer Nick George and finds out just what gives this iconic group of furry monsters their universal and long-lasting appeal.
“S
ESAME STREET started in 1969. The year that man landed on the moon,” producer Nick George tells me. “It’s incredible and just shows the appeal of the brand, its longevity.” Sesame Street Live – Elmo Makes Music is taking over the Meadows Theatre Big Top for its first ever Edinburgh visit. And it promises to deliver everything you’d expect from the Sesame Street brand, a high-energy musical show with larger than life monsters making music. Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie; they are all there. This is a big show, in every sense. “We’re thrilled about bringing it to Edinburgh. This is us finally coming home to Great Britain after a tour that started last summer” says Nick. “We’ve been to some quite unusual places, perhaps ones that you wouldn’t expect to take a children’s show to; Kuwait City, Quatar, Cairo. It’s a global phenomenon. In a culture where everything tends to be very quick and immediate, Sesame Street continues to be such a success.” Just what is it about Sesame Street that still appeals to us after all these years? For most of us it’s such a recognisable and familiar brand. Jim Henson’s work has played a part in most of our childhoods whether it’s through Sesame Street, The Muppets or even Fraggle Rock: we know what to expect, so for those of us that are
64 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012
festkids now parents ourselves we feel safe with Sesame Street. There’s no doubt in Nick’s mind that there will be many nostalgic parents dragging their kids along to see the show. “We’ve found that these tickets aren’t sold on what I call the child’s ‘pester power’ where the kids are saying ‘Please can we go and see this show.’ With this it almost works the other way. It’s the parents saying ‘Great, we’ve got to go and see this show!’ Kids may know Elmo but the parents get so excited too when they see the other characters, and that’s really exciting for us.” I wonder whether there’s a chance that the very young audiences might have never seen Sesame Street, what with the massive volume of kid’s TV shows and channels there are now. “Certainly there will be some who may never have seen Sesame Street before or know any of the characters.” Indeed Nick’s own son was two when he first saw the show and didn’t know any of the characters but “lit up with all of brightness and colour and the sound. They might not know the characters but they’re going to associate with it.” So apart from making music with an eight-foot yellow bird with stripey legs, what does Nick hope that the kids get from the show? “Our live shows’ main aim is to entertain, for you to come along and have some fun. The show’s not like the television show which has a strong educational element and is heavily based on numbers and letters. That said, one of the thoughts of the Sesame Workshop—who we’ve worked with on this show—is that if you can hold the attention of a young child then you can help to educate them. That might be them leaving having learnt about a new musical instrument, or they’ve bonded with their friends or made music with their parents.” “I’m aware that for a lot of these children it will be their first ever experience of theatre. If they like it then they’re going to want to come back, and keep coming back. We almost have a responsibility to make these kids enjoy the show so that they’ll want to keep coming back and see other shows.” Meadows Theatre Big Top, times vary, 6–12 Aug, free
A Q&A with Elmo
Hello Elmo. Which friends are you bringing with you? Oscar is my favourite. Sophie, aged nearly 3 Hey everyone, Elmo is so excited about coming to Scotland, I’ll be bringing most of the gang including Oscar! What do we need to bring to the show? Phoebe, aged 4 Elmo wants you to bring your loudest voices and biggest smiles. Can we dance in the aisles or do we have to behave and sit in our seats? Alexander, aged 5 Aha, Elmo thinks you should dance in your seats! Have you ever worn a kilt? What about haggis, do you know what that is? Archie, aged 3 Elmo hasn’t worn a kilt and I’ve not tried haggis but it does sound like a food that monsters would like! Are you really allergic to being tickled? What happens if you get tickled too much? Millie, aged 4 I laugh a lot; Abby Cadabby is always tickling me. Who’s your best friend? I think it’s Zoe but my big sister thinks it might be Bert. Louise, aged 3 and a half We’re all friends on Sesame Street, Zoe, Abby, Bert, Ernie…even Oscar! Won’t you miss Sesame Street when you’re here? Catriona, aged 4 I’m bringing it with me so I won’t miss it! Plus Elmo can’t wait to perform for all the children at the Edinburgh Festival. See you there!
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 65
festkids
By kids, for kids! It is a kids’ world out there. With more children's shows at the Festival than ever before, there’s never been so great a need for a cool, clear-eyed critical gaze. We’ve called in the experts... Peter Pan on Dinosaur Island
HHHHH
The play is about Peter Pan and Captain Hook travelling back to the time of the dinosaurs. Stinkerbell (Tinkerbell’s great grandson) is there too. Wendy is an old lady who has a great granddaughter called Chloe and they are in the show as well. The show was in the Merchants Hall which is a lovely old building. The seats were uncomfortable though. We could buy glow sticks, magic wands and flashing swords. What didn’t work was the scenery, the set was bad. They had metal poles for trees with no greenery. A dinosaur knocked a tree over accidently. A good thing about this show was it was interactive. Kids were asked to come on stage to take part in the show. The kids enjoyed it but not everyone got a turn. I thought this show was too childish for me and is for kids 6 and under. [Maxwell Stephenson] Spotlites @ Merchants’ Hall, 10:45am – 12:20pm, 6–19 Aug, £7
East of the Sun, West of the Moon
HHHHH
I went to see this show on one of its very first days and I thought it was really good. The theatre was very small and I thought it would be big, but I liked it - I could see them close up. There were only four people in it so they had lots of jobs to do - singing, acting, playing music and making really cool sound effects. The story is a fairytale about a girl who meets a bear in a snow storm. When he has to leave her she goes looking for him and has to get the North wind to help her. I really liked the story, it was fun and exciting. There were lots of really funny bits - like the man who was the Troll Queen and loved shiny things but was really stupid. Go and see this show - it’s really good. [Ailis Black] theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 12:10pm – 12:55pm, 6–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7.00
66 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
festkids Dr Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown and His Singing Tiger
HHHHH
The Dr Brown show is SO crazy and silly. Dr Brown’s partner Singing Tiger tells the story of Dr Brown’s day while playing a mini guitar. Dr Brown arrives in a huge bag wearing funny clothes: red socks, goggles and a red hat. In the show the first thing Dr Brown does is have his breakfast which leads to lots of silly things. Dr Brown does crazy things and stunts in the show. The funniest part is the baby bit. The finale is my favourite bit when he rides his bike. In the show dads help a lot,
so dads be prepared! The audience get to take part a lot. The set is very simple and the props are right next to him. While I was watching it the crowd were really enjoying it. I loved Dr Brown, if you like kids comedy then this is the show you should see! [Eleanor Smith] Assembly George Square, 12:45pm – 1:35pm, 6–26 Aug, not 13, 20, £8.00
The I Hate Children Children’s Show
HHHHH
This show is great. If you like magic with comedy thrown in then you will definitely want to see this show. Even though magician Paul only did six main tricks the audience were engrossed and laughing from start to finish! Paul doesn’t really hate children, he is cuddly and friendly and great at using kids as assistants. He has sidekick John who is a guitarist in the background. Every kid gets a chance to help if they want. The tricks seem simple and are meant for kids but mums and dads will be impressed too. I thought the best
Giddy Goat
HHHHH “Goats are goats and sheep are sheep!” Yes, and?! Go see Giddy Goat and you’ll be bowled over with Rock Rounders, flying sheep and goats that do AWESOME jumps. Giddy is a goat on a mission and with the audience’s help - can she do it? There is plenty of great singing, dancing, clapping and the use of shadow puppets is also very clever. As Giddy continues her story we meet Manuel the Spanish sheep who likes to PARTY. Don’t miss the Tea Tray sisters and the Barbershop singing sheep. I liked the singing and
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trick was the rope one. He does try to entertain you as much as possible. Some of his jokes went over my head, but mum was laughing! The venue is small inside, which helps you see the tricks better. I would recommend seeing this show. [Eleanor Smith] Pleasance Courtyard, 12:15pm – 1:15pm, 6–27 Aug, £8 – £9
I thought the actors were good at changing roles. Lots of children got up to dance but I was a wee bit bored as it went on too long. [Billy Salters] C venues, 12:15pm – 1:05pm, 6–27 Aug, not 14, £7.50 – £9.50
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 67
festkids Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall
HHHHH
This show is billed as a baby disco and that’s just what it is; cool venue, disco ball and tunes. But of course when it comes to babies and small people they always need a bit of help. Sadly this is where we were left wanting. It was impossible to connect with Mouse who was up on stage behind her decks. The three dancing helpers did their best to encourage the children and parents to let loose and boogie, but we wanted more from Mouse. We needed more from Mouse. After all, it’s her name on the tickets. Leaving the participants to just dance themselves for a large part of the show is a massive gamble, entirely dependent on whether your crowd is up for it. I can imagine that a house full of extrovert parents and bold kids would pay off. But when the parents are self-conscious and the kids take 35 out of the 40 minutes to warm up? Then, there is nowhere to hide. When we were given routines to follow, like the Conga, the energy in the room stepped up a gear and it really was great fun for everyone. The show is well worth a look for these snippets alone. When Mouse finally did join us for the ‘Dancing Queen’ finale you could see the children were curious about her—with her 1950s polka dot dress and Minnie Mouse hair—and keen to dance next to her. I understand that Mouse is a DJ but I wonder whether children really care about that. I suspect they’d have much preferred to dance with Mouse whilst someone else spun the decks. [Caroline Black] Assembly George Square, 11:00am – 11:40am, various dates between 8 Aug and 26 Aug, £6.00 – £7.50
Dr Bunhead’s Blast Off!
HHHHH
Doctor Bunhead has been making things go bang on stage at Edinburgh for a few years now, and his skill and popularity have burgeoned to the point that he’s now a real fixture of a lot of families’ Fringe schedules. Once again performing in the suitably academic setting of a massive university lecture theatre just off George Square, the star of TV’s Brainiac packs the place two thirds full of wide-eyed potential scientists and pyromaniacs. This year, the show is ostensibly a lecture on the
68 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
origins of the universe and humans’ developing relationship with fire since they came down from the trees. The educational element of the show is sincere and generally well delivered, but we’re never far away from an explosion or some other gasp-inducing spectacle. The stage is like something from a keen physics teacher’s daydream: there are makeshift rockets, balloons full of various combinations of gases, a fire funnel, a makeshift vacuum, and seemingly endless quantities of explosives. A brief lecture, accompanied by some witty powerpoint slides, introduces each setpiece, before we get to the
loud noises and things flying through the air. Fest last saw the good doctor in 2010 and his confidence and stage presence have massively improved since then. He struts and gurns like a nerdy, slightly crazy favourite uncle, getting plenty of mileage out of fart jokes and playing on the apparent peril that he’s putting us in, whilst never letting us feel we really are in unsafe hands. There were plenty of squeals of terror and delight at this performance, and no small degree of wonder, too. [Tom Hackett] Assembly George Square, 10:30am – 11:30am, 7–11 Aug, £10.00
www.festmag.co.uk
festkids The Snail and the Whale
HHHHH
Rather than being a simple stage production of the Julia Donaldson book, Tall Stories’ show is more of a story within a story. Told through the eyes of a young girl preparing once again to say goodbye to her beloved dad as he returns to his job at sea, it’s their relationship and the fun they have together that is so entertaining. She is the snail to his whale and desperate for adventures on the open seas. There are high-energy performances from the two main characters and they have a natural chemistry that only adds to the humour and warmth of this piece. The narrator—the now grown up girl—creates wonderful sound effects
with her viola throughout and treats us to a foot stomping folk tune to finish off the show. There were lots of laughs and shouts from the audience throughout and all of the children seemed hooked for the duration. This isn’t a show for very young children though; Tall Stories are spot on with their 4-10 years recommended age range. Whilst the original rhyming book is certainly in there, kids will need to follow the story as it flicks between different periods and the dad disappears and reappears. Expect to leave the theatre happy and smiling. But beware of water pistols. [Caroline Black] Pleasance Courtyard, 3:00pm – 3:45pm, 6–26 Aug, not 15, £8.50 – £9.50
Scamp Theatre & Watford Palace Theatre present:
& other terrific tales from
AWARD-WINNING
REVIEWS
COVERING EVERY INCH OF
Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler Reviews for Stick Man - Live on Stage!
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‘Wonderfully exuberant & imaginative’
HHHHH
Time Out Critics’ Choice
‘Zesty and delightful’ Independent
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Sunday Express
THE WORLD’S
BIGGEST ARTS FESTIVAL
EDINBURGH'S BIGGEST AND BEST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE IS BACK FOR 2012 Get the latest reviews online 11.15AM (12.05PM)
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2 - 27 AUG 2012 (not 9th)
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August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 69
comedylistings
FESTIVAL
LISTINGS When it's this time...
...this show is on...
❤ Richard Herring HHHH
...on these dates...
... at this place...
...for this price
10:00
11:30
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
10:15 BBC: Front Row
BBC @ Potterrow, 22 Aug, £free
10:30 1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
BBC: MacAulay and Co
BBC @ Potterrow, 7-17 Aug, weekdays only, £free
10:40 Humans v Nature: Engineering FTW
Assembly George Square, 7-14 Aug, £10 – £12
11:00
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Mind Reading for Breakfast
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £9
Lucy Cox: Attractive Audience Required - Free
Juliet Meyers: Raised By Fridge Magnets
The Durham Revue
Underbelly, Cowgate, 12-26 Aug, not 15, 19, 20, 21, £9 – £10
11:45 Tommy Talks
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
BBC: Off the Ball
BBC @ Potterrow, 11 Aug, £free
Jerry Bucham: Freelance Activist
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-12 Aug, £5
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 12, 16, £free
11:50
The Cradle of Comedy
Graters: Julian Ignores his Friend and Talks to a Pretty Girl Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
Card Ninja: ReDeal
Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 7-11 Aug, £free
11:40
James Redmond and Ellie Taylor - Free Festival
11:20
Survivor - A Broad Irish Idiot
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
12:00
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
If you're looking for a show to see right now, visit festmag.co.uk on your smartphone to find out what's coming up near your current location.
Sweet Grassmarket, 11-27 Aug, not 18, 25, £9
BBC: Loose Ends
BBC @ Potterrow, 18 Aug, £free
The listings are arranged by type - Comedy or Theatre - and then by time. We've listed the dates that each show is running, but remember that it might be on at different times too - check our website for more information. Dates and times can sometimes change, so check with the venue before planning ahead.
20:15 Underbelly, Bristo Square 7-26 Aug, £14 – £16
Fest is the only place you can get daily listings for all of the comedy and theatre shows at the Fringe.
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Croft & Pearce Do It Like A Lady HHH
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8.50 – £9.50
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, £5
Introducing Stu Introducing Will - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Aspidistras - Hi Noon!
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 13-26 Aug, not 14, £5
Eggball
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
The Tourists - A Free Festival Sketch Show Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 19-26 Aug, £free
Ivo Graham and Liam Williams Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Austerity Pleasures
Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £free
Dancing About Architecture
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-12 Aug, £5 – £6
FunBags present Unusual Suspects
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £5
Cheese-Badger presents... Midge (a Two-Man Musical) - Free Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Sally-Anne Hayward: The Inbetweeny Lady The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Aaaand Now for Something Completely Improvised - Free
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, £free
Black Monday - The Longest Laugh All Day Gong Show
The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 13-14 Aug, £10
Beast of the East - Free Comedy Showcase Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 13-17 Aug, £free
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Anne Edmonds in My Banjo’s Name is Steven
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8 – £9
12:05
12:15
Gareth Morinan Presents A Wilmops Good Improv Show
Nick Hayman: Middle Aged, Useless and Talented! - Free
The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, £free
Jack and Nikki: Killing Machines
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-14 Aug, £free
Failure and How to Achieve It The Voodoo Rooms, 15-25 Aug, £free
12:10 Simon Munnery’s La Concepta
La Concepta @ Whitespace, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £11.50 – £13.50
Graham Rex
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
Richard Wiseman: Psychobabble
The Canons’ Gait, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, £free
Domestic Science
The Canons’ Gait, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
BUY TICKETS ON
70 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Politics Now. Politics Wow!
FACEBOOK.COM/UNDERBELLYEDINBURGH
FOR ALL UNDERBELLY SHOWS
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 11, 18, 25, £free
The Comedian’s Comedian Live with Stuart Goldsmith
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 10-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, £7.50
Stu and Garry in The Lunchtime Show The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
About Comedy Stand-up Comedy Courses
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, Various dates from 7 Aug to 25 Aug, £99
Cucu-rucu-cu in the French Alps
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
12:20 Crunch the News
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-18 Aug, £free
comedylistings Bob and Jim - Go
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
12:30 One in a Million - Free Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Jerry Sadowitz: Card Tricks and Close Up Magic The Assembly Rooms, 14-18 Aug, £15.50
Sam Fletcher - Good on Paper
Bannermans, 7-25 Aug, £free
Cirque du Charlie Chuck SpaceCabaret @ 54, 13-25 Aug, £8
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Big Value Comedy’s Lunchtime Club Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £5 – £6
Tales from the Unaccepted
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-12 Aug, £free
Ted & Co The Dinner Show Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, £39
Rock N Roll Politics presented by Steve Richards
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 21, £10 – £12.50
Tony Law Maximum Nonsense The Stand Comedy Club, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8
Fragments of Monotony / An Audience With Sir Dickie Benson Whynot? , 7-25 Aug, £free
12:35 Because I Felt Like It - Free
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 11-17 Aug, £free
Man Feelings
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, £free
12:40 The St Andrews Revue
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-19 Aug, not 14, £6 – £7
12:45 Gordon Southern’s A Brief History of History
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, 10 Aug, 11 Aug, £12
12:50 Jenny Fawcett
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8 – £8.50
12:55 Funk Rocket 5000 Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £5 – £6
Horse & Louis: The Curse of... Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £9.50
13:00 Anthony King: Songs of Love and Death Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9.50
Short & Curly: A Captive Audience
Ciao Roma, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 14, 21, £9 – £10
Amnesty’s Secret Comedy Podcast
Underbelly, Bristo Square, Various dates from 7 Aug to 27 Aug, £free
E4 Udderbelly Podcalf 2012
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 20, 21, £6
The Temps
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8 – £9
The Comedy Sandwich
Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
The Human Condition - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
13:05 BDOOL (Best Days of Our Lives) - Free Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 8-26 Aug, not 14, £free
Mike Sheer in Undergod - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Life, the Universe, Whatever...
