EE FR
Cometh the man…
Full hour y b r hou ings list
ADAM RICHES GRAPPLES WITH HIS MANHOOD
12–14 August 2014 — YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE FESTIVAL
August 1-24 KID BOX Summerhall – Main Hall (V26) 13:00 MISA-LISIN Summerhall – Old Lab (V26) 17:20 IMPRESSION OF TAIWAN EICC – The Lomond Theatre (V150) 17:00/18:00/18:30 KURAKURAW DANCE GLASS BEAD Dance Base – Studio 3 (V22) 18:30 EGGS OF BLESSINGS Dance Base – Studio 3 (V22) 20:00 www.taiwanseasonfringe.com facebook.com/taiwanseason twitter.com/taiwanseason
k s e D Hot 9.10PM (10.10PM)
7.35PM (8.35PM)
30 JULY - 25 AUGUST 2014
30 JULY - 25 AUGUST 2014
HOT DUB TIME MACHINE
BALLCOKU!T IT’TS AL SE TO
5PM (6PM)
30 JULY - 25 AUGUST 2014
NGE 2013
EDINBURGH FRI
12.30AM (2.45AM)
01 & 02, 07 - 10, 13 - 17, 20 - 24 AUGUST 2014
THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
Your complete guide to the Festival PUBLISHER Sam Friedman EDITOR Evan Beswick
FRIDGE They’re oddly overlooked amid the frenzy of the Festival. But fear not: Fest brings you coverage of Fringe performers’ best-stocked fridges.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Matthew MacLeod DEPUTY EDITOR Tom Hackett THEATRE EDITOR-AT-LARGE Matt Trueman COMEDY EDITOR-AT-LARGE Lyle Brennan
e
Loretta Main
“I drink 8-10 cups of white wine every day to stay hydrated, as TripAdvsor tells me that the tap water is not clean in Scotland. The Cava is for mini-Festival victories, like not crying before 3pm on any given day. I need to keep my leotard fresh as I only have one, and the eyeliner persuades me to make myself prettier rather than eat, every time I open my fridge. A good rule for life, right?”
WEB EDITOR & SUB EDITOR John Hewitt Jones PHOTO EDITOR Weronika Bachleda PHOTO ASSISTANT Shona Wass WRITING TEAM Ed Ballard, Billy Barrett, Sean Bell, Lyle Brennan, Jo Caird, Tom Hackett, Julian Hall, Si Hawkins, Dan Hutton, Ben Judge, Miranda Kiek, Andrew Latimer, Catherine Love, Edd McCracken, Brett Mills, Lewis Porteous, Stewart Pringle, Arianna Reiche, Lucy Ribchester, Jay Richardson, Alice Saville, Joe Spurgeon, Tom Wicker
SALES & MARKETING Gillian Brown, Lara Moloney, Tom McCarthy, George Sully, John Stansfield
@festmag www.festmag.co.uk hello@festmag.co.uk Founded by Dan Lerner and Helen Pidd Published by Fest Media Limited, Registered in Scotland, number SC344852. Registered office 3 Coates Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7AA Every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the information in this magazine, but we cannot accept liability for information which is inaccurate. Show times and prices are subject to changes always check with the venue. All rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reprodiced 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.
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LORETTA MAINE: STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMAN (UNLESS I AM VERY TIRED) Assembly George Sq Gardens, 7:45pm – 8:45pm, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10.0n
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Contents 8
Adam Riches
The king of audience participation talks about manliness
12 This is Ceilidh Our man Evan Beswick goes undercover (sort of) with the band of the biggest ceilidh going
16
Township voices
We meet the school choir like no other
19 - Comedy
Lead critic Lyle Brennan checks out Des Bishop and Stuart Black
39 - Theatre
Standby for Tape Back-Up gets the ultimate seal of approval
64 - Music
With a sharp wit and a belter of a voice, Lady Rizo knocks our socks off
67 - Kids
Four-year-old Ella McQueen reckons Calvinball is amazing
70 - Listings www.festmag.co.uk
Your essential guide to what’s on at the world’s biggest arts festival
12–14 August 2014 fest 5
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12–14 August 2014 fest 7
COMEDY
COMETH THE
MAN Adam Riches’ daring audience interactions pose some uncomfortable questions about what it is to be a man. Tom Hackett gets involved Photos: Weronika Bachleda
I
t is a Thursday night, and I am making orgasm noises into a microphone in front of 200 people, with a man pretending to be Ryan Gosling’s mother. As it happens, I am also on a first date. Worries race through my head: is this funny? Where is this going to go next? Am I being dominated, or dominating? Laughed at, or with? What am I revealing about myself? To the audience? To my date? Does she think this is what I really sound like, when… you know? “Such a high-pitched moan, for such a hirsute and burly man,” Ryan Gosling’s mother purrs. The surprisingly low voice in fact belongs to Adam Riches, playing the character of this unlikely temptress, who has demanded that I breach her defences like a horse entering Troy. The crowd roars its approval. I feel both victorious, and a little confused. Such confusion will be familiar to any man who has sat on Adam Riches’ front row over the last seven years. His is an act that thrives on uncomfortable audience interactions, which push at the limits of what a semi-coerced ‘volunteer’ is willing to do for laughs. These volunteers are almost always men, and typically the character that they are presented with when they walk up onstage presents some sort of macho, male archetype for them to rub up against, figuratively and sometimes even literally. Ryan Gosling’s mother is an unusual, female exception to this rule. But the internal wranglings that the audience member goes through when presented with this
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oddly masculine woman are similar. “I find it hilarious,” explains Riches, “how men present themselves next to each other. Putting a man with real attitude and a real point of view, opposite an audience member who’s generally fairly neutral.” We are walking up Arthur’s Seat on a beautiful Edinburgh day, two mornings after the night in question. In reality, Riches is mild, friendly and far more softly-spoken than the bellowing warlords, tattoo artists and survivalists that he plays on stage. Sweetly, he dispels any lingering embarrassment about our simulated sexual antics, with high praise for my performance: “Oh, don’t worry. You were perfect.” The joy that Riches takes from the uncertain art of audience interaction is immediately clear. “They don’t come up onstage with a huge swell of what their personalities are,” he says fondly, but “with a sort of meekness and hesitancy. So I love the idea of: I’ve got a box of chocolates here, and someone’s thrown away the instructions. I don’t know if this is a hard-centred guy or a soft-centred guy that I’ve got.” Riches normally presents them with a hard-centred guy. Perhaps the best example of this is Victor Legit, a surveillance officer who he played for the first time in 2007 and who he has returned to at most of his Fringe performances since. “The great thing about playing Victor is that he is absolutely overwhelming to an audience member,” says Riches of the brash, muscle-bound,
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COMEDY
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12–14 August 2014 fest 9
COMEDY Yakult-swilling alpha male who has become his signature character. “They’re very clear about the type of guy that they’re meeting. There’s no sense of ‘Where’s this going to go?’ It’s just like, ‘He’s the alpha, he’s challenging me. Where am I? Am I an alpha? Am I a beta?’” Sometimes, this sort of challenge proves too much. “I found it increasingly difficult to maintain a joy in the room,” Riches says, explaining why he dropped the character for one year in 2011. “Because a lot of guys just found it very difficult to let themselves be dominated.” On one occasion, an audience member took such exception to a routine in which a young volunteer is persuaded to lick Victor’s face, that he got up, “grabbed me and pushed me back, and said ‘I’m sick and tired of all your gay shit.’” The irony is that Victor is not gay. “It’s all about the celebration of form and physique for him,” Riches explains, talking of part of the current show in which a young man is persuaded to get even closer to Victor, who is by this time half-naked. “He would be mortified if anybody ever said there was anything sexual going on in that. Because it’s a celebration. It’s Roman. It’s like: ‘Hey, guys: this is how we should be.’” We pause for a photo shoot atop one of Arthur’s Seat’s smaller mounds. Riches strikes a manly pose, and as he does so, another man appears at the very highest peak about a half-mile away. The stranger has his top off, his body braced to the wind. He bellows: “Raaaaaaargh!” Riches is good-humoured about being so roundly and appropriately out-manned. Is he himself an alpha, or a beta? “I think I’m a little bit of both. I’m the fourth brother in a gang of five, so I didn’t really have too many soldiers to lead,” he laughs. “Certainly when I was younger, there was a lot of military influence. My brother was in the police, and my dad was a manager so there was a lot of authority there. I went to a private school until I was thirteen. So there was a lot of authority there to observe, and lampoon, and ridicule.” In particular, it is that curious sense of entitlement held by true alpha males that Riches wants to probe. “I love the idea of someone saying: ‘I don’t need you to show me how much you admire me; I’m telling you how much you admire me.’ I love those kinds of attitudes. They’re always fun to prick.” It’s not lost on Riches that men can be at their most macho when at their most insecure. We discuss a hardnut in the audience on Thursday who, rather than engaging with the mute, shy version of Ryan Gosling that Riches was then playing, simply eyeballed him angrily for many long, tension-raising seconds. “It does always fascinate me, when a guy wants to challenge a fictional character,” he laughs. “If that is something that you feel you need to spray your scent over to mark your territory… well, alright man!” If there is a hint of contempt here for this particularly extreme form of machismo, Riches’ shows are far more
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“I would hate to feel that anyone that I ever used and did stuff with in the audience felt bullied or threatened in any way” about celebration than ridicule. “It’s utterly ridiculous, this whole kind of posturing. It’s fantastic, and it gives us so much joy in terms of laughing at it, and also getting excited by it, like you do in a film.” He talks of his love of media figures like Sean Bean, Daniel Day Lewis and Pierce Brosnan, all of whom have been sent up affectionately in his shows. And it’s affection, too, that drives his audience interaction. “I would hate to feel that anyone that I ever used and did stuff with in the audience felt bullied or threatened in any way,” he says sincerely. “There should be some reticence and hesitation at first,” he says, but ultimately he wants the audience members that he pulls up to triumph, as much as himself. “It should be awkward at the beginning, like any relationship,” he smiles. I think back to the uncomfortable, yet oddly empowering act I entered into with him the night before last. “We’re treading on each other’s toes, we’re overriding each other’s sentences,” he continues. “But then by the end, we’re completely in sync. We’ve created this piece together. That’s the ideal.” n TOM HACKETT Pleasance Dome, 9:45pm – 10:45pm, 30 Jul – 24 Aug, £10 – £14
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12–14 August 2014 fest 11
MUSIC&CABARET
The Reel Deal Forget what you know about “country dancing”. For those who’ve yet to experience the exhilaration of a Scottish ceilidh, it’s an experience like no other. Evan Beswick gets his jig on with the band at This is Ceilidh Photos: Shona Wass
M
y last gig was at the summer fête at an old people’s home. Sure, it’s not exactly hitting the big time. But, frankly, I’m not that great a guitarist, and the informal ‘no-job-too-small’ arrangement suits our recently-formed ceilidh band just fine. We quaffed tea and gave them the classics: ‘The Dashing White Sergeant’, ‘Turkey in the Straw’, ‘The Flowers of Edinburgh’. It was nice. Everyone was happy. No one was stressed. That’s definitely not how I feel in rehearsal five minutes before This is Ceilidh begins. I’ve got a sheet of chords in front of me which are much fruitier, and change much faster, than the ones I’m used to strumming through. To my right, a bodhrán (a type of Irish drum) player is driving the beat forward. To my left, a brace each of fiddlers and pipers are ripping through the different tunes that make up the dance. I can barely keep up, and there’s not even anyone dancing yet. It’s all a little bit stressful. Quite why, then, I agreed to play along with the band of This is Ceilidh for one night, is unclear. I’m not entirely sure my last outing prepared me for this. Firstly, there’s a difference of scale to contend with. Put simply, This is Ceilidh is the biggest ceilidh I’ve heard of, in a venue that holds up to 500. That’s a lot of feet galumphing through the Gay Gordons, expecting to be kept jauntily and tunefully in time. Secondly, there’s a difference in standard. As Iain Gillie, producer and one of the creators of This is Ceilidh tells me, “you can’t do this with an average band” – and he’s not joking. A rolling roster of around 30 comprises some of the most highly-regarded traditional musicians right across the British Isles. Oh, and in the interests of participatory journalism: me. A step backwards, for the benefit of those to whom “ceilidh” represents little beyond an unpronounceable word. A ceilidh—pronounced “KAY-lee”—is essentially a Scottish country dance. A band—usually a fiddle and an accordion, maybe a guitar—plays a “set” of tunes that correspond to a particular dance. Instructions are given; synchronised dancing commences. You’d be forgiven u
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t︎ for thinking it all sounds a bit twee. “If you look up ceilidh on YouTube, you’ll get videos of people in village halls, with the lights fully on, literally walking and counting along to an accordion or something,” the show’s director Owen Lewis tells me. “But that’s totally not what it is!” He’s right: there’s no experience quite like the anarchic, egalitarian joy of a set dance. You step and stamp to the rhythm; you whoop and clap; you swing a partner round and round and round as a room of sweaty, laughing revellers do exactly the same. Keep your wedding discos – it’s ceilidh all the way round these parts. This is Ceilidh takes this a step further, providing what Gillie calls an “immersive theatrical experience”. Audiences are split into two “warring” clans, and cajoled through the dances by two hosts, who also deliver a bombastic and wonderfully flimsy narrative to string the dances together. There’s ballads, duelling pipers, a rapper doing Burns. There’s stag-horn hats and tartan tights (a top tip backstage from host Ewan Donald: tartan tights are comfiest when worn back-to-front. A sporran, though, is necessary for modesty). It’s utterly ridiculous, and it knows it. But it’s immensely fun and, in fact, keeps a steady stream of energy feeding the music and the dancing. To return to which: I meet up with musical director Alex Silverman a few days before my cameo. If he’s worried about the mess I’m likely to make of his Scottish musical feast, he doesn’t let on. He’s very generous, and incredibly enthusiastic about a musical discipline to which he is relatively new. “Oh, the joy of this music! It’s got a life force in it which is completely irresistible!” “It’s been an education for me, just what you can do with this music. The pipers are a case in point – the bagpipes are an instrument that can only play only nine notes. But the things these guys can do, it’s absolutely phenomenal.” We’re soon joined by Andy Kain – one of This is Ceilidh’s fiddlers, and a musician who plays, by his reckoning, around 200 ceilidhs a year. It’s an extraordinary number, but a tally which has done nothing to decrease his enthusiasm. “I’m pinching a couple of the new tunes!” he laughs. For Scottish traditional music is anything but an art form standing still. There’s a massive and growing repertoire of tunes, with some of This is Ceilidh’s musicians involved in composition and performance on what Silverman calls “the
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lithe and exciting edge of the Scottish folk scene”. One new tune, Silvermann explains, is a masterpiece of tension and release: “Most of ‘Dirty Bee’ is only three notes, and it’s bangin’! There’s this amazing build of tension and when it goes to the ‘B’ part - boom, it explodes”. “It’s got such a brilliant groove,” adds Kain – using language one perhaps doesn’t expect to hear with regard to folk music. As an aside, Silverman and Kain discover in conversation that they have both received differing stories as to the inspiration of this particular tune: both involve a bee sting in an extremely sensitive area. Both are relatively unprintable. We settle on a Highland barn dance for my cameo – three tunes with a quick marching rhythm. A couple of days later, Silverman sends me the musical notation and chords for me to “get them under my fingers”. After a few goes at fumbling through, I’m backstage, being helped into a very fetching kilt by the band. I’m becoming increasingly nervous. “Don’t worry,” says Marianne Fraser, the guitarist who has allowed me to stand in for her tonight, as she gives me run-through before doors open. I watch as her fingers stretch easily to unfamiliar and inventive chord positions. “If you get stuck, just damp the chord and keep playing. No one will notice!” A few dances in and it’s my turn to play. Marianne hands me her guitar, there’s four bars intro and we’re away. I genuinely don’t recall the last time I concentrated so hard. I glance up and see accordionist Grant McFarlane breezing effortlessly through ‘Donald McLean’s Farewell to Oban’ (seriously, all the names are brilliant). I miss the next chord and get my head back down into the music, experiencing a moment’s panic while I regain my place. “At the very end, we round off with a fat D major chord”, I remember Silverman telling me. When it comes, I’m relieved, and exhilarated. I leave the stage and get stuck into the dancing. “Thank you so much. That was honestly the best night ever,” says a young Irishman to me as the cheers following the final dance subside. Can I really take credit? Hell, why not. “It was my pleasure,” I say, and we hug sweatily. n EVAN BESWICK Assembly George Square Gardens, 11:00pm – 12:30am, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, not 11 Aug, £16 – £18
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12–14 August 2014 fest 15
MUSIC&CABARET
SCHOOL OF
SONG
The Dloko High School Choir have travelled from South Africa to be at the Fringe. But much less a story about escaping poverty, at heart Township Voices is all about the music Photos: Weronika Bachleda
“S
o when did you start singing?” I ask Nonkululeko Khumalo in the basement café of St Andrews and St George’s church. She’s sitting across the table from me, neat but relaxed in the bright green uniform of Dloko High School, a red ribbon tying back her hair. Without missing a beat she cracks a grin. “I started singing the moment my mother gave birth to me.” About to go on stage in less than an hour’s time, you might think the 20-year-old business student from Umlazi in South Africa would be displaying at least some hint of nerves. But Nonkululeko is sparky, full of quick, considered answers, and along with fellow student choristers Mxolisi Chiliza, 19, and Phumlani Ntetha, 19, animated with the special energy and liveliness that the Fringe seems to mystically bestow upon the young. Dloko High School Choir, however, have come from further afield than most to perform. As part of a collaboration between Scottish and South African schools, the group have travelled from South Africa’s second largest township (after Soweto), south west of the city of Durban. When I ask Mxolisi to tell me about Umlazi his response is, “It is a poor, poor community.” Nonkululeko quickly interjects, “We’re poor but we don’t want to dig into that. Baba Alex coming from here to Umlazi was the biggest change because he empowered us. Scotland is so different; we don’t meet these types of people – even the old people respect us and this makes me feel glad.” The Alex she’s talking about is Alex Wallace, former Head of Edinburgh’s James Gillespie’s High School who spearheaded the invitation to the choir via the Iris Initiative, a charity dedicated to stimulating debate about societal values. Fiercely proud of the group’s talent, Wallace is also keen to emphasise the circumstances in which Dloko High School operates, pointing out in his show introduction that he has the choir’s permission to talk about the poverty and high crime rates in their locality. The group have been singing every day at St Andrews and St Georges, and from 12 to 14 August will perform the show Township Voices at the Assembly Rooms. Part of their aim while here is to raise money to plough back into projects that will help improve their school and surrounding community. So far,
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They practice four times a week, for two to two-and-a-half hours at a time, on top of their school studies www.festmag.co.uk
initiatives have created a school soup kitchen, a crisis centre for women and a house for a gogo (a grandmother), who looks after 19 adopted babies. This is the first time the students have left their country, and since arriving in the UK they have had to adapt quickly to a flurry of media attention. Tomorrow they’re off to Banchory for a last-minute gig, and just a few hours ago the BBC recorded them singing onboard one of the new Edinburgh trams – “It’s ok,” says Nonkululeko, “We sing on trains back home, so the motion was no problem.” And that’s really what the spirit of the choir boils down to: an unshakeable commitment to creating music. While chatting to the students, their absolute love for what they do is abundantly clear. They practice four times a week, for two to two-and-a-half hours at a time, on top of their school studies. Music teacher Musa Khuzwayo operates a democratic policy when allocating the songs, allowing the children to choose, conduct and even compose their own. The finale was written by Sandile Macquaba, a 20-yearold with a gorgeous soft baritone. Called ‘Thatha Uqobo’, it translates from Zulu as ‘You can take me as I am,’ and is a piece the three singers I’m chatting to go crazy over when I
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ask them what their favourite song is. “You know the Zulu people, we believe in God,” says Mxolisi. “This song says to God, ‘I don’t have anything to give you’.” Nonkululeko takes over. “Even if you’re so poor that you can’t eat anything today, we’re going to go down on our knees and say, ‘Please God, take me as I am, because I have nothing to give you; you can only take me’. Even if you know you’re not going to eat tomorrow.” That the songs come from places in the heart reserved for the deepest faith also shows in their performance. When 20-year-old Mlekilile Radebe takes the lead in the penultimate piece, the power of his voice—rich with vibrato on the low notes, blasting the high ones—is astonishing. Dropping to his knees and releasing his arms out, he gives himself to the music with complete open-heartedness. The song is called ‘Cover Me Lord’. By the end I was in floods of tears. Throughout the hour-long afternoon concert, I have to keep reminding myself that the students have not been handpicked from a talent pool across the country, nor streamed from auditions throughout their locality, but . u
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t︎ are from one individual school. And while many of the tunes are soul-soaring melodies, the like of which we’re used to hearing from the Soweto Gospel Choir, the Dloko schoolchildren do not shy away from grave subject matter. “There is a song we sing that was used in Soweto by the people who were boycotting,” says Nonkululeko. She explains to me the background of the 1976 Soweto uprising when high school students protested at the enforced teaching of Afrikaans in schools. An estimated 700 people died taking part. “They were forced to do every subject in Afrikaans, and so they started to boycott and fight. When we sing this song it’s so full of emotion that I even cry. The emotion comes back and all the images. They died for this.” “That’s why now we’re able to learn our languages, Zulu and English,” says Mxolisi. The unimaginable oppression faced by the choir members’ parents and older relatives may go some way to explaining the fierce protection with which the
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students talk about their education. “Music is going to be my career,” says Nonkululeko, “after I’ve done what I’m doing in college. I’m studying Business Management, but when that’s done I’m going to do music. I want to have a business background first, and then I can do music.” And so, once again it comes back to the music. As Choir Master Musa says, “we can bring music, and music brings joy and happiness.” And that is Dloko High School Choir’s gift to the Fringe. n LUCY RIBCHESTER The Dloko High School Choir’s visit was facilitated and supported by the Jabulani Project. You can support the Jabulani Project online at jabulaniproject.wordpress.com JABULANI St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, 4–11 Aug, weekdays only, £10 TOWNSHIP VOICES The Assembly Rooms, 7:55pm – 8:55pm, 12–14 Aug, £15
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COMEDYREVIEWS
Abandoman HHHHH The charm and chutzpah rarely flag as this improv hip-hop group spin some serious tunes PAGE 30 Photo: Weronika Bachleda. Thanks to Kay Hassan and the City Art Centre
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COMEDY
Lyle Brennan LEAD COMEDY CRITIC
Des Bishop: Made In Chin
HHHHH Stuart Black: The Crossroads
HHHHH
Y
ou’ll find the idea of comedian-as-outsider all over the city this month, but there’s life in the old trope yet. Just look at Des Bishop, who’s taken it to the next level in a supremely watchable travelogue of an Irish-American in China. He hasn’t just visited the world’s most populous country – he’s lived and breathed it, even mastering the language. This is essentially a by-product of a documentary in which he set out to establish himself on the country’s fledgling standup circuit. During that year he found a menial service job, failed to crack the materially-motivated dating scene and wangled his way on to China’s equivalent of Take Me Out. First, though, he needed to learn Mandarin. That meant negotiating the minefield of tonal pronunciation: get the inflection wrong, and his adopted name takes on an obscene new meaning. He wrings the topic dry with amusing exasperation and there’s endless novelty in hearing his Queens-via-Dublin accent slip into fluent Chinese. Bishop’s determination to break into this impenetrable culture is what drives the show along. Rather than the sort of mawkish treatment that tosses
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around words like “vibrant” and “humbling”, he handles cultural difference with a pleasing roughness. Whenever he comes up against Chinese reserve, he needles and joshes until he finds some common ground. It’s affectionate, yet Bishop’s never shy to get stuck in to China’s hangups, whether that’s the government censors’ paranoia over the three Ts (Taiwan, Tiananmen, Tibet), the concept of maintaining “face” or the weight of expectation for the young to grow up fast, work hard and settle down. He’s spent long enough immersed
in the culture to make such judgments – and in any case, insensitivity cuts both ways. He encountered outrageous racism while working as a lowly restaurant greeter, or being inspected like livestock on a gameshow. But to him, that’s simply something to fuel his mission to charm a nation of 1.3billion, which culminates hilariously in him belting out an Irish rebel anthem on Chinese national TV. The hour’s packed to the gunwales with little insights into a fascinating place, and it absolutely flies by. When Bishop ends on a jubilant note, finally getting some locals to share
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COMEDY
Left: Stuart Black Above: Des Bishop
his ebullience, you sense he’s got a hundred stories left to tell. That’s also true of Stuart Black’s The Crossroads, a scattering of squalid true-life stories interspersed with hypnotic, florid passages in the style of 1821’s Confessions of an English Opium-Eater. Here the outsider isn’t a Westerner adrift in the East, but an ambassador from the fringes of society—cadaverous, black-clad and with lank, grey locks—who’s here to tell us what he’s seen. Black’s led a life dictated by impulse, and his set flip-flops between moments of middle-class stability and drug-addled, underclass woe. After a deceptively mundane intro on day jobs and commuting etiquette, without warning we get a first look at one of his escapist “crackpot alchemist” reveries. In these interludes, the story just told—his abortive visit to a brothel, for example—is rehashed in the words of a laudanum-loaded, 19th-century scientist looking forwards in time, recasting Black’s experiences
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in frilly polysyllables that obscure the depravity they describe. Black tells us how, having flunked his exams, he spent five years on the dole in a Brighton attic. There’s a stomach-churning lesson on what happens when you don’t wash for six months, and a fantastically vivid image of him hunkered Gollum-like in the dark as disco leaks through the trapdoor from his housemates’ party. Cut to another life of his. He’s a homeowner, working at Microsoft – but he’s also a functioning alcoholic who one day gets an itch, sells everything and washes up in Cape Town, seduced by its cheap and dangerous living. When a comic describes a friend with this line—“French Dave lost an eye smashing up a toilet”—you know you’re not dealing with someone who lives like most of us. This is a man who’s found himself sleeping in an abandoned mental hospital, then a van, who’s suffered a psychological collapse on mushrooms – and who may well do it all again.