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 15, 16, 21, £free
They Came With Outer Script - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-11 Aug, £free
The Three Half Pints
Sad Faces Remember It Differently
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 22, £free
Jim Smallman’s Group Therapy
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 19, £free
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £5
Mr Susan’s ‘Cheeky Flippin’ Nice’ - Free Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-26 Aug, not 12, £free
This Arthur’s Seat Belongs to Lionel Richie
Summit of Arthur’s Seat, 7-27 Aug, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Frankie from the Valley - Free
Revill’s Selection - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Cracking Yolks - Free Range Comedy
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 12-26 Aug, £free
13:10 Bless You In Advance Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 17-26 Aug, £free
Simon Munnery’s La Concepta
13:20
La Concepta @ Whitespace, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £11.50 – £13.50
Bowling and Todd +1
They’re Gonna Crucify Me
Three for Free
The Banshee Labyrinth, 11-25 Aug, £free
Tony Jameson and Katie Mulgrew Tell Tales
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Iszi Lawrence’s Wotnot
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Best of Edinburgh The Showcase Show
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Stay at Home Dad - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-15 Aug, £free
13:15 This Is Soap
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £6.50 – £8.50
BBC: The Festival Cafe
BBC @ Potterrow, 7-17 Aug, weekdays only, £free
BBC: The Richard Bacon Show
BBC @ Potterrow, 22-23 Aug, £free
Mugging Chickens
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
Afternoon Delight
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £5
Working Men’s Club Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Soap Box - The Comedy Debate Slam Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, £free
Mace and Burton: Rom Com Con
The Canons’ Gait, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Kieran Hodgson: Supervillain
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, £free
Adam Larter: Happy New Year - A Free Comedy Show
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, £free
Belushi’s, 7-25 Aug, £free
Will Marsh’s Ruination
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £5 – £8
13:25 Jay Foreman’s Mixtape
Underbelly, Cowgate, 1926 Aug, £9 – £10
Chris Corcoran and Elis James - The Committee Meeting
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
California Beach Bungalow
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £6.50 – £8.50
Pam Ford Salon Secrets - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel
The Look of an Angel on the Devil Himself
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £free
Bob Graham Work Ethic
Jessica Pidsley’s I Can Make You Thin(k)
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-27 Aug, not 18, 25, £7
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 19, 20, £free
13:30
13:40 Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8 – £9
13:45
Gareth Morinan: Truth Doodler
Josh Richards: Keith Looks Back in Anger - Free
A Coach Load of Lesley
Control Alt Delete - The Funny Side of Computers
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £9.50
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
Kelly Kingham: Goody Two-Shoes - Free
The Royal Mile Tavern, 7-25 Aug, £free
Back to School
Pleasance at Braidwood Centre, 10-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, £15
David O’Doherty Presents 403 Second Masterworks Gilded Balloon Teviot, 14 Aug, £11.50
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Bridget Christie: War Donkey The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Gentlemen Bears
The Hudson Hotel, 7-25 Aug, £free
Ian Smith and Tom Toal Whistlebinkies, 7-25 Aug, £free
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Josie Long and Sam Schäfer’s Awkward Romance Mood Nightclub, 13-17 Aug, £free
George Ryegold’s God-In-A-Bag
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
The Joke Circus - Free Bannermans, 7-11 Aug, £free
Giant Talking Cat Free Festival
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 17-26 Aug, £free
Free Footlights
Le Monde, 7-25 Aug, not 15, £free
14:00 Hannah Gadsby Mary. Contrary.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 9-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, £9.50 – £10.50
COMEDY, THEATRE, CABARET AND MORE www.festmag.co.uk
OPEN 'TIL 5AM
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 71
comedylistings Bristol Revunions: Destination Adventure
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7.50 – £8.50
The Early Edition
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £11 – £13
Dixon of Fogg Green - Free
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 19-26 Aug, £free
Funny Women at the Fringe
Assembly George Square, 8-17 Aug, £10 – £12
Luke and Harry’s Dot Dot Dot Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
Fliss Russell - Life is Fliss
Dragonfly, 7-25 Aug, not 16, £free
Lara A King - People Pleaser
Assembly George Square, Various dates from 7 Aug to 26 Aug, £10
Sandi Toksvig Live: My Valentine
Pleasance Courtyard, 1723 Aug, £10 – £14
The Two O’Clock Show
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
This Arthur’s Seat Gala Belongs to Lionel Richie
Summit of Arthur’s Seat, 18 Aug, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
All the Fun of the Unfair 2012
Siglo, 7-25 Aug, £free
14:05 Under Your Feet
Southsider, 7-25 Aug, £free
Helsinki
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 16, 23, £free
Amused Moose Laughter Awards Top Ten Semi-Final The Bongo Club, 17 Aug, £10
AAA Batteries (Not Included) - Free
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, £free
No Poofs No Piano
theSpace on the Mile , 7-18 Aug, not 12, £5
Amused Moose Comedy Awards Final The Bongo Club, 19 Aug, £12
14:15 Gagging for Attention
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £3
Activism Is Fun
Globe, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
BBC: Comic Fringes BBC @ Potterrow, 18 Aug, £free
Nutters of the British Isles: The Complete Field Guide - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £free
Best of the Fest Daytime
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £12.50
Roland Rides The Rail’s! (again) - Free
Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 7-27 Aug, not 11, 18, 25, £free
Richard Herring’s Edinburgh Fringe Podcast
The Stand Comedy Club, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10
It’s Not Us, It’s You - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
BEASTS
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
Phil Buckley - Simple Things - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
14:20 Eric’s Tales of the Sea - A Submariner’s Yarn Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10.50
Jack Jerome’s Journey of Life
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8
Eleanor Tiernan Rogue
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Silky: Nut Allegory
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Tom Lauri: Good With His Fingers Sweet Grassmarket, 11-27 Aug, not 18, 25, £7
The One Hour Plays Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9.50
14:25
Reshape While Damp
Once Upon A Time...
Paradise in The Vault, 7-19 Aug, not 13, £7.50
14:30 Sarah Jones: Does Not Play Well With Others
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-12 Aug, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Tennyson Hanbury’s Condensed Cabaret
C venues - C aquila, 1927 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Belushi’s, 7-25 Aug, £free
Angela Barnes and Matt Richardson
This Comedy Mob Belongs to Lionel Richie
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £free
The Birmingham Footnotes Drop Their Trousers Base Nightclub, 7-11 Aug, £free
Jessie Cave: Bookworm
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Ian Fox - Shutter Monkey (The Comedy Show With Pictures) - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
The One-Eyed Men’s Friendship Formula - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
BBC: Christopher Brookmyre’s Comedy Bookcase BBC @ Potterrow, 7-9 Aug, £free
The Edinburgh Revue Stand Up Show
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, not 16, £free
The Scott Monument, 25 Aug, £free
Barbara Nice: Mrs Nice
The Assembly Rooms, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £10
Square Eye Pair
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £8.50 – £9.50
14:35 Convicted
The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
14:40 Billy Kirkwood’s Show Me Your Tattoo 2012 Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Vinegar Knickers: On The Edge Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 16, 17, £8 – £9.50
10 Films With My Dad
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
BUY TICKETS ON
72 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
FACEBOOK.COM/UNDERBELLYEDINBURGH
FOR ALL UNDERBELLY SHOWS
14:45 In Vino Veritas - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 11, 18, 25, £free
And Still Rarely Rong Whistlebinkies, 7-25 Aug, £free
Bec Hill is More Afraid of You Than You Are of Her!
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £8 – £9
Santa’s Dead and We Have Killed Him Opium, 7-11 Aug, £free
Slap and Giggle: Retrial
Opium, 12-25 Aug, £free
Best of Waterloo Comedy Club
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 18-26 Aug, £free
Someone, Somewhere
The Royal Mile Tavern, 7-25 Aug, £free
American Girlfriend: Laura Levites
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £free
14:50 Hennessy & Friends: A History of Violence Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Fran Moulds: Significant Human Error
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
comedylistings 15:00 RadioHead Redux 2012
Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
No Pressure to Be Funny Venue150 @ EICC, 18 Aug, £10
BBC: Crossing the Media BBC @ Potterrow, 26 Aug, £free
Gemma Arrowsmith: Defender of Earth Le Monde, 7-25 Aug, £free
Rachel Stubbings Is Stubbing Out Problems
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
Bristol Improv for Hire
Whynot? , 8-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
What a Weird and Wonderful Festival! The Voodoo Rooms, 25 Aug, £free
Visual Aids
Rush Bar, 7-18 Aug, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Ship of Fools: Children of Twelchford
Bannermans, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Mitch Benn: Reduced Circumstances The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 13, £10
The Cradle of Comedy
Destiny Church Gorgie, 7-26 Aug, £5
2012: An Improv Odyssey
Rush Bar, 19-25 Aug, £free
15:05 Kaput
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £11 – £13
Tim Honnef - Life
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7 – £8
Men of Character - Free
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, £free
15:10 Parris and Dowler Know What They’re Doing Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
My Stepson Stole My Sonic Screwdriver Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £10 – £11
It’s Grimm Up North
theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, £6 – £8
Jamie Demetriou’s People Day (and Special Guests) Dragonfly, 8-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
15:15 Comedy Brass - Free
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, £free
BBC: The Unbelievable Truth BBC @ Potterrow, 13 Aug, £free
Kieran and Joe: Friends of Steel
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Stand-Up at the Jekyll & Hyde - Free
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 16, £free
Katherine Ryan: Nature’s Candy
Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 26, £9.50 – £10
Ford and Akram: Bamp!
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £9.50
Luke Milford Things I Like Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
BBC: Front Row
BBC @ Potterrow, 15 Aug, £free
Cirque du Charlie Chuck
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £8
The Oxford Imps
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, £10.50 – £12
Forget Therapy - Just Drink - Free Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
15:20 Kevin Tomlinson: Crazy Little Thing Called Love!
Just The Tonic at the Caves, Various dates from 8 Aug to 26 Aug, £10 – £11
Kevin Tomlinson: Seven Ages!
Just The Tonic at the Caves, Various dates from 7 Aug to 25 Aug, £10 – £11
Four Screws Loose in #screwtheworld Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 11, £9 – £10
The Comedy Manifesto
Ciao Roma, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
15:25 The Silky Pair: Happy to Help (Plus Special Guests) Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £6
15:30 Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards Show
Pleasance Courtyard, 26 Aug, £14
Dave McNeill: Canoe Ride 3000 Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £10
No Turn Unstoned
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, £free
Chris Henry: We Need to Talk!
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 24, £free
LOLympics Live - Free Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Plenty More Fish (But I Don’t Have a Fish Fetish)
Patterson and Ranganathan
The Fiddler’s Elbow, 7-25 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Intimate Strangers
Max and Ivan Are... Con Artists
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £9.50
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £12
The Expeditionary Force in The First Supper
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-12 Aug, £free
Ladies and Gentlemen - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Monumental Information’s Product of the Year 2017
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 16-26 Aug, £free
Ladies Live Longer: Ladylike
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
Nick Page: My Glorious Hypothetical Life As a Eunuch The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £8
Liam Mullone: A Land Fit For F*ckwits The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Michael Legge: What a Shame
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Helen Keen: Robot Woman of Tomorrow
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
RH: Live
C venues - C aquila, 12-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
BBC: Four Thought BBC @ Potterrow, 20 Aug, £free
15:35 Bruce Hammers’ Bananapocalypse
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £5 – £6
Through the Looking Screen Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £10 – £11
Peter Antoniou’s Psychic Circus
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-26 Aug, not 18, 25, £8
15:40 Sharron Matthews Superstar: Gold
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £12.50 – £14
Owen Niblock: Codemaker
15:50
Phil O’Shea
GHQ, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free Belushi’s, 7-25 Aug, £free
An Indie Boy’s Guide to Sex and Girls Chiquito, 7-25 Aug, £free
Tom Goodliffe: All in Good Time
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £6 – £7
Thea-Skot’s Miss Adventures
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8
15:45 David Mills is Smart Casual - Free
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-27 Aug, £free
The Tim Vine Chat Show
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £14 – £15
Sean Hegarty and Tom O’Mahoney Live - Free
Loughborough Players: Athletes of Comedy
Quiz in My Pants
The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
The Dog-Eared Collective: You’re Amazing, Now Look at Me Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Dec Munro’s Got Chutzpah
The Royal Mile Tavern, 15-25 Aug, £free
Mark Cooper-Jones: Geography Teacher - Free The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-24 Aug, not 14, 20, £free
15:55 Niall McCamley: Lemon Jousting and Other Shenanigans
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Dolly Mixture
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, not 15, £free
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-26 Aug, £free
16:00
Sarfraz Manzoor: The Boss Rules
Jody Kamali: Dirty Filthy Rich - Free
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Fark
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 15, 16, £free
Discograffiti - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 11-26 Aug, £free
Simon Munnery: Fylm-Makker
The Stand Comedy Club, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10
I Am Google
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Free Improv Show - The Discount Comedy Checkout Base Nightclub, 7-18 Aug, £free
Munfred Bernstein’s Cabinet of Wonder Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £8.50 – £9.50
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Paul Merton’s Impro Chums
Pleasance Courtyard, 1625 Aug, £13 – £14.50
Mae Day HHH
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7
BBC: Christopher Brookmyre’s Comedy Bookcase BBC @ Potterrow, 7-9 Aug, £free
Matthew Crosby is Matthew Crosby in Matthew Crosby (The Show) Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £12
The Quadrantines
Opium, 7-25 Aug, £free
Kierkegaard Comedy Show Danish Institute, 8-19 Aug, £10
COMEDY, THEATRE, CABARET AND MORE www.festmag.co.uk
OPEN 'TIL 5AM
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 73
comedylistings Daniel-Ryan Spaulding: How Dare You! The Hudson Hotel, 7-25 Aug, not 10, 11, £free
This Barry Ferns Belongs to Lionel Richie
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £free
Phill Jupitus is Porky the Poet in 27 Years On The Jam House, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
Pun Run
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 15 Aug, £12
The Cambridge Footlights: Perfect Strangers
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, £9 – £10
Fred Cooke: Standing, tilted
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
The Oxford Revue Prattle Royale Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10
Back to School
Pleasance at Braidwood Centre, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £15
Beard
Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8 – £10
Damien Crow: The World According to Damien Crow HH
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Rob Auton: The Yellow Show
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
Constant Craving - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 11, 18, 25, £free
BBC: Just a Minute BBC @ Potterrow, 14 Aug, £free
6 Foot Silly - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-17 Aug, not 11, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Arguments and Nosebleeds - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 26 Aug, £free
Occupied
53 Frederick St Guest House, 10-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
16:05 Matt Forde: Eyes to the Right, Nose to the Left
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Half of Next Year’s Show - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
16:10
16:30
Shirley and Shirley Unleashed
Chris McCausland: Not Blind Enough
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
16:15 The Pigeon Hole Presents: Stand-Up Comedy - PBH’s Free Fringe Mood Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, £free
Making Life Taste Funnier
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
Rory O’Hanlon: A Bit of Craic in the Afternoon
Rush Bar, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 16, 17, £free
Do Not Adjust Your Stage
Whynot? , 7-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Deborah FrancesWhite: Cult Following Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
John Hastings: UnRelentless
Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 7-26 Aug, £free
Genevieve Swallow is Sharing Le Monde, 7-25 Aug, not 15, £free
Gerry Howell: Glorious Invention
Bannermans, 7-24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
16:20 Gráinne Maguire: Where Are All the Fun Places and Are Lots of People There Having Better Fun?
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £8.50 – £9.50
Gravity Boots
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8 – £9
An Austrian and Someone from Slough
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £11 – £12
Paul Dennis’s Inappropriate Bits - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
The Bob Blackman Appreciation Society Presents - Free Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-12 Aug, £free
Jim Smallman: Let’s Be Friends Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9
Lead Pencil
The Fiddler’s Elbow, 1325 Aug, £free
Catch Comedy Presents: Edinburgh Fringe Showcase Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 13-17 Aug, £3.50
The McLough-Hess Monster
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 16, £free
Itch: A Scratch Event Pleasance Courtyard, 14 Aug, £8
Thomas Nelstrop: Great(ish) Hits Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
McNeil and Pamphilon
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Aberdeen vs. Glasgow vs. The World II - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-26 Aug, £free
Asher Treleaven: Troubadour
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Kevin Dewsbury: In... Sane - Free Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 13-26 Aug, £free
Fresh Faces at the Free Fringe
Southsider, 7-25 Aug, £free
BBC: In Tune
BBC @ Potterrow, 24 Aug, £free
Morgan & West: Clockwork Miracles
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
16:40 David Longley: My Favourite Things HHH
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Holly Burn: The H Club
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8
Otto Kuhnle: Ich Bin Ein Berliner
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
Mary Bourke: Hail Mary!
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Jigsaw: Gettin’ Jiggy
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Dissecting Comedy - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Jem Brookes: Thumbs Up - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Not Treasure Island Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £5 – £6
Computer Programmer Extraordinaire Globe, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
The Edinburgh Revue Sketch Show The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
The Pin
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8.50 – £9.50
Jackson Voorhaar’s One True Love(s) - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Lewis Schaffer: No YOU Shut Up! - Free
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Erich McElroy: The Brit Identity
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £11 – £12
The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek- All New Show 2012 Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £12
Cariad Lloyd - The Freewheelin’ Cariad Lloyd Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
BBC: The Unbelievable Truth BBC @ Potterrow, 13 Aug, £free
Born to be Mild
The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £7
No Country for Old Men
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 11-18 Aug, £free
Leads & Stern
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
End of the World Show 2012
Ryan’s Cellar Bar, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
Angus and Cameron: Village Idiots - Free
The Pauly Show Episode One
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 7-14 Aug, £free
Lights! Camera! Improvise!
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
The Voodoo Rooms, Various dates from 7 Aug to 14 Aug, £free
Michelle de Swarte
Belushi’s, 7-25 Aug, not 15, £free
Fat Kitten vs. the World
The Voodoo Rooms, 1625 Aug, not 22, £free
16:55 Alan Hudson’s Not So Secret World of Magic
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £9
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £10
The Tim and Pat Show
The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
The Great Big Comedy Picnic - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
John Robertson - The Dark Room - Free Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-27 Aug, £free
Geoff Norcott Avoids a Double Dip The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 19-25 Aug, £7
Diane Spencer: Exquisite Bad Taste
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
One Rogue Reporter
Discover Ben Target
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
Yianni: Numb and Number - Free
Jarlath Regan: The Audacity of Hope and the Inspirational Stupidity of Perseverance
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
The Canons’ Gait, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
Simply the Jest presents Middle Class Tripe
Chiquito, 10-25 Aug, £free
BUY TICKETS ON
74 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
16:50
Fat Kitten Goes Speed Dating
16:45
17:00 Bad Musical
FACEBOOK.COM/UNDERBELLYEDINBURGH
FOR ALL UNDERBELLY SHOWS
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Ferris Bueller’s Way of...
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
comedylistings Britain’s Got F*ck All Talent! The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £7
Firenado! The Sketch Show
Josh Widdicombe: The Further Adventures of... Extra Show
Pleasance Courtyard, 14 Aug, £11
Buffs Club (RAOB), 7-13 Aug, £free
17:15
Passion, Pints and Potatoes - An Irish Guide to Life
Christian Reilly: This Is Not A Love Song
Dropkick Murphy’s, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
German Comedian
Base Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
The Leeds Tealights: Sexy Chubby Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £9
The Noise Next Door: Bring The Noise Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £13 – £14
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
17:05 Rory & Tim: Good for Nothing
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
Blind Date Ruined My Life
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-26 Aug, not 18, 25, £7.50
Stephanie Laing and Martin Croser: Greens! The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-17 Aug, £free
Rosie Thorn and The Patsy Cornish Saga theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21-25 Aug, £7
17:10 Nicholas Parsons’ Happy Hour
Pleasance Courtyard, 9-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £11 – £12
Monkey Poet - Potty Mouth
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
Ben Verth: Alsatian and Chips
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 16, £free
The Tim Vine Chat Show
Whistlebinkies, 7-18 Aug, £free
Do Not Trust the Animals - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-27 Aug, not 16, £free
Birth Order
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
BBC: Dilemma
BBC @ Potterrow, 16 Aug, £free
Gadd and Winning: Well, This is Awkwarder
Opium, 11-25 Aug, £free
David O’Doherty Presents 403 Second Masterworks Gilded Balloon Teviot, 20 Aug, £11.50
Man 1, Bank 0
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 11-26 Aug, £10.50 – £12.50
The Thinking Drinkers Guide to Alcohol
17:30 Scientist Turned Comedian: Tim Lee
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
The SomeNews Live Show - Free
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Cammy’s Teatime The Jazz Bar, 22-26 Aug, £5
Folken Britain
Le Monde, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
BBC: Just a Minute BBC @ Potterrow, 14 Aug, £free
Jennifer Carnovale - Scraping the Barrel - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 11, 18, 25, £free
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
James Christopher: Bring Me the Head of Russell Kane - Free The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Nik Coppin’s Caricatures - Free Festival
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Michael Redmond: Mannequins, Fishmongers, Guacamole and Me ... and Other Things
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8.50 – £9.50
Lucy Porter - People Person HHH The Stand Comedy Club, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10
17:20 Laurence Clark: Inspired
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11
Bad Bread: 2012 The Survival Guide
Laughing Horse Free Comedy Selection
Barry Cryer and Ronnie Golden Going Gaga
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-10 Aug, £12
Sean Hughes - Life Becomes Noises Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £13 – £14
Phil Mann’s Full Mind Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Benny Boot: Def-Con 4
Pleasance Courtyard, 21 Aug, £14
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Sheeps - Dancing with Lisa
Hanks and Conran Pigs in Blankets
Nick Helm: This Means War!
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7.50
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £12.50 – £13.50
Lost Voice Guy and Jeff Lantern - Not Afraid of Tablets Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, £free
The Great Puppet Horn
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10.50
17:35 Milo McCabe: Kenny Moon This Is Your Life
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10
Ryan Withers - One Woman Showe - Free
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, £free
17:40 Catriona Knox Hellcat
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
The Three Englishmen: Squares
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 11, £9 – £9.50
17:45 Ed Eales-White: Champions
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £7.50 – £9
The Kids We Used To Be - Free Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 7-14 Aug, £free
Aaaand Now for Something Completely Wireless - Free Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Magical Adventures of Pete Heat Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 7-27 Aug, £10 – £12
Ladystache
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 15-26 Aug, £free
Billy Watson - Sex, Drugs and Marriage - Free
Maff Brown’s Parade of This Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 13, £8 – £9
The Fitzrovia Radio Hour
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £10 – £11
BBC: The Kitchen Cabinet
BBC @ Potterrow, 26 Aug, £free
The Beta Males in... The Space Race Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Well Done You - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Matthew Highton’s End of the Road Siglo, 7-26 Aug, £free
Chris Stokes: An Opera Written On Napkins Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
Garrett Millerick: Which One’s Fergal? Southsider, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Hill and Weedon
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 16, £free
3 Days Off Jesus - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Chris Dangerfield: Sex Tourist
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, £free
17:50 Wil Hodgson: Kidnapped By Catwoman
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Test Tube Comedy
Ciao Roma, 7-25 Aug, £free
Gavin Webster: Bill Hicks Wasn’t Very Good
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
18:00
Chris Brain: A Better Place
Big Value Comedy Show - Early
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £8.50 – £9.50
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Xavier Toby: Binge Thinking
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
The Best of Irish Comedy
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, £10
Ben Hustwayte & Jack Campbell: Get It On
Globe, 7-25 Aug, £free
Trevor Lock’s Amateur Sex Tape Theory
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, £5
Nick Mohammed is Mr Swallow: 2012 Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £11 – £12
Dirty Thirties
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Stephen Carlin: Pandas vs Penguins Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £11 – £12
Josie Long: Romance and Adventure Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 18, 19, £11.50 – £12.50
Loretta Maine: Bipolar
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
The Full Irish
Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 7-26 Aug, £free
All Star Stand-Up Showcase - Free
Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 7-26 Aug, £free
Fresh Faces at the Free Fringe Belushi’s, 7-25 Aug, £free
Rob Beckett’s Summer Holiday
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £12
The Six O’Clock Club
Kilderkin, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £free
Suzi Ruffell: Let’s Get Ready to Ruffell Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Susan Calman: This Lady’s Not for Turning Either
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
COMEDY, THEATRE, CABARET AND MORE www.festmag.co.uk
OPEN 'TIL 5AM
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 75
comedylistings Jimeoin - What?!
Venue150 @ EICC, 7-26 Aug, not 21, 22, 23, 24, £13.50 – £15.50
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Laughing Horse Free Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Axis of Awesome: Cry Yourself A River HH Pleasance Courtyard, 7-19 Aug, £14 – £16
18:05 Richard Wiseman: Psychobabble
The Canons’ Gait, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, £free
George’s Marvellous Medics theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20-25 Aug, £6
Stewart Lee - Carpet Remnant World The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £15
Black Country Cider Lions - Free
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 7-26 Aug, £free
Oliver Dean and His Fantastic Ego! Live
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £3
Sammy J and Randy The Inheritance
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £13 – £15
18:10 Basic Training
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 19, £11 – £12
Chris Dugdale’s 2 Faced Deception
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, £11 – £12
Adam Strauss: Varieties of Religious Experience
The Royal Mile Tavern, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
Rick Shapiro: Rebirth Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £13 – £14
Michelle Wormleighton Bewildered
Chiquito, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
18:15 Michael Workman - Mercy
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Nick Beaton Does Not Play Well With Others
The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £7 – £8
A Betrayal of Penguins - Harmed and Dangerous
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-11 Aug, £9.50 – £10
Jack Barry and Patrick Turpin: Your New Mild Friends
Buffs Club (RAOB), 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Billy The Mime
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £6 – £10
You Are Being Lied To 2012 Base Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
BBC: The Philosopher’s Arms BBC @ Potterrow, 21 Aug, £free
Gordon Southern’s A Brief History of History Gilded Balloon Teviot, 12-26 Aug, £12
Thatcher’s Death Party
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, £free
Matt and Ian’s Improv Show
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-27 Aug, not 18, 25, £8
Frimston and Rowett: Huge Mistakes
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8
Inspired - Life 101
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Sajeela Kershi: Regret-Me-Nots
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Helen Arney - Voice of an Angle Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £10 – £11
Greg Proops
Assembly George Square, 16-25 Aug, £15 – £16
18:20 Caimh McDonnell: The Art of Conversation
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 15, £6 – £7
2 Facedbook 3
The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, £free
Marek Larwood Typecast
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
NewsRevue
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £12.50 – £15
Carl Hutchinson: Acceptable?
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £6 – £7.50
Damian Kingsley: Work in Progress - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 12-26 Aug, £free
Rookie Mistakes
The Street, 15-25 Aug, £free
The Top Secret Comedy Club
Whistlebinkies, 7-24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Denise Scott Regrets
Assembly Hall, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
The Durham Revue
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-21 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, £9 – £10
Max Fletcher: Delicious
Opium, 7-25 Aug, £free
Norwegians of Comedy
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
WitTank HHH
Would You Let Your Daughter Marry A Weegie?
GHQ, 7-19 Aug, £free Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £9.50
18:25 Harrison Greenbaum: What Just Happened? - CANCELLED Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
Alfie Brown: Soul for Sale Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
Stuart Mitchell Presents ‘It’s Just a Phrase I Am Going Through’
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, £free
18:30 Sex Ed: The Musical! theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8 – £9
Peter Edwards: Love Everyone Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 11, 18, 25, £free
Spring Day: Learn How to Take a Punch - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
The Hudson Hotel, 7-25 Aug, £free
Distract and Conquer Amarone, 7-25 Aug, £free
Daniel Sloss - The Show
Venue150 @ EICC, 7-26 Aug, not 22, £13.50 – £15.50
Jessica Fostekew: Brave New Word
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9.50
BBC: John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme
BBC @ Potterrow, 18 Aug, £free
18:35 Ian D. Montfort Unbelievable
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £12 – £14
18:40 Charmian Hughes: Charmageddon!
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Totally Tom
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Mark Nelson - Under the Radar Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £10 – £11
The Harri-Parris - The Leaving Do Zoo, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9
Chortle Presents: Fast Fringe
Pleasance Dome, 7-25 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Kerry Gilbert Triumphs
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8.50
Overexposed: A Slightly Awkward Peep Show
Fingers Piano Bar, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £free
18:45 Absolute Improv!
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Bus-ting to Laugh - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
Alexis Dubus: Cars & Girls Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
Totally Wired! Reunion Farewell (Welfare) Tour - A Sperm’s Tail and Other Tales - Free
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 19-26 Aug, £free
Phill Jupitus - You’re Probably Wondering Why I’ve Asked You Here... The Stand Comedy Club, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £12
Aidan Killian: Free to Obey - Free Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-27 Aug, not 21, 24, £free
Laughing Horse Free Comedy Selection Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 7-26 Aug, £free
18:50 Stories from the Middle
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-14 Aug, £free
Dan Nightingale: The 11 and a 1/2 Ill-conceived Edinburgh Shows of Dan Nightingale Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
BUY TICKETS ON
76 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
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FOR ALL UNDERBELLY SHOWS
Alistair Barrie: Urban Fogey Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11
Would Like to Meet - Free
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 15-26 Aug, £free
Andrew Bird’s Global Village Fete HH
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-25 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
19:00 Josh Widdicombe: The Further Adventures of...
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 23, £11 – £12
Daniel Simonsen Champions
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8.50 – £10
Tom Deacon: Deaconator
Pleasance Dome, 7-25 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
This Time It’s Personal
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Giacinto Palmieri: Pagliaccio
Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-26 Aug, £free
Amateur Transplants: Adam Kay’s Bum Notes Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £12 – £13
Bob Slayer: He’s A Very Naughty Boy
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £5
Jim Campbell: Nine-Year-Old Man
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Heroes of Alternative Fringe
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 27 Aug, £5
Elis James: Speaking As a Mother... Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £12
Funny’s Funny: Fantastic Fringe Finale - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
comedylistings Vladimir McTavish and Keir McAllister Look at the State of Scotland The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
1000 Years of Scotland’s Dark Past
The Edinburgh Dungeon, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10.50
Henry Rollins
The Queen’s Hall, 8-10 Aug, £15
Karma Comedian Stella Graham - Free Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 16, £free
Trevor Browne - I Think ... I Am
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Itch: A Scratch Event Pleasance Courtyard, 13 Aug, £8
BBC: Tonight With Rory Bremner BBC @ Potterrow, 22 Aug, £free
Barry Castagnola in Where’s Barry
Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
5-Step Guide to Being German 2.0 - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
101 Comedy Club - Free
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, £free
Aaron Twitchen’s Quarter Life Crisis
Southsider, 7-25 Aug, £free
Seymour Mace: Squeg!
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Celia Pacquola Delayed
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
Suggs: My Life Story in Words and Music The Queen’s Hall, 21-24 Aug, £22.50
19:05 Sploshy: A Sketch Show
Ciao Roma, 11-25 Aug, not 15, 22, £free
19:15 Stinky Show
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
Bobby Carroll: Low Voltage - Free The Royal Mile Tavern, 7-25 Aug, £free
19:25
Paul Foot - Kenny Larch Is Dead Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £10.50 – £12
Danny Bhoy: Dear Epson
Thomas Hardie Presents: Where’s Thomas, Hardie?
Songs, Stories and Downright Lies
Tim FitzHigham: Stop the Pigeon
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
19:30
Owen O’Neill: Struck By Lightning
Marlon Davis: Enter the Davism
Künt’s on Daytime TV - Free
A Theory of Everything - Free
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-15 Aug, £free
AAA Stand-Up
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £9 – £10
Light Relief
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
The 7:15pm StandUp Show - Free
Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 7-26 Aug, £free
Charlie Baker Freshly Baked Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Perfectly Bananas
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-27 Aug, £free
Andrew O’Neill and Marc Burrows Do Music and Comedy and Hideous Murders The Canons’ Gait, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Manners Costs Nothing
Globe, 7-18 Aug, £free
Upstaging: A Modern Guide to Acting for Gentlemen and Gentleladies - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Trevor Noah: The Racist
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
19:20 John Robins: Incredible Scenes!
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Barry Morgan’s World of Organs
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £11.50 – £13.50
David O’Doherty: Seize the David O’Doherty
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £14 – £15
Venue150 @ EICC, 7-8 Aug, £16.50
Paradise in The Vault, 21-27 Aug, £8
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 11, £free
Ted & Co The Dinner Show
Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor, 10 Aug, 11 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, £46
Bob Doolally’s Euro Crisis
The Stand Comedy Club, 13 Aug, £10
Yorkshire Comedy Cabaret IV: Jokers, Born and Interbred - Free Base Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Carl-Einar Häckner: Handluggage
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Born to be Mild
The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 19-25 Aug, £7
Craig Hill - Jock’s Trap!
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £12.50 – £14.50
Bungo Menebla!
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 13-26 Aug, £free
The Funeral of Conor O’Toole
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8 – £9
Frisky & Mannish: Extra-Curricular Activities Assembly Hall, 16-26 Aug, not 20, 21, 22, £16
DeAnne Smith: Livin’ The Sweet Life Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £11 – £12.50
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical! Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, £13 – £15
Stuart Goldsmith: Pr!ck Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10
Big Value Comedy Show - Middle
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
BBC: London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony Screening BBC @ Potterrow, 12 Aug, £free
Rhod Gilbert: The Man With the Flaming Battenberg Tattoo
Venue150 @ EICC, 15-26 Aug, not 20, 21, £20
The Not Quite Quartet
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7.50 – £8.50
Raymond Mearns - Rock’n’Roll Comedian - The Therapy Sessions
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Dan Willis: A Comedian’s Life
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Michael Downey Standing Up Again Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 13, 20, £8 – £9
Lloyd Langford: One Day in the Life of Lloyd Owen Langford The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Can You Put This in the Bin for Me? - Free
Adam Hills: Mess Around
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 14-26 Aug, £free
Andrew Ryan: Ryanopoly
The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek- All New Show 2012
Assembly Hall, 7-19 Aug, £12 – £13
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8.50
Mark Watson: The Information
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £15
Chris Ramsey: Feeling Lucky
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 17, £5 – £9.50
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £12
Claudia O’Doherty The Telescope Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
19:50 Pattie Brewster’s Friendship Venture (For Some Friends)
Comedy Gala 2012: In Aid of Waverley Care
19:45
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 20, £free
Brides of Comedy
Festival Theatre Edinburgh, 23 Aug, £25
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
The Quiz Show That Has Nothing to Do With Horses
Horne and Key and...
Opinions Are Free
Sweet Grassmarket, 17 Aug, £5
Nick Sun: Potty Time!
Dragonfly, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Pleasance Dome, 14 Aug, £12
Mace and Burton: Heartbreak Hotel
Buffs Club (RAOB), 8-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
19:35 Jen Brister - Now and Then Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
The Mysterious World of Clovis Van Darkhelm The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, £free
Big In Dubai!
GHQ, 7-11 Aug, £free
19:40
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-13 Aug, £free
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Catie Wilkins: Joy Is My Middle Name Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
Saskia’s Surprise Party
Amarone, 12-25 Aug, £free
People Person
Opium, 7-25 Aug, £free
Fred MacAulay: Legally Bald 2
Alan Davies - Life is Pain
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10
School of Comedy
The History Girls Present: A Summary of Things So Far
Venue150 @ EICC, 9-14 Aug, £20 Assembly Hall, 20-26 Aug, £10
Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Nice People Have Ruined My Life
Tiffany Stevenson: Uncomfortably Numb Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Hello Everybody!
Sweet Grassmarket, 16 Aug, £5
Seann Walsh: Seann to be Wild Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 23, £11 – £12
20:00 Patrick Monahan – Shooting From The Lip!
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10.50 – £12.50
COMEDY, THEATRE, CABARET AND MORE www.festmag.co.uk
OPEN 'TIL 5AM
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 77
comedylistings Bob Downe ... Smokin’
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 23, £12.50 – £14
Tartan Ribbon Comedy Benefit
Pleasance Courtyard, 14 Aug, £12
Naz Osmanoglu: Ottoman Without An Empire HHH
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £9.50
Rhys Darby - This Way to Spaceship
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £17.50 – £18.50
Des Clarke: Final Destination
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £13 – £14
Lie. Cheat. Steal. Confessions of a Real Hustler Zoo, 7-27 Aug, £10 – £12
Derek Ryan: Time Lord - Free
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Povs and Hefter Uncensored
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-16 Aug, £free
Bairns’ Night
The Assembly Rooms, 13 Aug, £20
Jimeoin - What?! Extra Shows!
Venue150 @ EICC, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, £13.50
Sound & Fury’s Doc Faustus Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10
So You Think You’re Funny? FINAL
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 23 Aug, £15
Hyde and Lyons
Mood Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 15, £free
Andrew Doyle: Whatever It Takes
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £6.50 – £7.50
Tom Stade Totally Rocks! Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £11.50 – £13
The Fringe Comedy Academy: Class of 2012
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 20 Aug, £6
Daniel Sloss - Extra Shows!