It’s not meant to sound exciting, it’s simply a demonstration of the precariousness of our comfortable lives, encouraging an awareness of privilege and empathy for the homeless. Sounds cheery, doesn’t it? Actually, thanks to Prozac, Black’s a happy guy. He’s gentle and affable, with a West Country twang and light delivery that tempers any tone of “I’ve been there, done that, my world’s bigger than yours”. More than once, he compares the ambition of his verbal acrobatics to watching someone attempt a triple somersault and come crunching down on his neck. It’s gratifying to watch him try it anyway, only to land on his feet. n LYLE BRENNAN STUART BLACK: THE CROSSROADS Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 10:00pm – 10:50pm, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, free DES BISHOP: MADE IN CHINA Pleasance Dome, 8:00pm – 9:00pm, 30 Jul – 24 Aug, not 11 Aug, £10 – £13
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COMEDY Phil Wang: Mellow Yellow
HHHHH Apparently, Phil Wang has taken some flack from his fellow comedians over the name of his show. Rather than highlighting his Chinese-British heritage, many of his peers would be much more comfortable if he simply turned his name into a stupid pun, like everyone else. However, while the cultural mix that informs his family and character provides much of Wang’s best material, audiences should not assume that this will result in an hour of confrontational, racially-charged humour. As the title suggests, Wang is a pretty mellow guy. Perhaps a little too mellow. Though Wang, winner of the 2010 Chortle Student Comedian of the Year award, is a skilled observational comedian, he has difficulty maintaining momentum in his set, either pausing excessively or trying to fill up the silence with small talk that only serves to delay the real gags. When they arrive, the result is mixed: as mentioned before, Wang is at his best when skewering assumptions about his heritage—”Oh no,” he sarcastically imagines the audience thinking, “not another Chinese-British comedian!”—
Joel Dommett: Finding Emo
HHHHH “Now I’ll have to show you my desktop,” groans Joel Dommett, as his elaborate new show judders off to a rickety beginning. Having moonlighted as a minor celeb on MTV and BBC3 (one fangirl secures a selfie with him before the set even starts), Dommett the comic is on the free fringe this year, and revelling in the challenges it brings. Not having a tech, for example, he’s learned to operate the Ballroom’s lights himself, which offers a revealingly grand opening. Yes, a laptop presentation then stalls, but his extravagant exasperation adds to the enjoyably ramshackle air – and
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but cannot maintain that quality. A digression on a family dinner is largely excellent, but jokes about the history of chopsticks fall flat. Wang seems even less assured once he gets onto subjects such as superheroes and gritty reboots, a vein of geekish humour that has been done
lulls a still unsure audience into low expectations. Who could foresee the fireworks to come? Finding Emo’s storyline sounds fairly unpromising: Dommett’s turning 30 soon, so decides to reform his old band. The first inkling of its wayward genius is an impressively awkward recreation of his teenage stage persona, eventually followed by an excruciating centrepiece as the comic takes us, at length, through his subsequent solo rap track, the sort of misguided artefact most of us would have securely destroyed. Our host’s eagerness to revel in his own embarrassment is the driving force here, from teen mistakes to live moshing with audience members. The early lines could be sharper (dammit, Dommett, stop saying the word “excited”) but while the show often looks likely to fall apart,
many times, and done better, long before Wang’s middling attempts. Still, if he can focus both his technique and his subject matter, Wang may yet be worth watching. n SEAN BELL Pleasance Courtyard, 5:50pm – 6:50pm, 30 Jul – 24 Aug, £8.50 – £10
there’s actually a sharp comedy brain holding it all together. That’s particularly evident from a wickedly memorable moment late on, one of several surprise twists, and a thing of simple-but-spectacular brilliance. It alone is worth your nought pounds. n SI HAWKINS Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 9:00pm – 10:00pm, 1 – 24 Aug, free
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COMEDY Susan Calman: Lady Like
HHHHH Susan Calman has an awful lot going on these days, as she hurtles—not unjustly—towards National Treasure status. TV and radio projects abound, and in Topside’s hefty queue one couldn’t help but wonder whether success might blunt the confessional, self-deprecating edge that propelled her best live work. Can you still embody the loveable loser when your star is so firmly in the ascendant? Actually, Calman actively acknowledges her recent upsurge here, and broadcasting tales provide much of the show’s meat. This could well be off-putting from a less adept and engaging performer, but much of this audience are clearly Radio 4 devotees, who she welcomes early on by rattling through numerous listener complaints prompted by her appearances on the News Quiz. It’s also a slightly divisive tactic, though – an issue with Radio 4’s comedy output generally. All those in-jokes about other Radio 4 programmes must baffle first time listeners. Indeed, Calman’s show does feel rather like eavesdropping on a triumphant Welcome Home party. She even mentions the impressive ticket sales: no one seems to mind. The show’s intended theme
Jim Davidson: No Further Action
HHHHH Here are some of the things Jim Davidson said in his show that a reviewer like me would claim in my write-up. That he was racist (he did do comedy accents). That he was sexist (he was a little, but not in the bits he thought he was). That I would omit that he got a standing ovation at the end (he got a standing ovation at the end). That he has no place at the Fringe, which is a “hotbed of Lefty Marxists” (he does). It’s odd to witness a comedian so sen-
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feels underexplored. Lady Like is ostensibly about Calman’s struggles with self esteem, but though she regularly refers to it as “a very honest show,” references to traumatic experiences whistle past with curious haste. While the concept does set up some (admittedly very funny) set pieces, genuine pauses for reflection
would give it a more satisfying—and inclusive—soul. Enjoyable though Lady Like is, Calman seems content to push her current fanbase’s buttons, rather than the envelope. n SI HAWKINS
sitive to how he is (mis?)understood, concerned he is an “old-fashioned has-been”. Yet his act’s themes are disconcertingly similar to those in much standup. He examines his relationship with his uncommunicative father and discusses his exes, tropes so common in male standup as to be clichés. But Davidson has a trump card - he can also recount his experiences of being detained as part of Operation Yewtree. He asks, “Do you want to hear this? It’s not the best comedy routine”, and the gig becomes
more confessional as he struggles to make sense of the politics involved. There’s decades’ worth of gigging experience on show here, and routines about drink are delivered with real skill. He’s an excellent physical comedian, who whips the crowd into guffaws with efficiency. He rails against political correctness towards the end, without making clear the specifics of his definition of it. And then he invites everyone to join him in the bar, not least so we can buy his book. n BRETT MILLS
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, £12.50 – £13.50
Assembly Hall, 9:15pm – 10:15pm, 1 – 25 Aug, not 18, £13 – £15
COMEDY Bridget Christie: An Ungrateful Woman
HHHHH There aren’t many comedians willing to deliver a set ostensibly centred on female genital mutiliation. Following her success last year Bridget Christie returns to delve deeper into debates about feminism and patriarchy, despite critics’ dumb assumptions that she’d “done” that subject. This show recounts what it means to have become the face of feminist comedy, and how legitimate concerns about gender equality don’t evaporate
John Kearns: Shtick
HHHHH John Kearns performs the majority of his act with a mouth full of false teeth and wearing an absurd wig. They’re both a difficulty he sets himself and a concession to the comedian’s need to put on a mask, to be something in particular for the audience. They also mesh neatly with his physical buffoonery, where jokes are smartly underpinned by measured gestures. His voice recalls Norman Wisdom, and his befuddled persona belongs in that
Frisky & Mannish: Just Too Much
HHHHH For the Frisky & Mannish faithful, a new Edinburgh Fringe gig will tick all the right boxes. The musical comedy duo’s new show Just Too Much centres on the excesses and exaggerations of pop culture icons today—a lot like the grimy, gaudy cabaret of their double-act itself—to send-up stars including Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus and James Arthur. In this regard, there’s nothing new about their hour of lightly observed satire,
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because a comedian had a hit. Christie’s ability to unpick the absurdities of sexism are now well-honed, and a sequence which replaces the legal system’s treatment of rape victims with those of hate crimes spears the farcical manner in which abused women are persecuted. She’s also clear on the burgeoning impact her comedy is having, and she worries that engaging with the government about this topic might result in her becoming part of the establishment. It’s invigorating to see a comedian comfortable with being political, who assumes her anger and integrity are not a barrier to the comedic.
A committed and skilful performer, it’s a shame that Christie doesn’t find a more successful structure to mesh all of this together. Much of the set skewers the absurd representation of women in adverts, but this is surely a topic too easy for someone with evident talent in comically unpicking complex ideas. As you leave the show you’re given literature on female genital mutilation; it would have been good if the gig has been braver in covering this topic on stage, rather than on the way out. n BRETT MILLS
tradition of clowning, where simple acts such as a well-timed push of the spectacles up the nose can garner the bigger laughs. Indeed, it is the swivelling of the eyes, the strangled, surprising yelps, and the fleeting gesticulations that hammer home the jokes in a show that looks like considerable labour. He acknowledges he may not to be everyone’s taste, but the bits that don’t fly may be more to do with their lack of development than a reticent audience. A skit about Frankenstein is all set-up with little payoff, and it’s perhaps time comedians moved on from
jokes about Pingu. But there’s a tender and hilarious sequence, involving audience participation, about an old couple in his local, which finds gold in the mundane. And there’s a motif that opens and closes the show about trying to get on a train, whose poignancy suggests Kearns’s desire to find an anchor for the whole. These also hint at a deeper sense of character which encourages further exploration, and a melancholy to the clowning which has real bite. n BRETT MILLS
but it’s one that guarantees blissful, cavorting revelry. The pair re-imagine letters from Sinéad O’Connor to a horde of pop stars, interrogate songs that could be considered feminist anthems, host a game of Know Your Lord(e)s, and generally try to pack in more chart references than a Radio 1 Sunday night slot. Gimmicks aside, their musical prowess is spectacular: sharp, natural and rollickingly good fun to watch. And yet, this year, they seem to riff on their own hype. “If you’ve ever been to a Frisky & Mannish gig, make noise,” they shout. Although they try to parody this fame, it becomes conceited. One thing they continue to bal-
ance perfectly, however, is surrealism with storytelling. Mannish steps out with an accordion—dressed up in pirate gear—to play a sea shanty version of Clean Bandits’ ‘Rather Be’. And in one sequence, the dream-ballet, the duo pirouette through a bizarre routine which sees Frisky give birth. Undoubtedly, Just Too Much will dispel the early evening boredom of festival-goers, and their infectious albeit broad comedy is hard to hate. But there’s a mounting need for their act to refresh and step up the cabaret. n ANDREW LATIMER
The Stand Comedy Club, 11:10am – 12:10pm, 2 – 25 Aug, not 11, £10
Voodoo Rooms, 5:05pm – 5:55pm, 2 – 23 Aug, not 13, free
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7:35pm – 8:35pm, 1 – 25 Aug, not 8, 18, £14 – £15
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COMEDY Joseph Morpurgo: Odessa
Fest HHHHH Best Watching found footage of Eighties TV from Texas—a newsflash about a fire, adverts for local stores—most of us could find humour purely in how naff it looks today. But Joseph Morpurgo sees greater potential. By pausing on the faces of cops and shoppers, he conjures up a haywire whodunnit with the feel of Twin Peaks and some of the best lines you’ll hear all month. Click – the tape freezes on a police officer and Morpurgo adopts her voice. Now she’s Maria, the new sergeant in town. Before her first case, a petroleum plant inferno, she must contend with her good ol’ boy boss. Click – Morpurgo embodies a man’s man with “three ties and two Y-chromosomes” who’s wary of them there feminists. Over at the scene of the crime, nobodies from the newscast get their own backstories, becoming unreliable witnesses and wannabe action heroes, while a diamond salesman is co-opted to be Maria’s silver-tongued squeeze. The crackle and waw of VHS bleeds into the show’s atmosphere, with its soundtrack of burbling synths. There’s an intermission where Morpurgo emerges swamped in tinsel, a beast of pure static, as interference fizzes
Caution To The Wind
HHHHH Describing his hour as “niche storytelling”, Chris Boyd hopes to convey his enthusiasm for storm chasing. A tornado obsessive whose girlfriend has left him, there’s instant appeal in trying to ascertain how much of what we’re told is real and how much is exaggerated character. Still, it’s a line that I’m not sure even Boyd is fully aware of. Disdainful of conventional standup, he nevertheless offers up
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on screen. His half rap, half assonant, abstract poetry could just be texture, but it looks like he’s invoking a muse. Odessa is proudly artsy, but there’s silliness at its core. We shout meaningless directions at a camera-shy local from one of the ads. A reindeer, just a blur in one frame, gets a life of his own: a traumatic past of captivity to Santa, reimagined as Pacino
in Scarface. Morpurgo, a music journalist by day, will know the work of DJs who mine forgotten tunes for samples, seeking to turn old into new. That is what he’s done here, with thrillingly inventive flair. n LYLE BRENNAN
several routines with the suggestion that this is “what comedians do”, framing his geek interest in an unconvincing blend of personal anecdote, props and manipulated footage, exulting in his best tornado metaphors like a triumphant arena comic. Self-aware enough to appreciate that living in a country largely untroubled by extreme weather, he must look to America, he shares his alleged diary of a trip to the US dustbowl that’s marked by its complete absence of incident. Padding out his hour with a litany of trivia, little is compelling enough to retain attention. A routine about tornadoes in films inspires a fond
reminisce of what Boyd inherited from his late father, and you sense here, in more reluctant testimony about his relationships tangential to the storms, he might have contrived a more memorable show. Because while his blinkered, tunnel vision is a big part of the joke, it soon wears thin. A white whale-style fixation on his nemesis, the maligned fire tornado, approaches a climax of sorts in a decidedly clunky ending, featuring the comic Stuart Laws awkwardly capering around in a cape and mask. n JAY RICHARDSON
Pleasance Dome, 5:20pm – 6:20pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 11 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Banshee Labyrinth, 1:10pm – 2:00pm, 2 – 23 Aug, not 13, free
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COMEDY Tim FitzHigham: Hellfire
HHHHH Scary-eyed adventurer Tim FitzHigham is one of those acts who squeezes every last drop of juice from an Edinburgh jaunt. This year he’s also presiding over the late night mock courtroom drama This is your Trial with Thom Tuck, then the even later storytelling session IndieRound, with Bob Slayer, and more besides. Which does beg the question: is Tim spreading himself a bit thin? Well, if he’s shattered it isn’t showing, yet. Onstage the energetic comic is a man possessed, or—as he readily admits—a man obsessed, returning each year with a new show devoted to some ludicrous new challenge. We know about the previous instalments because every few minutes he does a quick audience survey to find out who saw them (with increasingly muted responses for more recent escapades, perhaps tellingly). This year’s title refers to The Hellfire Club, the infamously secretive and sordid gentlemen’s establishment. FitzHigham gets wrapped up in its history via an anonymous arcane letter, which takes him on a slightly baffling treasure hunt, from the ocean off Oman to the wilds of West Wycombe, then a slightly tacked-on sporting challenge. The problem with this premise—and with many quest-based shows, in truth—is the strong suspicion that the protagonist’s prime motivation was accumulating more material, which massively dilutes any potential peril. After an often illuminating first half, Hellfire descends into a disjointed rush between scenes, that frenetic delivery failing to distract from the general pointlessness. It’s hard to care about a chap’s travails when you can’t fathom why he was there in the first place. n SI HAWKINS Pleasance Dome, 6:40pm – 7:40pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 13 Aug, £9.50 – £12.50
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What Does the Title Matter Anyway?
HHHHH “Is that a suggestion or a review of this show?” enquires Clive Anderson, striding centre-stage having taken mock offence at a mighty holler from somewhere deep within this vast crowd. That scene suggestion? The Geriatric Hunger Games. It’s almost 25 years since Anderson first manned the buzzer for Whose Line is it Anyway – briefly on BBC Radio, then a ten-series Channel 4 run. It’s still going strong in the States, the rights firmly tied up, hence the knowing title of this live comeback show. It certainly hasn’t harmed the ticket take-up, and the audience response to these returning heroes is almost football-like. Which is intriguing, given that Whose Line... was widely regarded as an impenetrable bastion of Oxbridge smugness (perhaps illustrated best
by Viz comic’s version, in which an exasperated Roger Mellie ended up punching John Sessions). Then again, the influx of North Americans helped, and two of them shine in the revolving cast on this occasion, Greg Proops and Colin Mochrie joining the gifted Josie Lawrence, Steve Frost and new music man Phil Pope – who wrote the original theme but isn’t allowed to play it here. This may all sound awkward but actually the copyright business proves a useful running gag: even Anderson’s buzzer is now a bell. As for the games, they’re very much as-you-were, from the highbrow to the ridiculous, Samuel-Beckett-on-a-submarine to the one where someone needs to be bending over at all times. For these seasoned improvisers, you sense that straightening back up is the toughest test they’ll encounter all night. n SI HAWKINS Underbelly, Bristo Square, 9:00pm – 10:00pm, 6 – 19 Aug, £16 – £17.50
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COMEDY
A new show about the original Englishman in New York
Quentin Crisp Naked Hope
HHHH Broadway Baby HHHH TQ Times World premiere prior to London
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COMEDY
McQueen: McQueen
HHHHH It’s almost certainly not what he’s angling for, but it’s hard not to feel a bit of sympathy for Jesse Adams. One half of audio-visual team McQueen, Adams is on his own this Fringe after his partner Timothy Oakley pulled out (for pretty sad and entirely forgivable reasons). The result is an attempt to steer an already unwieldy ship single-handedly. One can’t help but sense that Adams, too, knows it’s an attempt doomed to failure. What we get is a sort of hi-tech, low-fi assortment of video skits, which Adams manipulates rather deftly in real time using a midi keyboard and effects pedal. To call these plain surreal is to do a disservice to the imaginativeness of some of the video lovelies: the magic carrot with rainbows in his eyes (“he’s got a dragonfly”), for instance. Or episodes of The Fox Show in which a thoroughly genteel fox accuses Jason Statham of being a one-dimensional actor. That sort of thing, yeah? But that level of bonkers probably needs to be delivered with maniacal levels of confidence and energy to give it a chance of sticking. On his own at least, Adams can’t deliver that – and he seems to know it. “I know. Fucking nonsense,” he only half laughs after one flight of fancy. Poor guy: his 11pm slot means he has all day to look forward to a nightly death. For his sake and ours, he keeps it to a quick 40 minutes. n EVAN BESWICK Pleasance Dome, 11:00pm – 12:00am, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, £10
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Abandoman: Hot Desk
HHHHH There’s definitely something to be said for being hurled into the deep end. Improv hip-hop duo Abandoman’s first gig together was a last-minute support slot for a US rapper at London’s sizeable Scala, after main-man Rob Broderick persuaded the people he was buying tickets from to let them fill in. Performing an hour of unscripted raps to big Fringe crowds probably seems pretty chilled by comparison: certainly Broderick and co make it seem so. Happily ensconced at the 400-seat Udderbelly for a second year, Abandoman appear untouched by the annual traumas that bedevil regular stand ups: they always look to be having a fabulous time, and I’ve yet to see an audience not go nuts. No doubt Broderick mentally thrashes himself backstage for every minor
wordplay slip, but the charm and chutzpah rarely flag while he’s in full flow. Not that it’s a one-man team: guitarist James Hancox is an unsung chorus-coiner, and this year they’ve support from a handy new drummer/Rihanna impersonator. Oh, and P Diddy. Hot Desk refers to Diddy’s patented hit-making machine, the premise being that Abandoman have an hour to make him at least one chart smash. They’re regularly berated by Diddy between improvised ditties. If anything the show peaks too soon, hitting particular heights when Broderick gets in amongst the audience, particularly the early bit where he hurtles around rapping about random personal items we’re all waving. Although the standout moment here is a ballad that leads to a venerable lady getting unexpectedly down and dirty. I’m not sure any of us ever really recovered from that. n SI HAWKINS Underbelly, Bristo Sq., 9:10pm – 10:10pm, 1 – 25 Aug, not 11, 18, £15
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COMEDY Richard Herring: Lord of the Dance Settee
HHHHH Perhaps the most prolific comedian of his generation, Richard Herring’s detractors tend complain that he spreads himself too thinly, putting out too much product across too many media. That his latest standup show appears to have been cobbled together at the last minute, its title stemming from a routine last performed on TV in the late
Simon Munnery sings Soren Kierkegaard
HHHHH Has there ever been a show title that screams ‘Edinburgh Fringe!’ as much as this one? Long-serving standup maverick Simon Munnery is clearly more of an urbane warrior these days, acting in a Harold Pinter play, A Slight Ache, at lunchtimes, then dedicating his standup show to a long-dead Danish philosopher. Well, some of it. The veteran comic readily admits that the concept of Simon Munnery sings Søren Kierkegaard
Toby: Fuzzbuzz
HHHHH Flowers in the (Pleasance Courtyard) Attic, sisters Lizzie and Sarah Daykin are the intriguingly-named sketch duo Toby, back for their third Fringe outing with another twisted tale of a deeply dysfunctional family. An unhinged lass resolves to nurse her head-bandaged sibling back to health after an alleged car crash wipes her memory. Suitably clad in nurse fatigues, she plans to achieve this by staging a fundraising Edinburgh Fringe show, co-hosted by her reluctant sister, because little
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‘90s, could be viewed as an unfortunate play into the cynical hands of his critics. Is Herring now unable to match the precedent he’s set for himself? In fact, this scattershot hour is the man’s most purely enjoyable yet, and makes some of his more thematically unified work feel over-written by comparison. It’s become customary for him to perform at breakneck speed, but here we are treated to playful material often presented with leisurely ease. It’s actually closer in tone to his podcasts than previous Fringe hits Hitler Moustache and Christ on a Bike. All the usual Herring staples are here: rigorous analysis of the mundane
and inconsequential, fabricated rage directed towards children, have-yourcake-and-eat-it ironic misogyny, digs at a former comedy partner that contain only a modicum of genuine bitterness, petty attacks on long-dead poets and disingenuous allusions to his own failure. Yet, despite playing to a half-empty theatre, he seems more comfortable than ever with himself and his role as a performer, as though the torrents of words were a defence mechanism all along. n LEWIS PORTEOUS
is a blatant steal from the semi-legendary Leonard Cohen show his old contemporary Arthur Smith debuted at the Fringe back in 2000. That proved to be a cathartic detour for the then-troubled Smith, a radical departure from regular stand up formats, and Munnery clearly revels in the opportunity to grapple with some real intellectual rigour here, while also wading through the splendid grumpiness of Kierkegaard’s journals for good measure. He doesn’t do a huge amount of singing—and certainly not of Kierkegaard’s less than tuneful greatest hits—but during a revealing Søren section early on there is one long, impressively memorised passage, performed via a sneer-heavy hybrid of
Kenneth Williams and Johnny Rotten, which proves surprisingly appropriate. Veering happily off-topic, he ploughs through a lengthy chunk of lyrics from The Jam later on too. The punk is still strong in this one. Those bits in between his philosophical musings are an uneven mix of rambling anecdotes, random mumblings and a smattering of proper gags. Some of these aural wanderings prove to be inspired, others meander into half-built cul-de-sacs, but it’s all unfailingly fascinating to watch. Another memorable hour for the Munnery annals. n SI HAWKINS
Edinburgh shows are such sure-fire money-spinners. Speaking of car crashes...actually, no, that’s unfair, but this show could certainly do with some surgery. The overall, not particularly original conceit is the major problem, as the dynamic between manic Sarah and convalescing Lizzie just doesn’t work. While Sarah gets to show off her full repertoire of prancing and gurning, sometimes impressively so, Lizzie spends much of the hour just simpering, which can’t be much fun. Little in the first half works, particularly a painful sketch about a jester, and the players don’t seem hugely comfortable with it all. Awkward
pauses abound, but more in an amdram than Pinter fashion. There are moments of inspiration—a dramatic Clockwork Orange-style brainwashing section—but it’s only late on that any consistent quality beds in, notably a high-impact skit about a new Toby-based religion, which finally lets them both off the leash. The Daykins are undoubtedly talented, but need to conjure a better canvas for their work than this. One suspects that the buzz around Fuzzbuzz won’t be too favourable. n SI HAWKINS
Assembly George Square Theatre, 10:45pm – 11:45pm, 30 Jul – 24 Aug, £12 – £14
The Stand Comedy Club, 3:55pm – 4:55pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 31 Jul, 11 Aug, £10
Pleasance Courtyard, 5:45pm – 6:45pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 12 Aug, £9.50 – £11
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COMEDY
17/07/2014
13:35
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Big Difference Productions, with support from Centre for Comedy Studies Research, presents
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Semi-Finals of the Funny Women Stage Award 15th August - 9.30pm Laughing Horse @ New Empire Bingo Hall Venue 110
CM
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LECTURE SERIES CMY
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Delivering fab free!
LECTURE SERIES
11.10am 13th – 17th August Venue 27
entry shows
Tickets: 0131 556 5375 www.justthetonic.com
freestival
01 – 25 August
1-25 August 2014
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Winner of The Herald Angel Award for an outstanding performance.
HAmell on triAl
tHe HAppiest mAn in tHe world 11th - 25th AUGUST at 9.30pm Studio One
“streetwise, packed with great one-liners and righteous in his fury” Scotland on Sunday
Album out now!
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12–14 August 2014 fest 35
COMEDY Holly Walsh: Never Had It
HHHHH It’s ironic that comedian Holly Walsh enjoys one of the few lifestyles in which being a goofy doofus can be considered a major advantage, yet at the same time craves the indefinable charisma frequently possessed by world leaders and R&B stars. If she were a more remarkable presence, it’s doubtful that she’d have such a wealth of self-deprecating anecdotes to pepper throughout her stand-up shows. Still, even allowing for the fact that
Sam Simmons: Death of a Sails Man
HHHHH As far as uncompromising surrealists go, Sam Simmons is fairly accessible. His persona is one of rugged, moustachioed masculinity, similar to that which Will Ferrell and Nick Offerman have popularised in recent years, and he maintains an easygoing demeanour throughout even his most perplexing moments. He isn’t above broad comedy, and tonight succeeds in winning over an initially suspicious audience with choreographed, theatrical crotch thrusts. Even when we’re
Goose (An Odd New One-Man Comedy Whodunit)
HHHHH We are gathered here today to witness, and solve, the grievous hate crime committed against David Schwimmer. Someone has spray-painted the word “poof” onto his car. If this sounds like a childish or insensitive show, prepare for Adam Drake’s sublime one-man whodunit to obliterate all preconceptions. Returning to Edinburgh in a new guise, Drake escorts us through a complete
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most comedians are awkward outsiders on some level, the manner in which Walsh carries herself is delightfully meek and underwhelming. Her confidence and years of experience, it seems, will never be reflected in her intonation and body language. Much of Never Had It is concerned with the constraints Walsh’s personality places upon her. Prudish and polite, her main passions in life are medieval art marginalia and the socially-restrictive pursuit of free food. Like thousands of her peers, she professes to have issues with social media, yet her resentment toward the technology’s invasive nature appears entirely genuine. Attractive and suc-
cessful she may be, but we really do buy into Walsh’s nebbish neurosis. Unfortunately, Walsh puts herself into something of a Catch 22 pickle. The star’s fairly pedestrian delivery suits her material well, a lack of flashy embellishments leaving it to shine on the strength of her routines and observations alone. But there’s a cost to this: as a performer, Walsh is not hugely engaging. While this is an hour of strong material, her performance just isn’t so compelling that she could be recommended over more distinctive competition. n LEWIS PORTEOUS
taken to task for failing to appreciate his art, the man’s tone is more disappointed than confrontational. Despite his lack of combative edge, Simmons possesses a tirelessly inventive comic mind, and insists on presenting his vision to us fully realised and unfiltered. Death of a Sails Man continues in exactly the same vein as his previous shows, but even partisan admirers will require time to adjust themselves to its demands. Once it accepts that he’s playing a wind-surfing muesli bar salesman lost at sea, and that this character is going to spend much of the hour aggressively arguing with an increasingly incoherent inner monologue, the
room loosens up and resigns itself to the night ahead. The show is anarchic, yet robust and fully formed. Simmons’ interactions with his own pre-recorded voice are beautifully timed, and his meticulous attention to detail speaks of total dedication to his craft. It’s difficult to say why any of this works, and the comedian himself would likely be hard-pressed to explain, but everything we see on stage is informed by a consistent, internal logic. n LEWIS PORTEOUS
hedgemaze of a show that is both a work of theatrical mastery and comic innovation. As Drake steps onto the stage, accompanied by nifty little acoustic tunes from Hatty Carman, he squirms and jitters his way through a catalogue of characters. While attempting to decipher the mystery of Schwimmer’s graffiti vandal, he darts off on hilarious tangents, blurting out misdirection after misdirection, from telling us about the truth behind ghosts to impersonating a terrified Matt LeBlanc. It is deconstructive, satirical and stunningly structured, often burlesquing the very storytelling conventions that help Drake perform his show. Its success is all down to a simply
mesmerising solo routine, drilled with joyous non-sequiturs and glorious narrative detours. So much so, there are times when Drake seems to be smugly aware of his own talent. He often weaves this however, rather charmingly, into the show’s chain of events. His delivery is vivid, nuanced, believable and utterly relentless (front row audiences may need a towel to fend off the beads of sweat that leap from Drake’s forehead). It is feverishly good fun, with such beautiful craft as to astound audiences and remind us that, when nailed, solo shows can lead the pack. n ANDREW LATIMER
Assembly George Square Studios, 6:45pm – 7:45pm, 1 – 24 Aug, not 12 Aug, £10
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 8:50pm – 9:50pm, 30 Jul – 24 Aug, not 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £11 – £13
Assembly Hall, 4:25pm – 5:25pm, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, not 11 Aug, £9 – £10
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EVENING STANDARD
5–7 August 2014 fest 37
COMEDY David O’Doherty Has Checked Everything
HHHHH A pizza-cutter, a girlfriend, a North Face jacket: these are all things which David O’Doherty, at different times, believed would make him happy. As you might suspect, none of them really worked. So follows O’Doherty’s hour-long, semi-musical examination of the human pursuit of happiness - how to find it, where to find it, and why we can’t learn simply learn to shut up about it.
Lee Griffiths: Post Traumatic Sketch Disorder
HHHHH Known to audiences as a member of five piece sketch institution Late Night Gimp Fight, Lee Griffiths has much at stake in this confessional solo show. It’s clearly intended as an opportunity for the 30-year-old clown to put his gimp mask aside and come to terms with fully-fledged adulthood, proving skilled enough to singlehandedly deliver an hour’s entertainment in the process.
Paul Savage Finds Every Joke in the Bible
HHHHH Don’t come to this show—which is playing as part of the Free Fringe—expecting a revelation. Standup Paul Savage doesn’t unearth a treasure trove of hitherto unacknowledged rib-tickling gags in the Book of Genesis. This hour is really about teasing out and gently poking fun at the language, oddities and eccentricities—to modern ears—of episodes from the Bible.
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What can be said of the man whose comedy has improved yearon-year since winning himself the If.comedy Award in 2008, and who has become a poster boy for alt comedy scenes on virtually each side of each ocean? He brings his sweetly kinetic energy to that touchy subject—happiness, eegh—and one which can easily turn on an artist. How are we meant to believe that a man who is paid to make us laugh would every really earn the right to be unhappy? This is artfully addressed with an inventive and satisfying earnestness which makes O’Doherty seem to have come of age: he is still a bit of the wacky uncle, the one who we almost don’t notice begin to roll
around on stage in the midst of monologue (such is the fluidly enchanting, toddlerish stage presence). But he is also a very real performer dealing with the consequences of success, and he weaves potentially sobering revelations with the kind of darkly chamring stories that has earned him his accolades. (One about a surprise in a hotel room takes the cake.) We can forgive him for moments which seem rushed - he’s earned his onstage ease, and we’re happy to bask in his jolly glow, if only for an hour. n ARIANNA REICHE
Unfortunately Post-Traumatic Sketch Disorder is so poorly conceived and executed that its muted reception will doubtless ensure the entertainer avoids all professional risk for the remainder of his life. Because Griffiths has a history of dressing himself up in ridiculous costumes and routinely undergoes consensual humiliation for money, he’s come to the conclusion that he wears the scars of a damaging upbringing. “You are Freud,” he tells us, ushering in what he hopes will be an hour of comedy psychoanalysis. Despite constant assurances that he’s a wild and crazy guy, we see no evidence of this whatsoever. Instead, his rather staid presence is sugges-
tive of a vain and self-indulgent coma patient. He’s obviously making a concerted effort to step outside his comfort zone, but what we’re left with is a dour performer mumbling about how much fun he’s capable of being and how remarkable we should all find his life. Admittedly, it’s quite unusual for a man to have three dads, but the show’s focus on Griffiths’ father’s homosexually seems intended to trigger a Pavlovian response in passively bigoted audiences. It doesn’t. His extended family just seem like lovely, average people. n LEWIS PORTEOUS
Savage steers clear of anything too edgy or political in chasing his religion-related laughs. He doesn’t try to be topical. Mostly it’s just a case of, “And here’s another unintentionally funny bit”. The fact—as he imparts at the start—that his father was a Baptist minister never amounts to much more than an anecdote about his dad’s exasperation at Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. But this relatability is part of Savage’s easy, blokey persona, which keeps us smiling, if never quite splitting our sides. He uses sitcoms and action movies as popular touchstones for well-known Bible stories, from the Garden of Eden and Noah’s Ark
to Sodom & Gomorrah. The vengeful God of the Old Testament is re-styled as a Ray Winstone-esque East End gangster. It’s a shame that the material never gets meatier. But this is an easy-going hour of entertainment. Savage gives an effective everyman performance, keeping it light, amusing and engaging. It’s clear from the detail he goes into that he knows his Bible inside-out. But if he has the Good Book in one hand, he’s clutching a pint and a packet of crisps in the other. n TOM WICKER
Assembly George Sq. Theatre, 7:15pm – 8:15pm, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £14 – £15
Pleasance Courtyard, 7:15pm – 8:15pm, 30 Jul – 24 Aug, £8.50 – £10.50
Dragonfly, 4:20pm – 5:20pm, 2–23 Aug, not 12, free
THEATREREVIEWS
Beowulf: The Blockbuster HHHHH Byran Burroughs’ one-man epic is a touching tale of love and loss PAGE 56 Photo: Weronika Bachleda
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12–14 August 2014 fest 39
THEATRE
Matt Trueman LEAD THEATRE CRITIC
So It Goes
HHHHH Standby for Tape Back-up
Fest HHHHH Best
H
annah Moss lost her father in 2006. The following year, Ross Sutherland’s grandfather passed away. Both artists are trying to express that experience in their respective shows, but both are struggling to find the words. After all, how do you talk about something as vast and unknowable as death? How do you begin to describe an emotion like grief, raw and irreducible as it is? Moss turns to silence in So It Goes. She was 17 when her dad died, five years after being diagnosed with cancer, and for a long time, she couldn’t talk about it. Here, she follows suit, keeping schtum to remarkable effect. Instead of narrating events, she writes everything down on a small whiteboard that hangs from her neck. Her marker pen squeaks as the words slowly emerge. “I’m not speaking,” she scrawls. “It’s easier.” That decision elevates So It Goes above other cartoons-oncardboard-style shows. It retains the playfulness you’d expect from Lecoq grads—X-rays that come out of nowhere, diagnoses pulled from picnic hampers—but Moss’s vow of silence elevates everything. More than anything, it enforc-
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So It Goes
es economy. Those whiteboards can’t hold more than a few words at a time, so there’s no scope for self-indulgence. Moss’s final moments alone with her father are captioned, simply, ‘Bye Dad’ – two words that say everything and nothing at once. They get nowhere close to the enormity
of that moment, of course, but in the process they become universal. What else is there to say? What else could anyone say? Moss is joined onstage by David Ralfe, who pops on running shorts and retro specs to play her dad, and a skirt and pink coat as her mum.