Venue150 @ EICC, Various dates from 10 Aug to 25 Aug, £15.50
Him and Me: Sketch Circus - Free
Return of the Lumberjacks (Back by Poplar Demand) The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £15
20:15 Rob Deering - The One
Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 7-25 Aug, £free
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £11 – £12
Reshape While Damp
Two for None
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 17-26 Aug, £free
Kumail Nanjiani
Assembly Roxy, 14-27 Aug, £11.50 – £12.50
Dylan Moran: Yeah, Yeah
Edinburgh Playhouse, 15 Aug, 23 Aug, £24
Air Guitar Can Save the World Mood Nightclub, 7-18 Aug, £free
20:05 Eric Davidson - The Only Way is Eric’s
theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 7-11 Aug, £10
Nothing to Show
theSpace on the Mile , 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7.50
All About the Craic
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, £free
20:10 Kev Orkian in Concert - The World’s Favourite Foreigner theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 13-25 Aug, £10
Vikki Stone: Hot Mess
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Martin Mor: A Man You Don’t Meet Everyday
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Steve Gribbin: Viva Gribbostania!
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Hannah Gadsby - Hannah Wants a Wife
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Thom Tuck Flips Out Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 12, £10 – £11
Alan Francis Expands Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £10
James Acaster Prompt HHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £10 – £12
Gearoid Farrelly: Turbulence
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Al Pitcher – Tiny Triumphs
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 12-26 Aug, £free
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
❤ Richard Herring: Talking C*ck - The Second Coming HHHH
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 7-26 Aug, £free
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, £14 – £16
GirlBand Improv - Free
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Lewis Schaffer: No YOU Shut Up! - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Sean Hughes Stands Up Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £13 – £14
FNT Live presents... The Jingling Lane Family Singers
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
The Ferret’s Free Live Comedy Podcast Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-11 Aug, £free
Jo Caulfield - Thinking Bad Thoughts
The Stand Comedy Club, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Joel Dommett Nunchuck Silver Medallist 2002
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £10 – £12
BBC: Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section BBC @ Potterrow, 19 Aug, £free
Rob Deb - the Dork Knight Triumphant - Free
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 16, £free
BBC: Wondermentalist Cabaret
BBC @ Potterrow, 9 Aug, £free
A Good Catholic Boy
Kemsley and Callaghan: Keeping Their Cool Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
20:20 Danielle Ward - Speakeasy / Playdead
Pleasance Dome, 8-27 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Cardinal Burns
Pleasance Dome, 20-25 Aug, £10 – £11
Mick Miller and Jimmy Cricket
Pleasance Dome, 18 Aug, £12
Amused Moose Comedy Awards Showcases
Pleasance Dome, Various dates from 8 Aug to 17 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
20:30 Abigoliah Schamaun: Girl Going to Hell Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £free
Phil Walker: Is This It?
Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
Danny McLoughlin - The Truth, the Half-Truth and Nothing Like the Truth Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £12
Shappi Khorsandi: Dirty Looks and Hopscotch Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Tim Roast’s Animals - Free Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £free
Simon Amstell: Numb
20:25 Look at This Massive Picture of My Face The Canons’ Gait, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Bellylicious the Sequel - Confessions of a Belly Dance Diva Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 7-11 Aug, £10
Destiny Church Gorgie, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £5
20:35 Stephen Bailey and Zoe Iqbal - Subject to Change - Free
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 7-12 Aug, £free
20:40 Roisin Conaty: Lifehunter
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
The Ejaculate Conception
C venues - C nova, 19-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Pete Johansson Utopian Crack Pipe
Playing Politics
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £10
20:45
Sarah Kendall - Get Up, Stand-Up
An Audience with the King
Carl Donnelly: Different Gravy HH
LOLd on a Minute! Sweet Grassmarket, 12-26 Aug, not 18, 25, £7
Joe Lycett: Some Lycett Hot
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Nathan Cassidy: Free Pound
The Royal Mile Tavern, 7-25 Aug, not 15, £free
Pat Burtscher’s Patopotamoose
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £11 – £12
BUY TICKETS ON
78 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
The Cradle of Comedy
The Chris and Paul Show
Venue150 @ EICC, 7 Aug, £13
Pappy’s: Last Show Ever!
Ciao Roma, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Festival of the Spoken Nerd
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
The News at Kate 2012
Laughing Horse Free Pick of the Fringe
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12.50
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £12.50 – £14
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £13 – £14
The Bongo Club, 20-26 Aug, £16.50
Nish Kumar - Who Is Nish Kumar?
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Nina Conti: Dolly Mixtures
FACEBOOK.COM/UNDERBELLYEDINBURGH
FOR ALL UNDERBELLY SHOWS
The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Luke Benson Backseat Hero
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
We Love Comedy
Base Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, £free
Alpine Horn with Flange Krammer - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Newcastle University Comedy Society Showcase / PBH’s Free Fringe
Buffs Club (RAOB), 7-25 Aug, £free
Devvo Dole Queue Hero is Free
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-26 Aug, £free
comedylistings Pick of the Fringe
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Unstable Fables Greenside, 13-18 Aug, £7
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! It’s the Monster Stand-Up Show - Free Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Chris Martin - Spot the Difference HHH Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £12
Magnus Betnér Live The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 16, £10
Sex Money Death
The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £7
20:50 Des Bishop Likes to Bang
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £11 – £12
Matt Price: Fugly. The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, £free
Andrew Lawrence is Coming to Get You Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £11 – £12.50
Lord Nelson Presents...
GHQ, 17-25 Aug, £free
Max Dickins: This Will Only Take A Moment... The Cabaret Voltaire, 7-25 Aug, £free
Heath Franklin’s Chopper in A Hard Bastard’s Guide to Life
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-19 Aug, £11 – £12
20:55 Al Murray - The Pub Landlord: The Only Way is Epic (Special Previews)
Assembly George Square, 13-25 Aug, £12 – £14
Musical Comedy Awards Showcase
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 10-11 Aug, £14
The Sensational Alex Salmond Gastric Band presents Oliver Pissed Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 8-26 Aug, not 21, £free
The Super Serious Show
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £13
Checkley and Bush’s Comedy Riot! Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8
21:00
No Pants Thursday: T’il Death Do Us Party Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7.50 – £8.50
Chris Kent - Plugged In Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Dear Dan Brown...
Dragonfly, 7-24 Aug, £free
Heroes of Alternative Fringe
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 7-21 Aug, £5
Phil Nichol Rants!
Hurt and Anderson: Scenes of a Vignetteish Nature - Free
The Pajama Men’s Improv Show
The Fairytale Forest
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Assembly George Square, 7-12 Aug, £14 – £15
Dr Ettrick-Hogg’s Manly Stand-Ups - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 8-26 Aug, not 16, 21, £free Ukrainian Club, 16-20 Aug, £8
Big Value Comedy Show - Late
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Russell Kane: Posturing Delivery
Glorified Disasters
The Assembly Rooms, 13-24 Aug, £15
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 14, 15, £free
Alan Anderson: Whisky For Dafties
Neil Delamere: DelaMere Mortal
One Track Minds - Free
You Have Nothing to Fear...
Aaaaaaaaaaaaarghh! It’s the Greatest Show on Legs
BBC: Radio 2 New Comedy Award
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 14, £9 – £12
Amarone, 7-25 Aug, £free
Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 22-26 Aug, £5
Jim Jefferies: Fully Functional Assembly Hall, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £16 – £17.50
Henning Wehn: Henning Knows Bestest
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 13 Aug, £6
Teeth In Eggcups
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-16 Aug, not 10, 11, £free
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Opium, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
BBC @ Potterrow, 11 Aug, £7
21:05 Doctor Brown Befrdfgth
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10.50 – £11.50
Magpie and Stump in Lolitary Confinement theSpace on the Mile , 20-25 Aug, £5
Luke Toulson - Luke Who’s Talking Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
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Tickets £8.50 – £10.50 Concessions £6.50 – £8.50
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EDINBURGH'S BIGGEST AND BEST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE IS BACK FOR 2012 Get the latest reviews online
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OPEN 'TIL 5AM
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 79
comedylistings Andrew Maxwell: That’s the Spirit
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £15 – £16
Obsession - A Life With Magic Zoo, 7-18 Aug, £10
St Andrews Presents - Blind Mirth Improv Comedy theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £5 – £7
21:10 Barely Legal: The 18-Year-Old Democracy
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £13 – £14
Pete Firman Hoodwinker
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £12 – £15
Marcus Brigstocke: The Brig Society
Assembly Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £12 – £14
Jonny & the Baptists Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10
Darkness Rising
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7
21:15 Henning Wehn: Henning Knows Bestest
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 15-26 Aug, £8.50 – £11.50
Rory Scovel: Illuminati Only CANCELLED
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11.50 – £12.50
Sam Simmons About the Weather
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10.50 – £11.50
Sara Pascoe - The Musical!
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £12
The Colour Ham
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-12 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
The Suggestibles
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 7 Aug, £14
Kevin Shepherd: Thus Spoke Kev - Free
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Bob Doolally’s Euro Crisis
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 21 Aug, £9
Laughing Horse Free Comedy Selection Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 7-26 Aug, £free
Stephen K Amos Work in Progress
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-25 Aug, not 8, 13, 14, 20, 21, £10
Owen and Bettesworth: Sung and Unsung
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-26 Aug, not 18, 25, £7
21:20 Geoff the Entertainer
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Jimmy Carr: Gagging Order
Venue150 @ EICC, Various dates from 16 Aug to 25 Aug, £18.50
Elaine Malcolmson: Relevant Experience
The Stand Comedy Club II, 20 Aug, £8
Markus Birdman – Love, Life and Death The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £8
Danny Buckler: The Phantom Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Paul McCaffrey: Pills’n’Thrills and Belly Laughs
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Sexytime!
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Logic for a 5 Year Old theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £3
Jason Byrne: People’s Puppeteer Venue150 @ EICC, 7-12 Aug, £17.50 – £19.50
21:25 Truth
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
21:30 Steven Davidson: Gamesmaster
The Constitution, 8-12 Aug, £6.50
The Jocks and Geordies
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, £free
Armageddapocalypse: Threat Level Dead
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8.50 – £9.50
Word:Play
theSpace on the Mile , 14-18 Aug, £6
Graham Whistler: Stand-Up, Fall Down - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-27 Aug, £free
The Blanks’ Big Break
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 23, £12 – £14
Mark Restuccia: How to Succeed at Internet Dating
Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
The Big Comedy Gala in Aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Venue150 @ EICC, 13 Aug, £22
The Comedy Reserve Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8 – £9
Dodger’s Comedy Presents... - Free
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-11 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-11 Aug, £free
Reginald D. Hunter - Work in Progress... and Niggas with John Gordillo
Southsider, 7-25 Aug, £free
Frenemies
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £13
Always Be Comedy
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 12-26 Aug, £free
Dan and Tom: Two for the Price of None
Simon Evans: Friendly Fire
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Michael Mittermeier: A German on Safari
Don’t Like Each Other - Free
Gareth Morinan Explains Why David Cameron Should Be Fired for Crimes Against Short People (Among Other Things)
Swedenborg, the Devil and Me
Bogan Bingo / Free Festival
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 12-26 Aug, not 19, £free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 9-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Conor Drum - A Sense of Humour
Peter Buckley Hill and Some Comedians XVI
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £10
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-14 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £free
And Now for a Nice Evening With Wallan Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9.50 – £10.50
Applause
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 15-26 Aug, not 16, £free
Jeff Leach: Boyfriend Experience Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10
Jarred Christmas: Let’s Go MoFo
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, £10.50 – £11.50
Dan Wright: Michael Jackson Touched Me Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
21:35 Gareth Morinan Presents the Saturday Debates (3+4)
Ciao Roma, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, £free
Gareth Morinan Explains How Ricky Gervais is a ‘Mong’ for Cutting Gareth Morinan Out of Life’s Too Short (BBC/HBO) Ciao Roma, 9 Aug, £free
Gareth Morinan Pitches a Better Version of Life’s Too Short (Starring Gareth Morinan) to BBC, HBO, C4, ITV, Sky, etc
Ciao Roma, 13 Aug, 16 Aug, £free
Gareth Morinan Presents the Saturday Debates (1+2) Ciao Roma, 11 Aug, £free
Ciao Roma, 20 Aug, 23 Aug, £free
The Canons’ Gait, 7-25 Aug, £free
21:40 The Boy With Tape On His Face - More Tape Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £12.50 – £13.50
Iain Stirling: Happy to Be the Clown?
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
John Shuttleworth: Out of Our Sheds
Pleasance Dome, 13-20 Aug, £10 – £12.50
Josh Widdicombe: The Further Adventures of... Extra Show
Pleasance Dome, 9 Aug, 10 Aug, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 22 Aug, £11 – £12
Michael Winslow Noizeyman
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £12.50 – £14.50
Peacock & Gamble Don’t Even Want To Be On Telly Anyway HH
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-8 Aug, £free
Chilly Gonzales
The Queen’s Hall, 26 Aug, £14
I’m High On Life: What Are You On?
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Marcus Ryan: Home and Away - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse’s Funny Fillies
Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Best Of Scottish Comedy The Stand Comedy Club, 7-26 Aug, £12
Hal Cruttenden Tough Luvvie
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £11
Alan Sharp: Careful What You Wish For
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, £free
Hannibal Buress: Still Saying Stuff
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 21, £10 – £10.50
My Damage is My Gift! - Free
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 14, £free
Abandoman - Party in the Key of C Major Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 26, £13 – £14
21:50
Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Alfie Moore - I Predicted a Riot
21:45
All My Friends
Gareth Richards: Introvert - Never Been To Disneyland HHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Eat a Queer Fetus 4 Jesus - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Pretending Things Are a C*ck
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £10
BUY TICKETS ON
80 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Sam Fisher and Friends - Free
FACEBOOK.COM/UNDERBELLYEDINBURGH
FOR ALL UNDERBELLY SHOWS
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £10 – £12 Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 7-26 Aug, £free
Jayde Adams is Master of None
Sweet Grassmarket, 1324 Aug, not 18, £9
Paul Chowdhry What’s Happening White People Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Colin Mars: A Life Full of Lemons theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7.50
comedylistings 22:00 Bad Advice - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
How the World Wags C venues - C aquila, 1626 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Late Night Gimp Fight
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £12.50 – £14
Casual Violence: A Kick In The Teeth
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £8
Liam and Owen - A Cracking One Off Show!
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-26 Aug, £free
Storytellers’ Club
Pleasance Courtyard, 9-25 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, £10
The Late Night Shack Show The Shack Comedy Club & Nightclub, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
Back to School’s Disco
Pleasance at Braidwood Centre, Various dates from 10 Aug to 25 Aug, £10
Stand Up for Freedom
Venue150 @ EICC, 15 Aug, £18
Suggs: My Life Story in Words and Music
The Queen’s Hall, 24 Aug, £22.50
News Smash
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Paul T Eyres: T.Eyres of a Clown / Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe - Free Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-27 Aug, £free
Brendon Burns, Home Stretch Baby Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 16, 23, £12.50 – £14.50
Art of Procrastination
Paradise in The Vault, 7-19 Aug, not 13, £6
Felicity Ward: The Hedgehog Dilemma
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
22:05 I’m Not Crying in the Bathroom: I’m Crying in the Supply Closet theSpace on the Mile , 13-25 Aug, not 19, £8 – £10
22:10 Believe - Starring Shane Dundas from the Umbilical Brothers
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £12 – £14
It’s Grimm Up North
theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 7-25 Aug, £6 – £8
Car Crash Comedy 2012
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 7-25 Aug, £free
22:15 Learning to Pray in Front of the Television
The Wonderful World of Wilfredo Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7.50 – £9.50
22:25 Oyster Eyes Presents: Some Rice Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Jerry Sadowitz: Adults Only
The Assembly Rooms, 17-18 Aug, £17.50
Marcel Lucont: Gallic Symbol Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
Mick Foley: Prisoner of Raw The Assembly Rooms, 8-11 Aug, £15
Jimeoin - What?! (Whatever...)
The Assembly Rooms, 24 Aug, £15.50
Foil Arms and Hog - Late Night Sketch Comedy
James and Amy: Dysfunctional Legends
Demitris Deech: Stop, Collaborate and Listen - Free
So You Think You’re Funny?
22:40
The Good, the Bad and the Irish!
Rubberbandits
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, £9 – £10
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 13 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, £10 Gilded Balloon Teviot, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, £12 – £14
Idiots of Ants ANThology
Pleasance Courtyard, 2325 Aug, £11 – £12
Marcus Brigstocke: The Brig Society EXTRA SHOW Assembly Hall, 24 Aug, £13
Comedy Film Nights
Hill Street Theatre, Various dates from 9 Aug to 26 Aug, £5 – £8
Simon Donald’s School of Swearing
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 13-20 Aug, £8
22:30
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
David Whitney Struggling to Evolve
John Scott - Totally Fed Up
Chortle Student Comedy Award Final
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Google / Complex
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
John Robertson: The Old Whore Assembly Hall, 7-26 Aug, £5
KWAT: Greetings from KWAT
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £10
Fat Whore
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
22:20 Paul Ricketts - Ironic Infinity Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 23, £6.50 – £7.50
Mark Little: THEbullsh*tARTIST
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £15 – £16
The Sitcom Double Bill Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £9 – £10
Sh*t-faced Shakespeare
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Best of So You Think You’re Funny? Gilded Balloon Teviot, 8-11 Aug, £10.50
The Joy of Sketch
Pleasance Courtyard, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, £12
Dead Cat Bounce... Howl of the She-Leopard Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Who’s Your Daddy?
Pleasance Courtyard, 13-14 Aug, £8
Terry Alderton
Gilded Balloon Teviot, Various dates from 17 Aug to 26 Aug, £10.50 – £12
Dan Mitchell - Free Egg Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £12
Cheap Laughs (Are Better Than No Laughs) - Free
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-26 Aug, £free
Assembly Hall, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Jon Richardson Funny Magnet
The Imaginary Radio Programme: Drennon Davis Presented by The Pajama Men
22:35
Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
Greg Proops Podcast: The Smartest Man in the World Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 22 Aug, £13
Künt and the Gang - Free Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 7-26 Aug, not 11, £free
Assembly Hall, 16-19 Aug, £14
Ian Shaw - A Bit of a Mouthful The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-25 Aug, not 12, £free
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre - Boo Lingerie Comic Strip
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £12 – £15
Best of Scottish Comedian of the Year Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
Scottish Comedian of the Year 2011 Jamie Dalgleish Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £9
22:45 Andrew O’Neill is Easily Distracted
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 14, £11 – £12
Michael Pope is Gay for Pay - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £free
Davey Connor, Lucy Beaumont and Ed Patrick - The Big Comedy Showcase Show
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £9.50
The Special Reserve Comedy Benefit
The Boom Jennies: Mischief
Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
James Dowdeswell: Urban Wurzel Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Tom Cottle’s These Twisted Folk Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
The Dirty Uncle Comedy Roadshow - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 14-17 Aug, £free
An Evening with Jay Sodagar Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-13 Aug, £free
Alistair Green: Jack Spencer - Why Anything?
Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £free
22:50 The Shambles
C venues - C aquila, 7-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Tania Edwards Killer Instinct
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £10.50
What Would Beyoncé Do? - Free
Eddie Naessens: The Thing Is This...
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
The Comedy Zone
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Late Night Laughs
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, £9.50 – £12
Splitting the Bill – Michael Workman & Tommy Little
Dana Alexander: Breaking Through
David Trent - Spontaneous Comedian
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 7-26 Aug, not 16, £free
Pleasance Courtyard, 22-23 Aug, £10
Things We Did Before Reality
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-25 Aug, £free
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £12
Ciao Roma, 7-25 Aug, £free
23:00 BBC: Comedy Presents
BBC @ Potterrow, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, £12
Eric Hutton: Every Other Show in the Fringe Sucks - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
BBC: Late Junction BBC @ Potterrow, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, £free
COMEDY, THEATRE, CABARET AND MORE www.festmag.co.uk
OPEN 'TIL 5AM
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 81
comedylistings Shaggers - Free Festival
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-25 Aug, £free
Garrett Millerick: Sensible Answers to Stupid Questions
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8.50 – £9.50
Laughing Horse Free Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
BBC: Radio 1’s Fun and Filth Cabaret
BBC @ Potterrow, 13-16 Aug, £free
Rob Deering’s Beat This
Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 10 Aug to 25 Aug, £10
Steve Shanyaski’s Life-Survival Bible Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
Mark Watson’s Edinborolympics
Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 15 Aug to 21 Aug, £8
Aaaaaaaaaaaaarghh! It’s the Malcolm Hardee Comedy Awards Show with Miss Behave - and It’s Free! Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 24-25 Aug, £free
Ward and Bartlett’s Double Impact
Globe, 7-18 Aug, £free
AAA Stand-Up Late Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £9 – £10
Japanese TerminatoL Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £free
Bring Me the Head of Adam Riches Pleasance Dome, 22-25 Aug, £12 – £14
23:05 Barbershopera: The Three Musketeers HHH
Absolute Stripping! theSpace on North Bridge, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8.50 – £9.50
Heavy Petting
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16-26 Aug, £free
23:10 Humphrey Ker is... Dymock Watson: Nazi Smasher!
Pleasance Dome, 7-14 Aug, £12.50 – £15
23:15 Tim Key - Masterslut Pleasance Courtyard, 23-25 Aug, £14
I Am, I Am
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8 – £9
The Horne Section Live at the Grand! Pleasance Courtyard, 9-22 Aug, £10 – £12
23:20 COMX
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £10
Pappy’s Flatshare Slamdown
Pleasance Courtyard, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, £8.50
Do The Right Thing Pleasance Courtyard, 8 Aug, 9 Aug, 13 Aug, 14 Aug, £8.50
Voices in Your Head
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 9-25 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, £10
Simon Evans: Friendly Fire Extra Show Pleasance Courtyard, 17-18 Aug, £12
23:30 Battle Ducks: Activate!
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
23:40
23:59
Chris Ramsey: Feeling Lucky
The Assembly Rooms The Very Best of the Fest
Pleasance Courtyard, 10 Aug, 18 Aug, £9.50
Eddie Pepitone’s Bloodbath
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £10
Ro Campbell: Midnight Meltdown
The Stand Comedy Club II, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
Scott Agnew: Tales of the Sauna
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8
23:45
The Assembly Rooms, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, £15
Morgan & West: Lying, Cheating Scoundrels
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 20, 21, £16
Best of the Fest
Assembly Hall, 9-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, £14 – £15
The Death of Comedy
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Al Murray the Pub Landlord: The Guv’s Olympic Pub Quiz
A Little Perspective with Imaan
Guardian Reader
Where Once Was Wonder by Daniel Kitson
Assembly George Square, 16-18 Aug, £15 Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8 – £9
Frisky & Mannish: 27 Club
Assembly George Square, 20-22 Aug, £12
Guilt & Shame: Up All Night
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £8 – £9.50
Denis Krasnov’s Hour of Intellectual Filth Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £9
Joe Munrow: One Big Joke - Free Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
23:50 Live At The Electric: Live At The Fringe Pleasance Courtyard, 17-19 Aug, £10
23:55
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
The Stand Comedy Club, 7-26 Aug, not 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, £10
The Stand Late Show The Stand Comedy Club, Various dates from 10 Aug to 25 Aug, £15
Adam Hills: Mess Around
Assembly Hall, 17-18 Aug, £13
Setlist: Stand-Up Without a Net
www.walkingheads.net, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £free
00:00 Unknowable Tantrum Wind
Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 8-14 Aug, £free
Back and to the Left in the Turkish Prison
Taylor Glenn Reverse Psycomedy
The New Conway Dimension
Liam Grahame Olsen: Half Pint - Live
Monkey Toast: The Improvised Chat Show
Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
LOL-ocaust
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 1127 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Eleanor Conway’s Midnight Rumble
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10
Joz Norris is Matt Fisher: Überperson - Free Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 8-13 Aug, £free
Life’s Short. I’m Not! - Free
Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 8-27 Aug, £free
Spank!
Underbelly, Cowgate, 8-27 Aug, £13.50 – £15.50
Julie Jepson Personal Triumph
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 9-13 Aug, £free
Leaves on the Line
Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 8-13 Aug, £free
Just the Tonic Comedy Club’s Midnight Show Just The Tonic at the Caves, 10-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, £10
Midnight Hour
Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 14-27 Aug, £free
Gay Straight Alliance
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8 – £9
Just The Tonic at the Caves, Various dates from 8 Aug to 23 Aug, £10
Edinburgh Comedy Tour
The Humble Quest for Universal Genius
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 7-15 Aug, £free
School Night
The Canons’ Gait, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £11.50 – £12.50
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-10 Aug, £9 – £10
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 15-19 Aug, £free
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, £9 – £11
Tim Key - Masterslut Pleasance Dome, 16-21 Aug, £14
Becks Dugs and Rotten Hole
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 20-27 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 16-19 Aug, £free
Me My Selfish Self
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 20-25 Aug, £free
DeadBadgers Sketchy Bits
The Room Assembly George Square, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, £8
00:30 The Improverts Bedlam Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £7.50
BattleActs! Presents... Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-28 Aug, £free
Hedluv and Passman: Two Cornish Rappers and a Casiotone Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-28 Aug, not 15, £10 – £11
00:40 After Hours Comedy Pleasance Dome, 10-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, £10.50 – £11.50
00:45 Leo and Stephen Go Down On You! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 8-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
00:50 Spanktacular! Underbelly, Bristo Square, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, £15.50
00:15
01:00
The Late Show
Not the Adventures of Moleman
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 10-27 Aug, not 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, £12.50 – £14.50
Harriet Dyer (Plus the Odd Pal) - What a Palaver! Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-27 Aug, £free
00:20 The Beta Males’ Midnight Movie Theatre
Pleasance Courtyard, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, £10
BUY TICKETS ON
82 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
00:25
FACEBOOK.COM/UNDERBELLYEDINBURGH
FOR ALL UNDERBELLY SHOWS
Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 8-27 Aug, £free
Late ‘n’ Live Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-28 Aug, £13 – £15
01:15 Setlist: Stand-Up Without a Net Just The Tonic at the Caves, Various dates from 11 Aug to 26 Aug, £11
theatrelistings 09:00 24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Dream Plays (Scenes From a Play I’ll Never Write) Traverse Theatre, 14-26 Aug, not 20, £12
Suzanne
Here! Internet Cafe, 7-27 Aug, £5
09:15 Birds on a Wire
theSpace @ Venue45, 11 Aug, £5
Grimaldi: King of the Clowns theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 8 Aug, 11 Aug, £5
The Hole
Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5
American Gothic: The Poetry of Edgar Lee Masters theSpace @ Venue45, 9 Aug, £5
The Iliad, The Odyssey and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less
theSpace @ Venue45, 8 Aug, £5
09:20 What the Heart Remembers: The Women and Children of Darfur theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 9 Aug, £5
09:30 One Minute Birdwatching - Free
West Princes Street Gardens, 7-9 Aug, £free
Platero Y Yo
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7 Aug, 10 Aug, £5
09:45 After Orpheus
theSpace @ Venue45, 7 Aug, 10 Aug, £5
10:00 Born to Run
Traverse Theatre, 21 Aug, 25 Aug, £13 – £20
www.festmag.co.uk
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro!
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 12 Aug, 15 Aug, 19 Aug, 23 Aug, £18
Kaya - Dream Interpreter
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 21, £9 – £11
And No More Shall We Part
Traverse Theatre, Various dates from 7 Aug to 26 Aug, £18 – £20
Shakespeare for Breakfast
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £6.50 – £8.50
Theatre Uncut
Traverse Theatre, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, £6.50
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People
Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, £18 – £20
Angels
Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, £17 – £19
All That is Wrong HHH Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, £17
The Adding Machine Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
Fables Here and Then
Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5
The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show
Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £10.50 – £11.50
Bullet Catch
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, 26 Aug, £17
Mess
Traverse Theatre, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, £19
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
10:45
Morning
Romeo and Juliet
Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, £20
10:05 Frontline
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-16 Aug, £5
In Tents
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £5
10:15 Dearly Departed
Church Hill Theatre, 11 Aug, £5
The Browning Version
theSpace on the Mile , 7-11 Aug, £8
10:30 Monkey Bars
Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £17
Blink
Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £17 – £19
theSpace @ Venue45, 21-25 Aug, £5
Machinal
theSpace on Niddry St, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, £5
Oh, What a Lovely War
theSpace on Niddry St, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug, £5
11:00
11:05
Noël Coward’s Tonight at 8:30
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
theSpace on Niddry St, 13-18 Aug, £7 – £9
Under the Ladder
Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
Anon(ymous)
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-16 Aug, £5 theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £5 C venues - C, 7-11 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
11:10 The Ride of the Bluebottles
theSpace on the Mile , 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7 – £9
The Two Most Perfect Things
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £13
11:15 Forever Young
theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 13-24 Aug, not 19, £6
Grimaldi: King of the Clowns theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 9 Aug, £5
Captain Ferguson’s School for Balloon Warfare Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £12
The Stranger
Moth to the Flame
Afghan Days Babylon Nights
All in the Timing
Bedlam Theatre, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £6 Summerhall, 10-25 Aug, not 22, 23, £12
The Royal Scots Club, Various dates from 8 Aug to 17 Aug, £9
Invisible People
Around Edinburgh, 7-11 Aug, £1
Allotment
The Crucible
Story Shakespeare: All’s Well That Ends Well C venues - C too, 13-18 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
theSpace @ Venue45, 7 Aug, 11 Aug, £5
All the Things I Never Said
Killing Time
Assembly Inverleith Allotments, 10 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, £10
Greenside, 20-25 Aug, £8
Peep
The Iliad, The Odyssey and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
The Cactus Gulch Opry House
Going Green the Wong Way
Venue 13, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £8
24h
Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5 Paradise in Augustine’s, 7-8 Aug, £8 Church Hill Theatre, 20 Aug, £5
Sir Gawain, the Yellow Knight
Seeing Double: Vision
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £7 – £8
Pleasance Bytes
Pleasance Courtyard, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, £4
SOS Courtship
Platero Y Yo
Birds on a Wire
Apocalypse or Bust!
theSpace @ Venue45, 9 Aug, £5
Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
11:20
11:35
I Never Saw Another Butterfly
Life Is Too Good To Be True HH
Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
Chicken Bones for the Teenage Soup
Church Hill Theatre, 10 Aug, £5
What the Heart Remembers: The Women and Children of Darfur
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 8 Aug, 11 Aug, £5
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-13 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
John Peel’s Shed by John Osborne Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-12 Aug, £10 – £11
Bye Bye World
Underbelly, Cowgate, 1526 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7 Aug, 10 Aug, £5
11:40
Miss Julie
Candida
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-18 Aug, £5 – £11
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
Dream On
Two Dogs
Paradise in Augustine’s, 14-18 Aug, £8
The Property Known As Garland theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8 – £10
Sweet Grassmarket, 8-17 Aug, £10
Beyond Hillsborough Quaker Meeting House, 7-11 Aug, £8
11:25
11:45
Last Supper
Oddlie
Greenside, 7-11 Aug, £6
Miss Marchbanks
Paradise in The Vault, 7-18 Aug, not 12, 13, £8.50
11:30 Seeing Double: Figures
Venue 13, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £8
Hell’s Bells by Lynne Truss Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 9, 10, 13, 20, £8 – £9
Female Gothic
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £12 – £13
Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £7 – £8
Normal
For the Love of Willie
The Hole
Plastic Beach
The Ash Girl
Zoo Southside, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 21, £7
theSpace @ Venue45, 13-16 Aug, £8
American Gothic: The Poetry of Edgar Lee Masters
The Price of Everything
11:50
Paradise in Augustine’s, 9-11 Aug, £8 Church Hill Theatre, 11 Aug, £5
theSpace @ Venue45, 8 Aug, 10 Aug, £5
Quaker Meeting House, 13-18 Aug, £7
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £10
Thin Ice
Pleasance Courtyard, 8-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £9 – £10
Built for Two
theSpace on the Mile , 7-18 Aug, not 12, £6
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 83
theatrelistings 12:00 Puellae (The truth about chips and other things) Summerhall, 7-15 Aug, £10
As Ye Sow
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11.50
An Audience With the Duke of Windsor - Bob Kingdom Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, £10 – £11
A Few Good Men
C venues - C eca, 12-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Bigmouth
Summerhall, 19-26 Aug, £5 – £10
Theatre Tasters - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 7-12 Aug, £free
I Shall Be Remembered - The Story of Madame de Pompadour
Venue150 @ EICC, 15-19 Aug, £12
The Merry Wives of Osaka C venues - C too, 13-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Allotment
Assembly Inverleith Allotments, 10 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, £10
Les Impossibles
Sweet Grassmarket, 8-12 Aug, £9
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People
Traverse Theatre, 21 Aug, 25 Aug, £18 – £20
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Churchill
The Assembly Rooms, 11-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Peep
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
Comedy Playhouse Balloon - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Knowledge Emporium
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 9-12 Aug, £free
Firing Blanks
Zoo, 19-27 Aug, £9 – £10
Double Edge’s Apples
Underbelly, Cowgate, 12-18 Aug, £8 – £9
Hunt & Darton Cafe Hunt & Darton Cafe , 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
BOX
C venues - C nova, 7-26 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
Horrible Histories Barmy Britain
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10.50 – £11.50
What’s He Building in There? Zoo, 7-18 Aug, £8
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
Shirtwaist
Romeo and Juliet
Spaghetti Junction
Razing Eddie
And No More Shall We Part
The Bravery of Miss Anne and Other Tales of Splendorous Adventure
My Elevator Days
Zoo, 7-11 Aug, £7.50 Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10
Tam O’Shanter
Assembly Hall, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 13, 20, £14 – £15
The Template for Lack of Conversation Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-18 Aug, £free
12:05 Wild Allegations
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £6
The Jhiva of Nietzsche
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7
In Tents
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-16 Aug, £5
Salt and Pepper
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £5
12:10 Continuous Growth Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £11
12:15 Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act by Athol Fugard Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £14 – £16
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Church Hill Theatre, 10 Aug, £5
Summerhall, 11-18 Aug, £10
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 12 Aug, £18
Dearly Departed
Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5
Almost, Maine
Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
King Lear
theSpace on Niddry St, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug, £5
A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum
C venues - C, 12-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Picnic Apocalyptic
Bedlam Theatre, 7-11 Aug, £8
A Servant to Two Masters
Wonderland
Medieval Miracle, The Fall Of Man
Would Be Nice Though...
12:20
Ma Biche et Mon Lapin
Deadly Medley
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £10 – £11 Church Hill Theatre, 20 Aug, £5
Oh, What a Lovely War
theSpace on Niddry St, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, £5
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-18 Aug, £8 – £9
Paradise in The Vault, 7-8 Aug, £5
Institut français d’Ecosse, 7-24 Aug, weekdays only, £5
The Fantasist HHH
The Mermaid of Zennor
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8 – £9
The Exonerated
12:30
US Beef
Born to Run
C venues - C too, 20-27 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50 Pilrig Studio, 8 Aug, £5
Traverse Theatre, 22 Aug, 26 Aug, £18
30 Neo-Futurist Plays From Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
Zoo, 19-27 Aug, £5 – £8
Pilrig Studio, 9 Aug, £5
Lord of the Flies
Paradise in Augustine’s, 21-27 Aug, £8.50
Miss Julie
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £10 – £11
As You Like It
All Turn! - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 13-26 Aug, £free
Soldiers’ Wives
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
Killing Time
Bedlam Theatre, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, £6
Eastern Angles in association with
theSpace on the Mile , 7-11 Aug, £6
Pleasance at Essential Edinburgh, 7-18 Aug, £8 – £9 Pilrig Studio, 7 Aug, £5
And No More Shall We Part Traverse Theatre, 15 Aug, 19 Aug, 23 Aug, £18
Round ‘ere
Venue 13, 19-25 Aug, £free
The Yellow Wallpaper
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8.50 – £9.50
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 21-25 Aug, £8
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, £20
Rut
Bedlam Theatre, 20-25 Aug, £7
Morning
Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 11 Aug, 14 Aug, 18 Aug, £18 – £20
Key Theatre Peterborough
I PETERBOROUGH
PROPER POP–UP PURPLE PAPER PEOPLE
84 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Machinal
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £10
The Death of Chatterton
Virginia Ironside: Growing Old Disgracefully
HARRY BAKER
Free entry, anytime...
The Voodoo Rooms, 21-25 Aug, £free
Bedlam Theatre, 13-18 Aug, £7
12:25
Zoo, 12-18 Aug, £7.50
***** WHATSONSTAGE.COM, 2011 — WORLD POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
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theSpace on Niddry St, 7-11 Aug, £8
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theatrelistings 12:35
All That is Wrong HHH
Land of the Dead / Helter Skelter
Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, £19
Greenside, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £9
The Musicians
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20-25 Aug, £7.50
Underbelly, Cowgate, 12-18 Aug, £8 – £9
The Boy with the Cuckoo Clock Heart
Hanafuda Denki (A Tale of Fantastic Traditional Playing Cards)
Pleasance Courtyard, 14-25 Aug, £8 – £9
Pleasance Courtyard, 9-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, £9
Married With Snails
Utopia (Beyond the Words) and Clothes
13:00
❤ Slapdash Galaxy HHHH
Letter to the Man (from the Boy)
Bullet Catch
Eat $h*t: How Our Waste Can Save the World
Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £17 – £19
12:50
Assembly Inverleith Allotments, 10 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, £10
Blink
Bullet Catch
Bound
C venues - C, 7-11 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-18 Aug, £10
Locked In
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £7 – £10
Punch & Judy
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Social Husbandry Inc - Breeding a Brighter Society Since 2012
The Institute
The Fiddler’s Elbow, 1319 Aug, £free
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £4
Uncoupled
Monkey Poet’s Murder Mystery
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
Angels
Slice by Mel Giedroyc
Why Do You Stand There in the Rain?
Theseus and the Minotaur: A Love Story
Everything Else Happened
My Wrestle Mania
C Venues - C eca, 13-18 Aug, £5.50 – £7.50
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 7-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £14
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11.50
Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 25 Aug, £17 – £19
Just
Best in the World
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £6.50 – £8.50
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £15
Detention
Mess
Monkey Bars
Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug, £17
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, 26 Aug, £17
Zoo Southside, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £7
12:45
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 25, £10 – £12
Six and a Tanner
The Turn of the Screw
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
theSpace on the Mile , 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7
The Trench
C venues - C, 12-18 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, £17
The Silencer - David Calvitto
Proof
13:10
Quick! Save the Pizza!
theSpace on the Mile , 14-18 Aug, £7
FAT
The Bongo Club, 21-25 Aug, £6
Mess
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10
Jubilate! by Rosalind Adler
Evil
Double Edge’s Spring Awakening
Dubrovski
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £7
12:40
12:55
The Banshee Labyrinth, 7-25 Aug, not 14, £free
Summerhall, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £12 Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £10
Princes Mall, 25 Aug, £free
Allotment
Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £17
Platero Y Yo by Juan Ramon Jimenez Valvona & Crolla, 7-27 Aug, not 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, £12
Traverse Theatre, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, £19 C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
13:05 Under the Ladder
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-16 Aug, £5
Textually Transmitted
Frontline
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £5
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Trojan Women
theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 7-18 Aug, £9
Wild Turkey
Peep
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20-25 Aug, £6
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-18 Aug, £8 Sweet Grassmarket, 7-17 Aug, £8.50
Acts of Contrition
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £10
Mostellaria (The Haunted House)
Church Hill Theatre, 17-20 Aug, weekdays only, £5
Marat / Sade
Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
Say You Love Me
Cafe Camino, 7-12 Aug, £free
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £9.50
Him
Photographing the Dead
Spring Awakening (After Wedekind)
Paradise in The Vault, 14-27 Aug, not 19, 20, 26, £7
The Spirit of Frances Wright (Love is an Action Verb)
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-27 Aug, not 18, 25, £8
Shakespeare Didn’t Write This
Sweet Grassmarket, 9-24 Aug, not 18, £8
13:15 You Don’t Know Me Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5
Poe’s Last Night - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro! Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, £18 – £20
Cancer Time
Venue 13, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £8
Birds on a Wire
theSpace @ Venue45, 8 Aug, £5
theSpace on the Mile , 21-25 Aug, £7 – £8
Paradise in Augustine’s, 14-18 Aug, £8
Educating Ronnie
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £12
All in the Timing
Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
Sir Gawain, the Yellow Knight
Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
The Miller’s Tale: Wahala Dey Oh!
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Night of the Big Wind
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-25 Aug, £8.50 – £10
American Gothic: The Poetry of Edgar Lee Masters theSpace @ Venue45, 7 Aug, £5
Unlucky for Some
Venue 13, 19-25 Aug, £free
Love Child
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £12
HHHH “Bloody, marvellous stuff!”
D. Express
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August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 85
theatrelistings 13:20 Dirty Great Love Story
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
13:30 The Economist
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
Simple Matters
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 20, £10 – £11
You Obviously Know What I’m Talking About Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £11
Give and Take
The Lad Himself HHH
Church Hill Theatre, 10 Aug, £5
Camille Claudel
C Venues - C eca, 12-27 Aug, not 20, £7.50 – £9.50
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 11, £9.50 – £12.50 Pleasance Courtyard, 8-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £8.50 – £9.50
As You Like It
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £7.50 – £9
Dirty Barbie
Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £7 – £9
The Canterville Ghost
Greenside, 7-10 Aug, £5.50
And the Girls in Their Sunday Dresses Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £14 – £15
The Good Person of Szechwan
theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 20-25 Aug, £5
One Minute Birdwatching - Free
West Princes Street Gardens, 7-9 Aug, £free
Big Sean, Mikey and Me
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, £10
Hamlet and Other Theatrical Nightmares
Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5
Ruthlessness
Carnival of Crows
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
13:35 Country Air - A Contemporary Ghost Story Paradise in The Vault, 7-11 Aug, £5.50
Romeo and Juliet Greenside, 13-18 Aug, £7
13:40 Botallack O’Clock
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £9
Pretty When I’m Drunk
theSpace on the Mile , 21-25 Aug, £5
13:45 End to End
Bannermans, 12-25 Aug, £free
Antigone
theSpace on the Mile , 7-11 Aug, £4.50
Stand Up, Woman - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 13-16 Aug, £free
Perle
Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Urban Fairytale
theSpace @ Venue45, 20-25 Aug, £8
The Two Worlds of Charlie F
13:55 Othello - The Remix
Pleasance Courtyard, 8-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £12.50 – £15
Ellipsis
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 1325 Aug, not 19, £5
Listen! The River
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £5 – £8
Couleur Café
Poison
2008: Macbeth
Flâneurs
C venues - C nova, 11-27 Aug, £12.50 – £14.50 Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, 15 Aug, £35
Meine faire Dame ein Sprachlabor
Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, 17-18 Aug, £30
C venues - C nova, 12-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50 Summerhall, 7-26 Aug, not 17, 18, £8
Mon Droit
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 16, £10 – £11
Crypted
The List
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 15, £10 – £11
C venues - C nova, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
Coalition
The Edinburgh International Circus Festival
Venue150 @ EICC, 7-12 Aug, £12
14:00
The Tempest
Wrong Place, Right Time
A Donkey and a Parrot
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-11 Aug, £12.50 – £15
I Shall Be Remembered - The Story of Madame de Pompadour
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-12 Aug, £free
Unmythable
Zoo, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £10
❤ Hand Over Fist HHHH
Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8 – £9
My Sister
The Fiddler’s Elbow, 8-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
After Orpheus
True Colours
Theseus and the Minotaur: A Love Story
Bottleneck HHH
theSpace @ Venue45, 9 Aug, £5
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £10
Undateable
Whynot? , 7-12 Aug, £free
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 21-25 Aug, £5 Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Mayday Mayday
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £11
Uninvited
13:50
Bedlam Theatre, 7-25 Aug, not 15, £8
Executive Stress / Corporate Retreat
Endure: A Run Woman Show
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £7.50 – £9.50
Irreconcilable Differences
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8
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86 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Assembly George Square, 9-19 Aug, not 13, 14, £7
Shakespeare’s Queens: She-Wolves and Serpents C Venues - C eca, 7-25 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Summerhall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 13, 20, £12 Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £13.50 – £14.50 theSpace on Niddry St, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £8
Baby With the Bathwater
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20-25 Aug, £10
Martin Dockery: Wanderlust
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Anything But (A One-Woman Play) Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8 – £9
Forgotten Heroes
C venues - C nova, 19-27 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
The World’s Greatest Walking Tour of Edinburgh Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, £8 – £9
The Half
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £12 – £14
Exterminating Angel - An Improvisation Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £11
Ocean Terminal Big Top, 7-26 Aug, not 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, £free
Grace!
St John’s Church, 8-18 Aug, £10
Werther’s Sorrows
Zoo Southside, Various dates from 7 Aug to 25 Aug, £8
Proof
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Kin
The Playhouse on the Fringe, 8-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £10
Faulty Towers the Dining Experience
B’est Restaurant, 7-28 Aug, not 11, 18, 25, £43 – £46.50
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Peep
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
Mies Julie
Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £14 – £16
theatrelistings Salome By Oscar Wilde
Zoo Southside, Various dates from 8 Aug to 26 Aug, £8
The Celebrity
PASS (Performing Arts Studio Scotland), 22-25 Aug, £8
14:05 One Night Stand
theSpace on the Mile , 13-18 Aug, £7.50
The Yellow Wallpaper
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £5
Salt and Pepper
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-16 Aug, £5
Comedy Playhouse - Shopping for Bacon - Free Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 7-26 Aug, £free
Letters, Boxes and Other Things That Shouldn’t Be Opened C venues - C nova, 7-11 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
Iron Assumptions
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £5
Now.Here
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 15-26 Aug, £free
The Adult History of Great Britain Part 1 - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-14 Aug, £free
Panning for Gold - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 8-26 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
www.festmag.co.uk
Cut!
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £7.50
Blake’s Doors
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £5
When Alice (Cooper) Met (Prince) Harry Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
14:10 Whale Tale
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £7
The House of Shadows
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £7
The Wheelchair on My Face
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 21, £8 – £10
14:15 Scotsman Best of the Fest
Assembly George Square, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, £12
The Pilgrim’s Progress
Palmerston Place Church, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, £10
Sedition
Zoo, Various dates from 8 Aug to 26 Aug, £8
Sparks
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
Almost, Maine
Chariot: The Eric Liddell Story
Trouble in the Tolbooth
Miriam Margolyes Dickens’ Women
❤ The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs by Mike Daisey HHHH
Ronnie and the Other World
Deadly Medley
Edinburgh Elim, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, £10
Quaker Meeting House, 13-18 Aug, £7
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Visiting Time
A Streetcar Named Desire
Cancer Time
Angels in Heels
Rosie Wilby - How (Not) To Make It In Britpop
Pilrig Studio, 7 Aug, £5 Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
14:20 The Exonerated
Pilrig Studio, 9 Aug, £5
Love All
Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £12
Satan’s Playground Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10
Sherlock Holmes and the Sound of the Baskervilles Paradise in Augustine’s, 21-27 Aug, £9.50
14:25 How Much is Your Iron? and Dansen Sweet Grassmarket, 11-17 Aug, £7
3.2 Seconds
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £8
Church Hill Theatre, 20 Aug, £5
14:30
Village of Idiots
Ne’er the Twain
Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, 21 Aug, £5
Saughtonhall United Reformed Church, 11 Aug, £7
St Peter’s, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £10
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, £10 – £12 Venue 13, 19-25 Aug, £8
The Bongo Club, 10-14 Aug, £8
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History
C venues - C aquila, 13-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Gulliver’s Travels King’s Theatre, 19 Aug, £12
Primer for a Failed Superpower The Hub, 24 Aug, £6
As of 1.52pm GMT on Friday April 27th 2012, This Show Has No Title. Traverse Theatre, 22 Aug, 26 Aug, £12
Pleasance Courtyard, 8-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £16.50 – £17.50 Pilrig Studio, 8 Aug, £5
Adolf
Probably the Greatest Goal Ever Scored (and Other Tales)
C venues - C aquila, 7-11 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50 The Assembly Rooms, 13 Aug, £12
Fables Here and Then
Church Hill Theatre, 11 Aug, £5
Comedian Dies in the Middle of Joke Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Three Words
Sweet Grassmarket, 20-24 Aug, £7
Tea is an Evening Meal
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 7-10 Aug, £10
The Sewing Machine
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £13 – £14
The Bongo Club, 7-8 Aug, £7
14:45
14:35
Thread
The Importance of Being Earnest Greenside, 13-18 Aug, £7
Am I Good Friend? The Cabaret Voltaire, 8-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
MacBeth in Scots
CountryBoy’s Struggle
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-10 Aug, £9
Tartuffe
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
Becoming Conocido
GHQ, 8-25 Aug, not 14, 21, £free
Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5
Once in a House on Fire
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 11-25 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £14
Teach Me
St Ninian’s Hall, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £10
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 20, £10 – £11
Strawberry Sauce
Biloxi Blues
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £12
The Static
Assembly St Mark’s, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, £10
Kes
Paradise in Augustine’s, 21-27 Aug, £8
Winston on the Run Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £9 – £10
Dylan Thomas: Return Journey - Bob Kingdom, Original Direction by Anthony Hopkins Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, £10 – £11
21A - Free
Krapp’s Last Tape
Venue 13, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £8
14:40
Operation Stork
This Way Up
The Good, the Bad and the Extraterrestrials
St Serf’s Church Hall, 18 Aug, £9
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-26 Aug, £free
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 87
theatrelistings 14:50 Besides the Obvious C Venues - C eca, Various dates from 7 Aug to 27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Double Edge’s Almost Nothing to Do with Frogs Underbelly, Cowgate, 12-18 Aug, £8 – £9
The Smoking Boy Greenside, 7-11 Aug, £9
Jigsy HHH The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £15
Nikotine Paradise in The Vault, 14-19 Aug, £8.50
The Prize Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £11 – £12
The Cagebirds C Venues - C eca, Various dates from 8 Aug to 26 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Chapel Street Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Peter Panic Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8 – £10
14:55 Be My Baby Paradise in The Vault, 7-12 Aug, £6.50
Self-Criticism Paradise in The Vault, 21-25 Aug, £6
A Man for All Times: W. E. B. DuBois theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8.50 – £9.50
15:00 As of 1.52pm GMT on Friday April 27th 2012, This Show Has No Title. Traverse Theatre, 7-23 Aug, not 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, £12
Villains, Heroes and Adventurers
Valvona & Crolla Scottish Foodhall@Jenners, 7-25 Aug, not 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23, £15
Githa
C venues - C nova, 14-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Remember Me
Summerhall, 21-26 Aug, £6
Macbeth Unsexed! C Venues - C eca, 7-11 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
True Colours
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 21-25 Aug, £5
Tokyo Trilogy
C Venues - C eca, 13-27 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
Ruskin Live!
Scottish National Gallery, 13 Aug, 14 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, £10
Miss Havisham’s Expectations
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 15, £10 – £11
The Day the Sky Turned Black
Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
The Stranger
Summerhall, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, £12
15:05
The Fastest Train to Anywhere
The School of Night
C venues - C nova, 7-12 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £10 – £11
Pages from the Book of...
Karen’s Way: A Kindertransport Life
Summerhall, 10-24 Aug, £10
Bullet Catch
Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, £19
The Dead Memory House Summerhall, 7-26 Aug, £10
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Peep
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
Oedipus - The Hour
Paradise in Augustine’s, 7-19 Aug, not 13, £7.50
Holmes and Watson: The Farewell Tour
Valvona & Crolla, Various dates from 18 Aug to 26 Aug, £12
Titanic Sinks Titswilly
Sir Gawain, the Yellow Knight
On the Edge
Bullet Catch
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-18 Aug, £6 Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 13-19 Aug, £8
Miss Julie
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £5
15:15 SOS Courtship
Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
Monkey Bars
Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, £19
The Darkroom
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Blink
Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 25 Aug, £17 – £19
Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5 Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £17 – £19
I, Tommy
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £14 – £16
Recent Tragic Events Sweet Grassmarket, 19-24 Aug, £9
Mess
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, 26 Aug, £17
15:20 Cover
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £7.50 – £9.50
Maurice Roëves: Just a Gigolo
Mostellaria (The Haunted House)
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £14 – £15
Murder, Marple and Me
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
The Cactus Gulch Opry House
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 12, £9.50 – £11.50
theSpace on the Mile , 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7.50
Angels
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £8
Iron Assumptions
All That is Wrong HHH
Church Hill Theatre, 20 Aug, £5
theSpace @ Venue45, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £10
All the Things I Never Said
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £5
Journos
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20-25 Aug, £6.50
Not My Cup of Tea
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-16 Aug, £5
15:10 Appointment With The Wicker Man The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £16
88 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £9.50 – £10.50
Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5 Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, £17
Traverse Theatre, 11 Aug, £19
Porphyria
Zoo Southside, 7-20 Aug, £7.50
Rubber Dinghy
Zoo Southside, 21-27 Aug, £8
Eurydice
Still Life (or Brief Encounter)
Outward Bound
I Never Saw Another Butterfly Excuse Me, I’m Trying to Please You Zoo Southside, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8
Chicken Bones for the Teenage Soup Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
15:25 The Idiot at the Wall Bedlam Theatre, 7-25 Aug, £9
Ma Biche et Mon Lapin
Institut français d’Ecosse, 7-24 Aug, weekdays only, £5
Rodney Bewes as A Boy Growing Up. An Entertainment from the stories of Dylan Thomas
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Molly Naylor and the Middle Ones: My Robot Heart Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9 – £10.50
15:30 As of 1.52pm GMT on Friday April 27th 2012, This Show Has No Title. Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 21 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, £12
Treasure Island
C venues - C too, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £11.50
Nothing Is Really Difficult
Assembly George Square, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 20, 21, £10
Remember Me
Summerhall, 21-26 Aug, £6
The Softening of MAO-A
Summerhall, 11-26 Aug, £8 – £10
theatrelistings Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Angels
Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £17
As You Like It
C venues - C, 7-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Oliver Reed: Wild Thing
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 15, £10 – £11
Cleansed
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £7
NOLA
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
How a Man Crumbled Summerhall, 7-26 Aug, not 17, 18, £10
A One Man Hamlet
C venues - C aquila, 7-11 Aug, £10.50 – £11.50
Hamlet and Other Theatrical Nightmares
Church Hill Theatre, 11 Aug, £5
Serve Cold
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 7-27 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, £8
Blink
Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug, £17
Apocalypse or Bust! Church Hill Theatre, 10 Aug, £5
15:35 Sophie Shadow
Paradise in The Vault, 1426 Aug, not 20, £9
15:40 Tumble Circus: This Is What We Do For a Living
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £12 – £14
Dirty Hands
Sweet Grassmarket, Various dates from 19 Aug to 26 Aug, £8
After the Rainfall
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £12 – £13
Punch
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 16, £10 – £11
A Clockwork Orange Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £13.50 – £14.50
15:45 Justine and Tony
Paradise in The Vault, 7-11 Aug, £8
Dead Man’s Cell Phone HHH
C venues - C, 7-11 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
As of 1.52pm GMT on Friday April 27th 2012, This Show Has No Title. Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, £12
Waiting for Stanley
Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
15:50 Spring Awakening (After Wedekind)
Paradise in Augustine’s, 19 Aug, £8
Tagged
C Venues - C eca, Various dates from 7 Aug to 27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Paradise in Augustine’s, 21-25 Aug, £8
The Indescribable Phenomenon Greenside, 20-25 Aug, £9
16:00 Irish Shorts Two
Mother to Mother
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £14 – £15
Woza Albert!