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THEATRE
“I’ve rarely found myself so rapt by a piece of theatre, nor felt so enlightened en route” The mere fact of his performance is enough – watching one friend helping another to make so personal a show is just gorgeous – and the show feels equally egoless, concerned only with heartfelt honesty. It’s that which brings on tears in the end – and not just quiet, angel tears, either. By its final scene—a gorgeous, expansive (and, ok, totally sentimental) tribute—I was bawling big, guttural sobs. Sutherland, on the other hand, spouts words half at random in Standby for Tape Back-up. He’s found a VHS tape he and his grandfather used as a sort of video scrapbook. For years, they’d record titbits of television onto it, one clip over another, and the result is a layered miscellany of moving images and nostalgic pop culture: a scene from Ghostbusters, the Fresh Prince theme tune, an old Natwest ad, nineties football, the credits for Jaws. Our brains are hardwired to find meaning, even where none exists. They seek out connections that aren’t there. Keeping that in mind, Sutherland uses the tape as a writing aide: his poems are spun out of the onscreen images but twist off into big themes of grief, depression, memory, death – all of them vast, insurmountable ideas. Bel Air turns into a metaphor for some sort of afterlife; a Crystal Maze challenge sprouts a philosophy of time. Sutherland rewinds each clip and starts a new poem, finding new meanings, further truths in alternative details. Individually, these poems are astonishing: jokey in their flippant nods to the video, but hugely profound on top of that. However, it’s the way they add up together that makes Standby
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Standby for Tape Back-up
for Tape Back-up extra-extraordinary. This one scrappy video tape—so banal an object, so nearly lost—comes to reflect the human brain in its entirety: the mechanism of memory; its jumble of cultural references that make up an identity; the tape’s deterioration that echoes senile decay. There’s much more besides, all of it built out of coincidence and resonance: the comfort of the known and familiar; the urge to recapture the past and the dead; the knowledge that, one day, Sutherland’s tape will get wiped or chewed by accident and make this entire show unperformable.
Standby for Tape Back-up has a shelflife. It will die a death of its own. I’ve rarely found myself so rapt by a piece of theatre, nor felt so enlightened en route. Yet Sutherland wears that wisdom so lightly that this never feels wrought or lecturing. Superb. n MATT TRUEMAN STANDBY FOR TAPE BACK-UP Summerhall, 8:30pm – 9:30pm, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 SO IT GOES Underbelly, Cowgate, 5:30pm – 6:30pm, 1–24 Aug, not 12 Aug, £9.50 – £10.50
12–14 August 2014 fest 41
THEATRE KLIP
Leaving Home Party
HHHHH
HHHHH
Beware the press blurb: KLIP may be called ‘live collage’ but there’s not a gluestick in sight. KLIP is not just experimental theatre, it is award-winning, Dadaesque, Danish EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE. Celebrated early 20th century German artist Kurt Schwitters made collages out of found fragments. By enacting absurd stories and patterns found in parlour games like Consequences, theatre company Livingstones Kabinet aims to do in live theatre what Schwitters did in collage. Chaos is ordered and then reordered and broken apart. What happens is something like this:
Catherine Ireton left home in Ireland nine years ago, and the only marker of the occasion is that the night she disappeared she was watching Lost with her friends. This delicate song cycle finds a celebration of its own in wittily exploring leaving home, coming adrift and letting go of the past. Ireton anchors these broad themes with well-chosen details. Armed with the bag she calls her “19.9kg,” she’s flying away from Limerick, a city whose name means “barren place.” It’s no joke for Ireton, who needs a fresh start to make it as a singer. Her jazz-tinged, light but versatile voice lingers on remembered phrases—her Dad’s parting statement that “You can always come home if you don’t like it”—as well as experimenting with portentous reverb on her destination Glasgow. Some songs take on a gutsier tone, too, like the story of her great grandmother’s journey up the Zambezi river. Ireton’s performance doesn’t sugarcoat her life’s more mundane passages. She criticises her own passivity, which locks her away from home into a two year iPhone contract
Part 1 • Gnomic aphorisms, e.g. “Just because a mother forgets the words of a lullaby and sings lalalala, it does not mean the baby will not get to sleep.” • Emotive keyboard music, Scot with nice voice sings. • Danish Depardieu lookalike strips, revealing pink g-string. He talks about juicers. • Pig leg is raised. • Pig leg is lowered • Short girl starts to jerk. She jerks faster. Rest of company joins in. Part 2 • Same as above, just different people do it. For all KLIP begins with a statement that any ‘spiritual or intellectual insight’ derived from the piece is ‘unintentional’, there is an artistic agenda—to demonstrate the fragility of any imposition of sense or order on our incoherent world of chaos. However, without reading the production notes in advance, the audience could well fail to appreciate that any sort of order has been imposed let alone subsequently re/disordered. KLIP is too classily executed to be lightly dismissed, but it is experimentalism no better in experience than it is in explanation. n MIRANDA KIEK Summerhall, 5:20pm – 6:20pm, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £11
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The Flood
HHHHH A murky addition to the tide of First World War-inspired work this year, this is a genuinely uncomfortable play. Crowded in a tiny, brick cellar, the audience undergo a prolonged assault on the ears, eyes, and occasionally the emotions. Badac Theatre Company claims Antonin Artaud as a formative influence, and makes full use of his emphasis on physical violence and ritualistic images. A nurse in full regalia picks up grotesque slivers of liver, dividing them between “dead”, the “blighty” and the stitched up “back you go”. The other weapon in her emotive arsenal is a steel rolling pin which is thudded on her operating bench to simulate artillary fire while a few yards away, a grey-haired Tommy curses and shakes. He talks in stark, disjointed phrases
and a promotion at her call centre job. But she leaves a lot out, too – like the fact that she moved to Glasgow to work with Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian. Ireton’s great grandmother died within ten miles of her Irish birthplace – she’s admired for having something to come home to. Adrift from her own heritage, Ireton doesn’t quite make sense of her leaving, but she celebrates its ambiguities in a party worth going to. n ALICE SAVILLE Summerhall, 1:15pm – 2:15pm, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £12
about the horrors of collecting the dead from No Man’s Land – so many “parts of pals.” The nurse recounts, in similar style, her dreams of saving him from increasingly horrific wounds, and in increasingly horrific conditions. Together, their disjointed narratives, full of abstracts, become another kind of bombardment. They shelter from the insanity, blood, and screaming in a cottage of their own invention – a tweely romantic fantasy with two kids and lots of laughter. This is the pain of war reduced to abstracts; a soldier’s trauma, and the heartbreak of courageous lovers separated under bombardment. The images are undoubtedly powerful, but the humanity and humour underneath them feels a little faint – as the less courageous audience members might, pressed close in grim conditions. n ALICE SAVILLE Summerhall, times vary, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £12
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THEATRE The Art of Falling Apart
HHHHH Callum’s life has driven him to dissatisfaction and despair. By the end of The Art of Falling Apart, you’ll know how he feels. The Art of Falling Apart clocks in at 80 minutes, with every one of them dragging like a passing aeon. Excessive length is what kills this ostensible comedy, since there is no chance of missing its flaws: instead we get to scrutinise them again and again. What do you do when life seems meaningless and suffocating? Callum, a salesman in his mid-30s, suddenly cannot escape the question, or where it leads him. Woefully undeveloped as a character, Callum’s main role is that of audience surrogate, a voice of rationality amid the increasingly weird figures he encounters in his journey for clarity. Chief among these is puckish chatterbox Brian O’Really, who seems to have been devised in a concerted attempt to be as annoying as possible. What’s worse is that the most teeth-grinding
gags never go away. By the time you hear your third “Oh really” joke, you’ll understand this all too well. The scenes wherein nights of debauched intoxication are enacted via a manic live montage are probably the play’s biggest success, but still suffer from punishing length. The Art of Falling Apart fails to articulate its central question well, and also fails
to provide any satisfying, relatable or even thought-provoking answers. If it was funny, that might not matter. Unfortunately, that is not the case. “Have I outstayed my welcome?” asks O’Really at one point. Alas, yes. n SEAN BELL
Theatre on a Long Thin Wire
of our mystery host the real action, is the show about how we respond to the strangeness of our environment, or can theatre be conveyed across cellular satellites, then transmitted, as it were, along thin wires? The immediate concern is how surrounded by stooges we may be, and this examination of fellow spectators is perhaps the most interesting and unhinging experience. The problem is, there’s no greater exchange of ideas. The whole show slowly deflates, leaving us utterly disappointed and puzzled – but not in a purposeful way. The gimmick of being trapped in a room with a group of strangers for 50 minutes is the entirety of the show: no real mystery, tension, expectation or reward lies at the heart of it. It is dull, limp and, quite simply, struggles to even call itself theatre. n ANDREW LATIMER
HHHHH If an audience walks into a room and there’s no performer, does the performance really happen? A Berkeleyan question that is filled with promise, if not kitschy self-importance, on the interactions between spectator, actor and space. Arguably, it was best perceived by Eric Davis in last year’s Red Bastard (returning this year)—although his terrifying investigation sought to query theatre itself as a sacred arena in which audiences could absorb and become the show. Jack McNamara’s new thought experiment, however, places a group of people in an attic with a mobile phone. When it rings and a voice asks the listener to repeat everything, we begin to wonder where the drama actually takes place. Are the encounters
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Pleasance Courtyard, 12:20pm – 1:40pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 12 Aug, £9 – £11
Summerhall, 4:30pm – 5:20pm, 1–24 Aug, £10
12–14 August 2014 fest 43
THEATRE
Guinea Pigs on Trial
HHHHH Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit of Sh!t Theatre – or Bouise as they’d rather be known – tackled joblessness in their last Fringe show. This time round they’re taking a similarly all signing on, all dancing approach to medical trials after being encouraged, as jobseekers, to enlist their bodies up for a chemical assault in return for precious cash. After a brief bicker about who’s Mulder and who’s Scully, they start an X-Files-style investigation into the ins and outs of
Conflict in Court
HHHHH At times, it can feel as though sitting quietly in the dark is a relative rarity on the Fringe, where every other show involves token audience involvement. Liam Rudden’s interactive courtroom drama is typical of the tendency, unthinkingly roping theatregoers into its lacklustre action. On one side of the courtroom, a shamed Tory MP, suing redtop The Daily Globe for its claim that he spent the night with a rent boy. On the other, the paper’s hard-nosed editor, defend-
44 fest 12–14 August 2014
being professionally prodded. The only fly in the clinical testing ointment is that they’re rejected by every trial going. The cheerily branded Flu Camp is their first choice; the platonic ideal of medical trials, they hilariously compare its user reviews to the (far less) Majestic Hotel back home in Seven Sisters. But thanks to their allergies, gender, and bad PR (as in dodgy heart rhythms, although they also send up their bad press), they’re not even eligible for the less savoury options of gastroenteritis or bladder botox. The rejections make for plenty of slapstick, medical gross-out fun. But they make their points with surgical
precision, too, with input from Dr Ben Goldacre, of Bad Science fame. There’s no huge X-Files conspiracy, but there’s still something sinister about Big Pharma’s suppression of test results – represented by an onstage paper shredder – and the supernatural omnipotence of Money with a capital M. This is an infectiously silly runaway trolley ride through hospitals’ darker corners, but it leaves behind a lingering whiff of something stronger – the desperation, not silliness, of being a guinea pig. n ALICE SAVILLE
ing her actions to the hilt. Rudden’s play puts its audience into the position of the jury, asking us to decide the outcome of what we are watching. Choose your own verdict. The premise raises any number of pertinent questions. To what extent is a politician’s personal life in the public interest? When does investigative journalism become simply digging for dirt? Is justice really served by a system that rewards whoever can spin the best story from the available evidence? Rudden, however, shows minimal interest in any of these. Instead, he sets up two equally unpleasant pantomime baddies, forcing
the audience—sorry, jury—to choose the lesser of two evils. To add to the case against, considerable liberties are taken with both legal convention and narrative credibility. What is initially set up as an immersive courtroom experience soon collapses into a clearly contrived mess, blithely abandoning any attempt at plausibility. The obligatory twist, meanwhile, manages to be both glaringly predictable and wonkily inconsistent with other elements of the plot. Case dismissed. n CATHERINE LOVE
Summerhall, 3:30pm – 4:30pm, various dates between 2 Aug and 23 Aug, £5
New Town Theatre, 4:30pm – 5:30pm, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, not 12 Aug, £10 – £12
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THEATRE The God Box: A Daughter’s Story
HHHHH You might think, from the title of Mary Lou Quinlan and Martha Wollner’s play, that it is about to grapple with faith. Instead, it is more directly concerned with bereavement – specifically, how Quinlan coped with the suffocating grief that followed her mother’s death. The eponymous “god box” gives that grief a focus. The little wicker container acted as a depository for all of Quinlan’s mother’s hopes, dreams and fears, documenting her life in polite notes to the deity in whom she utterly trusted. Dear God, please let my son get that job. Dear God, please look after my husband. Dear God, please let the cancer go away. Quinlan found that box following her mother’s death, prompting the memories and reflections that she now performs. The show is a patchwork of rose-tinted childhood recollections and dreary hours spent in hospitals, all acting as a loving tribute to Quinlan’s frantically praying, stubbornly optimistic mother. The problem, however, is that The God Box has little to say other than publicly declaring loss. The good intentions of the project can’t be faulted—all proceeds of this run in Edinburgh are going to Macmillan Cancer Support—but no piece of theatre can subsist on good intentions alone. The telling of Quinlan’s story is
The Quant
HHHHH This solo show from Jamie Griffiths covers much the same ground as Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated blockbuster The Wolf of Wall Street. The difference is that while the latter was a grandiose exercise in excess, using gaudy broad strokes to critique hypercapitalism, The Quant is a much more thorough portrait of human greed and corruption. With an extremely sparse set, minimal use of props and a script littered with impenetrable, technical
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not compelling enough to sustain concentration for a full hour, while its most interesting aspects, such as Quinlan’s own faltering faith and her eventual critique of looking forever on the bright side, are given
only glancing attention. Emotional, certainly, but not always engaging. n CATHERINE LOVE
language, the play focuses on the motivations and working methods of the average market trader. It shuns the salacious details of life on a staggeringly high paycheck, though hints that there may never have been any. For all we know, our narrator and protagonist never took a Quaalude in his life, counting only DVD box sets and video games as his major vices. Despite possessing spectacular wealth and his actions having a far reaching impact on the world at large, our overcompensating host remains the lonely escapist of his teenage years. He refers to currency as though
it’s a natural resource and regards the stock market as having an elemental power. The environment he’s shown to inhabit is a pathetic substitute for the real world on which it has a hugely detrimental effect. The fall this rather unpleasant character suffers is entirely deserved, though does little to move the audience. We see his frustration and helplessness clearly, but, torn between pity and outrage, end up feeling nothing. n LEWIS PORTEOUS
Assembly Roxy, 12:20pm – 1:20pm, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, not 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £10 – £12
Hill Street Solo Theatre, 8:05pm – 9:00pm, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, not 12 Aug, £10
12–14 August 2014 fest 45
THEATRE Title and Deed by Will Eno
HHHHH Stepping into the light comes a traveller. He says not where he is from, nor where he is going. Simply that he is here, but not from around here. Not like us, we who are from here. Being “not from here” is a key theme in American playwright Will Eno’s Title and Deed; a philosophical monologue exploring the idea of displacement, homelessness (in all senses of the word) and isolation. Having travelled across the United
The Most Serious Ailments of St Krank’s
HHHHH Perhaps it’s no surprise that artists are increasingly looking towards history as an access point to alternatives for current crises, scrambling frantically to get a hold of something idealistic and real. The danger, of course, is that work which does this runs the risk of seeming conservative in its sentimentality. Babolin’s The Most Serious Ailments
A Slight Ache
HHHHH A well-at-heel, middle class couple sit in their garden. It’s the height of summer, and life doesn’t get more pleasant than this. Edward, nursing a satisfied paunch, ruminates on the mysteries of his fauna; Flora fauns over her confused husband and all is well. But this picture of English idyll is disturbed by a mysterious match-seller, whose presence begins to invade Edward’s thoughts and, later, his very home. Unfortunately, A Slight Ache is among Harold Pinter’s lesser-known works for a reason. The truth is, on stage, it simply doesn’t work. Orig-
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States, where it has been favourably compared with the stylings of Samuel Beckett, there is a melancholic, distinctively Irish sensibility to the production that goes beyond actor Conor Lovett’s gentle timbre. But, while there is clear beauty in the script, there is also something patently missing here. Eno’s lone wanderer is never quite imbued with the authority he requires, remaining studiously anonymous, tortuously insubstantial. Our nameless protagonist is a mere blank slate; a conduit through which Eno’s musings on loneliness, home and home-sickness is delivered. There are occasional flashes of substance,
as our man cries out with angst or beats himself around the leg with his stick, suggesting that a revelation of something—anything—personal or real might be seconds away. But instead, Title and Deed retreats back into abstraction; solidity, character and place drift once again away. The question is never answered: who is this man, and why should we listen to him? The effect, for all the captivating and melancholic lyricism of Lovett’s performance, is rather dissatisfying.
of St Krank’s is a madcap tale of life and death, but looks to the past so frequently that it gets lost in schmultz and old-fashioned whimsy. Promising quirky operatics, “surgical shanties” and direction by Little Bulb’s Al Scott, this is a show which should be tight in its control of chaos. Unfortunately, the script (co-written by Scott and Richard Fredman) feels like its been tossed about on the high seas. Following the upper class Widget and his attempts to become a doctor against all odds in the nautical St Krank’s hospital, it longs for an Edwardian England with its end-of-the-pier shows and apparently incessant optimism.
There are some enjoyable a cappella compositions by Tom Penn delivered beautifully by the cast, and there are occasions when the show feels like it could have something interesting to say. The overall effect, however, is one of as show that is trying far too hard to be quirky, and any politics underlying the piece remain unexamined or uninteresting. At best, this is a half-arsed comment on the destruction of the NHS. At worst, it’s as shambolic as the public health policy of the current government. n DAN HUTTON
inally written for radio, the mystery surrounding the enigmatic interloper simply dissipates as he stands, in the flesh, in front of one’s very eyes. As Alfred Hitchcock masterfully understood, often the greater horror is to be found in the audience’s imagination. When that threat sits in full view, it becomes rather banal. Through no fault of the silent Simon Munnery, the Matchseller is rather unremarkable; far from the creeping, unknown evil of the page or the airwaves. Consequently, the play becomes less a fraught pyscho-drama and more a bizarre psychotherapy session. The match-seller becomes a conduit for the couple’s petty fears and dark secrets, a passive listener as opposed
to hellish antagonist. And in this context, the tragicomic denouement makes little or no sense: Edward collapses, inexplicably (we see the match-seller does nothing); Flora is seduced, inexplicably (we see the match-seller does nothing). Confusion reigns. Which is a shame, as the early back-and-forth between Thom Tuck and Catriona Knox is really quite enjoyable. But the structural flaw that has blighted previous stage adaptations of this work remains here. n BEN JUDGE
n
BEN JUDGE
Assembly Hall, 6:05pm – 7:15pm, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, not 11 Aug, £12 – £13
Run ended
Pleasance Courtyard, 12:45pm – 1:45pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 13 Aug, 20 Aug, £7 – £9
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#EdintFest
‘Eyre’s exquisitely understated performance is a masterclass’ THE GUARDIAN
BY THOMAS BERNHARD Directed by Tom Cairns Starring Peter Eyre A moving portrait of a once celebrated actor now isolated and forgotten. Saturday 16 – Monday 18 August 8.00pm Sunday 17 August 2.30pm Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh Supported by U.S. Embassy, London
Book tickets from £10* eif.co.uk/minetti 0131 473 2000 www.festmag.co.uk
*Fees apply Photo Konstantinos Veletas Charity No SC004694
12–14 August 2014 fest 47
THEATRE Kingmaker
HHHHH With Boris Johnson recently announcing his intention to run as MP in 2015, Kingmaker is particularly timely. In the character of Max Newman, writers Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky present us with a politician who has similarly risen quickly through the ranks via the office of Mayor of London. This is a play which takes the character of the bumbling idiot Mayor and asks how he might have got to his position about the next potential Prime Minister. In its pseudo-Thick Of It style, it digs deep into the trappings of power, but the form often feels as conservative as its targets. The play happens in one room over the course of one hour, as Eleanor Hopkirk MP (Joanna Bending) orchestrates a meeting between Newman and a young minister, Dan Regan (Laurence Dobiesz). For various reasons, the two men are running for the position of Tory leader, but it soon becomes clear that Hopkirk has more of a part to play in procedings than first seemed, with a dark backstory slowly coming to light. It’s dramatic, yes, but not one of these characters is particularly likeable and
Blind Hamlet
HHHHH When you think about it, Hamlet kills his stepfather on nothing more than a hunch. An adverse reaction to a short play isn’t conclusive proof of anything at all. If it was, I’d be serving several life sentences. Like Hamlet, Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour wants to put his audience on trial by theatre. His voice emerges from a dictaphone on an empty stage. A microphone leans in and amplifies his words – words he spoke some time ago, in Moscow, while losing his sight. His text contains instructions for today’s audience and, one by one, seven of us take to the stage. Soleimanpour guides them, very slowly, towards a game of Mafia. Everyone closes
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the play ultimately suggests that there’s no room for idealism in politics. Kingmaker is nuanced in its presentation of a Tory party which believes dogmatically in its own right to rule, but apart from the strong performances from the company (including
Alan Cox doing his best Boris-Johnson-but-not impression) there’s not much substance here. Real politics is far more interesting. n DAN HUTTON
their eyes, while two “murderers” pick a victim. After each round, the group selects a suspect to execute, based on suspicion alone. Will they pick out the guilty parties or will the killers get away with their crimes?
All of which is watchable enough, if initially perplexing, but it ends abruptly without having said anything of much substance. “Maybe don’t base your judicial system on a hunch” – that’s about it. There’s a nod to Iran, but nothing particular. You get the sense that director Ramin Gray and the Actors Touring Company were aiming for something more than this. A whole swirl of ideas—on blindness, being and not being, communication after death and the nature of theatre itself—swim vaguely through the piece, without ever coming together into a coherent or concrete whole. Novelty and poetry maintain your interest, but Blind Hamlet needs more matter with less art. n MATT TRUEMAN
Pleasance Courtyard, 3:00pm – 4:00pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 11 Aug, £12 – £14
Assembly Roxy, 2:50pm– 3:55pm, 1–25 Aug
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THEATRE
Misa-Lisin
HHHHH Heavy in symbolism, strong in ritual, this operatic retelling of a Taiwanese myth is nothing if not vivid. So tangible that you can smell, feel and even taste its burnt residue on the tongue, Langasan Theatre’s piece is a fable of betrayal and horror, preceded by a series of spiritual vignettes. The stage is set with a white floorcloth, the cast surrounding it traditionally dressed in vibrant colours with a range of Taiwanese
Sleeping Beauty
HHHHH Sleeping Beauty is in a heroin-induced coma on a Liverpool sink estate. She’s fallen off the rails. The youngest of seven kids, in a crowded Catholic household, she started shoplifting and carjacking as a teenager, before turning to drugs and destructive relationships. Safe to say, we’re not in Disneyland any more. Colette Garrigan fuses her own chequered autobiography with the Brothers Grimm tale Briar Rose, the story that underlies both Sleeping
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aboriginal props and instruments at their feet. A man blesses the space with a banana leaf and rice wine; a woman in white dances with beautiful command and power, sprinkling herself and the floor with black—and later red—ink until both are sodden, the woman ecstatic and drained. Later this mess will be scooped up and hurried off stage, to be replaced by an earthier puddle, clay that three of the cast smother themselves in while tumbling across the floor. There is a power in the reverence the performers give to their
work, and it’s impossible not to be awestruck by the violence of their stamps, the roar of their voices, the tension in their bodies as they writhe. It may be wise to have a cursory look at the programme notes before it all begins, in order to catch the measure of the story and its rich significance - but even if you don’t, the solemn magic of Misa-Lisin will without a doubt tangle you up in its surprise sensations and startling images. n LUCY RIBCHESTER
Beauty and Maleficient. She overlays the two stories, so that fantasy and reality begin to blur. Her “deep, deep sleep” is much darker than that description lets on. Current tastes dictate that we ought to keep an eye on our fairytales and, in particular, the ideals they implant in children’s minds; all perfect princesses and happy-ever-afters. Garrigan subverts that by making a case for the necessary escapism that these stories provide. There’s a sense that they allow children to dream and keep embers of hope glowing, no matter how grim the reality.