Assembly Hall, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £14 – £16
Dream/Life
Zoo, 7-18 Aug, £8
Nights at the Circus theSpace on Niddry St, 8 Aug, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, £10
Duddingston Kirk Manse Garden, 7-18 Aug, not 12, 13, £6
Kemble’s Riot
B*tch Boxer
The Erpingham Camp
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
True Colours
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 21-25 Aug, £5
A Modern Town HH Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10
Elephant Man
theSpace on Niddry St, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, £10
It’s So Nice
Institut français d’Ecosse, 7-24 Aug, weekdays only, £10
Sparkleshark
St Peter’s, 25 Aug, £6
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 20, £14 – £15
Mother Tongue Summerhall, 7-15 Aug, £9
Superheroes
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12 theSpace on Niddry St, Various dates from 7 Aug to 25 Aug, £10
Fabled
The Bongo Club, 7-25 Aug, not 17, 19, £5
Allotment
Assembly Inverleith Allotments, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, £10
Attempts on Her Life - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 21-24 Aug, £free
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
Rod is God
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 24, 26, £9.50 – £12
Edinburgh
Summerhall, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, £5
Divine Words
theSpace on Niddry St, 10 Aug, 12 Aug, 18 Aug, £10
Strange Hungers Summerhall, 18-19 Aug, £10
Gods
Venue 13, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £8
The Knowledge Emporium
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 13 Aug, £free
16:05 Anna.
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 13-18 Aug, £6.50
16:10 The House of Shadows
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £7
Me Before Marilyn theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 20-25 Aug, £6
Ellipsis
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 7-11 Aug, £5
Subliminal Nonsense theSpace on the Mile , 21-25 Aug, £10
Richard III
theSpace @ Venue45, 7-11 Aug, £5
I Am a Moon
theSpace on North Bridge, 8-9 Aug, £7
Party Time
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-18 Aug, £7
Strong Arm
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
The Sun is Not for Us theSpace on North Bridge, 7 Aug, 10 Aug, 11 Aug, £7
Lingua Frank
You Left Me in the Dark
The Playhouse on the Fringe, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £10
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £8
Angus: Weaver of Grass
A Cry Too Far From Heaven
Thread
Fat Joe’s Chicken Shack
Paul Dabek Presents Thurston
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 16-26 Aug, £10
How’s About That Then?
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £11 – £12
Request Programme
Italian Cultural Institute, 10 Aug, £5
Inlingua Edinburgh, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, £12
The Eighth Day
24h
Venue 13, 19-25 Aug, £7
Peep
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £8.50
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £5
An Evening With Dementia
theSpace on the Mile , 7-25 Aug, £9
Maria, 1968
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
16:15 Assembly St Mark’s, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, £10
The Voodoo Rooms, 7-25 Aug, £free
Sister Annunciata’s Secret
Hill Street Theatre, 15-26 Aug, £5 – £11
Lady M
C Venues - C eca, 7-18 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
2.20pm @ Just the Tonic at The Tron. £8/£6
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 89
theatrelistings An Eggcellent Adventure
Lauriston Halls, 7-9 Aug, £5
Juana in a Million
Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 15, 22, £9 – £10
Almost, Maine
Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
Village of Idiots
Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
Punk Rock
theSpace on the Mile , 7-18 Aug, not 12, £9
Cubicle Four
Paradise in The Vault, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10
A Streetcar Named Desire
16:30
16:45
Three by Poe
Joyced!
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £12
Formby
Paradise in Augustine’s, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £free – £8
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 21, £11 – £13
Walk Like a Black Man
Rainbow
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Gilbert and Sullivan in Brief(s) Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 21, £10 – £12
Gob Shop
Sapphire Rooms, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 20, 21, £7
Zoo Southside, 7-27 Aug, £9
Right Honourable Member
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 16, 17, £8.50 – £10.50
Dating George Orwell - Free
Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 7-18 Aug, £free
Pilrig Studio, 8 Aug, £5
Wojtek the Bear
Best Served Cold
Sleep to Wake: Robert Browning Remembers Elizabeth
Would Be Nice Though...
Peter Piper - The Man Behind the Legend
Hill Street Theatre, 7-13 Aug, £10 – £12
16:20
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £11 – £12
Pleasance at Essential Edinburgh, 7-18 Aug, £8 – £9
Deadly Medley
Boy In a Dress
Pilrig Studio, 9 Aug, £5
Doll
Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £9 – £10
The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £4
Shopping Centre by Matthew Osborn
theSpace @ Venue45, 13-18 Aug, £7
Princes Mall, 7-25 Aug, £free
16:50 Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me
C Venues - C eca, Various dates from 8 Aug to 26 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
Misanthropy
Zoo Southside, 12-27 Aug, £8.50
C Venues - C eca, Various dates from 7 Aug to 27 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 21-25 Aug, £14
The Adding Machine
Adolf
25: 13 Red, 12 Blue
Fables Here and Then
A Thousand Shards of Glass
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
16:25 Hervé - A Collection of Songs, Dances and Stories Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £10.50 – £11.50
Metamorphoses: Fables from Ovid
A Dirty Martini
Church Hill Theatre, 11 Aug, £5
Church Hill Theatre, 10 Aug, £5
Swamp Juice
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 14-27 Aug, £11 – £13
Thinking of you - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £free
16:35
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £9
Little Women
Maurice’s Jubilee
What I Heard About the World
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £12.50 – £15.50
The Hand-Me-Down People C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
theSpace @ Venue45, 20-25 Aug, £8
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 8-19 Aug, not 13, £14
Superheroes
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £7
The Assembly Rooms, 14 Aug, £12
Queue
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-17 Aug, £8
Made for Each Other - Free
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 15-26 Aug, £free
Hearts on Fire
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
Bhagwaan Dhoondo - An Indian musical interactive theatre performance Lauriston Halls, 27 Aug, £free
Primer for a Failed Superpower The Hub, 24 Aug, £6
Nothing Is Really Difficult
Assembly George Square, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 20, 21, £10
My City Saturday
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 25-26 Aug, £7
A Brief History of Scotland - We Done Loads!
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-24 Aug, not 18, £9.50
There’s Absolutely Nothing Wrong With Oscar Pike
True Colours
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 21-25 Aug, £5
90 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
theSpace on North Bridge, Various dates from 13 Aug to 25 Aug, £7
Burns: Rough Cut
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 7-25 Aug, not 19, £8
The Complete History of the BBC in 60 Minutes
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-19 Aug, not 18, £9
Threads
theSpace on the Mile , 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8.50 – £9.50
A Sky Burial
theSpace on North Bridge, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, £7
17:10
Ocean Terminal Big Top, 7-26 Aug, not 15, 20, £free
Glory Dazed
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £10 – £11
Breathing Corpses by Laura Wade
Zoo, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 21, £8
Allotment
Assembly Inverleith Allotments, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, £10
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People Traverse Theatre, 22 Aug, 26 Aug, £18
Rémy
24h
Bedlam Theatre, 7-25 Aug, not 13, £8
Swordy-Well
The Edinburgh International Circus Festival
The Submarine Show
17:00
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20-25 Aug, £7.50
A Soldier’s Song
16:55
The Girl With No Heart
A Grave Reunion
Sweet Grassmarket, Various dates from 20 Aug to 26 Aug, £7
Paradise in The Vault, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £6
C venues - C too, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
17:05
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Peep
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
Skye
Greenside, 20-25 Aug, £5
The Harmonettes Go Into Orbit Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7
Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £13
Town: a Spirited Story
C venues - C, 7-11 Aug, £8.50 – £9.50
The Letters of Jane Austen
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7 – £8
Marcel Pursued By the Hounds by Michel Tremblay
theSpace on the Mile , 21 Aug, 24 Aug, £6
Playing Fate
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £6
17:15
All in the Timing
Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
Words and Women
The Street, 7-25 Aug, £free
After the Accident by Julian Armitstead theSpace on the Mile , 20 Aug, 23 Aug, £6
We Are Not Here Summerhall, 11-16 Aug, £11
You Don’t Know Me Church Hill Theatre, 10 Aug, £5
SOS Courtship
Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, £5
Casablanca: The Gin Joint Cut Gilded Balloon Teviot, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £12 – £14
Sealand
Zoo, 7-27 Aug, £9
The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute
theSpace on the Mile , 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £6
Marat / Sade
Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5
17:20 I Never Saw Another Butterfly Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
Exit Stage Left
Greenside, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £5
Bane 1, 2 & 3
Pleasance Dome, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
Her Right Mind
Greenside, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7 – £8
Dad Doesn’t Dance theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £8
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
One Hour Only
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £7
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £11
Dirty Paki Lingerie
The Yarn
Still Life: An Audience With Henrietta Moraes
Chatroom
Assembly Hall, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8 – £9
Whitespace, 8-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £12
theSpace @ Venue45, 7-11 Aug, £7 theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £8
17:25
We Are Chechens!
Nikotine
The Cactus Gulch Opry House
Excess
Summerhall, 8-9 Aug, £10
Church Hill Theatre, 11 Aug, £5
Paradise in The Vault, 7-12 Aug, £8.50 C venues - C nova, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £8.50 – £10.50
theatrelistings Translunar Paradise Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £10 – £12
Ma Biche et Mon Lapin
Institut français d’Ecosse, 7-24 Aug, weekdays only, £5
Tea with the Old Queen
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Don Quixote! Don Quixote! HH
Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £9 – £10
17:30
The Madness of King Lear
theSpace on Niddry St, Various dates from 7 Aug to 25 Aug, £10
Mess
Blink
Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, £17
Morning
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 19 Aug, £18
Give and Take
Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5
Born to Run
Traverse Theatre, 23 Aug, £18
Monkey Bars
Traverse Theatre, 25 Aug, £19
Script in Hand
Icarus: a Story of Flight HHH
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
Romeo and Juliet Cafe Camino, 7 Aug, £free
Angels
Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, £19
All That is Wrong HHH
Traverse Theatre, 12 Aug, £17
99.9 Degrees
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £7.50 – £9.50
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People
Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 11 Aug, 14 Aug, 18 Aug, £18 – £20
Hamlet and Other Theatrical Nightmares
Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
Minotaur
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £11.50
Summerhall, 7-18 Aug, £9
Legs 11
Summerhall, 19-26 Aug, £10
17:35 I Heart Peterborough Pleasance Courtyard, 8-27 Aug, not 14, 21, £10 – £11
Swan Song
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £8.50
17:40 Educating Rita
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £15 – £16
Bitesize Chekhov
Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 7-15 Aug, £7.50
17:45 Monkey Bars
Traverse Theatre, 14 Aug, 19 Aug, £12 – £17
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, 26 Aug, £17
Mess
Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £17
Morning
Traverse Theatre, 12 Aug, £18
17:55
The Dead Memory House
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro!
24h
Romeo and Juliet
Peep
18:05
Summerhall, 7-26 Aug, £10
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Villains, Heroes and Adventurers
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
Elephant Man
Valvona & Crolla Scottish Foodhall@Jenners, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, £15
Amusements
Love and Understanding
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £free
18:00
Princes Mall, 12-16 Aug, £free
Les Naufragés du Fol Espoir (Aurores)
Princes Mall, 7-8 Aug, £free
Unplugged
Zoo Southside, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10 theSpace on Niddry St, 12 Aug, 16 Aug, £10 Summerhall, 11-26 Aug, £8
Angels
Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £17 – £19
Nights at the Circus theSpace on Niddry St, 10 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Aug, £10
All That is Wrong HHH Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, £17
Leonce and Lena
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
Italia ‘n’ Caledonia
Valvona & Crolla, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 21 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, £12
Bullet Catch
Traverse Theatre, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, £19
Platero Y Yo by Juan Ramon Jimenez Valvona & Crolla, 25 Aug, £12
Holmes and Watson: The Farewell Tour
Valvona & Crolla, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, £12
Divine Words
theSpace on Niddry St, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, 24 Aug, £10
C venues - C aquila, 11-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, 23 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, 27 Aug, 28 Aug, £35
Dracula
PASS (Performing Arts Studio Scotland), 21-25 Aug, £7
The World’s Greatest Walking Tour of Edinburgh Pleasance Dome, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, £8 – £9
And No More Shall We Part
Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 24 Aug, £18 – £20
Allotment
Assembly Inverleith Allotments, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, £10
The Trial
Desperately Seeking the Exit - Free
Here’s What I Know About Humans, By Lulu the Dog
Unneeded Baggage Sinful - Free
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7-26 Aug, £free
The Six O’Clock News
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 7 Aug, £7
Katianna Was Here
Leith on the Fringe @ Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 16-18 Aug, £8
Blackbird
Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue, 1724 Aug, £7
The Picture of Dorian Gray Princes Mall, 19-25 Aug, £free
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
Princes Mall, 7-11 Aug, £free
The Royal Scots Club, 13 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, £12
Reynard
Mr Carmen
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 13-15 Aug, £8
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £12 – £14
Traverse Theatre, 21 Aug, 25 Aug, £18 – £20 C venues - C too, 12-18 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
The Society of Ethical Cat Burglars theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 13-18 Aug, £9
Lust in Translation
theSpace @ Venue45, Various dates from 14 Aug to 25 Aug, £5
Built for Two
theSpace on the Mile , 20-25 Aug, £6
The Complex: Oedipus
theSpace on the Mile , 8 Aug, 10 Aug, 13 Aug, 15 Aug, 17 Aug, £7 – £9
The Disintegration Loops
theSpace @ Venue45, Various dates from 13 Aug to 24 Aug, £5
The Complex: Electra theSpace on the Mile , Various dates from 7 Aug to 18 Aug, £7 – £9
Stick Stock Stone Dead
theSpace on the Mile , 20-25 Aug, £10
18:10 Happy
Greenside, 20-25 Aug, £5
Influence
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 7-11 Aug, £6
The Music Box
Paradise in The Vault, 1427 Aug, not 20, £7
Salome
theSpace on the Mile , 7-18 Aug, not 12, £8
presents:
Other Voices: Spoken Word Cabaret
A whirlwind of sumptuous wit and panache! Come and hear some wonderful words from the other side of the door...
14:50- the venue 15:50 Labyrinth 156 http://bit.ly/othervoicespbh
Banshee
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 91
theatrelistings Pierrepoint - The Hangman’s Tale
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-24 Aug, not 18, £8.50
Quick! Save the Pizza!