It’s enchantingly staged, with some nifty shadow puppetry created out of a lavish dinner table, complete with candlesticks and wine bottles. A wicker bread basket becomes Beauty’s cage under the stairs; a toast rack makes a palatial corridor. Logistics do get in the way, though, with momentum sagging as Garrigan tries to do everything singlehandedly, but she’s a charming storyteller with an intricate, heartfelt message to communicate. n MATT TRUEMAN
Summerhall, 5:20pm – 6:05pm, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £12
Institut français d’Ecosse, 1:00pm – 1:55pm, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £10
12–14 August 2014 fest 49
THEATRE The Hive
HHHHH A great war has taken place. Humanity has almost been destroyed and the planet is uninhabitable. The survivors build a new society beneath the ground, keeping individuals segregated for their own good—”contact only leads to conflict”—and leaving the general running of things to a super machine whose inventors are long dead. Real human relationships are against “protocol” but somehow Koto and Miri manage to find each other and fall in love, spurred on by a letter from a
soldier to his lover that Koto finds concealed in the wall of his standard issue 8’ x 8’ cell (how a letter written years before the colony is founded finds its way there is never explained). There are a few inspired moments of physical storytelling—Koto’s illicit journey to the barren surface of the earth for example—but the originality stops there. Plot-wise, it’s a derivative jumble of 1984, The Matrix, and WALL-E; we’ve met all these characters before and Human Zoo do nothing new with them. Stylistically, it’s a mish-mash. Alongside the engaging choreography there’s puppetry, naturalistic dialogue
and interludes of narration in verse. Intended to lend proceedings an epic quality, this technique achieves the opposite effect, giving the show an unfortunate air of Dr Seuss that undermines the seriousness of the drama. Not long after curtain up, sound designer Jason Nolan’s mechanistic accompaniment to the ensemble’s dynamic representation of daily life in the Hive makes for a promising start to the action. It’s a promise on which Human Zoo unfortunately fail to deliver.
clouds and colourful Russian propaganda. Granted, some speeches towards the end of Self Service might be a tad didactic, but the process of making queer complex in the previous 60 minutes allows it. And trust me,
until you’ve seen ‘Single Ladies’ performed as a Riot Grrrl tribute, you haven’t lived. n DAN HUTTON
n
JO CAIRD
Pleasance Dome, 12:10pm – 1:10pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 11 Aug, £7.50 – £10
Milk Presents: Self Service
HHHHH Reclaiming words can be tough. Many underrepresented groups go this way, and sometimes violence is the only viable option. In Milk Presents: Self Service, however, “queer” is shouted from the multi-coloured rooftops and made positive with no aggression whatsoever. This fabulously enjoyable queer cabaret is filthy, flirty cheeky, and far more complex than the glittery surface would have you believe. Using two audience members as comperes, Milk Presents (Adam Robertson, Lucy Doherty and Ruby Glaskin) take us through a series of sketches, jokes and songs, exploring what “queer” means, has meant and might mean. They playfully deconstruct their arguments at every turn, turning questions on themselves as much as us. Indeed, some of the funniest and most thoughtful moments don’t come out of their mouths at all, as they mime along to verbatim recordings of people discussing sexuality and gender, creating a kind of stage version of Creature Comforts in the process. At every turn, the company is open and welcoming, forcing us to question heteronormativity innate in social structures with the odd bit of arse-clenching to the rhythm of ‘Like A Prayer’. Aesthetic choices are perfectly pitched, with an overhead projector transporting us through rainbow
50 fest 12–14 August 2014
Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 10:00pm – 11:00pm, 2–23 Aug, not 3, 7, 14, 21, £11
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THEATRE
Time Out New York / Performing Arts Insider / Hy On The Fringe
ing” ph” opEpasy ium r r ay d T w d “A - Off Broa “Jaw- Theatre Is ” rless rk “Fimee aOut New Yo
“Critic’s Pick” “Best Bet”
-T
This summer, you could wander through shadows. The Scottish National Gallery is open every day. See what you could do this summer. The Mound, Edinburgh
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Peter Graham, Wandering Shadows, 1878. Scottish National Gallery. National Galleries of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland (No.SC003728)
12–14 August 2014 fest 51
THEATRE Made in ILVA: The Contemporary Hermit
HHHHH There comes a point in the middle of Made in ILVA where you feel as if you might be going mad yourself. Hallucinating the fact that performer Nicola Pianzola keeps repeating over and over “the brutalisation” while hammering the steel set with his palms (which are surely by now raw). Delirious with the metal rhythms he beats, and the sight of him twitching
Somebody I Used to Know
HHHHH Apparently, we can only cope with a finite number of close friends at any one time. To make room for someone new, someone else has to be bumped down the list. Everything I Own’s intimate, one-on-one show prods its single audience member into thinking about those friends who got left behind, the onetime best mates who have drifted away. For theatre-maker Claire Gaydon, that person was Andrew: a floppy
Live Forever
HHHHH It’s 5:30am on a summer morning in the late ‘90s and our protagonist, a former DJ with a recreational drug habit and a recently broken heart, is woken by his mobile. It’s a friend calling to tell him the news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in a car accident in Paris. Boggled by the scenes of mourners thronging Kensington Palace to pay their respects, he decides to join them, pressing play on what turns out to be an epic
52 fest 12–14 August 2014
and fitting under a blood-red and white strobe light. It’s likely this is the desired effect, because the solo show aims to pay homage to the community around Italy’s ILVA plant who were affected by workplace fumes, brutal treatment and inhumane conditions. Incorporatng victim testimonies, Pianzola goes about recreating with forensic precision the destruction of both mind and body; by the end of the show he is rinsed in sweat, ecstatic with exhaustion, glowing and talking about angels and the shine of his skin. It’s a double-edged sword presenting verbatim suffering like this,
and it does occasionally backfire. His repetition of the soul-crushing mundanity of going to work every day outstays its welcome—granted far less than for the people he is depicting—and we don’t ever really get a sense of the humans behind the shells before their everyman descent into hell. Consequently there isn’t enough for us to empathise with. Pianzola honours the horror of people dehumanised by factory life with every fibre of his body, but the piece doesn’t necessarily do justice to their individual stories. n LUCY RIBCHESTER
fringed, cigarette smoking drummer who went to drama club. Hunkered in a sort of den, walls plastered with posters and drawings, Gaydon shares sweets, spirits and anecdotes. She recalls her and Andrew’s first meeting aged 14, their friendship in the following years, and their gradual estrangement as they entered adulthood. It’s familiar stuff, heavily scented with nostalgia, but endearing nonetheless. The one-on-one format, meanwhile, has the advantage of inherently questioning the nature of human connection. Performer and audience member are close, but remain separated by an invisible barrier. Through both content and form,
Somebody I Used to Know asks how much we can ever really understand another person and tests the links we forge between one another. This all gains another dimension in the age of social media. We might have hundreds of Facebook friends, but how many are we truly friendly with? Somebody I Used to Know dips little more than a toe into this territory. But the brief, sweet pause it offers in the middle of the Fringe is a welcome chance to think about those we know and have known. n CATHERINE LOVE
bender fuelled by drink, drugs and public outpourings of grief. It’s not a bad premise for a one-person show, and writer and director Robert Farquhar and actor Francis Tucker do a good job in conjuring up the chaos and creativity of an LSD trip. But there’s little else to recommend this shouty, crude, predictable piece of theatre. Tucker’s performance is unremittingly hyperactive—it’s the right tone while our hero is relating the narcotic thrills of the days following Diana’s death, but makes no sense at all as a modus operandi. Farquhar’s writing
is just an unsubtle, peppered with clichés and nonsensical mixed metaphors, and only very occasionally interrupted by a neat turn of phrase or appealing image. But lack of style is not Live Forever’s biggest crime. Farquahar has created a central character it’s impossible to care about and a plotline it’s impossible to invest in. If Guy Ritchie were to write a monologue for the stage, this would be it. n JO CAIRD
Summerhall, 4:20pm – 5:10pm, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £10
Assembly Roxy, times vary, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 6, 13, 20, £8 – £10
Pleasance Courtyard, 1:50pm – 3:00pm, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, not 12 Aug, £9 – £11
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THEATRE FREEDOM IS NEVER GIVEN.
IT MUST BE WON.
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Seabright Productions presents A new show about coming out (inspired by Tom Daley)
13:00 (70 mins) 30 Ju ly – 25 Au gust 2014 (not 6, 13 & 21 August)
g il d e d BAllo o n t ev io t Bristo Square, Edinburgh (Fringe venue 14)
By MAT ThEW BA lDWIN and ThoM AS h ESCo TT
B ox o f f ice
Directed by DAvID GRINDlE Y lighting by JASoN TAYloR Performed by R oB D EERIN G AND R EW DoYl E ZoE lYoNS CA MI l lE UCAN
DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU
‘HIGHLY RECOMMENDED’ Guardian
Few comings-out attract millions of YouTube ‘AN IMPRESSIVE views like Tom Daley’s did. But for whoever’s PRODUCTION’ saying ‘I’m gay’, it’s a life-changing moment. Observer Inspired by recent high-profile ‘comings out’, from Tom Daley and Ellen Page to Ricky Martin and NBA star Jason Collins, the showGilded is based Balloon on stories from gay men and women around Teviot 1.00pm the world, exploring how they came out and what it has on their lives. Daily guestseffect include Markhad Thomas, Simon Callow, Stephen K Amos Full list atby OutingsTheShow.com Directed Tony Award winner
0131 622 6552 BY226 0000 0131 www.gildedballoon.co.uk DIRECTED www.edfringe.com
Festival Highlights.com
David Grindley and written by the team behind the hit West End play The Act. www.festmag.co.uk Produced by five-time Fringe First award
BY
STEVE BROADNAX
tic k e ts
£10 - £13
Edinburgh Spotlight
visit W W W. o U T I N G S T h ES h o W.C o M THEand MUMBLE for updates guest star listings
12:25
31 JUL - 25 AUG
12–14 August 2014 fest 53
THEATRE
Show Off
HHHHH Figs in Wigs present Figs in Wigs in a show about Figs in Wigs by Figs in Wigs. That’s about the size of Show Off: a ticklish cabaret about narcissism in the information age. It’s self-absorbed, self-aggrandizing and a bit self-delusional, but in the process, it skewers every single sod that ever shared a selfie on their Twitter feed. If you’ve not seen them, Figs in Wigs are a bit of a treat: five twentysomethings in matching coloured bobs with glittery blue monobrows
The Domino Effect
HHHHH It is not every school that can boast a writer-in-residence, especially not if it is an all-girls comprehensive from an impoverished borough of London. But the Mulberry School for Girls is no ordinary institution. Their 2009 production, The Unravelling, won a Fringe First Award – the first state school ever to do so. And their writer in residence is theatrical hotshot Finn Kennedy, the co-artistic director of Tamasha Theatre Company.
54 fest 12–14 August 2014
scribbled across their faces. They make ramshackle cabarets—variety shambles—in which the acts are all ironic, inane and stuffed with naff puns. For an emerging company, they’ve got a rare sense of their own identity. In Show Off, they step through a spangled curtain, dressed in charity shop brown suits and neon leotards, and begin a perfect, complex softshoe shuffle without averting their eyes from their iPhones. Other acts include a pastiche of pseudish art criticism about self-portraiture and, ahem, “facies”; a long list of children’s jokes and a mass hula-hooping
routine in too small a space. Between each one, a.n. other Fig steps forward to introduce the group in the most adulatory of terms. Show Off is loveable in so many ways—chucklesome, charming and just plain silly—but it remains less than the sum of its parts. There’s more meaning smuggled beneath the surface than first appearances suggest—particularly its questions about the artist’s right to self-expression and self-indulgence—but it still feels slight nonetheless. n MATT TRUEMAN
For the want of a nail a kingdom was lost, or at least so goes the old adage, but what of the other way round? Can the discovery of something small, something tiny —a domino piece, for example—cause a crippled butcher to find music, an alcoholic to find a job, a silent child to find a family? This is the restorative vision of The Domino Effect, a modern fairy tale as rooted in the streets of Tower Hamlets as is its young cast. The idealism of the form, the hope of a happily ever after, that all shall be well and all manner of things
shall be well, is peculiarly affecting as realised through Finn Kennedy’s exquisite writing and the acting of a very youthful cast of non-professionals. The delivery of lines never falters, intricate choreography is carried out with grace. And while one never loses sight of the fact that the young actresses are an amateur troupe, it is moving to see them work together in such perfect harmony and trust. n MIRANDA KIEK
Pleasance Courtyard, 2:15pm – 3:15pm, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £9 – £11
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 2:10pm – 2:55pm, 4–14 Aug, not 10, £8
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50 Shades! The Musical. The Original Parody Assembly Hall 22:30 31 Jul – 25 Aug
Antonio Forcione: No Strings Attached Assembly George Sq 21:10 8 – 17 Aug
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Best of the Fest Assembly Hall 23:59 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-24 Aug
Simon Callow in Juvenalia Assembly Hall 15:30 31 Jul – 25 Aug
Title and Deed by Will Eno Assembly Hall 18:05 31 Jul – 25 Aug
Best of the Fest Daytime Assembly George Sq 14:15 1 – 24 Aug
Elephant Room Assembly Hall 22:40 31 Jul – 25 Aug
12–14 August 2014 fest 55
THEATRE
Beowulf: The Blockbuster
HHHHH An attempt to clothe the most famous of Old English epics in the tropes of the modern blockbuster in a metal hut in the Pleasance might seem a fool’s errand. Beowulf is as epic as it gets. There’s dragons, underwater battles, treasure hordes, magic swords. Bryan Burroughs, though, is no fool. There’s something far more intelligent going on in his one-man-epic.
Great Artists Steal
HHHHH Is it really possible to have a new idea any more? International company Theatraverse would suggest not. Their surreal fable of invention questions any claims to originality, instead implying that we are all thieves to a greater or lesser extent. The Man and The Woman (it would appear that names have not yet been invented) hole themselves up in their workshop with all the inventions they lay claim to: the first weapon, the first item of clothing,
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Sure enough, Beowulf gets the Hollywood treatment: he kicks like Bruce Lee; he comes from “a land far away...Sweden”; he defeats a monster with claws like Freddie Krueger. But all that sits within a narrative of a father relaying the tale to his film-obsessed son. Less an attempt to rescue a story from the eighth century, the play-within-a-play is an affirmation of its enduring thrill and vigour. The grammar of the modern blockbuster is, it seems, still in the mode laid down in those 3182 Old English lines. But more than that, this is a
moving story of a father trying to tell difficult truths to his son at a tragic moment in their relationship. “It’s just a story. It’s just about life as people have lived it. You can make it mean whatever you like,” he tells his son in a lump-in-the-throat moment of calm. Were it just a tear-jerker, this would be a flimsy play based around a wonderful solo performance. Instead, this finds the human heart beating at the centre of literary epic. n EVAN BESWICK
the first rope. Over the course of the show they are visited by The Young Man, the latest in a series of youthful inventors to come to stay. The ingenious guest dreams up sliced bread and laboriously draws and redraws the wheel (geddit?), but his inventions are too good to remain his own for long. Seamus Collins’ play tells this odd little story within a baffling bilingual structure. The Man and The Woman speak a strange, broken version of English—imagine Yoda in white face paint—while The Young Man speaks almost exclusively in French. It is straining laboriously towards a linguis-
tic metaphor for the ways in which we constantly borrow and repurpose, but never quite grasps it. Theatraverse may have sticky fingers, but sadly they are not great artists. Their own second-hand creation is both bewildering and boring, shedding little light on the great cycle of reappropriation that has propelled humankind forward for centuries. If all invention is theft, then perhaps Theatraverse should have borrowed their inspiration from a more compelling source. n CATHERINE LOVE
Pleasance Courtyard, 12:50pm – 2:00pm, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £9 – £11
theSpace @ Venue45, 8:35pm – 9:25pm, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £8 – £9
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THEATRE
’Tis Pity
FROM THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING MAKERS OF TRANSLUNAR PARADISE & BALLAD OF THE BURNING STAR
LIGHT LIGHT
Mafia + Incest + Love + Violence
STAGE AWARD WINNERS 2009 & 2013 “ADMIRABLE” TIMES | “SUPERB” THE SCOTSMAN
31 July - 16 August (12:15pm) Spotlites @ The Merchant Hall Tickets from: www.edfringe.com www.audleyandcoproductions.com
PLEASANCE KING DOME 30 JULY - 25 AUGUST 2014 17:15 (18:35) (EXCL. 11 & 18) BOX OFFICE 01315566550 | WWW.PLEASANCE.CO.UK WWW.THEATREADINFINITUM.CO.UK @THEATREADINF THE GUARDIAN’S ‘BEST OF THE FRINGE’ 2013
WRITTEN BY DAVID IRELAND
DIRECTED BY LORNE CAMPBELL
1 LY 8+
SEX
ICT
I PROMISE YOU
ST R
A NORTHERN STAGE PRODUCTION
AND VIOLENCE
6.35pm (1hr) UNTIL 23 AUG (not 10,14, 21) Venue 73 NORTHERN STAGE AT KING’S HALL Box Office 0131 477 6630 Book Online northernstage.co.uk www.festmag.co.uk
12–14 August 2014 fest 57
THEATRE The Pure, the Dead and the Brilliant
HHHHH The team behind The Pure, the Dead and the Brilliant are not, according to programme copy, “pretending to be anything other than a partisan company”. It’s refreshing to see “political” theatremakers being so honest and open about the work they make. At the very least, it allows for a humorous layer of knowing irony to be dolloped on the show itself, seeing as we’re in on the joke.
SmallWar
HHHHH “There are always going to be bigmouths who are willing to sacrifice somebody else’s life,” purrs the autotuned accent of Valentijn Dhaenens. They’ve had their chance to speak: BigMouth, back the Traverse this year, was a mash-up of grandstanding oratory that took entire nations into war. SmallWar gives those dispatched to fight the chance to answer back. Once again, Dhaenens threads together a chorale from fragments of found text – from soldier’s diaries
Simon Callow in Juvenalia
HHHHH There’s “nothing for free in Rome” complains Juvenal. It’s like that the celebrated Roman satirist would have a thing or two to say about a performance of his work costing £20. Thing or two, who are we kidding? Juvenal would never limit himself to saying just two things. It would be at least a dozen things, and most of them unrepeatable. Simon Callow’s Juvenal vigorously advocating male lovers raises a
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Alan Bissett’s pantomimic fable in favour of a “Yes” vote is hardly subtle, but it’s a compelling consideration of national pride. At Hogmanay, four fairies—Bogle, Selkie, Banshee and Black Donald—discuss why they are against independence, laying out their belief that it will make them redundant: as Scottish folklore becomes real, myths will be forgotten. They go out canvassing for the “Vote Naw” campaign, with Donald coming up as the bad guy who is controlling the others for his own gain (nice allegory there). With boos, hisses and the occasional bit of audience interaction, this is all
very generalised and broad, but it’s fun all the same. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to know whether this show would illicit such a positive response if the audience were less sympathetic to the “Yes” campaign. Cheap potshots run the risk of alienating as much as galvanizing, but the energy of the cast is infectious. This is by no means a nuanced, complex piece of art about the forthcoming referendum, but it’s full of national character and progressive spirit. n DAN HUTTON
and letters home this time, drawn from battlezones across history. Dhaenens enters in a grey nurse’s uniform, pushing a metal bedframe containing a wounded soldier as seen on a plasma screen. A phone rings and, each time, the soldier’s soul gets up to answer it, until four uniformed projections—all recorded by Dhaenens—stand side by side, as if the dead have fallen in. It’s a thoughtful image of the limbo of war that conjures the numbers that fall and their awful anonymity. However, being largely recorded, SmallWar lets its audience off. The absence is haunting, but the words don’t count for much. They become
a general soundtrack: meditative, but in and out of focus. Like Dalton Trumbo’s novel Johnny Got His Gun, chunks of which he inserts without credit, Dhaenens wants to blame the Bigmouths for these innumerable deaths. He talks about young men giving up their lives to fight for values that they neither recognise or own. SmallWaR should be livid, but its form softens into the mournful dignity of remembrance ceremonies and its outrage melts into something like resignation. n MATT TRUEMAN
few titters in the audience. But then so does the recurring misogynistic ire. Women are avaricious, lustful, untrustworthy. The stuff is vile. Does the passage of two thousand years mitigate everyday sexism? Not that Juvenal got everything wrong. “Unbroken nights,” he writes, “are a rich man’s privilege.” All those Festival-goers sharing rooms/beds/a roll of memory foam will know what he means. They probably wouldn’t agree, however, that poets reciting their work in August are a greater evil than collapsing tenement buildings. Is Callow worth the long queue and the high price? Depends how flush you’re feeling. He held my at-
tention and gave me that smug thepast-isn’t-as-different-as-we’d-liketo-think feeling, to which end the set designers place a Fringe programme alongside Roman iconography. Callow ends with Juvenal’s list of life’s desirable things (other than pretty young boys). The first being mens sana in corpore sano. After this performance the audience may know nothing about the health of Juvenal’s body but can be pretty certain he had a pretty sick mind. n MIRANDA KIEK
The Assembly Rooms, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, not 18 Aug, £15
Traverse Theatre, times vary, various dates between 31 Jul and 24 Aug, £19
Assembly Hall, 3:30pm – 4:45pm, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, not 6 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £17.50 – £20
www.festmag.co.uk
C theFestival Sally E Dean
Something’s in the Living Room
Tokyo Tapdo!
Cambridge University ADC
Queen Jane Productions
Sushi Tap Show
God on Trial
The Greenville Ghost
6 – 25 Aug 3.00pm C cubed
30 Jul – 25 Aug 4.45pm C
30 Jul – 16 Aug 7.50pm C nova
30 Jul – 25 Aug 5.50pm C nova
DEM Productions
Straylight Australia and Bee Loud
The Foxymorons
Up The Auntie
Altamont
30 Jul – 25 Aug 8.30pm C
10 – 25 Aug 2.15pm C
10 – 25 Aug 1.00pm C nova
30 Jul – 25 Aug 2.20pm C nova
DHK Productions
No Prophet Theatre Company
Hungry People Theatre
Perfection
Jestia and Raedon
30 Jul – 25 Aug 9.00pm C nova
30 Jul – 25 Aug 8.20pm C nova
30 Jul – 24 Aug 5.10pm C
30 Jul – 25 Aug 3.25pm C nova
Lysistrata
Jack and I: The Jack the Ripper Musical
The Road to Skibbereen
Chatroom
Peppermint Muse
Here Theatre
With more than 200 shows and events across our venues in the heart of Edinburgh, we celebrate our 23rd Fringe with an inspiring international programme of cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, musicals, theatre and family shows. See it all with C venues.
THEATRE
The Generation of Z: Edinburgh
HHHHH If you were lucky enough to make it out alive of zombie chase game 2.8 Hours Later, you’ll find Generation of Z to be right up your street. This immersive, interactive horror game launches audiences into an apocalyptic warzone in which “the infected” are at large and hungry for our blood. Arriving from New Zealand, this bloodcurdling, rib-shattering escape mission lives up to the drama it promises:
The Knee Jerk of Sloth
HHHHH The difficulty with The Knee Jerk of Sloth, a poetic, heartwrenching tragicomedy written by Pelagie-May Green (who also plays a small but important role), is that its strengths and weaknesses are powerful to an almost equal degree. In an abandoned glue factory, four homeless people form a makeshift family, with all the dysfunction that implies. Each has their own means of coping with the mutual loss that binds
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lifelike, terrifying and visceral. We step into Zone 1. After being corralled into the first of many quarantined areas, an army truck roars up next to us and a group of yelping, trigger-happy U.S. soldiers fall out. Dragging the audience into line, we’re told to stand up and shut up. Do we not know what’s going? There are zombies out there, gahddamnit. When the beasties do attack, the bullets fly, in an explosive, heart-racing first encounter. As we make our way through the disused basement of Edinburgh University, full of guttural screams and gory mutilations, we must find a way to safety.
If you’re willing, dive in headfirst to G of Z, as the more you take part, the more you’ll enjoy it. A team of 150 volunteers has pieced together a staggering, authentic—and at times scarily dark—performance. Admittedly, there are moments when it’s clear how surreal the whole thing can be: 100 people standing in a room watching an actor tear up an infected with a chainsaw. Given the size of the audience, it can all feel a little theme park-y. Still, this is sheer hair-raising, rampaging good fun. n ANDREW LATIMER
them, until they are forced to face to a new tragedy that recalls the old. The Knee Jerk of Sloth is a brilliant piece of stagecraft, which glories in the detailed construction of its own world. A series of lamps, dimmed and brightened in sequence, creates a greater sense of atmosphere than most professional lighting rigs could manage. The cast mirror this attention to detail: barely a movement or facial expression passes that does not engage in naturalistic slapstick, unexpected syncronization or the furthering of characterisation. Alongside these technicalities, the play also achieves successes through simple, affecting moments (a serenade
on guitar, which introduces the play’s romance, is especially beautiful). However, these cannot fully detract from the flaws of the plot, which feels half-finished: as the characters struggle to react after the central tragedy, the play struggles to find resolution. Also, while it would be churlish to demand realism from an emphatically dreamlike production, the play’s treatment of homelessness and mental illness occasionally feels romanticised, if not fully exploitative. Still, the amount of raw talent in A Knee Jerk of Sloth cannot and should not be ignored. n SEAN BELL
Assembly George Square Theatre, times vary, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £12
ZOO, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8
www.festmag.co.uk
THEATRE Marcel Vol. I: Italian Politics as as Work of Art
HHHHH First things first: this is billed as a Dada-esque surrealist play. And as pledges go, it most certainly can’t be criticised for not doing exactly what it says on the tin. Short scenes alternate between a dystopian landscape where two women have been left jobless and struggling after the “blackout”, and a series of strange interludes loosely based around Silvio Berlusconi’s involvement with an underage Moroccan girl (for which he was convicted but later found not guilty on appeal). There are moments of great visual delight—who doesn’t love a horse-headed mannequin wrapped in bondage straps?—and vicious satire – the former Italian PM’s head cartooned onto the arse of a woman’s knickers, talking with puppet hands while she bends over. But the scripted
sections feel unedited: cipher-thin characters have intellectual discussions about philosophical ideas, and nothing really progresses towards a moment of revelation or climax. In addition, for all the anger that the play seems to harbour towards Berlusconi and what he has done to his country, the delivery does seem awfully reserved. It is as if the team has had some striking ideas, been unsure how to crowbar them together into a meaningful production, but has gone
ahead anyway. What are we supposed to draw from this? The answer may well be, “whatever you want.” But it’s not enough. With true surrealism there is always some hook, some magical diamond ingredient that makes the whole thing pop together and work, and in this case it just isn’t there. n
LUCY RIBCHESTER
theSpace on North Bridge, 5:40pm – 6:25pm, 1 – 16 Aug, not 3, 10, £7
A New Play Combining Text & Physical Theatre
www.festmag.co.uk
12–14 August 2014 fest 61
THEATRE Product
HHHHH Almost ten years after Mark Ravenhill performed Product for its premiere, this revival starring Olivia Poulet breathes fresh life on a post-9/11 play that interrogates the obsession the creative industries have with terrorism and shock. It does feel like things have moved on a little in the past decade, and some of the emphasis now comes across as a little misplaced, but Poulet’s performance and the sharpness of the writing create a beautifully incisive double act. Product takes the form of a one-sided film pitch to a “star” actor Julia who remains invisible and inaudible to us. The producer (played by Poulet) rattles through what sounds like a shockingly bad script entitled Mohammed and Me, which is about a woman who falls in love with a terrorist and begins joining in with his Islamic fundamentalism. The exec insists that it’s “fucking edgy,” though it sounds about as edgy as a balloon bundled in Cath Kidston wrapping paper. Ravenhill’s sharp writing makes clear points about the entertainment industry and its habit of capitalising on world events to make a fast buck. Poulet gloriously captures the sycophancy of movie producers looking to bag a big name, insisting that she would “love to see you play the
Tabularasa
HHHHH Dance doesn’t always need to have a hook, a narrative or a theme. Sometimes the movement is enough for the sake of its own beauty. In some ways Tabularasa falls into this category; moodily lit, tantalisingly enigmatic, teasing around with images we recognise then melting back into unnatural forms. At the start, unnerving vibrations shudder down the dancers’ bodies – they clutch their stomachs and bow their heads. Deep underwater rumbling
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verge of madness”. The monologue occasionally breaks down when the imaginary Julia starts talking and moving, and it would be nice to see a more up-to-date version of the same idea, but this is an assured
performance which demonstrates Ravenhill’s ability to be endlessly innovative. n DAN HUTTON
music from Eugene Skeef’s original score leads the ensemble of four into honey-slow movement, suggestive of curling roots or hanging vines. Occasionally a whirling arm will slice through the languor; like a flick of water in the face it wakes you up, pushes you back into the dance. Lighting is delicately muted, the colours of the earthy casual costumes rendered dim like revellers in twilight, while the slick precision of the performers keeps the choreography tight. Keneish Dance, headed up by choreographer Keisha Grant, aims to mix contemporary dance with African
dance forms, and when Angolan partner dance Kizomba emerges, seeing couples pairing off and connecting in a familiar way comes with a strange reassuring accessibility - after the abstract quality of what has come before. The passages that mix in African styles are the most dynamic and interesting, marking the company with its own individual stamp. Tabularasa may not be the most accessible or compelling piece of dance on the Fringe but there’s no denying the talent of the company.
Assembly Hall, 2:45pm – 3:45pm, 31 Jul – 20 Aug, £13 – £14
n
LUCY RIBCHESTER
Run ended
www.festmag.co.uk
THEATRE 10:00
CalArts Festival Theater 11th Season on the fringe 12:30
Shadow Puppetry Tale of Persephone
Pomegranate Jam 16:45
19:45
Premire Tale of Van Gogh's Lust
Kaspar by Peter Handke Yellow Fever August 2-23 - £8 Gen £6 Con tickets: www.venue13.com - 07074 20 13 13
l cia
I s UR age NO Dam t
es
Gu
e EL nd HACIS a C MI of N Sp
‘THRILLING! HAD MY HEART PUMPING!’ HUFFINGTON POST
ar
St
‘THE MUSICAL OF THE MOMENT.’
‘EXTRAORDINARY! BREATHTAKING!’