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £8
Twentysomething
Repertory Theatre
Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 7-19 Aug, £8
Moth to the Flame
Bedlam Theatre, 20-25 Aug, £6
18:15 C Venues - C eca, 7-18 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
Paradise in The Vault, 7-8 Aug, £8
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro! Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, £20
Wonderland
Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, £5
Doctor Faustus
The Royal Scots Club, 7-11 Aug, £10
National Theatre of Scotland Presents Love Letters to the Public Transport System By Molly Taylor The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 20, £10
Hinge Presents: Scooped
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8
And No More Shall We Part Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, £18
Festen
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £7
18:20 30 Neo-Futurist Plays From Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind Pilrig Studio, 7 Aug, £5
Double Edge’s Flames Over New Jersey Underbelly, Cowgate, 12-18 Aug, £8 – £9
The Pride
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12.50
The Taming of the Shrew
Sweet Grassmarket, 1324 Aug, not 18, £7.50
18:25 We Got Rhythm
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £8
Mr Braithwaite Has a New Boy C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £9.50 – £11.50
Tissue
18:30 Nothing Is Really Difficult
18:40 1984
Zoo, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 15, 19, 22, £8
The Weigh In
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £5 – £7
Oh, The Humanity and Other Good Intentions Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 9-25 Aug, not 13, 21, £10 – £14
Unhappy Birthday
Assembly George Square, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 20, 21, £10
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, not 12, 13, 20, £10 – £12
This Land: The Story of Woody Guthrie
A Real Man’s Guide to Sainthood
Zoo Southside, 7-18 Aug, £12
The Election: A Silent Comedy
Bedlam Theatre, 7-18 Aug, £7
Tartuffe
Church Hill Theatre, 10 Aug, £5
Do You Still Throw Spears at Each Other? - Free
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 7-11 Aug, £free
Fables Here and Then
Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
Belt Up Theatre’s A Little Princess HHH C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £10.50 – £12.50
All About Dickens
Mayfield Salisbury Church, 7-10 Aug, £9
Black Comedy
Quaker Meeting House, 7-11 Aug, £7
The Boat Factory
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £11 – £13
Rubies in the Attic Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 8, 13, 20, £12 – £13
Macbeth on Inchcolm Island Summerhall, 10 Aug, 11 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, £25
Bareback Ink
Whitespace, 22-24 Aug, £free
18:35 Dirty Blood
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £8
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 10, £9.50 – £10.50
18:45 Deirdre and Me
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £9.50 – £11.50
Thread
Assembly St Mark’s, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, £10
Tea With Terrorists - Free
Laughing Horse @ Captain Taylor’s Coffee House, 7-18 Aug, £free
Moondial
Whitespace, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 13 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, £8
That Face
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 7-9 Aug, £7
Don Juan
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
Defunct Pig - Free
Mood Nightclub, 12-13 Aug, £free
18:50 The Wind in the Willows
Paradise in Augustine’s, 14-19 Aug, £8
The Lonely One
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £10 – £11
Back to the Future The Pantomime Paradise in Augustine’s, 21-27 Aug, £9.50
92 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
19:00 Going Green the Wong Way Venue 13, 19-25 Aug, £8
Heaven’s Gate
Divine Words
19:10
You Don’t Know Me
theSpace on the Mile , 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7
One Month Early
Remember Me
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-18 Aug, £7.50
The Mungo Boys
Hunger
Summerhall, 21-26 Aug, £6 Lauriston Halls, 9-11 Aug, £6
La Línea
Lauriston Halls, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, 27 Aug, £7
Caesarean Section Essays on Suicide
Summerhall, 9-20 Aug, not 14, £11
Ben Okri’s The Comic Destiny Scottish Storytelling Centre, 14-26 Aug, £10
Secret Weapons
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 22-26 Aug, £6
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Peep
Paradise in Augustine’s, 14-27 Aug, not 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, £10
On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco / Can Cause Death
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Macbeth on Inchcolm Island Summerhall, 10 Aug, 11 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, £20
Meat
Paradise in The Vault, 7-19 Aug, not 13, £6
XXXO
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £9 – £10.50
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 17, £6
19:15
Alan Bissett: The Red Hourglass
Elephant Man
National Library of Scotland, 15-25 Aug, not 17, £12
19:05 How to Start a Riot
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7
Solve
theSpace on the Mile , 20-25 Aug, £6
Hitler’s Li’l Abomination
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £9.50
Lysistrata - The Sex Strike theSpace @ Venue45, 7-11 Aug, £9.50
Food For Thought
theSpace @ Venue45, Various dates from 13 Aug to 24 Aug, £5
The Intervention
The Assembly Rooms, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £15
The Most Dangerous Toy theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £8
Dragged Up
theSpace @ Venue45, Various dates from 14 Aug to 25 Aug, £5
theSpace on Niddry St, 8 Aug, 10 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, £10
Machinal
C venues - C nova, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
We Are Chechens! Summerhall, 7-13 Aug, £10
The Pilgrim’s Progress
Palmerston Place Church, 22-24 Aug, £10
A Woman Inside
theSpace on the Mile , 21-25 Aug, £7
Small Narration
Summerhall, 13-23 Aug, not 20, £9
Nights at the Circus theSpace on Niddry St, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £10
All in the Timing
Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
Sir Gawain, the Yellow Knight
Church Hill Theatre, 20 Aug, £5
More Light
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
The Hole
Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, 10 Aug, £5
theSpace on Niddry St, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £10 Church Hill Theatre, 11 Aug, £5
Songs of Lear
Summerhall, 12-24 Aug, £11
Winfamy
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 16-26 Aug, not 21, £free
Chariot: The Eric Liddell Story
Edinburgh Elim, 15-24 Aug, not 19, 20, £10
Mostellaria (The Haunted House)
Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
19:20 4.48 Psychosis
theSpace on Niddry St, Various dates from 7 Aug to 25 Aug, £10
I Never Saw Another Butterfly Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
The Indescribable Phenomenon Greenside, 13-18 Aug, £9
Chicken Bones for the Teenage Soup Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5
Mixed Doubles
The Edinburgh Academy, 20-24 Aug, £8
Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Musical - Free
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 7-15 Aug, £free
Nggrfg
theSpace on the Mile , 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7
19:25 Presidential Suite: a Modern Fairy Tale C Venues - C eca, 7-18 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
The Last Fairytale
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-26 Aug, not 18, 25, £8.50
A Middle-Aged Man’s Uncertainty Theory C Venues - C eca, 19-27 Aug, £7.50 – £9.50
Montmorency
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 16, 17, £9.50 – £11.50
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 93
theatrelistings 19:30 2008: Macbeth
Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, Various dates from 11 Aug to 18 Aug, £35
Wonderland
Royal Lyceum Theatre, 29 Aug - 1 Sep, £10
Villa+Discurso
30 Days to Edinburgh
Summerhall, 26 Aug, £8
Ghetto
Greenside, 21-25 Aug, £6
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People Traverse Theatre, 23 Aug, £18
The Hub, 20-21 Aug, £25
The Tragedie of MacClegg
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (As You Like It)
Request Programme
King’s Theatre, 24-25 Aug, £free – £12
Meine faire Dame ein Sprachlabor
Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 19 Aug, £30
Sparkleshark
St Peter’s, 21-25 Aug, £6
Paradise in The Vault, 22-26 Aug, £5 Inlingua Edinburgh, 7-19 Aug, not 13, £10 – £12
Dancing at Lughnasa Duddingston Kirk Manse Garden, 8-26 Aug, not 13, 14, 20, 21, £10
People Show 121: The Detective Show
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, £10
Three Cities
Ne’er the Twain
Remember Me
Trouble in the Tolbooth
Sweet Grassmarket, 13-26 Aug, not 18, 25, £8 Summerhall, 21-26 Aug, £6
The Proposal
St Peter’s, 7-17 Aug, not 12, 13, £10
Saughtonhall United Reformed Church, 7-11 Aug, £7
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £10
Treasure in Clay Jars
MacBeth in Scots
Soddin Flodden
Operation Stork
Apocalypse or Bust!
St Ninian’s Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £10 St Serf’s Church Hall, 7-17 Aug, not 12, £9
The Original Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
Outside the Beehive Inn, 7 Aug - 2 Sep, £10
Blithe Spirit
Murrayfield Parish Church Centre, 8-18 Aug, not 12, £10.50
Mayfield Salisbury Church, 20-21 Aug, £free Paradise in The Vault, 14-19 Aug, £8 Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5
19:35 A Dastardly Fiction
19:40 People Like Us
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7
19:45 ‘Allo ‘Allo
Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 7-11 Aug, £10
Fukushima - A Silent Prayer of Poetry Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 15-19 Aug, £10
Bullet Catch
Traverse Theatre, 12 Aug, £17
Mess
Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, £19
19:50 Death Boogie
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £12
Half a Person: My Life As Told By The Smiths Zoo Southside, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £8
Faust/us
Sweet Grassmarket, 7-12 Aug, £9
Hearts on Fire
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
20:00
Waiting for Orestes: Electra
Monkey Bars
Traverse Theatre, 21 Aug, 26 Aug, £17
King’s Theatre, 11-13 Aug, £12
Blink
Elephant Man
Institut français d’Ecosse, 7-24 Aug, weekdays only, £10
Return of the Close-Up Magician
Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, £17
Zoo Southside, 7-27 Aug, not 15, £9 – £10
20:05
Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
The Tale of Nada
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20-25 Aug, £7.50
C venues - C nova, 19-27 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
Those People My Parents
Captain Ko and the Planet of Rice
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 7-11 Aug, £8.50
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged
Dare I Say It?
Greenside, 14-18 Aug, £5
theSpace @ Venue45, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, 11 Aug, £8
Interruption
C venues - C nova, 7-18 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Billy Liar
The Edinburgh International Circus Festival
theSpace @ Venue45, 13-18 Aug, £8
Ocean Terminal Big Top, Various dates from 10 Aug to 25 Aug, £free
Three Tall Women
Faulty Towers the Dining Experience
How to Climb Mount Everest
B’est Restaurant, 7-28 Aug, not 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, £49
theSpace @ Venue45, 8 Aug, 10 Aug, £8
theSpace on North Bridge, 20-25 Aug, £7 – £10
Bullet Catch
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 8-25 Aug, not 13, 21, £10
Gotcha!
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £6 – £7
Monkey Bars
Traverse Theatre, 15 Aug, £17
Blink
Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £17
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro! Traverse Theatre, 26 Aug, £18
A Streetcar Named Desire
Pilrig Studio, 9 Aug, £5
Wonderland
Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
One in Three
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People
The Beast
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Thread
Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 19 Aug, £18
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
In a Handbag, Darkly theSpace on North Bridge, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £6 – £8
Mess
Firebird
Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £17 – £19
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 1325 Aug, not 19, £7
A Geisha Samurai
Watt
Grit
HURT
Royal Lyceum Theatre, 11-14 Aug, £10
Me and Mr C
20:10
Gulliver’s Travels
Paradise in The Vault, 7-12 Aug, £12
Village of Idiots
Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 25 Aug, £17 – £19
Greenside, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, £9.50
King’s Theatre, 17-20 Aug, £12
20:15 Midnight at the Boar’s Head
Bedlam Theatre, 7-25 Aug, not 12, £9
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £7.50
Assembly St Mark’s, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, £10
The Trojan Women
Quaker Meeting House, 7-11 Aug, £7
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, 11 Aug, £5
Angels
Traverse Theatre, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, £19
North London Collegiate School present
World Premiere of new Drama & Dance.
94 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
theatrelistings And No More Shall We Part
Traverse Theatre, 21 Aug, 25 Aug, £18 – £20
All That is Wrong HHH Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, £17
Bullet Catch
Traverse Theatre, 14 Aug, 19 Aug, £17
The Letter of Last Resort and Good With People Traverse Theatre, 12 Aug, £18
Pornography
theSpace @ Venue45, 20-25 Aug, £8
Almost, Maine
Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
20:20 30 Neo-Futurist Plays From Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind Pilrig Studio, 8 Aug, £5
The Exonerated
Pilrig Studio, 7 Aug, £5
20:25 Tranquillity, Serenity, Calm
Zoo, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £7.50
20:30 Nobody Will Ever Forgive Us
The Royal Scots Club, 7-11 Aug, £10
Romeo and Juliet Venue 13, 19-25 Aug, £8
Tartuffe
Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
And No More Shall We Part Traverse Theatre, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, £20
20:35
20:50
The Company of Wolves
Mod Girl
Hinge Presents: Ordinary Things
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
The Adding Machine
I Heart Hamas: And Other Things I’m Afraid to Tell You
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8 Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5
Panga
Hill Street Theatre, 7-26 Aug, not 14, £11 – £13
Platero Y Yo by Juan Ramon Jimenez Valvona & Crolla, 21 Aug, £12
Holmes and Watson: The Farewell Tour
Valvona & Crolla, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, £12
Zelda
Greenside, 20-25 Aug, £10
Morning
Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, £18
Sancho Panza 2012
theSpaces @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8
Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 13, 19, 20, £10
How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found
theSpace on the Mile , 7-11 Aug, £7
Sex, Lyres and Audiotape
theSpace on the Mile , 13-18 Aug, £5 – £7
20:40 Dracula: Sex, Sucking and Stardom Paradise in The Vault, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8 – £9
Awkward!
theSpace on the Mile , 20-25 Aug, £6 – £7
Born to Run
20:45
Proof
Puellae (The truth about chips and other things)
Traverse Theatre, 24 Aug, £20 The Royal Scots Club, 13-18 Aug, £12
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro! Traverse Theatre, 22 Aug, £18
Rhinoceros
Venue 13, Various dates from 11 Aug to 18 Aug, £8
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
Summerhall, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, £10
Summerhall, 19-26 Aug, £10
Future Tales (Sierakowski)
Summerhall, 15-26 Aug, £10
Morning
Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, £18
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro!
Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 11 Aug, 14 Aug, 18 Aug, £18 – £20
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, 11 Aug, £7
Practice, Memory and Song
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 8 Aug, 10 Aug, £7
Kiss Me and You Will See How Important I Am C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Pinch in Love
Paradise in The Vault, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £7
20:55 One Man Star Wars Trilogy
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 13-27 Aug, not 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, £15 – £16
The Night Porters
Paradise in Augustine’s, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £10 – £14
One Man Lord of the Rings
Underbelly, Bristo Square, Various dates from 14 Aug to 26 Aug, £15 – £16
21:00 Planet Lem
Old College Quad, 16-26 Aug, £7 – £15
The Blind
Old College Quad, 7-15 Aug, £13 – £15
Bring the Happy
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 21 Aug, £14
The Rape of Lucrece Royal Lyceum Theatre, 22-26 Aug, £20
Sparkleshark
St Peter’s, 24 Aug, £6
Defunct Pig - Free
The Hudson Hotel, 14-25 Aug, £free
Confessions of a Grindr Addict
Assembly Hall, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £11 – £12
Closer
Zoo Southside, 14-26 Aug, not 18, 20, £8.50
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Rites and Regulations
Zoo Southside, Various dates from 7 Aug to 13 Aug, £9
21:05 Looby Loo: No Strings Attached
C venues - C nova, 7-19 Aug, £9.50 – £11.50
Vitamin
Zoo, 20-27 Aug, £8
Trojan Women
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7
Hardcore Pawn With Mick, Lewis and Shaun theSpace on the Mile , 7-8 Aug, £5
Swan Song
Sweet Grassmarket, 11-17 Aug, £8.50
Belt Up Theatre’s Outland
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £10.50 – £12.50
Macbeth
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
21:10 Peaceful
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 20-25 Aug, £7
21:15 The Sh*t / La Merda Summerhall, 7-26 Aug, not 17, 18, £10
You Don’t Know Me Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
Marat / Sade
Church Hill Theatre, 7 Aug, £5
21:30 Give and Take
Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5
Tenderpits
Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £10.50
Hitler Alone
Inlingua Edinburgh, 9-23 Aug, £14
Monstrous Acts
C venues - C aquila, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8.50 – £10.50
Riot Squat
Whitespace, 22-26 Aug, £9
21:35 The Bloody Chamber
theSpace on the Mile , 13-18 Aug, £8
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
It’s My Wonderful Life
21:40
Wuthering Heights
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £5 – £6.50
The Indescribable Phenomenon
Greenside, 7-11 Aug, £9
r. harmonY with Your partne with the intent to live in “You leave the theatre missed!“
not to be
elle magazine
DJ TOm LOUD’S
HOT DUB Time macHine
Underbelly bristo sqUare : ermintrUde 3.30pm
www.festmag.co.uk
August 7 - 9 | edinburgh festival guide 2012 fest 95
theatrelistings 21:45 Hinge Presents: Dorian
Hill Street Theatre, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £7 – £8
The Three Faces of Doctor Crippen
22:10 This is Who I Am!
theSpace on the Mile , 7-10 Aug, £5
Peaceful
theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 13-18 Aug, £7
C venues - C, 7-27 Aug, not 16, 17, £8.50 – £10.50
Wrecked
22:00
Call Me!
The Ugly Sisters
Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 8-25 Aug, not 13, 21, £14
That Old Noir Magic - A Film Noir Jazz Journey Into Night, in Story and Song Greenside, 14-18 Aug, £12
Rock
Institut français d’Ecosse, 7-18 Aug, not 11, 12, 13, £10
Grim(m) - Unreal Stories for Real Times Greenside, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, 10 Aug, 11 Aug, £7
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
The Guild of Cheesemakers
Summerhall, 14-18 Aug, £20
Jack: A Ripper’s Tale Paradise in The Vault, 21-27 Aug, £6.50
22:05 Dirty Pretty Money theSpace on the Mile , 7-11 Aug, £8 – £9
The Awesome Show theSpace on North Bridge, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8 – £9
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-25 Aug, not 12, 19, £10 Sweet Grassmarket, 7-26 Aug, not 13, 18, 25, £7.50
Question No One
theSpace @ Venue45, 20-25 Aug, £8.50
Of Mice and Men
theSpace on Niddry St, 20-22 Aug, £8
22:20 Piatto Finale
Zoo, Various dates from 8 Aug to 26 Aug, £8
Centralia
Zoo, Various dates from 7 Aug to 27 Aug, £8
22:25 Leather
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, not 14, £8.50 – £10.50
Broken
22:15
Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 7 Aug, £5
Settimana
The World Over
Assembly Roxy, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £12 – £14
theSpace on North Bridge, 13-25 Aug, not 16, 19, £6
Dracula
Quantum Battlestar Deep-Space Voyager Tardis Wars: The Million-Dollar Space Epic
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-18 Aug, £7.50 – £8
Beatle Mal’s Legendary Band
Paradise in The Vault, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £8
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Church Hill Theatre, 9 Aug, £5
The Sidcup Family Portrait Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 8-19 Aug, £6
Paradise in Augustine’s, 21-27 Aug, £9.50
22:30 Adele’s Heart
theSpace on North Bridge, 7-11 Aug, £7.50 – £8.50
The Blind
Old College Quad, 16-27 Aug, £13 – £15
All an Act
theSpace @ Venue45, 13-18 Aug, £7.50
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-18 Aug, not 12, £7
Dearly Departed
Carmen Funebre
Enter the Woods
Church Hill Theatre, 8 Aug, £5
Old College Quad, 14 Aug, £10
96 fest edinburgh festival guide 2011 | August 7 - 9
DugOut Theatre’s Inheritance Blues
Bedlam Theatre, 7-25 Aug, £8
Macbeth: Who is that Bloodied Man? Old College Quad, 7-13 Aug, £13 – £15
Pool of Blood
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-11 Aug, £6 – £7
The Barwell Prophecy
theSpace @ Venue45, 7-11 Aug, £10
Holmes and Watson: The Farewell Tour
Valvona & Crolla, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug, £12
The Table
Tales from Edgar Allan Poe
C Venues - C eca, 7-27 Aug, not 13, £9.50 – £11.50
24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
Accidental Olympian theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 7-9 Aug, £8
Daughters of Lot
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 13-25 Aug, not 19, £5.50 – £7
Beats
Traverse Theatre, 14-26 Aug, not 20, £12 – £19
Boris & Sergey’s Vaudevillian Adventure
Pleasance Courtyard, 11-14 Aug, £14
Pleasance Courtyard, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 21, £9 – £10
22:40
23:05
Re-Animator The Musical
A Dastardly Fiction
Assembly George Square, 7-27 Aug, not 13, 20, £12 – £14
22:45 A Guide to Second Date Sex Underbelly, Cowgate, 7-26 Aug, not 15, £9.50 – £10.50
Belt Up Theatre’s The Boy James
C venues - C nova, 7-27 Aug, £10.50 – £12.50
23:00 Who’s Dorian Gray?
Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club, 7-26 Aug, not 9, 16, 23, £free
Greenside, 13-18 Aug, £9.50
Strip Search
SpaceCabaret @ 54, 7-25 Aug, not 19, £12
23:15 Medea Hardcore
Assembly Roxy, 7-26 Aug, not 8, 13, 14, 20, 21, £12 – £14 00:00
24h
Summerhall, 23 Aug, 26 Aug, £1
Couleur Café
C venues - C nova, 12-28 Aug, £12.50 – £14.50
02:00 24h
Summerhall, 23 Aug, 26 Aug, £1
03:00 24h
Summerhall, 23 Aug, 26 Aug, £1
04:00 24h
Summerhall, 23 Aug, 26 Aug, £1
05:00 24h
Summerhall, 23 Aug, 26 Aug, £1
06:00 24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
07:00 24h
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
08:00 How May We Be of Service?
01:00
Everywhere, Anywhere, 12-17 Aug, £free
24h
24h
Summerhall, 23 Aug, 26 Aug, £1
Summerhall, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, £1
festbackpage
Thrill murray
98 fest edinburgh festival guide 2012 | August 7 - 9
asked Everybody loves Bill Murray. Fest juices tive crea their get to Totally Tom comedy flowing and colour in an image of colouring legend. Thrill Murray, the Bill-based RRP ÂŁ6.99 book from Belly Kids, is out soon,
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