MAXIM ITALY
LA SPLASH
siddharthathemusical.co.uk
31 July - 24 August
(not 6, 13 August)
6.10pm Festival Highlights.com
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12–14 August 2014 fest 63
MUSIC&CABARET The Addams Family
HHHHH The Addams Family have been around for a long time, first appearing as single panel cartoons in The New Yorker in 1938, but British audiences will probably know them best from the 1991 film starring Angelica Huston and Raúl Juliá. Now this satirical take on the ideal American family has been adapted for the stage, with Gomez and Morticia, Wednesday and Pugsley, Uncle Fester and Lurch coming together to face a terrifying challenge: Wednesday has fallen in love...with a boy from Ohio. This production marks 10 years of musical theatre from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the Fringe and the school has done itself proud. It’s risky business doing a show with a running time of nearly two-and-a-half hours up here but director Ken Alexander and choreographer Chris Stuart-Wilson make the time fly by with their witty, dynamic take on these deliciously macabre characters. Composer Andrew Lippa’s hilarious lyrics—peppered with barbed references to contemporary
Short Stories – True Stories from the American Edge
HHHHH The Edge, here, is a more marginal America that isn’t always a winner made up of ordinary people, fighting or escaping the country’s relentless narrative of capitalism, cheap labour and globalisation. Kiya Heartwood is an acoustic guitarist and singer-songwriter from oddball oasis, Austin, Texas; but she sings tales of underdogs from all over, with a distinctly American, soulful sincerity. Her opener trots through the
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American politics—are crystal clear in the mouths of this talented company of musical theatre MA students and there’s barely a bum note or clumsy move in the show. Not all the songs need to be there: Fester’s ode to the moon, though charmingly performed by Andrew Perry and the ancestors’ chorus, is a distraction from the central plot line
and creates one of the few lulls in this pacey piece. And the book, by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, doesn’t exactly stretch the conventions of musical theatre writing. But The Addams Family is enormous fun and will leave you smiling. n JO CAIRD
story of Man o’War, the 1920s racehorse extraordinaire. Eulogising his impressive strength—he could carry 138 pounds, helpfully translated for British laymen as both 10 stone, and an awful lot for a horse—Heartwood also uses him as a symbol for an America that’s been lost. Poignantly, she sings of stables and fields replaced by cookie-cutter houses in the neverending race to suburban sprawl. Mother Jones is no less fearsome or loved – a black-clad widow who stirred up workers to strike for fair pay. Heartwood’s husky, wistful voice strengthens to a guttural call to arms for the “dishpan brigade” of women who fended off blackleggers with household weapons. She also
stretches to naive, gutsy blues—“I built my house on a burial ground/ Ghosts and spirits were all around”— and a softer, subtle memoir of growing up a tomboy in her brother’s shadow. Heartwood describes herself as shy, but she’s clearly capable of wrestling an audience tens of times this tiny size into foot-stamping, chorus-joining submission. A soulless Edinburgh black box space might not be the best place to cosy up to her distinctive, atmospheric songs, but she’s a seasoned enough performer to light up any room with flickering, folksy warmth. n ALICE SAVILLE
Assembly Hall, 11:00am – 1:30pm, 1 – 25 Aug, not 11, 18, £12 – £13
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 2:05pm – 2:55pm, 1 – 23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £8
www.festmag.co.uk
MUSIC&CABARET Siddhartha, the Musical
HHHHH Adapting Herman Hesse’s 1922 novel of the same name, Siddhartha, the Musical is an Italian-language operatta which started life as a prisoner rehabilitation programme in Milanese maximum security penitentiary. It is astory of enlightenment, Eastern religious philosophy, personal fulfillment and the ancient Buddha’s quest for wisdom. But below the surface, Siddhartha is majestically stupid, utterly daft-asa-brush nonsensical. The plotline is complete tosh and, given the show’s 70-minute running time, is rushed through at a bewildering pace. Siddhartha, born a prince in ancient India, is raised behind the golden walls of his father’s castle. One day he is told that life is not so gilded outside of his palace walls, which prompts an existential crisis in our eponymous hero and sees him leave his lover and their unborn child and embark
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on a quest to find the true meaning of life. A knocked-up, abandoned and (shortly after) dead concubine, a sage whose wisdom has come from staring at a river his whole life and a son left to face near-certain death in a forest later, and Siddhartha has learned that all you need is love. Yeah... Nevertheless, this is gloriously dumb fun. Siddhartha, the Musical boasts a fantastically good looking cast with rippling six-packs, pounding
music and great vocals. The costumes are fabulous, the dancing entertaining and as a spectacle it’s a great big production standing out against the general lo-fi tenor of the wider Fringe. It’s a colourful, vibrant and entirely enjoyable romp that takes its journey of enlightenment very seriously. Even if nobody else does. n BEN JUDGE The Assembly Rooms, 6:10pm – 7:20pm, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, not 6 Aug, 13 Aug, £15
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18/07/2014 09:38
MUSIC&CABARET
Lady Rizo
HHHHH “I have trouble with personal boundaries,” Lady Rizo explains while climbing onto a third-row punter’s lap. We appreciate the disclaimer, but nobody seems to mind. Indeed, ten minutes into Lady Rizo there are decreasing numbers of us who have not been petted, mounted, or individually serenaded. But Rizo’s physical humour, like the rest of her act, is organic and thoughtfully crafted - a natural extension of her tangible talent and intelligence, making her brand of live lounge cabaret unlike any other. We are taken through the hits,
A Roaring Accordion
HHHHH Strangely (that’s a name not an adverb) is too big to perform in the top deck of a stationary bus. He cannot stand up without bending his neck so far to the side that his ear meets his shoulder. If he stamps his steel-toed shoes, the bus rocks. And not in a good way. His voice is also the wrong size. Outdoors at a Folk Festival, his singing might be rousing: Strangely could
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so to speak: ‘Close To You’ melds fluidly into ‘Pure Imagination’, and Nancy Sinatra gets sprinkled into 90s R&B. Rizo manages to inject her powerhouse pipes into these more lightweight moments: accessible and twinkly as they are, Rizo doesn’t seem like the type to hold back. She somehow makes window-shattering vibratos and Broadway-calibre belting look effortless. There is mildly smutty mischief (and some saucy costume changes), but the real show seems to start when Rizo takes us into her backstory. Far from the bewitchingly glam melodrama of her act, Rizo’s real life story is utterly candid: a stint as a cruiseline singer, young love, an attempt at an open-marriage, and the
fallout therein. It is around the time that she enters this refreshingly unfamiliar territory that the songs start to sound less familiar as well. While they may not have been what hit-hungry lounge junkies were in for, her numbers are moving, masterful, and beautifully supported by accompanying musician Yair Evnine. Punctuated with bawdy wit throughout, our journey through Rizo’s past is sensuous and utterly unexpected. While not your mother’s “cabaret superstar”, Lady Rizo is a fierce, fun spectacle - a heavenly nightcap to any Fringe day. n ARIANNA REICHE
have roared to his heart’s content. But this is a bus. Strangely’s music is not meant for a confined space. Strangely by name and strangely by nature, is the accordionist’s mantra. He’s American and as such has a lot of mantras. Pep talks too. “This is all about trust, it’s up to you too,” he exhorts his audience. “We’re a team. We’re all responsible together for having a good time.” In order to imagine Strangely, first think of a puppy dog—guileless, exuberant—and then add a set of whiskers John McCririck could only
dream of. When Strangely sings, the puppy-dog face disappears and is replaced by an angry, folk rage face, and voice. The songs themselves, though, are not especially stirring. There are a couple of catchy tunes but for something so folksy, the lyrics (except those borrowed from Robert Frost) are disappointing. Good-natured fun. More space and more ale next time please. n MIRANDA KIEK
Assembly Checkpoint, 10:15pm – 11:20pm, 31 Jul – 24 Aug, not 6 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £13 – £14
Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 5:30pm – 6:30pm, 1 – 24 Aug, free
www.festmag.co.uk
KIDS Jay Foreman’s Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children A fun but slightly repetitive show, as seen by Rowan Hall, aged 11
Calvinball In this show Jay Foreman stands at the front of an inflatable stage and sings songs and plays his guitar and harmonica. He also recites poems and cracks a good few jokes in between, highlighting funny things in day-to-day life. Some of the poems, jokes and songs were about rude or naughty things, such as sewage, toilet bacteria and stealing food and some of them were just about silly things. I enjoyed some parts of the show, especially towards the end. It was funny when he made a nursery rhyme into complete comedy and he is a good singer and guitarist. He was good at interacting with the crowd and making sure we were involved. However, I did find the performance a bit repetitive at times and also a little predictable. I thought the show was good but it could have been more varied. Pleasance Courtyard, 3:25pm – 4:30pm, 1 – 24 Aug, not 18, £10
www.festmag.co.uk Untitled-2 1
A rolling, outdoor play based on a game played by Calvin and Hobbes, as reviewed by Ella McQueen, aged 4 It was amazing. I liked it because all the games were very fun. I liked hide and seek but they couldn’t find us, so we just got out from behind a tree and they didn’t see us. The singing was really good. I think little children would love it too cos it’s not scary and it’s outside on the grass. Pleasance Courtyard, 11:00am – 11:45am, various dates between 31 Jul and 24 Aug, £8 – £10
12–14 August 2014 fest 67 18/07/2014 09:38
KIDS
Red Riding Hood
HHHHH Each time the Fringe rolls round, one wonders how many more times Red Riding Hood can be retold. Horse & Bamboo’s take on the overly familiar fairytale does not break much new ground, but it packs a lot more charm than the majority of bland, derivative adaptations. The company frame the story of the eponymous scarlet-clad heroine within another story, thus making it more about the art of narrative than about the fairytale itself. Performers Jonny Quick and Nix Wood have a
Duck, Death and the Tulip
HHHHH A duck meets Death, they drink tea, swim in a pond, climb a tree. The seasons change. The duck dies. Death lays a tulip by her body. Duck, Death and the Tulip. That’s all: no more. It seems slight, almost still; and, in spite of the dialogue, this play has a wordless, dream-like quality. The set is starkly minimalist: blackness presided over alternately
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tale to tell us, but props keep going missing and Jonny is more interested in cake than storytelling. Somehow, despite a few mishaps, they muddle through, adding a few twists to the tale along the way. Horse & Bamboo also inject proceedings with a liberal dose of silliness, balancing out the darker elements of the story and ensuring that the attention of their young audience rarely dips. The aesthetic, meanwhile, is endearing in its handmade simplicity – all masks, puppets and brightly painted backdrops. A few minutes could be shaved from the running time, particularly for the sake of children at the young-
er end of the recommended age range. At times, the abundance of performance techniques brings us dangerously close to confusion. Do we really need puppetry, animation, masks and shadow play? Aptly, given its home at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, storytelling ultimately saves the day. While Horse & Bamboo put their own stamp on Red Riding Hood, it succeeds because it understands the key ingredients of fairytale: intrigue, wonder and enchantment. n CATHERINE LOVE
by a marigold sun or a luminous, lace moon. Death, the one human presence on stage, and the puppet Duck are brightly spot-lit, which renders them pearlescent. A scene of light and dark for a tale of life and death. Such simplicity feels almost shocking. In a society which acts as if it believes that the young must be offered sensory stimulation at every moment of every day, only a brave children’s show dispenses with flashes, bangs, songs and bright colours. In foregoing these the Little Dog Barking Theatre stays true to the spareness of German author
Wolf Erlbruch’s original story as well as showing an unusual respect for its young audience – who repay this in abundance with their spellbound silence. Duck, Death and the Tulip has something of the mythic quality of Raymond Brigg’s The Snowman, and like it deals with eternal themes of love and death in a way that children can understand and accept. An unusual and tender piece of children’s theatre. n MIRANDA KIEK
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 1:00pm – 1:50pm, 31 Jul – 17 Aug, not 11 Aug, £8.50
Summerhall, 10:00am – 10:45am, 1 – 24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8
www.festmag.co.uk
KIDS
COMEDY AND DISTINCTION The Cultural Currency of a ‘Good’ Sense of Humour SAM FRIEDMAN Representing the first ever exploration of British comedy taste, Comedy and Distinction explores the types of comedy people like (and dislike), what their preferences reveal about their sense of humour, how comedy taste lubricates everyday interaction, and whether some comedy tastes are valued higher than others in British society - representing a new resource of cultural capital.
Published by Routledge 2014: 228 pages: 978-0-415-85503-7 RRP: £80.00 • Special 20% off price: £64.00
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Claim your 20% discount by using the code DC361 at www.routledge.com
www.routledge.com
Circo Aereo & Thomas Monckton:
Big Difference Productions, with support from Centre for Comedy Studies Research, presents
a LECTURE SERIES
THE PIANIST Assembly Roxy CentRAl, 2–25 August (not 11th) At 12:00 pm
a LECTURE SERIES
11.10am 13th – 17th August Venue 27 Tickets: 0131 556 5375 www.justthetonic.com
01 – 25 August
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5–7 August 2014 fest 69
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk
COMEDY LISTINGS 07:00 BBC: Today BBC@POTTERROW, 23 Aug, £free
09:00 Japanese Samurai Don Quixote Challenging Giant English Windmills! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 10–24 Aug, not 13, £free BBC: @BBCEdFest BBC@POTTERROW, 1–24 Aug, £free BBC: Shaun Keaveny BBC@POTTERROW, 22 Aug, £free
10:00 Lulo’s Shitting in Narnia Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
10:15 An Audience With Walter J Plinge Alter Ego Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 7–24 Aug, £free
10:30 Baby Wants Candy Workshops Assembly Checkpoint, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, £15 BBC: MacAulay and Co BBC@POTTERROW, 5–22 Aug, weekdays only, £free
10:40 Ben Mepsted: Middle Class Idiots Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 7, 8, 9, 10, £free
10:45 Mean Things I Did to My Sister (and Other Lessons I’ve Learned) Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–16 Aug, £free
10:50 Guns Don’t Kill People, Rabbits with Batteries Do Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free
11:00 Ray Fordyce’s Brunchtime Banter (Part 2) Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Scotland’s Referend... uhm? Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–23 Aug, not 13, £free
11:10 Bridget Christie: An Ungrateful Woman The Stand Comedy Club, 2–25 Aug, not 11, £10 Beyond a Joke? Comedy, Culture and the Public Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 13–17 Aug, £5 AhhGee Podcast Live theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 12–16 Aug, £6
11:15 The Dead Pony Society Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–13 Aug, £free
11:45 Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£9
12:00 Conor O’Toole’s Manhood St John’s, 1–25 Aug, £free Martin Pilgrim: Diary Farmer Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free Jessie Cave + Emer Kenny: Grawlix Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–25 Aug, £free
Ellie Taylor: Elliementary HHH Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–22 Aug, not 11, £free
Tony Law: Enter the Tonezone The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £11
Eleanor Morton: Lollipop The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8
Jana and Heidi Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–23 Aug, not 6, 11, 17, 18, £6—£9.50
Cupcakes with Colebrook and Khoshsokhan Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 1–24 Aug, £free Ian D Montfort’s Midday Seance Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 1–25 Aug, £5—£8 Dave Waller: Where My Folk To? Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free About Comedy: Stand-Up Comedy Courses Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £99 Shit of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 2–24 Aug, £free GhostCop Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Stand-Up Showdown: Singh vs Whitmer Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Richard Brown: This Is Not for You Hotel Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge, 2–23 Aug, £free Virginia Ironside: Growing Old Disgracefully The Assembly Rooms, 11–24 Aug, £9—£10 Night of the Living Tories Viva Mexico, 2–23 Aug, £free
12:05 Rosie Wilby: Nineties Woman Voodoo Rooms, 2–24 Aug, not 11, £free
12:10 Off the Top Canons’ Gait, 2–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 70 fest 12–14 August 2014
12:15 Pab, Comedy and Poetry Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, Various dates from 1 Aug to 22 Aug, £free Spitfire! Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 5–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free What Shall We See Today? Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Gilligan’s Island Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Sophie Willan: Novice Detective ZOO, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£8 Challenge Accepted Suruchi, 1–25 Aug, £free Making the Move Just the Tonic at The Caves, 4–17 Aug, £free—£2
Jon Pearson: Last Supper Whynot? , 2–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Marigold Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£6
Big Value Comedy Show - Lunchtime Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £4—£6
BBC: Front Row BBC@POTTERROW, 14 Aug, £free
Felicity Ann: It Takes All Sorts Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, £5—£9
Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe Assembly George Square Studios, 2–24 Aug, not 6, 12, 19, £10—£11
Get Divorced and Join the Circus The Stand Comedy Club V, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8
12:40 The Lunchtime Ferret Just the Tonic at The Caves, Various dates from 11 Aug to 17 Aug, £3—£5
12:45 Settle Down Electric Circus, 18–22 Aug, £free All the Fun of the Fairburn Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, not 19, £free
12:55
12:20 Jenan Younis: A Masterclass in Anger Management Paradise in The Vault, 12–17 Aug, £free
12:30
Penny Matthews: Cup of Boiled String Southsider, 2–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
13:00 The Tight Six Comedy Showcase Ciao Roma, 2–23 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free
The Lunchtime Special Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£6
Always Be Rolling - Free Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 1–23 Aug, not 12, £free
Pam Ford Happy in Your Skin Too Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 18–24 Aug, £free
Up the Auntie C venues - C nova, 10– 25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50
Patrick Turpin: A Brother for Jonathan Bannermans, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £free
BBC: BBC Radio New Comedy Award 2014 BBC@POTTERROW, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, £free
LOLympics Live - Free Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–17 Aug, £free
Delicious and Dateless Cowgatehead, 1–14 Aug, £free
Abi Roberts’ Musical CID Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £5—£9.50
Afternoon Delight Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5
The Human Loire Cowgatehead, 16–25 Aug, £free
Mrs Thundercünt’s Splooge Adventurers! Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3—£5
13:05 The Improveteers! theSpace on the Mile, 12–16 Aug, £3 Austerity Pleasures Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
13:10 Derek Johnston’s A Day Oot! The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8 This Slate Is Intentionally Left Blank Chiquito, 2–23 Aug, not 12, 19, £free Girl on Fire Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £free Best of Edinburgh Showcase Show Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£11 Caution to the Wind
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Banshee Labyrinth, 2–23 Aug, not 13, £free
13:15 Nicky Wilkinson and Friends St John’s, 1–25 Aug, £free Matthew Collins: My Favourite Waste of Time Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–24 Aug, £free Just Like That! The Tommy Cooper Show Gilded Balloon , 18–25 Aug, £10—£12
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COMEDY LISTINGS
Surname and Surname: Last Year’s Show (But Better) Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
A Robot Presents Comedy - Free Cowgatehead, 3–24 Aug, not 15, £free
One Man, Five Hats Underbelly, Bristo Square, 9–17 Aug, £8.50—£9.50
A History of Rome. With Jokes - Free Sportsters, 2–23 Aug, not 8, 15, £free
13:20
13:55
The Walking Dead The Liquid Room, 1–24 Aug, £free
Sam Brady: Kindness Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Who Ya Gonna Call? Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Amused Moose Comedy’s Laughter Awards Final theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 17 Aug, £12.50
Dan Nicholas’ Conversation Garden George Next Door, 2–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Claire Ford: ConsciousMess St John’s, 1–25 Aug, £free
The Night I Died Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 11–15 Aug, £5
Yes Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free
Phil Kay: The Wholly Viable II Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 16–25 Aug, £5
Tamar Broadbent: All By My Selfie Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £free Liam Williams: Capitalism HHH Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £free
Caimh McDonnell: Southbound and Down Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
13:25
Who Is Mr Kirby? Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free
Alfie Moore: The Naked Stun HHH Assembly George Square Studios, 18 Aug, £9
Peace, Tolerance, Surveillance and Drones - Free Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–21 Aug, not 6, £free
The Edinburgh Revue Stand-Up Show Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free
Gráinne Maguire: What Has The News Ever Done For Me? Viva Mexico, 2–23 Aug, £free Atella the Pun Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free The Beta Males Sessions: Richard and The Storybeast Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Kwame Asante: Basket Case Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 11–24 Aug, £free Hannah and Barri: Telly Box Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 11–24 Aug, £free Four On Demand Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 18, £free
13:30 Plumbing The Depths Paradise in The Vault, 19–23 Aug, £6 Fridge Magnets Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Jake Lambert and Dom Lister Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free My Demons Are Bigger Than Yours Suruchi, 1–17 Aug, not 10, £free Lunchtime of Champions Sportsters, 4–22 Aug, weekdays only, £free Jen Brister - Wishful Thinking Whistlebinkies, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
13:35 Baron Sternlook’s Big Naughty Improv Musical Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 18, £6.50
13:40 Fat Girl Slim Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £1—£3 Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel HHH Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 Bob Graham’s Travel Guide for Agoraphobics Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–23 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
13:45 The Clinic: An Afternoon of Serious Stand-Up Gilded Balloon , 19 Aug, £5.50 David Jesudason: Things My Dad Says Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Pippa Evans: Don’t Worry, I Don’t Know Who I Am Either Bannermans, 2–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Phill Jupitus: Shirking Progress The Stand Comedy Club V, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10
14:00 Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen (Vol. 2) Pleasance Courtyard, 15–24 Aug, £11—£12 Shellshock! Improv Live! C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£9.50 SmART Attack! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 14, £free All Made Up: This Time It’s Social Chalky’s , 2–23 Aug, not 13, £free Jasper Cromwell Jones: This is Not a Holiday Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 22, £free The Durham Revue: Shenanigans Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10 Narin Oz: Addicted to Love C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £4.50—£6.50 BBC: Radio 4’s Bookclub BBC@POTTERROW, 23 Aug, £free Ali Brice Presents: Eric Meat Wants to Go Shopping Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, £5
Fall Girl Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, £5—£11
The Oxford Revue Presents – Free Jam House , 2–23 Aug, £free
Once Upon a Time in a Sketch Group Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Hooray for Ben Target Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Comedy With a Dyslexic Geordie Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 3–24 Aug, £free
This Arthur’s Seat Belongs to Lionel Richie On Top of Arthurs Seat, 16 Aug, £free
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Gagging for Attention Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3
BBC: Richard Bacon BBC@POTTERROW, 18 Aug, £free BBC: The Culture Studio with Janice Forsyth BBC@POTTERROW, Various dates from 4 Aug to 13 Aug, £free The Improvised Improv Show - Free Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free
14:05 Kids With Beards Quest for the Golden Beard Just the Tonic at The Caves, 15–24 Aug, £free The Birmingham Footnotes Have a Plan Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–14 Aug, £4—£6
14:10 The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society Stand in the Square, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, £10 Confessions of a Liverpudlian theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 15–16 Aug, £6 The Exeter Revue: Sketchy At Best Ciao Roma, 2–23 Aug, not 7, 14, 21, £free Falafel, Houmous and Baba Ganoush Stand in the Square, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £8
14:15 Good Morning, Campers Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 2–15 Aug, £free Caroline Mabey: Chaos is a Friend of Mine Cowgatehead, 9–17 Aug, £free Bryan Lacey: Bry Hard! Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–24 Aug, £free POD Comedy Princes Mall, 2–24 Aug, £free Best of the Fest Daytime Assembly George Square Gardens, 1–24 Aug, £8—£12.50
Booze, Bombs and Haggis Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free Is He a Bit Simon Jay? - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free Robin and Partridge: Robin Dies at the End of the Show Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 18, £6—£9 Dannie Grufferty’s First World Problems SpaceCabaret @ 54, 20–23 Aug, £5
14:20 Let’s Talk About Sketch Baby Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£9.50 The Cleek Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 6–24 Aug, not 11, 12, 18, 19, £free Stewart Lee: A Room With a Stew (Work-in-Progress) The Stand Comedy Club, 2–25 Aug, not 11, £10 Stuart Laws When’s This Gonna Stop? (1hr Show) Banshee Labyrinth, 2–23 Aug, not 12, 19, £free Sameena Zehra: Homicidal Pacifist The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 2, 11, £8 Rat: Induction Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £4—£7
14:25 Josh Howie - AIDS: A Survivor’s Story Canons’ Gait, 2–23 Aug, not 11, £free Kriss Foster and Friend Chiquito, 2–23 Aug, not 18, £free
14:30 Ken Crystal Afternoon Showcase Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Gilded Balloon, 13 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
12–14 August 2014 fest 71
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COMEDY LISTINGS Worst Show On the Fringe - Free George Next Door, 2–25 Aug, £free 10 Films with My Dad Voodoo Rooms, 2–24 Aug, £free Matt Forde: 24 Hour Political Party People Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 Wild Card Kitty: The Showgirl Show Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free The Beta Males Sessions: Adam and Guy Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Dan Cook and Gareth Cooper Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £free Three Shot Mockery Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 1–24 Aug, £free Barbara Nice: Squirrel Proof The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 The Edinburgh Revue and You Can Too Opium, 2–23 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free Aidan Killian: Jesus Versus Buddha Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £5 Henry von Stifle: Working Class Hero (With a Valet) St John’s, 1–25 Aug, not 10, 17, £free My Sister Says I’m Special Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–24 Aug, £free Upstairs Downton: The Improvised Episode Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free Mercedes Benson Presents... The Pleasure is Yours St John’s, 1–23 Aug, not 8, 13, 20, £free Ian Fox Presents The Unsearchables - Free Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–23 Aug, £free
Comedy Death: Comics Talking About Their Worst Gigs Cowgatehead, 2–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free Alasdair Lists Everything Freestival St Mary’s, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free Oh Boy! The Quantum Leap Show Cowgatehead, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free #Happy / A Rather Pleasant, Misanthropic Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free
❤ Ellie White: Humans HHHH Viva Mexico, 2–23 Aug, not 13, £free
Narin Oz: Addicted to Love C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £4.50—£6.50 Sy+ Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
14:35 Baby Wants Candy present The Improv All Star Explosion! Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £7—£12 Nathaniel Metcalfe: Trivial Pursuits Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 13, £free Tom Toal in Prequel Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 11, £free
14:40 Eric and Little Ern Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £14—£15 The One-Eyed Men’s Cult of Lactos Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £2—£4 Old Men Walking Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 8–17 Aug, £free The Quest for Coolness Sweet Grassmarket, 1–25 Aug, £8.50
Chris Griffin and Ross Leslie Present Two Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, Various dates from 1 Aug to 25 Aug, £free
14:45 Kitten Killers Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £6—£9 Gary Colman: ChUNT - The Verb to Grumble Whistlebinkies, 2–23 Aug, not 18, £free Juliette Burton: Look at Me Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 13, £8—£10 The Marijana Method Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Emily Snee is Bifurious Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Martin Croser: One Night Only! (For Entirely Practical Reasons) Whistlebinkies, 18 Aug, £free Operation You Three Laughing Horse @ The Blind Poet , 1–24 Aug, £free Frequently Asked Questions Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Ctrl-Alt-Sketch Citrus Club , 2–23 Aug, £free The Rat Pack Stand-Up Comedy Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free
14:50 Jim Campbell’s Personal Space Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Two More Liars Capital Bar & Club, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £free
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 72 fest 12–14 August 2014
14:55 Ben Verth: Anxious Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £5 Colin Cloud – The Forensic Mind Reader Just the Tonic at The Caves, 20 Aug, £5
15:00 Eddie Hoo: Angry in the Afternoon - Free Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Separate But Equal Thistle King James Hotel, 1–25 Aug, £free Mitch Benn Is the 37th Beatle The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, £10 Bristol Improv Steals the Show - Free Whynot? , 4–23 Aug, not 5, 12, 20, £free #meetandtweet Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 18, £3—£5 Minor Delays Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£10
James Veitch: The Fundamental Interconnectedness of Everyone with an Internet Connection Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, £6—£10 Mitch Benn: Don’t Believe a Word The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 10, 11, 17, £10 Ria Lina: School of Riason HHH Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, £5—£9 Matthew Highton’s Good Luck Sleeping Jerks Heroes @ The Hive, 4–24 Aug, £5 Francesca Martinez: What The **** Is Normal?! - Show plus Book Q&A Venue150@EICC, 15–16 Aug, £14 Winter Is Coming Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £5—£11 Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Gilded Balloon , 6 Aug, 13 Aug, £14
Lizzie Bates: Reprobates Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 9, £6—£10
Gledhill and Callaghan Pilgrim, 2–23 Aug, not 18, £free
Narin Oz: Addicted to Love C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £4.50—£6.50 Next Best Thing Opium, 2–23 Aug, not 13, £free Alex Horne: The Percentage Game Gilded Balloon , 12 Aug, 19 Aug, £5 Mark Cooper-Jones Geography Teacher Globe Bar, 2–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free Russell Kane: The Kaneing Podcast Assembly Checkpoint, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, £9 Aaaaargh! It’s the Monster Stand-Up Show! Free Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free
Jenny Collier: Love in the Time of Collier Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–22 Aug, £free
The Lift Bedlam Theatre, 2–17 Aug, not 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, £3—£6 Invisible Woman: Maxine Jones Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £7.50 Rachel Stubbings: Doing It for Himself Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£9
15:10 Stories About Love, Death and a Rabbit Dragonfly, 2–23 Aug, £free Charmian Hughes: Raj Rage! Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £free
15:15 Catriona Knox Thinks She’s Hard Enough Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Skimprov Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £1—£8 Surname & Surname: Bang! Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£9 Rory O’Keeffe is a Fussy Eater Southsider, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free I Need A Doctor: The Whosical Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £6—£11.50 The Anglo-Irish Glee Tent Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–25 Aug, £free
15:20 Tania Edwards: Always Rihgt Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£9 The Oxford Revue: Happy Accidents Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Short & Curly - Who Dunnit? Ciao Roma, 2–23 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
15:25 The Canon: A Literary Sketch Show C venues - C too, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£9.50
15:30 Yes Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, Various dates from 4 Aug to 22 Aug, £free Free Footlights Jam House , 2–23 Aug, £free Kevin J: The Urban Truth Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
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0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk Jason Patterson - All About the Pattersons Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 3–24 Aug, not 17, £free Krispy Kreems (and Comedy!) 4U Princes Mall, 1–25 Aug, £free Chris Coltrane: There’s No Heroes Left Except All of Us Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, £free Mae Martin’s Workshop Cowgatehead, 2–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free AAA Batteries (Not Included) - Free Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 1–24 Aug, £free Paul Duncan McGarrity: Fail! - Free Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free A Bridge Over Toddled Warder Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £free Max Dickins: My Groupon Adventure Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Spencer Jones is The Herbert Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3 John Robertson: A Nifty History of Evil
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The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8
Dan Jones: New Kid Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£9.50
15:40 Eric’s Tales of the Sea – A Submariner’s Yarn Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £8—£11 The Hibrow Comedy Hour Summerhall, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 20 Aug,
Show Pony Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 12, £free Maddy Carrick in Maddy’s Carrickters Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 18, £free Comedians’ Cinema Club Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–23 Aug, not 12, £7 Kieran Hodgson: French Exchange Voodoo Rooms, 2–24 Aug, not 13, £free
Andrew Bird - Up Against It Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 17–24 Aug, £free
Someone’s Pinched Me Yoghurt! George Next Door, 17–23 Aug, £free Jeremy Hunt and Other Spelling Mistakes Wee Red Bar, 17–23 Aug, £free
15:45 Deborah Frances-White: Half a Can of Worms Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 Six Steps to Joy Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 18, £free
Seriously Now! - Free Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, £free
Simon Munnery Sings Soren Kierkegaard The Stand Comedy Club, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £10 Nick Hall: Helmet George Next Door, 2–23 Aug, £free
Prompter HHH Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, £5—£12
16:00 Jenan Younis: A Masterclass in Anger Management Paradise in The Vault, 19–21 Aug, £free
Brydie Lee-Kennedy Repeats On You Cowgatehead, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free Toast with Ruth E. Cockburn Viva Mexico, 2–23 Aug, not 9, £free
Nutjob Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, 24, £free
FunBags a Go-Go! St John’s, 1–23 Aug, not 8, 13, 20, £free
15:55
The Oxford Imps: Pun and Games Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, £8—£10
The Spork Conspiracy Wee Red Bar, 2–16 Aug, £free
MommAutism - A Love Story Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 1–25 Aug, £free
Jagged Little People Cabaret Voltaire, 2–24 Aug, not 5, 13, 19, £free
Patrick Morris: Seemingly Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
Jody Kamali: One Man Variety Show Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free
Mike Shephard: M*ther of All Parliaments Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 2–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Glenn Cosby: Food Junkie Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£14
The Thinking Drinkers’ Guide to the Legends of Liquor The Famous Spiegeltent, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £9—£11
15:50 Neil Henry’s Impossible Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£10
Alfie Moore: The Naked Stun HHH Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, £6—£11 Do You Remember Rock’n’Roll Radio? Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Twins Laughing Horse @ The Blind Poet , 1–24 Aug, not 18, £free Paul Merton’s Impro Chums Pleasance Courtyard, 7–16 Aug, £12.50—£14.50 Staple/face are... Going Down Fighting Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7—£8
Cariad and Louise’s Character Hour Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
Cambridge Footlights International Tour Show 2014: Real Feelings Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, £6—£10.50
Narin Oz: Addicted to Love C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £4.50—£6.50
Ride of the Wagnerian Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £3—£6
Dancing with the Inflatable Colonel Suruchi, 13–25 Aug, £free
The Grandees: BaBoom! Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10
Candy Gigi: I’m Not Lonely Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £5
Quiz in My Pants Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free
Rob Auton: The Face Show Banshee Labyrinth, 2–23 Aug, not 3, 12, £free
My Mother Made Me Do It Suruchi, 1–12 Aug, £free
Deadly Dungeon Murder Mystery!
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A thrilling Fringe debut from Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction 2014. Who killed Judge Mental? It’s up to you to find out! t e he C Di f n om n B oS o e U te m D R R in Y Gh ’S e e aW Re a tU RD Rn S!
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0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk @gildedballoon www.festmag.co.uk
I Am Not Malala Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–24 Aug, not 6, £free
Hatty Ashdown: Hurry Up Hatty Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free
Alistair Williams and Daryl Perry Love You St John’s, 17–24 Aug, £free
zazU Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10
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Makes Something of Himself Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club: Showcase Show Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free
Bright Club: Scotland’s Fringe Stand in the Square, 13 Aug, £5
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COMEDY LISTINGS
1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd August Tickets selling fast!
thedungeons.com/Edinburgh
Gilded Balloon, 13 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
12–14 August 2014 fest 73
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk
COMEDY LISTINGS iPaddy Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 4–24 Aug, £free
Another American Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
Al Donegan: The Five Worst Things I Ever Did Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £4—£8
Cracker Jokes - Free Pilgrim, 2–23 Aug, £free
16:05 The Clean (As Possible) Comedy Show Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 1–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £6 On The Box! Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 1–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £5—£8.50 Anna Morris: Would Like to Thank Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
16:10 Hayley Ellis: We Need To Talk About Kevin Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
16:15 ❤ Tom Neenan: The Haunting at Lopham House HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 The Story of Medieval England From 1066 to 1485 at Roughly Nine Years and Two Jokes Per Minute Incorporating The Hundred Years War as a Football Match and of Course Scottish Independence Performed by Paul B Edwards – Free Bannermans, 3–24 Aug, not 9, 16, 23, £free Big Society Thistle King James Hotel, 1–25 Aug, £free Learn to Laugh with Keep Calm and Improv C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 7, £7.50—£9.50 Lucie Pohl: Hi, Hitler Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£9
Clever Peter: Free for All! Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Tom Allen: Life/Style The Stand Comedy Club V, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8 The Usual Rejects Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Old Folks Telling Jokes Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7 Freddie Farrell and Friends Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free Stephen Bailey: Neon Heart Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£8.50
16:20 John Lloyd’s Museum of Curiosity Live Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–24 Aug, £12.50—£13.50 Alison Spittle Needs an Agent Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3—£6 Joz Norris: Awkward Prophet Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Paul Savage Finds Every Joke in the Bible Dragonfly, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free
16:25 Robin Ince’s Blooming Buzzing Confusion The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–12 Aug, £10 Andy Zaltzman: Satirist for Hire The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 13–24 Aug, £9—£10
Goose (An Odd New One-Man Comedy Whodunit) Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£10
16:30 #The Cult of Comedy presents Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–17 Aug, £free Terry McHugh: Reservoir Dad Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–21 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Berliner and Stamell: One of Us Will Die Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 18, £5 Australia: A Whinging Poms Guide Chalky’s , 1–24 Aug, £free Stephen K Amos Talk Show Gilded Balloon , 17–23 Aug, £13—£14 Rachel Parris: Live in Vegas HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 Jack Gardner and Liberty Hodes On Ice Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 18–24 Aug, £free The Twins Macabre: Small Mediums at Large Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Narin Oz: Addicted to Love C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £4.50—£6.50
Kate Lucas and Dave Green: Well-Adjusted Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3—£6 Danny Ward – Infra Dig Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£9.50
16:40 FanFiction Comedy Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 The Rules of Engagement The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8
16:45 David Elms: Nurture Boy HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£9.50 Unicornucopia Globe Bar, 2–23 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free
Micky Bartlett: I’m Not Even Sorry Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free Laughing Horse Free Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free Thünderbards: Seconds Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£12 BEASTS: Solo Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10
Adventures on Air - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–23 Aug, not 12, £free
White Man’s Burden Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Free Gaza! Gilded Balloon , 12 Aug, £10
16:50 Ryan Coffey Live and Loud Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 Abi Roberts: Twerk in Progress Voodoo Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free
16:55 Just Deserts Presents Waiting for Leo’s Oscar Canons’ Gait, 2–12 Aug, £free Harvey, Garvey and The Kane HHH Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12
BongoLicious Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–22 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
Almost Sean Brightman Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free
Rhys James: Begins Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10.50
Matt Winning and Lolly Adefope Southsider, 2–23 Aug, not 13, £free
Neil Pummell: Losing My Identity Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 18, £3—£5
17:00
BBC: In Tune BBC@POTTERROW, 14 Aug, £free
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 74 fest 12–14 August 2014
16:35
Tom Goodliffe: Thug Liffe- Free Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 1–24 Aug, £free Casual Violence: The Great Fire of Nostril Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 4, 12, 19, £6—£9.50
Wilkinson Ford: Kagoolio Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 7, 12, £5—£8.50
Over It - Death, Anorexia and Other Funny Things Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 1–30 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, 24, £free
❤ Adam Hess: Mustard HHHH Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, £5
Bristol Revunions: Bonus Material Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3—£7 BBC: The Verb BBC@POTTERROW, 23 Aug, £free Tickled Pig Presents: So Hot Right Now Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–15 Aug, not 6, £free Laughter Is the Worst Medicine The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £10 Tom Deacon: Get Your Deac-on! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–21 Aug, not 8, £free Heavy Petting: Hammer Time Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 16–24 Aug, £free Sid Wick Has No Friends Opium, 13–23 Aug, £free
The News at Kate: Leftie Cock Womble Viva Mexico, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free
The Kat and Jon Appeal Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £free
Start Wars To Save Us All Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 1–24 Aug, £free
BBC: Simon Mayo Drivetime BBC@POTTERROW, 18–21 Aug, £free
Perfectly Goddamned Delightful Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Battle of the Superheroes - The Great Superhero Debate Laughing Horse @ Espionage, Various dates from 4 Aug to 24 Aug, £free These Boyz Need Therapy Kilderkin, 2–23 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Bren and Jenny: Hello! Freestival St Mary’s, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free Jack Samuel Warner and John Pendal: Men and Myths Cowgatehead, 1–24 Aug, £free Andy de la Tour Stand-Up or Die in New York Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, £11.50—£12.50 Dead Ghost Star Cowgatehead, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free Jollyboat: Five Stars, F*****ck Yeah! Beat, 2–23 Aug, £free
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0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk ComedySportz UK Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 17–24 Aug, £free
Narin Oz: Addicted to Love C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £4.50—£6.50
Nathan Cassidy: Date of Death Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free
Ahir Shah: Texture Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free Alan Irwin - Party Hard Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
Sketchbox St John’s, 1–23 Aug, not 5, 11, 12, 13, 19, £free Dave Griffiths: C U in Court Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 9–16 Aug, £free
17:05 John Kearns - Shtick Voodoo Rooms, 2–23 Aug, not 13, £free
Sean McLoughlin: I Will Prevail Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
Don’t Worry Guys It’s Sarah Campbell Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free
Nik Coppin - Mixed Racist Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–23 Aug, not 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, £free
COMEDY LISTINGS Anything’s Better Than These C**ts Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 3–21 Aug, not 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, £free
17:15 Now That’s What I Call Stand-Up #1 Laughing Horse @ The Blind Poet , 1–24 Aug, £free Adam Belbin: The Third Half of Next Year’s Show Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
17:10
The Birmingham Footnotes: Don’t Mind Me Citrus Club , 2–16 Aug, £free
Nicholas Parsons’ Happy Hour Pleasance Courtyard, 1–17 Aug, not 5, 12, £6—£13
Anything Can Be a Podcast! Podcast! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
17:20
17:25
Bulletproof The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10
Alfie Moore: The Naked Stun HHH Assembly George Square Studios, 12 Aug, £9
Benny Boot: Greatest Hits Volume II Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£12
Danny Stinson’s Planet of the Dans Sweet Grassmarket, 11–15 Aug, £7
Hardeep Singh Kohli: Hardeep Is Your Love Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£12
Sooz Kempner Defying Gravity Fingers Piano Bar, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Sam Avery: Rock and Dole Just the Tonic at The Caves, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£8
Andrew O’Neill Mindspiders Whistlebinkies, 2–24 Aug, £free
Wendy Wason: Hotel California HHH Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12 Funny For A Grrrl Stand in the Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £10 SomeNews Live Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Jeff Leach: Fit Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–22 Aug, £free
❤ Joseph Morpurgo: Odessa
HHHHH
Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50
Jonny Lennard: Tale Blazer Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
17:30 Dane Baptiste: Citizen Dane Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12 David Morgan Social Tool Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 BBC: Just a Minute BBC@POTTERROW, 12 Aug, £free Jonny Pelham and George Zach - Subtitles Not Provided Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free
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celebrating life together. sunday17august14 2.30 - 6pm
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12–14 August 2014 fest 75
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk
COMEDY LISTINGS Dan Nightingale is Trying His Best Not to Be a Dick Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£9.50 Mark Grist & MC Mixy: Dead Poets’ Death Match Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12 Chris Kent: Corked Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£9.50 Gordon Southern: Your New Favourite Comedian Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, 19, £5—£12 James Christopher - Partially Sighted in All the Big Venues Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free Knightmare Live Level 2 Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £8—£13.50 Carly Smallman: Made in Penge Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free Pretending Things Are a C*ck Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free Funmbi Omotayo and Prince Abdi: East Meets West Globe Bar, 4–24 Aug, not 18, £free Robert White - The Curious Incident of the Gag and the Gun-Crime… Plus More Stuff! Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £5 Bec Hill in... Ellipsis Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£9.50 Gary Little: The Thing Is The Stand Comedy Club, 4–25 Aug, not 18, £10 Seymour Mace presents Questionable Time! The Stand Comedy Club V, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 13, £8
17:35 Lucy Frederick and the Claw of Anxiety! Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Present and Correct: Now Recruiting - Free Sportsters, 2–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
17:40 Music, Speech and the Sound of a Wheelbarrow Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£8
❤ Jason Cook: Broken HHHH Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £6—£11.50
Dan Schreiber: C*ckblocked from Outer Space HH Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 9, £6—£11
17:45 Matt Price: The Maryhill Dinosaur Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free Lucy Beaumont: We Can Twerk It Out Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Matt Forde: The Political Party - Scottish Independence Special Assembly Roxy, 18 Aug, £8.50 Best of Oh So Funny - Free Southsider, 2–23 Aug, £free Comedy Showdown - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–25 Aug, £free Toby: Fuzzbuzz Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 Angry Young Women in Low Rise Jeans with High Class Issues Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, £5—£11
Zoe Lyons: Mustard Cutter Gilded Balloon , 21 Aug, £9.50
Is This What You Want? Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 10–24 Aug, £free
Will Adamsdale: Borders Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12.50
The Pin Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£11
Massive Dad Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £6—£9.50
Croft & Pearce: Give and Take Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, 21, £5—£10
Rick Kiesewetter: No More Mr Rice Guy Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free
Aaaaargh! It’s 101 Jokes in 30 Minutes! Free Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free
Luke McGregor: I Worry That I Worry Too Much HHH Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£11
Nick Dixon and Sunil Patel: Two Wrongs Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free
Clever Peter: The Dreams Factory Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
BBC: Free Thinking BBC@POTTERROW, 17 Aug, £free
Shhh - An Improvised Silent Movie Gryphon@WestEnd, 4–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £10
17:50 A Controversial Title In Order To Sell Tickets The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8 The Canterbury Tales Remixed Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £7—£13 Phil Wang: Mellow Yellow Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
17:55 Colin Cloud – The Forensic Mind Reader Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–23 Aug, not 12, £5—£10
18:00 The Craic Was Mighty Gryphon@WestEnd, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £10 Bridge Over Troubled Lager (Volume 2) The Assembly Rooms, 11–24 Aug, £15 Gamarjobat: Boxer Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £6—£13 Drink Carlin Sensibly Canons’ Gait, 1–23 Aug, not 11, £free Stuart Mitchell Work in Progress Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 76 fest 12–14 August 2014
Tim Renkow: At Least Hell Has Ramps Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, £5
Greg Proops: The Smartest Man in the World Gilded Balloon , 5 Aug, 19 Aug, £12 Mike Newall is Here All Week (Almost) Just the Tonic at The Caves, 19–23 Aug, £5—£6
18:05 The Church of Zirconium Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7—£8 Absolute Improv! theSpace on the Mile, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 17, £6—£10 John-Luke Roberts: Stnad-Up Voodoo Rooms, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £free
Angela Barnes: You Can’t Take It With You Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
18:10
Cook and Davies Present: Planet Earth and All Who Sailed in Her Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–17 Aug, not 12, £6—£8
Murder She Didn’t Write: The Improvised Murder Mystery Sweet Grassmarket, 1–16 Aug, not 6, 13, £6—£8
The Best of Irish Comedy The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, £12
Every Loser Wins: with Kelly Wenham and Simon Salmon Chiquito, 2–23 Aug, £free
Laughing Horse Free Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free
Charlie O’Connor Dandyisms Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£11
Simply the West theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £9
Folie à Deux Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 9, 12, 19, £6—£9 Overlooked Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free Ian Smith – Flappable Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Comedy in the Dark Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £10
18:15 The Brendon Burns Show The Liquid Room, 2–24 Aug, not 7, 14, 21, £free Paperclips Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 1–24 Aug, £free The Maggy Whitehouse Experience Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–24 Aug, not 6, £free
Scottie Road the Musical - From Primark to Prison Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 11, 18, £free Liz Peters: Toybox Cowgatehead, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free Alexander Bennett: Follow Me Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £free Danny Buckler: Punch Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free How Not to Pedal an Ocean Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, £free In Cahoots: Some Like It Hoots St John’s, 1–25 Aug, £free Don’t Tell Anyone About Sarah Callaghan Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £free Burke Shire St John’s, 1–23 Aug, not 8, 13, 20, £free Kevin Day: Standy Uppy Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £6—£11 Nick Revell - Closet Optimist The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 Auntie Rene’s Memory Box is the Smallest Museum in the World Hotel Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge, 2–12 Aug, £free Australia is F*cked George Next Door, 10–23 Aug, £free Christian Reilly: Lost in Music Beat, 2–23 Aug, £free Electric-Hogg’s Dada Garden of Dark Delights - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Legion of Doom’s Fear and Laughter Wee Red Bar, 2–24 Aug, £free Feminism for Chaps Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk @gildedballoon www.festmag.co.uk
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk Referendum and Dumber New Town Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 12, 13, £6—£12 Geezer Bird Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free Prof’s Olympic Legacy Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 6–15 Aug, £free Strudelhead Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Hollywood Film Fest C venues - C nova, 2–25 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£9.50 Fern Brady and Peter Brush - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free
18:20 The Only Way is Downton Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £7.50—£12.50 Jim Holland: Shoegazing Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £2.50—£7.50 Dr Professor Neal Portenza Performs His Own Autopsy Live On Stage. One Night Only. (Obviously). HHH Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £4—£8 Matt Forde: The Political Party - Scottish Independence Special Pleasance Courtyard, 20 Aug, £8.50 Lockdown Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£9 Lead Pencil: In Full HB Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Ben Champion: Cracking Up - Free Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free Four Screws Loose in The Big Screw Up Assembly George Square Gardens, 1–25 Aug, not 8, £6—£11.50
Rory O’Hanlon: Have Jokes Will Travel Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 18, £free Danny Mcloughlin Feels Alright Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10
18:25 Jojo Sutherland - In Conversation Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–23 Aug, £free The Best of The Real MacGuffins Underbelly, Bristo Square, 17–18 Aug, £11 Avent & Monie: Back to Front Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 1–22 Aug, not 10, 17, £6—£9 Christian O’Connell: Breaking Dad Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–16 Aug, £7—£13.50
18:30 No Strings! An Improvised Comedy Musical... with Puppets! Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–16 Aug, £free Philharmonic of Wit Venue150@EICC, 1–24 Aug, not 21, £8—£14 Susan Calman: Lady Like HHH Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, £7—£13.50 Amusia - Luc Valvona - Free Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free The Nualas in ‘Hello Again, We’re The Nualas’ Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £10—£14 All Star Stand-Up Showcase Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 1–23 Aug, £free Miranda Sings Venue150@EICC, 13–17 Aug, £20
COMEDY LISTINGS Aye Right? How No?: The Comedy Countdown to the Referendum with Vladimir McTavish & Keir McAllister The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 Not Just a Funny Turn Gilded Balloon , 12 Aug, £18 Waiting for Hitchcock Hill Street Solo Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7—£12 Laughing Horse Free Comedy Selection Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Old Jewish Jokes Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £9.50—£10 Captains of Industry! An Improvised Miscellany Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 17–23 Aug, £free Jack Dee’s Help Desk Assembly George Square Studios, 18–24 Aug, £14 Matt Roper: Wilfredo Deconstructed Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, £5 NewsRevue 2014 Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £9—£16.50
18:35 Suzi Ruffell: Social Chameleon Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
18:40 A Kitchen Nightmare Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£9 Devvo’s Deal or No Dealer Gaymeshow Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 1–24 Aug, prices vary Aaah’m Votin YES Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £5
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk @gildedballoon www.festmag.co.uk
Thomas Pocket presents: Me (Oscar Jenkyn-Jones) Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50 Tom Binns Has Not Been Himself Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£14.50 Tim FitzHigham: Hellfire Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £7—£12.50 Fast Fringe Pleasance Dome, 1–23 Aug, £5—£10
18:45 Sy Thomas: Disasterpiece Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Lou Conran: Subject Matter Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–15 Aug, £free Kai Humphries: Stuff Protocol Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£12.50 Tommy Rowson: Down and Out in Powys and London Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Milo McCabe: Troy Hawke HHH Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £5—£10.50 Chris Turner: Pretty Fly Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£9 Russell Grant: Strictly Edinburgh Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 12, 18, £13—£14 Bobby Mair: Off Meds Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 17, 18, £free Kerry Godliman: Face Time The Stand Comedy Club V, 12–24 Aug, £9—£10 Ant Dewson and Mark Silcox: Life in the Bus Lane - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Holly Walsh: Never Had It Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10 Kaile, Keeble and Kuntz Globe Bar, 13–24 Aug, £free Abigoliah Schamaun: It’s Pronounced Abigoliah Schamaun
HH Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £5—£10
18:50 Lloyd Langford: Old Fashioned Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 9, 18, £6—£11.50 Imran Yusuf: Roar of the Underdog Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 17, £6—£11
18:55 Nina Conti - Work in Progress Assembly Roxy, 1–17 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Erich McElroy: The British Referendum
HH Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10
19:00 Stuart Goldsmith: Extra Life Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£11.50 George and Co (The Solo Tour) C venues - C nova, 20– 24 Aug, £8.50—£9.50 Zoe Lyons: Mustard Cutter Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 21, £5—£11
❤ Mr Swallow – The Musical HHHH Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, £6—£14
Gary Lynch - Missed Life Crisis Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free An Introduction to Twerking Southsider, 2–23 Aug, not 13, 14, £free
Red Bastard Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 11, 12, 18, £7—£13
❤ The Beta Males: Happenstance HHHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
Morgan & West: Parlour Tricks Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, £6—£12 Croft & Pearce: Give and Take Gilded Balloon , 21 Aug, £10 Lazy Susan: Extreme Humans Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 The Irrational Fears of Rillettes Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free BBC: Just a Minute BBC@POTTERROW, 12 Aug, £free BBC: Edinburgh 2014 with Sue Perkins BBC@POTTERROW, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, £free The Deepest Goldfish Basic Mountain, 15–16 Aug, £7 Darren Walsh: Chicken Meow! Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 16, 17, 18, £3 Mark Restuccia Stooch Club Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £4—£6 Cal Wilson: It Could Have Been Me Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £5—£10.50 The Weegies Have Pokled Edinburgh’s Pandas SpaceCabaret @ 54, 1–23 Aug, £7
19:05 Light Relief Sweet Grassmarket, 1–24 Aug, £8.50 Tom Craine: Thoughts On Love (By a Man With None of the Answers) Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
Gilded Balloon, 13 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
12–14 August 2014 fest 77
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COMEDY LISTINGS Jo Caulfield: Cancel My Subscription The Stand Comedy Club, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 The Chronic Single’s Handbook theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 4–16 Aug, not 10, £8
19:10 Ward and Watts in... Journey to the Centre of the Office Serenity Cafe, 13–24 Aug, £free Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50 Ladies Live Longer: Volunteerology Just the Tonic at The Caves, 6–22 Aug, not 12, £5—£8.50
19:15 ❤ Nish Kumar: Ruminations on the Nature of Subjectivity
HHHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£12
Iain Stirling: Everything Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 Lloyd Griffith: Voice of an Angel, Body of a Trucker HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50 AAA Stand-Up Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£11 Lee Griffiths: Post Traumatic Sketch Disorder Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10.50 David O’Doherty Has Checked Everything Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8—£15 James Dowdeswell: Wine, Ale and I Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 11–24 Aug, £free Nick Hodder: Insert Comedy Here Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, £free Charles Booth: Go Thank Yourself! Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £free
Tickled Pig Presents Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 13, £free Laughing Horse Free Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free Carey Marx: Abominable Canons’ Gait, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £free
19:20 Al Murray - The Pub Landlord’s Summer Saloon Assembly George Square Gardens, Various dates from 8 Aug to 23 Aug, £19.50 Vikki Stone: Instrumental Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£12 Laurence Clark: Moments of Instant Regret Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10 Brian Just the Tonic at The Caves, 20–24 Aug, £5 Al Murray: One Man, One Guvnor - Special Previews Assembly George Square Gardens, 7–24 Aug, not 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, £12—£17.50 Craig Hill: Give Him an Inch... Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £10—£15.50 Big Value Comedy Show - Early Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50 Ronnie Golden - New Age Pensioner Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–17 Aug, not 12, £2.50—£7.50
19:30 We Love Comedy Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free Rik Carranza: Charming Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Nando’s New Comedian of the Year 2014 Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 12 Aug, £5 The Edinburgh Festival Comedy Roast Gilded Balloon , 24 Aug, £12 Fred MacAulay: The Frederendum The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£15 Susan Murray’s F*ckwit Club The Liquid Room, 2–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free Jimeoin - Is It...?! Venue150@EICC, 1–24 Aug, £10—£17.50 One Foot in the Gays Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Hennessy and Friends: Murmurs Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £free Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Gilded Balloon , 22 Aug, £15 Thinking Standing Up Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free The Sheriff of Nottingham: A Musical Musing on Middle Management Hotel Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge, 10–16 Aug, £free 37 Years of Childhood Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–24 Aug, not 6, £free Outrageous Courageous Highly Contagious: Israeli Style Improv – Free Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free Elf Lyons - Underground Success Voodoo Rooms, 2–24 Aug, not 13, £free Jonny Donahoe: Class Whore Cowgatehead, 12–24 Aug, not 17, 18, £free Paul Currie: Release the Baboons Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, £5
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 78 fest 12–14 August 2014
Umbilical Brothers: KiDSHoW (not for kids) HH Gilded Balloon , 1–16 Aug, not 12, £6—£13
Jamie McCarney Spermologist Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free
Darius Davies’ HBÖ Special Uncensored Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free
Joe Bor: A Room with a Jew Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
Bookshop Fringe Encore Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 26–30 Aug, £5 Tiernan Douieb: Read Something Beat, 13–23 Aug, £free
Des Clarke: The Trouble with Being Des The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 3, 11, £10
19:35
❤ Bears in Space HHHH Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7—£12
19:45 Rob Deering: Musicface The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 Spencer Brown Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
David Mulholland’s Conspiracy St John’s, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £free
Luke Toulson: LaidBack Grouch - Free Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, £free
Nobody Gets Away Unscathed Fingers Piano Bar, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Paul Foot: Hovercraft Symphony in Gammon # Major Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12
Alastair Clark: Vote Russell Brand Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, £free
Laugh Train Home Presents: Dropkick Comedy Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 1–24 Aug, £free
Laughter on the Outskirts: The Return - Free Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, £free
19:40
Mark Dolan Changes the World Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10 Tim Vine: Timtiminee Timtiminee Tim Tim To You HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £9—£17 Working Men’s Club Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Comedy Gala 2014: In Aid of Waverley Care Edinburgh Playhouse , 19 Aug, £25 Dan Lees: Brainchild St John’s, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 11, 18, £free So You Think You’re Funny? Final Gilded Balloon , 21 Aug, £15 About 2.5% Ginger Comedy Showcase - Free Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 1–24 Aug, £free The Comedian and His Future Wife Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free
Frisky and Mannish: Just Too Much Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 8, 18, £7.50—£15
Lisa-Skye: Bunny and Mad Dog Get High Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 12, £4—£10 WitTank: Old School Secrets Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£12 The Bearpit Podcast Podcast Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3 The Colour Ham Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–23 Aug, not 12, £8—£11 Craig Campbell: Thrilling Mic Hunt The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 17–24 Aug, £9—£10 Big Brass Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£9 One Man Breaking Bad The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 13–16 Aug, £12 Will Mars: As Good As My Audience Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£7
Angus Dunican: The Great Indoors Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, not 14, 21, £free Testiculating (Waving Your Arms Talking B*ll*cks) HH Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–23 Aug, £free Lewis Schaffer: Success Is Not An Option Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £5 Loretta Maine: Strong Independent Woman (Unless I Am Very Tired) Assembly George Square Gardens, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £5—£10 Gower Rangers Citrus Club , 2–23 Aug, not 12, 19, £free Alan Hudson: Trick Teaser Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 13, £5—£12
19:50 Marlon Davis: Once Upon A Grime Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Men With Nectar Points Dragonfly, 2–23 Aug, £free
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk @gildedballoon www.festmag.co.uk
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk An American’s Guide to Being Like, Totally British George Next Door, 2–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free
19:55 Jerry Sadowitz: Card Tricks and Close-up Magic The Assembly Rooms, Various dates from 15 Aug to 24 Aug, £17.50 Oh My Godley! Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, £7—£12 David Kay The Assembly Rooms, 19–20 Aug, £12 Raymond Mearns Live Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free
20:00 Life Deconstructed Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 17–24 Aug, £free The Half Naked Chef Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 1–25 Aug, £5 EastEnd Cabaret: Sexual Tension
HHH
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£11.50
Sean Nolan: The Joke Manifesto Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£9
[kuh-MEE-dee-uhn]
HH The Stand Comedy Club V, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8
Billy Kirkwood’s Show Me Your Tattoo - One Night Only! Studio 24, 15 Aug, £8 101 Comedy Club - Free Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 1–24 Aug, £free Tartan Ribbon Comedy Benefit Pleasance Courtyard, 12 Aug, £12 Playing Politics Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, £12.50
Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, 12, £5—£10.50
Katie Mulgrew: Happily Ever After
HHH
Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10
20:05
Eleanor Tiernan Help the Frigid Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free Mick Ferry: What’s Going On? Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£8
Patrick Monahan: Adventures in Monahan Land Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £5—£12
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£11.50
One Man Lord of the Rings Assembly George Square Studios, Various dates from 2 Aug to 25 Aug, £14—£16 Nathan Caton: Teenage Mutant Nathan Caton Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7—£11 Katia Kvinge presents Karacters Globe Bar, 2–23 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free
❤ James Acaster: Recognise HHHH Katsura Sunshine, Sit Down Comedy Japanese Style! New Town Theatre, 1–24 Aug, £7—£12 Pete Firman: Trickster Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £8.50—£15 One Man Star Wars Assembly George Square Studios, Various dates from 1 Aug to 24 Aug, £12—£16
Improvabunga: Scared Scriptless theSpace on the Mile, 2–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £7
20:10 Alistair Green: Nobody’s Twisting Your Arm The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8 Cariad & Paul: A Two-Player Adventure Pleasance Dome, 18–23 Aug, £9—£10 The Explorers Club Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free Alex Horne: Monsieur Butterfly Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£11 Mat Ricardo: Showman Pleasance Dome, 1–16 Aug, not 11, £6—£9.50 Steen Raskopoulos: I’m Wearing Two Suits Because I Mean Business Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6.50—£11.50
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk @gildedballoon www.festmag.co.uk
Sara Pascoe vs History Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£12
Rhys Nicholson Eurgh Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6.50—£11.50
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£12
HHHH
Anil Desai’s Last Night at the Movies Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Lords of Strut: Chaos Assembly Roxy, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£12.50
American…ish Gilded Balloon , 6–13 Aug, £9.50—£10.50
Des Bishop: Made in China Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£13
Let Me Know How It All Works Out
Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall: Success Arms Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50
20:15
Sketch Appeal theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £5
Andrew Ryan: The Life of Ryan Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, £7—£8
❤ Celia Pacquola:
Luke McQueen: Now That’s What I Luke McQueen Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£9.50
Mark Simmons - Mr Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7—£9
Hannah Gadsby: The Exhibitionist Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£11.50
Rob Deb 20th Anniversary Edition Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–16 Aug, £free
COMEDY LISTINGS
❤ Alex Edelman: Millennial HHHH Neel Kolhatkar in GENeration comedY Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Romesh Ranganathan: Rom Wasn’t Built in a Day
HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7—£11
Stuck C venues - C nova, 13– 25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Friends With Benefits Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 4–24 Aug, not 17, £free
Christian Talbot: Hello Cruel World Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10
Laughing Horse Free Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free
Dan Clark: Me, My Selfie and I Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£12.50
Harriet Dyer: Barking at Aeroplanes Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free
Shelby Bond: Fauxmosexual Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 5–24 Aug, not 12, £free The Evolution Will Be Televised Ciao Roma, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free Eric Davidson - The Independent State of Eric theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £10
20:25 Nick Doody vs The Debonair Assassin Canons’ Gait, 2–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
20:30 Carl Donnelly: Now That’s What I Carl Donnelly Vol. 6
HHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–23 Aug, not 13, £6—£10
BBC: Poetry Slam 2014 - Grand Final BBC@POTTERROW, 16 Aug, £free AKA MissD Cowgatehead, 1–16 Aug, £free
Rubberbandits: Continental Fistfight Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£14
Robert Newman’s New Theory of Evolution Stand in the Square, 1–25 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £12
Ivo Graham: Bow Ties and Johnnies Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
Daniel Sloss– Really...?! Venue150@EICC, 1–24 Aug, not 20, £10—£17.50
Jon Bennett - Fire In The Meth Lab Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 13, 20, £6—£10.50
Gareth Morinan’s Play: Time Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, £free
20:20
Wanted Sweet Grassmarket, 11–24 Aug, £8.50
Carl Hutchinson: Here’s Me Show Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
Barnardo’s Big Comedy Benefit The Assembly Rooms, 18 Aug, £20
Shappi Khorsandi: Because I’m Shappi... Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£13 Chris Martin: Responsibilliness Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£12 Igor Meerson: Hou I lernt inglish Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50 Who Dares Grins Again 2014 Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free Lights! Camera! Improvise! - The Improvised Movie Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£12.50 The Referendum Review Show! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Rhys Mathewson Hombre Lobo HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£10.50 Simon Feilder: All The Things I’m Not Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£9 The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society Stand in the Square, 4 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £10
20:35 Rice ‘n’ Peas ‘n’ Caviar Madogs Cocktail Bar and Grill, 2–23 Aug, £free Javier Jarquin: Joke Ninja Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
Gilded Balloon, 13 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
12–14 August 2014 fest 79
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COMEDY LISTINGS 20:40 Paul McCaffrey: Paul Or Nothing Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–23 Aug, £6—£10 Gerry Howell’s Portal of Discovery Voodoo Rooms, 2–24 Aug, £free Josie Long: Cara Josephine The Stand Comedy Club, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 16, £11 Kraken Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7—£12 John Robertson: The Dark Room Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50 The Voyage of The Narwhal Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
20:45 Damien Slash: Forward Slash Cowgatehead, 1–24 Aug, not 10, 11, 20, £free Paco Erhard: Worst. German. Ever. Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Roger Swift and Patrick Draper - The Energy and the Apathy Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 16–24 Aug, £free
Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £10—£15
20:50
Gareth Richards: Comedy in the Key of Gareth Beat, 2–23 Aug, £free
Sam Simmons: Death of a Sails-Man Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £7—£13
The Grandees: A Creepshow Heroes @ The Hive, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5
The Incredible Paul F Taylor Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
Chris Henry: Only the Good Die Young Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–23 Aug, £free
20:55
Ben Norris: Benny on the Loose The Liquid Room, 10–21 Aug, £free Hurt and Anderson: Bringing Sketchy Back Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Jim Davidson’s Funeral Heroes @ The Hive, 12 Aug, £5 Bright Club: Scotland’s Fringe The Assembly Rooms, 18 Aug, £10 Infinitely More Deluded Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free 99 Club Stand-up Selection - Cowgate - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
The Best of Singapore Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 18–24 Aug, £free
Billie Was Tap Dancing for the Seagulls St John’s, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £free
❤ Frank
An Evening With Patti DuPont St John’s, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free
HHHH
Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–24 Aug, £10—£17.50
Neil Hamburger Underbelly, Cowgate, 13–24 Aug, £10—£12
Pete Dobbing: Dobbing Kilderkin, 2–22 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
The Twilight Region Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, £free
Skinner: Man in a Suit
Michael Fabbri: Oversharing Cabaret Voltaire, 2–23 Aug, not 11, £free
The Barry Experience Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Andrew Lawrence: Reasons to Kill Yourself The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £10
Mark Nelson: Please Think Responsibly Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£12.50
Half Baked Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £free
Tom Stade: Decisions Decisions The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £15
21:00
Tedfest Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50 Ricky and Dave Gigglelos Dragonfly, 1–25 Aug, £free Alpha Fail Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free Laughing Horse Free Comedy Selection Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Sol Bernstein: Still Standing Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7—£9 Joel Dommett: Finding Emo Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free
BBC: Bridget Christie Minds the Gap BBC@POTTERROW, 24 Aug, £free
Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards Show Underbelly, Bristo Square, 24 Aug, £14
Russell Kane: Smallness Underbelly, Bristo Square, 20–22 Aug, £15 Stand Up for Shelter Underbelly, Bristo Square, 23 Aug, £20 Mark Watson: Flaws Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £9—£15.50 Eddie Pepitone: RIP America, It’s Been Fun HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7—£14 Paul Ricketts’ West End Story Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £3—£5 Tom Shillue: Impossible The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 Maff Brown: Born Again Comedian Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12 What Does The Title Matter Anyway? Underbelly, Bristo Square, 6–19 Aug, £16—£17.50
Bob Doolally, Football Legend The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 11 Aug, 19 Aug, £10
Eddy Brimson Windy Piss Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
21:10
Tiff Stevenson: Optimist HH Gilded Balloon , 1–23 Aug, £6—£10
B.J. Novak: One More Thing Assembly George Square Studios, 19–24 Aug, £16 Abandoman: Hot Desk Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £7.50—£15
Jason Byrne in You Name the Show Assembly Hall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £10—£19.50
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 80 fest 12–14 August 2014
Dangerfield: Sex with Children Heroes @ The Hive, 4–23 Aug, £5
Larry Dean: Scottish Comedian of the Year 2013 Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–24 Aug, £5—£12
21:15
The Axis of Awesome: Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas
HH
Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 21, £8—£14
A Bonanza of Festival Comedy and Cabaret Laughing Horse @ The Paradise Palms, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, £free
21:05 Mike Lawrence: The Gingerbeard Man The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 12 Aug, £10 Stephen K Amos: Work in Progress The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 12, 18, 19, £10 Jamie MacDonald: That Funny Blind Guy 2 - The Good, the Stag and the Ugly Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£7
Jim Davidson: No Further Action Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 18, £12—£15 Complete Holmes and Shakeshaft Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
Pierre Novellie is Mighty Peter Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£9.50
Sully O’Sullivan: Nationhood Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 1–24 Aug, £free
Justin Hamilton: Johnny Loves Mary Forever 1994 Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10
21:20
The Split Note Sessions CC Blooms, 2–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free
No Strings Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £4—£8
James Loveridge: Funny Because It’s True Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free
Richard Gadd: Breaking Gadd Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £free Brent Weinbach: Appealing to the Mainstream Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£12 Tom Rhodes: Colossus Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, 21, £6—£12 Omar Hamdi +1 Globe Bar, 2–24 Aug, £free Markus Birdman: 2B or Not to Be The Stand Comedy Club V, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8 Damian Clark: Go Ahead, Make My Damo Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £9—£10 Sheeps: Wembley Previews Bedlam Theatre, 2–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50
Natasia Demetriou: You’ll Never Have All of Me Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50 Seann Walsh: Seann 28 Pleasance Courtyard, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 12, 18, 19, £7.50—£13 Andrew Doyle: Zero Tolerance The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8 Jimmy Carr – Funny Business Venue150@EICC, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, £18.50 Henning Wehn: Eins, Zwei, DIY Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£11.50 Evolution of iMaAN Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10
21:25 Never Mind the Bawbags! Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 13, £free
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk @gildedballoon www.festmag.co.uk
0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk Ray Peacock: Here Comes Trouble Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 Felicity Ward: The Iceberg Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£13
21:30 Guilt & Shame: Going Straight Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10 Cookies and Cream Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–25 Aug, £free The New Wave Laughing Horse @ New Empire Bingo, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, £free
❤ Sarah Kendall: Touchdown
HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£12
Hamell On Trial: The Happiest Man in the World Assembly George Square Studios, 11–25 Aug, £12—£15 Funny Women Awards Semi-Final 2014 Laughing Horse @ New Empire Bingo, 15 Aug, £free Künt and the Gang go to Mecca Laughing Horse @ New Empire Bingo, 22–23 Aug, £5 The Comedy Reserve Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£9.50
COMEDY LISTINGS Pete Johansson: Several Jokes Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£11
Yacine Belhousse: Made in France Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 17, £6—£10.50
Michael Downey: Blue Sometimes Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12
21:35
Glenn Wool: Wool’s Gold Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 11, 18, £7—£14 Justin Moorhouse: This is What I Am Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 2, £5—£11 Tom Price: Not As Nice As He Looks Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 21, £6—£10 Jem Brookes: Punusual Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free
Henry Paker: Unpacked Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Back to the Hills! Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£9 The Oxy Morons in... Glistening Flanks theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £8 11 Films to Happiness Ciao Roma, 2–23 Aug, £free Casual Violence: Om Nom Nom Nominous - Free Voodoo Rooms, 1–23 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Low Expectations: The Unpublishable Material Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–17 Aug, £5—£10
21:40 Four Stories Four Songs Sweet Grassmarket, 11–24 Aug, £7 Jess Robinson: Mighty Voice Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6.50—£11.50 Tim Key: Single White Slut Pleasance Courtyard, 13–25 Aug, £10—£16 Big Value Comedy Show - Late Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50
Another Name for Thesaurus theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £5—£7 Dave Callan: A Little Less Conversation Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 12, 13, £6—£11 George Ryegold: Iron Face in a Velvet Beard Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, £6—£10 Jonny & The Baptists: The Satiric Verses Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£11 Michael Mittermeier: das Blackout Gilded Balloon , 11–25 Aug, £10.50—£12.50
21:45 Born in the 90s Cowgatehead, 1–26 Aug, £free
A diverse programme of high quality professional dance from Wales presented daily between 18-25 August ZOO Southside (Venue 82)
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Gilded Balloon, 13 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
12–14 August 2014 fest 81
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COMEDY LISTINGS Pat and Paul Get Some Beans Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
Sketch Transfer Deadline Day Pleasance Courtyard, 18 Aug, £10
Bob Blackman’s Local Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 9–23 Aug, not 17, £free
Stuart Black – The Crossroads Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Aaah’m Voting NO Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
Aunty Donna Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £10
Viv Groskop’s I Laughed, I Cried Cowgatehead, 1–14 Aug, not 7, 11, £free David Trent: Live at the Pleasance Courtyard HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£12 Ed Gamble: Gambletron 5000
HHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
Nina Conti - Work in Progress Assembly Roxy, 11 Aug, 13 Aug, £10 Swedish Oddballs Cowgatehead, 19–23 Aug, £free Adam of the Riches Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, £7—£14 Beth Vyse: Get Up With Hands! Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6.50—£10 John Robins: This Tornado Loves You Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£12 John Hastings Adventure Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£9.50
21:50 Quint Fontana ‘I Remember Me’ Voodoo Rooms, 2–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free
22:00 Laughing Matters Fundraiser Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 12–13 Aug, £10 Birthday Girls: Party Vibes Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £free
Michael Legge and Robin Ince Are Pointless Anger, Righteous Ire 3: Ooh Stick You, Your Mama Too... and Your Daddy Wee Red Bar, 2–12 Aug, £free Sunna Jarman: Family Tree Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free Daniel Sloss – Really...?! Extra Shows Venue150@EICC, Various dates from 8 Aug to 23 Aug, £17.50 Marcel Lucont Is Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8—£12 Scott Capurro Islamohomophobia: Reloaded The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 IT Rock‘n’Roll: Business Trip to the Future Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 1–24 Aug, £free Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50 Bronston Jones: What Comes Out - Free Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free Zapp and Dembina Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free Nev: Gold Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, £free BBC: Asian Network Presents… Comedy BBC@POTTERROW, 14 Aug, £free
❤ Nick Coyle: Double Tribute
HHHH
Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10.50
Simon Amstell - Tour Previews Pleasance Courtyard, 4–12 Aug, £12 Foil, Arms and Hog: Loch’d Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £7—£11 Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana Sit in a 150 Seater at 10pm and Provide the Commentary to Bad Wrestling Matches Stand in the Square, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £8 Sharma Sharma Sharma Sharma Sharma Comedian! Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free The Mangina Funalogs Cowgatehead, 1–28 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, 25, £free The Best of Who’s Available Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, £free Cardinal Burns Pleasance Courtyard, 15–23 Aug, not 18, £12—£13 Sarah Bennetto’s Funeral Pleasance Courtyard, 4–25 Aug, weekdays only, £9—£11 Shirley and Shirley: Late Night Lock In Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 Soho Comedy Club at the Fringe Freestival St Mary’s, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £free BBC: Live Music with Radio nan Gaidheal BBC@POTTERROW, 13 Aug, £free
The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society Stand in the Square, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, £10
22:05 Blind Mirth theSpace on the Mile, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £6 Phlash! theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 13–23 Aug, not 17, £6 Alan Anderson: Whisky For Dafties Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, Various dates from 4 Aug to 24 Aug, £15 The Shambles theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, £7—£8
22:10
Luisa Omielan... Am I Right Ladies?! Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 10, 17, £free
Chelsea Manders: Don’t Tell My Dad Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£9
22:20
❤ The Circus HHHH
Fin Taylor: Real Talk Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50 Danish Face Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–23 Aug, not 12, £free Come Heckle Christ
HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£9.50
Coppers Uncovered: The Walk of Shame Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 Miss Glory Pearl: The Naked Stand-Up Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8 Phlash! theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 2–12 Aug, not 3, 10, £6
Jay Handley: Free Comic Dragonfly, 2–23 Aug, £free WOMANz Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Alun Cochrane: (Me Neither) The Stand Comedy Club, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10
22:15 Pumped! The Voodoo Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8—£10 Jonny Awsum: Sexy Noises Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£8.50 Imaginary Porno Charades Sweet Grassmarket, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, £7
Sarah Bennetto’s Storytellers’ Club Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 9 Aug to 24 Aug, £12
Japanese Terminatol is Back! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free
Katerina Vrana: Feta with the Queen Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £free
The Good, the Bad and the Irish! Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, £free
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 82 fest 12–14 August 2014
BattleActs! - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 2–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Assembly George Square Gardens, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8—£16
50 Shades! The Musical. The Original Parody Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £10—£15
❤ Lou Sanders in Another Great Show Again HHHH Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, £free BBC: Newsnight BBC@POTTERROW, 21 Aug, £free Josh Widdicombe’s XFM Show Live! Assembly George Square Studios, 9–12 Aug, £13 Dave Hughes: Pointless Assembly George Square Studios, 19–23 Aug, £14—£15
Sh*t-Faced Shakespeare Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, £6—£11.50
Freddie Farrell: Lock, Stock and One Joking Farrell Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £free
Andrew Maxwell: Hubble Bubble The Assembly Rooms, 1–12 Aug, £15
Sketch Bingo Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 1–24 Aug, £free
Who Shot Hitler? Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £2—£4
Political Animal – Scottishreferendogeddon 2014 The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 17–21 Aug, £10
22:25 Now You’re Just Being Silly Paradise in The Vault, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, £6
22:30 Isla Dogs: Down the Dogs CC Blooms, 2–24 Aug, £free Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre - And So Am I Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, £5—£11 Silky: Tribute Act The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8
Scotland Stands Up Gilded Balloon , 8–24 Aug, not 21, £11.50—£12.50 Chris Ramsey: The Most Dangerous Man On Saturday Morning Television Pleasance Courtyard, 16–24 Aug, £12.50—£15 Return to Superglad Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free These Is You’re Lifes Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Joke Thieves Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£7
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0131 622 6552 gildedballoon.co.uk Craig Campbell: Thrilling Mic Hunt The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, £10 Rob Rouse: Through the Looking Ass The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–14 Aug, £10 Al Lubel in... I’m Still Al Lubel HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
22:40 ❤ Will Franken: The Stuff They Put in Sleep HHHH Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £10—£11 Scotland’s Pick of the Fringe Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £5
Fright Bus Service Necrobus, 1–23 Aug, £9
Sex with Animals Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £6—£10.50
Hedluv and Passman: Doin’ it Dreckly Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, £5—£11
Elephant Room Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £9—£15
Ennio Marchetto: The Living Paper Cartoon Pleasance Courtyard, 1–15 Aug, not 11, £8—£14 Demi Lardner: Birds with Human Lips Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£10.50 Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 21, 22, £14—£15 One Thing Led to a Mother The Stand Comedy Club V, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8
22:45 Werewolf Erotica, She Wrote Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 18, £free Best New Sketch Act 2014: The Final Gilded Balloon , 18–19 Aug, £10 Titty Bar Ha Ha: Hard Time Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £5—£13 Mat Ewins: The Six Million Dollar Ewins
HHH
22:35
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£10
Nancy Clench: Down Right Dirty Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 20–24 Aug, £8.50
Richard Herring: Lord of the Dance Settee Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–24 Aug, £10—£14
COMEDY LISTINGS Gein’s Family Giftshop: Volume 1 Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£9 Julian McCullough: Dream Girls HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7—£14 Joey Page: This is Not a Circus HHH Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Joe Munrow: Misinformation Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Andrew O’Neill’s History of Heavy Metal Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£9.50 The Comedy Zone Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
22:50 Edinburgh Comedy Allstars Underbelly, Bristo Square, Various dates from 1 Aug to 23 Aug, £10.50—£16 The Noise Next Door’s Comedy Lock-In Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£13 Le Flop Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50 Francesco De Carlo: Italians Do It Later Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10.50
The Horne Section: Milk the Tenderness Underbelly, Bristo Square, 7–24 Aug, £12—£14
23:00 It Might Get Ugly Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 AAA Stand-Up Late Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£11 Alfie Brown: Divorced from Reality (and My Wife) Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 The Jest Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast with Stuart Goldsmith Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, £5 Inspired By Mediocrity Cowgatehead, 5–17 Aug, not 10, 11, £free Chortle Student Comedy Award Final Pleasance Courtyard, 17–18 Aug, £8.50 Late Night Gimp Fight: The Worst of Late Night Gimp Fight Pleasance Courtyard, 21–23 Aug, £12 Tom Short and Will Hutchby: Only Child Syndrome Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 10, 12, 17, £2—£4
Nymphonerdiac Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 12–24 Aug, £free Brains Mcloud: 15 Reasons Why Justin Bieber is Gay Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 21–25 Aug, £5 Queens Of Pop: After Dark Electric Circus, 11–15 Aug, £8 Aaaaaaaaaaaaarrghhh! It’s the Increasingly Prestigious Malcolm Hardee Comedy Awards Show - and It’s Free! Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 22–23 Aug, £free Mark Watson’s Comedywealth Games Pleasance Courtyard, 7–16 Aug, £8.50—£11 Stand-Up Comedy Live @ Le Monde Upstairs @ Le Monde, 3–21 Aug, not 8, 9, 15, 16, £10 Hate ‘n’ Live Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free BBC: BBC Presents… BBC@POTTERROW, 3–23 Aug, not 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, £free Foul Play. The F*cking Nasty Show Pleasance Dome, Various dates from 1 Aug to 23 Aug, £10—£12 Excited!!! Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£8
Ironbark Pumpkin and the Quest for the Lost Pudding Quaich of Ecclefechan Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–13 Aug, £free Adrienne Truscott’s Asking for It: A One-Lady Rape About Comedy Starring Her Pussy and Little Else! Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 6–16 Aug, not 10, 11, 12, £8 Stephanie Laing: Nincompoop Globe Bar, 2–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free BBC: BBC Presents… Edinburgh 2014 BBC@POTTERROW, 24–25 Aug, £free BBC: Jazz on 3 BBC@POTTERROW, 18–19 Aug, £free Nick Helm’s Two Night Stand in The Grand Pleasance Courtyard, 11–12 Aug, £15 BBC: Late Junction BBC@POTTERROW, 12–13 Aug, £free McQueen: McQueen Pleasance Dome, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
23:05 Cheaper Than Therapy Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7
’Tis Pity AL PorT
Mafia + Incest + Love + Violence 31 July - 16 August (12:15pm) Spotlites @ The Merchant Hall Tickets from: www.edfringe.com www.audleyandcoproductions.com
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e theatr
Stories of women in science
Venue18 14:35 July31 £5.00 August1–24 £8.50 (£7.50)
Gilded Balloon, 13 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
12–14 August 2014 fest 83
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COMEDY LISTINGS 23:10 Confessions of a Liverpudlian theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 14–16 Aug, £6
23:15 Jarred Christmas and Jack Hobbs: The Christmas and The Hobbit -A Beat Box and Stand-Up Collaboration Gilded Balloon , 18–20 Aug, £12 Comedy Monkey Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free Laughdance: The Experiment Cowgatehead, 11–24 Aug, £free Best of So You Think You’re Funny? Gilded Balloon , 6 Aug, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 13 Aug, £10 Beardyman: One Album Per Hour Pleasance Courtyard, 15–17 Aug, £14 Comedian Matt Henry and Friends: A State of the Art Comedy Event Freestival St Mary’s, 1–25 Aug, £free Late Night Dark Show Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, £free A to Z Improv Comedy Kilderkin, 2–23 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free TAKE a coMEdian OUT! Pleasance Courtyard, 19–20 Aug, £10 Choose Your Own Comedy Adventure Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free Shaggers Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–23 Aug, £free All at Sea Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 1–23 Aug, not 16, £free Voices in Your Head Gilded Balloon , Various dates from 1 Aug to 24 Aug, £5—£10
Scotsman and Irishman Walk Inde a Bar Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 4–21 Aug, not 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, £free Carter and Ollerton: Won’t Go Quietly Cowgatehead, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £free Fat Controller Comedy Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 3–24 Aug, not 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, £free
23:20 American Roadshow Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £1—£5 Tom Rosenthal: Meme, Myself and I Pleasance Dome, 14 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, £10.50—£12.50 This is Your Trial Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, £6—£10.50 The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society Stand in the Square, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, £10 Set List: Stand-Up Without a Net Stand in the Square, 1–25 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £12.50 McNeil and Pamphilon Go 8-Bit! Pleasance Dome, 8 Aug, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, £10.50 Best of Scottish Comedian of the Year Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, £6—£13.50
23:30 Richard Tyrone Jones: What the F*ck is This? Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £free Smells Like Shite... Tastes Like Chicken Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–25 Aug, £free
Marc Burrows in the Ten Best Songs Of All Time - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–23 Aug, not 11, £free I am, I am Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £5—£10 The Mac Twins: Mac Yourself at Home The Blackbird, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, £10
23:40 WitTank: Old School Secrets Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 8 Aug to 23 Aug, £12 Russell Hicks: Unprepared Just the Tonic at The Tron, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £free Wil Hodgson’s Records in the Roof Just the Tonic at The Mash House, Various dates from 1 Aug to 23 Aug, £5 Afterhours Comedy Assembly Roxy, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, £12.50 Diane Chorley Just the Tonic at The Caves, 18–24 Aug, £free
23:45 Licence To Laugh Comedy Club Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 1–24 Aug, £free Just Jokes Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £free Billy McGuire Ain’t Always Honest Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free Andy Field is a Giddy Manchild Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free Rob Deering’s Beat This Gilded Balloon , Various dates from 1 Aug to 24 Aug, £10—£11
23:50 Mark Watson: Flaws Pleasance Courtyard, 22–23 Aug, £15.50
Enjoy comedy, cabaret, theatre & more Open every night until 5am 84 fest 12–14 August 2014
23:55 The Assembly Rooms Very Best of the Fest The Assembly Rooms, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £15 The Stand Late Show The Stand Comedy Club, Various dates from 1 Aug to 23 Aug, £15
23:59
One Man Breaking Bad The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, Various dates from 18 Aug to 25 Aug, £12
00:05 Tom Rosenthal: Work in Progress Pleasance Courtyard, 16–17 Aug, £10
00:15
Will Seaward’s Spooky Midnight Ghost Stories! Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, 20, £5—£8.50
War! Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
Best of the Fest Assembly Hall, Various dates from 1 Aug to 24 Aug, £10—£15 Comedy Countdown Gilded Balloon , 1–23 Aug, not 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, £5—£8
00:00
The Room Assembly George Square Theatre, 4 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, £8 Dr Ettrick-Hogg Presents The Bite - Free Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–25 Aug, £free
00:20
From Pirates to Pop Stars Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 9–25 Aug, £free John Conway Tonight Pleasance Dome, 2–26 Aug, £6—£9.50 Late With Kate Canons’ Gait, 3–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free Just the Tonic Comedy Club’s Midnight Show Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 2–25 Aug, not 13, £5—£12 Fright Bus Service Necrobus, Various dates from 9 Aug to 24 Aug, £9 Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch Just the Tonic at The Caves, 2–25 Aug, £3—£7 Spank! Underbelly, Cowgate, 2–25 Aug, £10—£15.50 Edinburgh Toilet Duck Award – Grand Final Underbelly, Cowgate, 23 Aug, £9.50
IndieRound (Fool Members Club) with Bob Slayer & Tim Fitzhigham Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 1–26 Aug, £5 Late Show Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 2 Aug to 24 Aug, £12.50—£14
00:30 Mr Harris Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 2–25 Aug, £free Hidden Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 2–25 Aug, £free Free Fall Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, £free The Improverts: 25th Anniversary Bedlam Theatre, 3–24 Aug, £7.50 Sam Larner Can’t Say His R’s - With Other Guests Who Can Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–25 Aug, weekdays only, £free
00:45 W@nk the Dog - Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–25 Aug, £free Improv from the Crypt Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–25 Aug, £free Spanktacular Underbelly, Bristo Square, Various dates from 9 Aug to 25 Aug, £15.50 Irish Late Night Mayhem Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 2–24 Aug, £free Young and Here Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–25 Aug, £free Luisa Omielan: What Would Beyoncé Do?! Underbelly, Bristo Square, 23 Aug, £15.50
01:00 Cosmonauts Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 2–13 Aug, £free The 1am Apesh*t Show Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–26 Aug, £free Late’n’Live Gilded Balloon , 2–26 Aug, £10—£15 A Catalogue of Characters Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–25 Aug, not 5, 12, 13, 19, £free Late Night TED Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 18–25 Aug, £free
01:15 Trevor Feelgood: Sex Machine Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 11–24 Aug, £free
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THEATRE LISTINGS 09:00 Traverse Breakfast Plays Traverse Theatre, 12–24 Aug, not 18, £14
09:10 Homeless Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 11–16 Aug, £5
09:25 Frozen theSpace on North Bridge, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £5—£7
10:00 Shakespeare for Breakfast C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50 Pomegranate Jam Venue 13, 2–23 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8 BigMouth Traverse Theatre, 23 Aug, £19 Unfaithful Traverse Theatre, 2 Aug, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £13—£19 Lippy Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £13—£19 Cuckooed Traverse Theatre, 3 Aug, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £19
A Collection of Grimms’ Fairy Tales Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 18–23 Aug, £8
The Little Leaf Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 14–26 Aug, £free
The Princess Initiative theSpace on the Mile, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, £6
Dorian Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 14–16 Aug, £5
Donald Robertson Is Not a Stand-Up Comedian Traverse Theatre, 2 Aug, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £18
Punk Rock Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 18–21 Aug, £7
10:25 Architects and Anarchists theSpace on Niddry St, 19–23 Aug, £8
10:30 Larkin’ About Valvona & Crolla, 6 Aug, 18 Aug, £10 Story Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing C venues - C too, 11–16 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£12.50
10:35 Kitty in the Lane Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, £7
10:40 The Madness of Tellaralette Seville theSpace on North Bridge, 19–23 Aug, £7
Theatre Uncut 2014 Traverse Theatre, 4 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £8
Harriet - Teen Detective! Paradise in Augustines, 12–16 Aug, £8
SmallWar HHH Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, £19
Frozen theSpace on North Bridge, 18–23 Aug, £7
RIVERRUN Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 21 Aug, £19
10:15 Through the Clouds theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £5 Labour of Love Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
10:20 Antigone Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 11–16 Aug, £6 Alice in Concert Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5
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10:45 Buffer theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–16 Aug, £7.50
10:50 Nothing Summerhall, 5–17 Aug, £8.50—£10.50
11:00 Glue theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–16 Aug, £8 The Box – Free Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 13–24 Aug, £free
Men in the Cities Traverse Theatre, 1 Aug, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £18 Horizontal Collaboration Traverse Theatre, 3 Aug, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £18 The Carousel Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £18 Spoiling HHH Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £18
❤ The Fair Intellectual Club
HHHH The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10
It’s All About George Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–13 Aug, £free The Canterbury Tales Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 18–23 Aug, £9 Tea Time Story ZOO, 1–25 Aug, not 20, £4—£7
11:05 The Trojan Women theSpace on the Mile, 11–16 Aug, £8—£10
11:10 Dylan Thomas: Clown in the Moon Assembly Hall, Various dates from 2 Aug to 25 Aug, £8—£10 These Are the Best Days: A Revue theSpace on the Mile, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, £6 Burton Assembly Hall, Various dates from 1 Aug to 23 Aug, £5—£10
11:15 Why Is Life Like Sparrows? Venue 13, 17–23 Aug, £8
Guttermouth Venue 13, 2–16 Aug, not 11, £8
11:20 Two theSpace on Niddry St, 11 Aug, 13 Aug, 15 Aug, £7 Spring Awakening theSpace on Niddry St, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 16 Aug, £7
11:25 I Am the Wind Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 18–23 Aug, £5
11:30 The Hunting of the Snark Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 11–15 Aug, £8 Shakespeare’s Villains theSpace on the Mile, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £5—£9 Hecat’s Poison: Enter the three Witches Quaker Meeting House, 4–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £5—£6 Oliver Twist theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–16 Aug, £8 Pieces of Eight Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 11–16 Aug, £5 Lavender Junction C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50 Dalloway Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8—£13
11:40
11:45 The Dogs of War Assembly George Square Studios, Various dates from 2 Aug to 16 Aug, £9—£11 My Uncle’s Shoes New Town Theatre, 5–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £10 Plastic Rose Assembly George Square Studios, 1–15 Aug, not 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, £6—£11
11:50 The Curious Incident of the Frog in My Sightline Zoo Southside, 10–25 Aug, £7 merry christmas, Ms Meadows Pleasance Dome, 19–25 Aug, £9.50—£12.50 The Electra Project theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £6 Smoking Ban theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £7
11:55 The Usherettes theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–16 Aug, £8
12:00 The Silence of Snow: The Life of Patrick Hamilton Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 11, £free Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 4, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10 The Initiate Summerhall @ Roundabout, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £10—£17
Wretch Like Me (or How I was Saved from Being Saved) theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £8.50
Dear Mister Kaiser Bedlam Theatre, 2–24 Aug, £5—£7
Happy Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, £6—£9
Welcome to Terezin Gilded Balloon , 12–24 Aug, not 18, £8—£9
The Decline and Fall of Marcus Distilius theSpace on North Bridge, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £8
Last Christmas
The Curing Room Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£13
HHH
Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£11
The Moth of August C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50 Low Tide in Glass Bay Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 Pope Head: The Secret Life of Francis Bacon Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–24 Aug, not 6, 13, £free The Hemline Index Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Animal Farm Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £10—£15 Tea for Tabitha Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–12 Aug, not 6, 10, £free Dead Wait Pleasance Pop-Up: The Game Lab, 2–17 Aug, not 5, 12, £8—£10 The Eradication of Schizophrenia in Western Lapland
HHH
Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 8, 9, 10, 18, £12—£14
Fern Hill and Other Dylan Thomas Assembly George Square Theatre, 18 Aug, £13 Early Doors HHH Pleasance Pop-Up: The Pub, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £6—£10 First Class Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 1–24 Aug, £free Every Brilliant Thing Summerhall @ Roundabout, 5–22 Aug, not 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, £10—£15 McAlister in Wonderland theSpace on the Mile, 19–23 Aug, £8 Saint-Exupéry, a Pilot’s Story Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 18, £5—£10 Feral Underbelly, Bristo Square, 14–24 Aug, £10—£11 I Have an Idea for a Film Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
12–14 August 2014 fest 85
THEATRE LISTINGS Absolutely Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 13–24 Aug, £free
12:05 Different is Dangerous theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 19–23 Aug, £6.50 National Loaf Paradise in The Vault, 4–17 Aug, not 11, £9 Landscape with Skiproads Summerhall, 4–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £8—£12.50 Pintsized Surprise Meeting Point @ The Playfair, 10–13 Aug, £10 Can Stand Up - Don’t Want To! theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 19–23 Aug, £5
12:10 The Hive HH Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 A Drinker Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 10–16 Aug, £8.50 Blood Brothers theSpace @ Venue45, 11–15 Aug, £7.50
Dylan Thomas Return Journey - Bob Kingdom, Original Direction by Anthony Hopkins HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 Sweep Up the Stars Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10 The 3rd Sector Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£9.50 Labour of Love Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5 Tis Pity Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–16 Aug, £7.50
12:20 The Art of Falling Apart HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 The Jungle Referendum C venues - C nova, 1–16 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Sonnets for an Old Century Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
Butterfly in Shades of Blue SpaceCabaret @ 54, 1–23 Aug, not 13, £8 The Make Up C venues - C, 10–16 Aug, £7.50—£9.50
12:30 Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 4, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10 Going Out West Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£9.50
❤ Near Gone HHHH Summerhall, Various dates from 1 Aug to 23 Aug, £7—£10
The Pitiless Storm
HHH
The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £15
Things from Before Pt. 4 Venue 13, 2–23 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8 I’m Thinking of Leaving Facebook Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, £free
Illyria-on-Sea Paradise in Augustines, 12–16 Aug, £8
Playback Impro Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Alice in Concert Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
A World Beyond Man Sweet Grassmarket, 1–17 Aug, not 11, £7.50
Cushion theSpace on the Mile, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £5
The God Box: A Daughter’s Story HH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £7—£12
Lunchtime with Patsy Cline Hispaniola, 2–23 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Chasing Zeds theSpace on North Bridge, 18–21 Aug, £5
Chaplin Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£12
The Time of Our Lies - The Life and Times of Howard Zinn HH Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£10
The Result of a Man and His Ponderings theSpace on North Bridge, 11–16 Aug, £5
12:15 Pentimento Gilded Balloon , 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £5—£10 Clown Slut Dario’s Restaurant, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free Banjo Man Laughing Horse @ The Blind Poet , 1–24 Aug, £free Once Upon a Nightmare Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 2–24 Aug, not 13, £free
The Waste Land Sisters Summerhall, 14–24 Aug, £10
12:25 The Height of the Eiffel Tower HHH Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £7—£12 Frank Sent Me Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, £6—£12
❤ Blood at the Root HHHH Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 12, £6—£12
86 fest 12–14 August 2014
Verbatopolis C venues - C, 18–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Lippy Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £19 Cuckooed Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £19 Birdwatchers’ Wives Summerhall, Various dates from 2 Aug to 24 Aug, £8—£12 Absence Of... Gilded Balloon , 13–15 Aug, £5
12:35
12:50
L’Annunciazione – The Annunciation Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 23–24 Aug, £6
300 to 1 - Free Banshee Labyrinth, 2–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £free
Giulietta theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £8 Error 404 Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–23 Aug, not 12, £3.50—£7
12:40 Sunday Morning Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8—£11 Winky HHH Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10 Manuelita Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£12 SingleMarriedGirl Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 11–16 Aug, £8—£10 ...and This is My Friend Mr Laurel Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £6.50—£11
Goodbye Gunther Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 18, £6—£10 Candide: The Optimist theSpace on North Bridge, 18–23 Aug, £8—£10
BigMouth Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug, £19 Unfaithful Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £19 Chlorine Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, not 19, £5—£8
Hand Made in China: Moons, Migration and Messages Summerhall, 11–24 Aug, £3
Inevitable Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 18–23 Aug, £4
Woyzeck Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, £9—£10
❤ Beowulf: The Blockbuster HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£11 Sochi 2014 Pleasance Courtyard, 1–21 Aug, not 11, £6—£9
12:55 How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found ZOO, 1–16 Aug, £7—£8.50 NSFW C venues - C nova, 10–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50
HHH
Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 2–13 Aug, not 3, 10, £8—£11
Good Timin’ Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 14–23 Aug, not 17, £8—£11
13:00
SmallWar HHH Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 24 Aug, £19
Outings HHH Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 21, £12—£13
RIVERRUN Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £19
Sleeping Beauty Institut français d’Ecosse, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £5—£10
The Zulu Assembly Hall, 2–25 Aug, not 11, £12—£13
Standing on Lego Paradise in Augustines, 22–23 Aug, £8
A Slight Ache HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 13, 20, £6—£9
Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 4, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10
The Duchess of Malfi C venues - C nova, 1–16 Aug, £8.50—£10.50 Cirque Tsuki: Feast C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50
Rants, Bantz and Comas theSpace on North Bridge, 18–21 Aug, £5
Forever Young theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 11–16 Aug, £8
Chewing the Fat
12:45
A Play, a Pie and a Pint - Upstairs at Le Monde Upstairs @ Le Monde, 3–21 Aug, not 8, 9, 15, 16, £12
❤ Dr Longitude’s Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£12.50
Till Death theSpace on North Bridge, 11–16 Aug, £5 A Little Nonsense Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£11 Night Bus HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £6—£11 I Promise I Shall Not Play Billiards The Royal Scots Club, Various dates from 5 Aug to 12 Aug, £9.50 Antigone theSpace on the Mile, 19–22 Aug, £5 The Psychosocial Gathering theSpace on the Mile, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £4—£7 Government Inspector Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£9.50 Larkin’ About Valvona & Crolla, 14 Aug, £10 Italia ‘n’ Caledonia Valvona & Crolla, 23 Aug, £12 John Muir. Rhapsody in Green Valvona & Crolla, 6 Aug, 8 Aug, 11 Aug, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, £12 Indian Peter’s Coffee House Valvona & Crolla, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 15 Aug, 17 Aug, £12 Pioneer Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, £7—£12
www.festmag.co.uk
THEATRE LISTINGS 13:05 Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £10—£13 Fundamentalists theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £10 Who Rowed Across Oceans theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 12–16 Aug, £7 This Way Madness Lies theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £7 Seven Missed Meals Leads to Anarchy theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 18–23 Aug, £5 First World Problems C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
13:10 The Boy in Blue Quaker Meeting House, 11–15 Aug, £5
MacBraveheart: The Other Scottish Play The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10
13:20 King Ubu C venues - C, 10–16 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Wanderlust Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 2–15 Aug, not 12, £6—£7 Running Into Me H Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Let It Fall (After King Lear) Assembly George Square Studios, 12–23 Aug, not 18, £8—£10
13:25 Decade Paradise in The Vault, 4–17 Aug, not 11, £8 Silk Road Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 18, £5—£11
13:30
The Selkie and the River God Sweet Grassmarket, 11–25 Aug, £8
Antiquithon HH Institut français d’Ecosse, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £5
Inevitable theSpace on the Mile, 19–23 Aug, £5
Don’t Let Go HHH Bedlam Theatre, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£8.50
13:15 Donald Robertson Is Not a Stand-Up Comedian Traverse Theatre, 3 Aug, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £18 On the Upside Down of the World HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8—£13 Eden Gate C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50 Lovecraft’s Monsters - Free Laughing Horse @ The Wee Pub, 1–24 Aug, £free The Carousel Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £18 Leaving Home Party Summerhall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £8—£12
www.festmag.co.uk
Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 4, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10 Forgotten Voices Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £8—£14.50 Cutting Off Kate Bush
HHH
Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£11
The Duel Venue150@EICC, 5–23 Aug, not 11, 18, 21, £10 Romeo and Juliet C venues - C cubed, 10– 25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50 Horizontal Collaboration Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £18 Spoiling HHH Traverse Theatre, 1 Aug, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £18
Odd Shaped Balls Gryphon@WestEnd, 18–23 Aug, £8.50 Obscura Gryphon@WestEnd, 1–16 Aug, not 10, £6—£10 Pondling Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 The Picture of Dorian Gray C venues - C, 18–23 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Love is a Cat Skin Rug Laughing Horse @ The Blind Poet , 14–24 Aug, £free A Split Decision The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 Dead Wait Pleasance Pop-Up: The Game Lab, 2–17 Aug, not 5, 12, £8—£10 The Closure of Craig Solly: A Dark Monologue by Russell Kane Underbelly, Bristo Square, 18–24 Aug, £12.50—£14.50 Odd Shaped Balls Gryphon@WestEnd, 4–16 Aug, not 10, £8.50 Lorraine & Alan Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 9, £6—£10 Bottleneck Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£13 Where to Begin Church Hill Theatre, 16 Aug, £5 Property Rites Church Hill Theatre, 15 Aug, £5 In the Surface of a Bubble ZOO, 1–25 Aug, £5—£9
13:35 Now’s the Hour The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 Chrysalis Paradise in The Vault, 4–16 Aug, not 11, £4—£5.50 Land of Smiles H Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £5—£12 The Hardybutts Boys Paradise in Augustines, 12–17 Aug, £5
13:40 Mind The Gap theSpace @ Venue45, 12–16 Aug, £7
The Result of a Man and His Ponderings theSpace on North Bridge, 18–21 Aug, £5
Momma Was a Bad Mutha theSpace on the Mile, 11–16 Aug, £9
In The Window Assembly Hall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8—£13
Chasing Zeds theSpace on North Bridge, 11–16 Aug, £5
Glue theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £8
13:55
Domestic Labour: A Study in Love HHH Summerhall, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £10—£12
13:45 A TED* Talk with Clay JW Crowne (*not affiliated with TED.com, its members, fellows, organisers, partners, subsidiaries, sponsors or stockholders) Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 12, £5—£9 Victims of Influence Venue 13, 2–23 Aug, not 8, 9, 10, 11, £8 Mock Tudor HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 KATE Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£9 Echolalia Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £9—£10 Men in the Cities Traverse Theatre, 2 Aug, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £18 The Day Sam Died New Town Theatre, 5–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £10 Julie Burchill: Absolute Cult HHH Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £6—£12.50 Red Tap/Blue Tiger Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7—£11
13:50 The Initiate Summerhall @ Roundabout, Various dates from 5 Aug to 21 Aug, £15 Lungs Summerhall @ Roundabout, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £10—£17 LABOURatory Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 18–21 Aug, £4 Years to the Day Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10 Live Forever Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
Factor 9 Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £8—£13 Back Door theSpace on the Mile, 18–23 Aug, £8 The 56 Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, £6—£10 15% of The Seagull Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 2–17 Aug, £7 Backstage in Biscuit Land HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–16 Aug, not 4, 11, £6—£11 Blind Pleasance Courtyard, 17–25 Aug, £9—£12 Sleeping with Beauty Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 18 Aug, £4
14:00 Such a Nice Girl just Festival, 15–24 Aug, £10
Sweater Curse: A Yarn about Love Sweet Grassmarket, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £8 Bill Clinton Hercules Assembly George Square Studios, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8—£13 Signal Failure Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10 Café Ruse Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, not 13, 20, £5—£8
❤ The Capone Trilogy: Loki HHHH C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, £11.50—£13.50
No Guts, No Heart, No Glory Sandy’s Boxing Gym, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 21 Aug, 25 Aug, £12 MacBheatha Summerhall, 11–24 Aug, not 18, £12.50
Silent Voice HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £9—£13
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience B’est Restaurant, 1–26 Aug, not 2, 9, 16, 23, £45
The Tarzan Monologues Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
Making It! Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–25 Aug, not 18, £7—£10
The Importance of Being Earnest C venues - C too, 10–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Warrior just Festival, 1–13 Aug, £5—£10 You, Me and the World HHH Zoo Southside, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 12, 19, £7—£9 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Edinburgh Elim, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, £8 My Rabbi New Town Theatre, 5–24 Aug, £10—£12
Shakespeare, His Wife and the Dog Summerhall, 5–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £8—£14 Invisible Walls Summerhall, 1–12 Aug, £8—£12
14:05 Pvt. Wars theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 19–23 Aug, £5 Jim theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £5—£8 The Baron Conspiracy C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
12–14 August 2014 fest 87
THEATRE LISTINGS Antiquithon HH Institut français d’Ecosse, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £5
Normal/Madness Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10
13 Sunken Years The Assembly Rooms, 11–24 Aug, not 18, £13
The Road to Skibbereen C venues - C, 10–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50
14:10 Skellig theSpace on the Mile, 11–15 Aug, £7.50 Who’s Afraid of Michael Gove? theSpace @ Venue45, 18–22 Aug, £7 #MyWay HHH Pleasance Dome, 1–16 Aug, £6—£9.50 Wireless Theatre Presents: Couples Who Changed the World Pleasance Dome, 18–25 Aug, £10 That Sinking Feeling SpaceCabaret @ 54, 1–14 Aug, £4—£8 The Domino Effect
14:20 Hamlet theSpace on North Bridge, 11–16 Aug, £8 Altamont C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50 Alice in Concert Church Hill Theatre, 15 Aug, £5 Telling Tales C venues - C nova, 17–24 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Black is the Color of My Voice Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 13, £5—£10
14:25
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 4–14 Aug, not 10, £5—£8
Two theSpace on Niddry St, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 16 Aug, £7
Unsung C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50
Spring Awakening theSpace on Niddry St, 11 Aug, 13 Aug, 15 Aug, £7
HHH
Wingman Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6.50—£12 We Have Fallen Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£11 Angel: Take This Body theSpace on North Bridge, 18–23 Aug, £8 Renfield theSpace on the Mile, 18–23 Aug, £5
14:15 Footloose Church Hill Theatre, 19 Aug, £5 Show Off HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £6—£11 Bad Boys: Whisky Theatre Valvona & Crolla Scottish Foodhall@Jenners, 20 Aug, 24 Aug, £15
❤ Talk About Something You Like
HHHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £7—£12
14:30
Six Billion Suns ZOO, 8–16 Aug, £8 History from the Past ... But Now! Laughing Horse @ The Cellar Monkey, 1–24 Aug, £free Amazing Grace Palmerston Place Church, 15–16 Aug, £10 The Horses Quaker Meeting House, 11–16 Aug, £7 The Sorcerer’s Tale Mayfield Salisbury Church, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, £10 Paras Over the Barras St. Serf’s Halls, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, £10 Woody Allen’s Writer’s Block St Ninian’s Hall, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, £12 Woodbine Willie Edinburgh Elim, 13 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, £11 After Aria The Printworks , 15–16 Aug, £8 Baba Brinkman - The Rap Guide to Religion
HHH
Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£10.50
14:35
Staggered theSpace on North Bridge, 22–23 Aug, £22
A Midsummer Night’s Dream theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–16 Aug, £8.50—£9
Government Inspector ZOO, 17–25 Aug, £5—£8
No Belles Sweet Grassmarket, 1–24 Aug, £8.50
TalkFest 2014: 02 Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug, £6
14:40
The Pure, the Dead and the Brilliant
HHH
The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 18, £15
Confusions Paradise in The Vault, 19–23 Aug, £7 Who Did I Think I Was? Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 1–24 Aug, £free My Obsession HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–16 Aug, £5—£9 Keeping Up with the Joans HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7—£13.50
88 fest 12–14 August 2014
Antiquithon HH Institut français d’Ecosse, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £5 Mercury Fur C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £9.50—£11.50
The Europeans Part Two Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £5
14:55
White Rabbit Red Rabbit Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, £5—£11
Where the World Is Going, That’s Where We Are Going Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £12.50
14:45 Icarus ZOO, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £5—£8 Mark Ravenhill: Product HHH Assembly Hall, 1–20 Aug, £10—£14 Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £7—£12.50 Paradise Lost Gryphon@WestEnd, 1–16 Aug, not 10, £6—£10 Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £10 The Real Inspector Hound C venues - C nova, 10–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50
14:50 Travesti HHH Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 5, 19, £6—£11 Blind Hamlet HH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 12, 18, £10—£15 Superfluous Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 17–25 Aug, £9
Post-Its (Notes on a Marriage) Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 14–24 Aug, £2—£4
Games of Love and Chance Bedlam Theatre, 18–23 Aug, £7.50 The Burning Crowd Just the Tonic at The Caves, 11–24 Aug, not 12, 17, £10 Alive Paradise in The Vault, 19–25 Aug, £7
15:00 Drowning Scott Greenside @ Nicolson Square, Various dates from 3 Aug to 15 Aug, £7 Help Yourself Central Hall, 9 Aug, 13 Aug, 14 Aug, £9 Dog, Book and Scandal Gryphon@WestEnd, 1–16 Aug, not 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, £8 Bannockburn Quaker Meeting House, 4–16 Aug, not 10, £8 Zelda- The Last Flapper by William Luce Hill Street Solo Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7—£10 Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10
❤ Mush and Me HHHH
The Estate Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 18–23 Aug, £8
Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£11
Anorak of Fire The Royal Scots Club, 12–16 Aug, £8
Dead Fresh theSpace on North Bridge, 18–21 Aug, £5
Prelude to a Number Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 2–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £8—£11
The Queen’s Speech Gryphon@WestEnd, Various dates from 2 Aug to 15 Aug, £8
Tea and Jamboree with Queenie Greenside @ Royal Terrace, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £8
Saving Graces at St Mabel’s Paradise in Augustines, 21–25 Aug, £5
Bloom Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
Raymondo Summerhall, 11–24 Aug, £11
Rants, Bantz and Comas theSpace on North Bridge, 11–16 Aug, £5
The Matchmaker Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £9—£14 Ruskin Live Scottish National Gallery, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, £10
Bottom’s Dream Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 1–16 Aug, not 10, £7—£9 The Ruby Dolls: Fabulous Creatures
HHH
Assembly Checkpoint, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 12, 19, £8—£12
Ctrl+Alt+Delete Zoo Southside, 1–24 Aug, not 7, 13, 20, £5—£7 Mmm Hmmm Zoo Southside, 10–16 Aug, £10 SingleMarriedGirl Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 18–23 Aug, £8—£10 Swimming Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6.50—£11 Party in the USA! Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£12 Larkin’ About Valvona & Crolla, 13 Aug, 17 Aug, £10 Kingmaker HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£14 Mallory: Beyond Everest C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50 The Sorcerer’s Tale Mayfield Salisbury Church, 23 Aug, £10 The Caddington Affair Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 2–16 Aug, not 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, £7 John Muir. Rhapsody in Green Valvona & Crolla, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, 19 Aug, 22 Aug, £12 Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope HHH Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £11—£12 Barbara and Yogashwara’s Safe Space theSpace on Niddry St, 6–20 Aug, not 10, 14, 18, £8
15:05 Crazy Glue HH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £7—£11
www.festmag.co.uk
THEATRE LISTINGS Gordon theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £7
The Bunker Trilogy: Morgana C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, £11.50—£13.50
The Blazers theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–16 Aug, £6—£7
Vanity Bites Back Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
Pennyroyal Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10 Munich theSpace on the Mile, 19–23 Aug, £7 Amy K theSpace on the Mile, 18–23 Aug, £6
Away From Home Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8—£12 Fearnot Wood Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–17 Aug, not 12, £5—£8.50
Now We Are Pope: Frederick Rolfe in Venice theSpace on North Bridge, 18–23 Aug, £8
Race by David Mamet Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 20, £9—£13
Smoking Kills theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £5.50
Squidboy Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–25 Aug, £11—£12
A History of Falling Things theSpace on the Mile, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £7
15:10 The Lover theSpace on Niddry St, 18–23 Aug, £8
15:15 ❤ Please Don’t Cry (At My Funeral)
HHHH
Zoo Southside, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
Mug Shot Paradise in Augustines, 12–16 Aug, £5 Unfaithful Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £19 The Lieutenant of Inishmore Hill Street Drama Lodge, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 12, 13, 20, £7—£12.50 Lippy Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £19 Cuckooed Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £19 RIVERRUN Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £19
15:20 Pomme is French for Apple HHH Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10
www.festmag.co.uk
15:25
Red Jungle Fowl Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8 The Match Game Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–14 Aug, £6—£9.50 Jestia and Raedon C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
15:30 The Penelopiad C venues - C, 10–25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50 Dead Wait Pleasance Pop-Up: The Game Lab, 2–17 Aug, not 5, 12, £8—£10 Guinea Pigs on Trial Summerhall, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £5 The Greatest Liar in All the World Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£10 Lear’s Daughters C venues - C nova, 1–16 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Strange Resting Places Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £9—£12 Where to Begin Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5 Property Rites Church Hill Theatre, 16 Aug, £5
Swiss Cheese Ghillie Dhu, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, £free Are You Lonesome Tonight HHH Summerhall, Various dates from 1 Aug to 22 Aug, £5 Chariot: The Eric Liddell Story Palmerston Place Church, 23 Aug, £11 The Sleeping Trees Treelogy Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £6—£9 The Secret Wives of Andy Williams HH Underbelly, Cowgate, Various dates from 1 Aug to 24 Aug, £6—£10
❤ Spine HHHH Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
SmallWar HHH Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £19 Simon Callow in Juvenalia HHH Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 11, 18, £10—£20 Antiquithon HH Institut français d’Ecosse, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £5 Dracula Sweet Grassmarket, 4–17 Aug, £8 Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10 Dead Fresh theSpace on North Bridge, 11–16 Aug, £5
15:35 Much Ado About Zombies theSpace on the Mile, 11–16 Aug, £8 I Killed Rasputin Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–24 Aug, £10—£14.50 When It Rains HH Pleasance Dome, 2–23 Aug, not 6, 11, 18, £8—£10.50 This Wide Night C venues - C nova, 10–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Post-Its (Notes on a Marriage) Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, 24 Aug, £4
15:40 Berkoff the Inimitable Summerhall, 13–14 Aug, £15 The Future for Beginners HH Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £8—£10 Llais/Voice theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £7 Sleight & Hand Summerhall, 15–19 Aug, £5—£12 Alison Jackson: A Story in the Public Domain (La Trashiata) Summerhall, 21–24 Aug, £10—£15
15:45 Human St John’s, 1–14 Aug, £free
Hot Cat Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£12.50
Horizontal Collaboration Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £18
Scaramouche Jones Pleasance Courtyard, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £7—£14
The Carousel Traverse Theatre, 1 Aug, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £18
Till Death theSpace on North Bridge, 18–21 Aug, £5
147 Questions About Love HHH Dance Base, 1–17 Aug, not 4, 11, £8—£10
King David’s Wives St Cuthbert’s Church, 15–23 Aug, not 19, £free The Bastard Children of Remington Steele Underbelly, Cowgate, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £9—£10
18b ZOO, Various dates from 1 Aug to 25 Aug, £8 See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil Sweet Grassmarket, 20–24 Aug, £9
We Never Land C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 9, £8.50—£10.50
The Man Who Would Be King ZOO, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £6—£9
Queen B ZOO, Various dates from 2 Aug to 24 Aug, £8
No Guts, No Heart, No Glory Sandy’s Boxing Gym, 22–24 Aug, £12
Donald Robertson Is Not a Stand-Up Comedian Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £18 Men in the Cities Traverse Theatre, 3 Aug, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £18
15:50 Show 6 Summerhall @ Roundabout, 2–17 Aug, not 7, 14, £11—£14
16:00
Scots: Double Bill Duddingston Kirk Manse Gardens, 5–16 Aug, not 10, 11, £8
16:05 Tadzio Speaks ... Death in Venice Revisited theSpace on North Bridge, 18–23 Aug, £8 The Return of Savonarola theSpace on the Mile, Various dates from 1 Aug to 22 Aug, £5—£10
Like Fireworks, Like Butterflies theSpace on North Bridge, 4–16 Aug, £10
Antiquithon HH Institut français d’Ecosse, 1–23 Aug, not 11, 18, £5
Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10
Macbeth - Son of Light theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £8
A Game of Soldiers Lauriston Halls, 19–23 Aug, £10
The Trial of Jane Fonda HH The Assembly Rooms, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £16
Contractions C venues - C nova, 10–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Hand Made in China: Moons, Migration and Messages Summerhall, 11–24 Aug, £3
The Tulip Tree- The Love Story of J Enoch Powell theSpace on Niddry St, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 17, £8—£10
FOMO: The Fear of Missing Out Underbelly at Forth 1, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8—£13
An Evening with Dementia theSpace on the Mile, Various dates from 2 Aug to 23 Aug, £10
Love. Guts. High School. Sweet Grassmarket, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£9
The Constant Soldier theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £7
Our Jackie Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, £6
The Piece of Paper Paradox theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £6.50—£8
Fundamentalists just Festival, Various dates from 18 Aug to 25 Aug, £10 Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–25 Aug, £12—£17
16:10
The Confessions of Gordon Brown Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 13, 20, £10—£16 Freak HHH Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£11
12–14 August 2014 fest 89
THEATRE LISTINGS How to Achieve Redemption as a Scot Through the Medium of Braveheart HHH Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£11 Broke Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£12 The Last Piemen theSpace on the Mile, 18–23 Aug, £8
16:15 The Exchange Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, £10 Dead Letters C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50 Much Ado About Nothing theSpace @ Venue45, 18–23 Aug, £8 Boxman H Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, £5—£10
Circumcise Me Gilded Balloon , 1–15 Aug, not 2, 9, £11
Alice in Concert Church Hill Theatre, 16 Aug, £5
News Junkie Paradise in The Vault, 19–25 Aug, £6—£7
Bitesize Chekhov Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, £10
LaborActorial New Town Theatre, 6–14 Aug, £10
16:25
Spoiling HHH Traverse Theatre, 2 Aug, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £18 Jamaica Farewell
HH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, £6—£11
Maybe New Town Theatre, 16–24 Aug, £10 Jack Gryphon@WestEnd, 12–16 Aug, £6
Wolf Whistle Paradise in The Vault, 4–17 Aug, not 5, 11, £6 Gagging for It SpaceCabaret @ 54, 1–23 Aug, not 17, £5—£9
16:30 Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 3, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10
Ernest and the Pale Moon Pleasance Courtyard, 3–25 Aug, not 12, £9.50—£12.50
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£14.50
Conflict in Court H New Town Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £10—£12
16:35
16:40
Lands of Glass HHH Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 16, 19, £9—£12
Forty-Five Minutes theSpace @ Venue45, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £5—£9
Casual Encounters theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £5—£8
Nougat for Kings Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10
The Collector Gilded Balloon , 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£11
How does a Snake Shed its Skin? HHH Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 19, £7—£12.50
Kiss Me Honey, Honey! Gilded Balloon , 24 Aug, £12.50
Flat Pack theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 19–23 Aug, £8
binôme – Souris Chaos Institut français d’Ecosse, 6–17 Aug, not 11, 12, £5—£7
God Is in My Typewriter Hill Street Solo Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £7—£10
16:20
St Joan Bedlam Theatre, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £8
Lunch Just the Tonic at The Community Project, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
Anthem for a Doomed Youth Assembly Roxy, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £8—£13
Theatre on a Long Thin Wire HH Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, £5—£10
Henry V: Here and Now Gryphon@WestEnd, 12–16 Aug, £5
90 fest 12–14 August 2014
Confirmation Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 2–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £11—£14
Hats Off To Laurel and Hardy Sweet Grassmarket, 16–17 Aug, £9 Shooting the White Eagle Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£7
The Importance of Being Earnest theSpace on the Mile, 11–16 Aug, £9 The Dirty Talk C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £9.50—£11.50 Jay-Z and Me: A Fast Talking Memoir Sweet Grassmarket, 1–17 Aug, not 11, £8
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THEATRE LISTINGS A Walk in the Dust Sweet Grassmarket, 15 Aug, £6
16:45 Lie Back and Think of England C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50
Woyzeck! C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
Linwood No More theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 4–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £10
Barbara and Yogashwara’s Safe Space theSpace on Niddry St, 6–20 Aug, not 10, 14, 18, £8
An Audience With Shurl Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–23 Aug, £7
Green Snake C venues - C, 20–25 Aug, £11.50—£12.50
The Knee Jerk of Sloth HHH ZOO, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
Yellow Fever Venue 13, 2–23 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8
Symphony by Ella Hickson, Nick Payne and Tom Wells
Inheritance Blues Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £6—£11
HHH
Cirque Tsuki: Parade C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50
TalkFest 2014: 02 Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug, £6
Hamlet C venues - C too, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
16:50 Tender Napalm C venues - C nova, 10– 25 Aug, £9.50—£11.50 Just Paradise in Augustines, 12–17 Aug, £8 Hiraeth Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£11
16:55 Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £6—£10.50
17:00 Dead Wait Pleasance Pop-Up: The Game Lab, 2–17 Aug, not 5, 12, £8—£10 Tick Tock Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, £9.50 Nathan Penlington: Choose Your Own Documentary Gilded Balloon , 10–25 Aug, £10.50—£12.50 Little on the inside Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £9—£12
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Assembly George Square Gardens, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £10—£15
Man Enough Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–24 Aug, £free Sophie Wu is Minging, She Looks Like She’s Dead Wee Red Bar, 2–24 Aug, £free You, Me and the World HHH Zoo Southside, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 12, 19, £7—£9 A Walk at the Edge of the World Summerhall @ The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 1–24 Aug, not 7, 11, 18, £8—£12 Haggis Haggis Haggis Scottish Storytelling Centre, 4–24 Aug, not 12, 13, 14, £10
Singarevva and the Palace Sweet Grassmarket, 12–17 Aug, £7 Driving with the Parking Brake Up theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £7 The Trojan Women theSpace on the Mile, 18–23 Aug, £8—£10 Gidion’s Knot theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 4–16 Aug, not 10, £9 El Britanico! (Wrestling Reality) theSpace on the Mile, 11–16 Aug, £6
17:10 ❤ Hayani HHHH Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £9—£13
Soldier Box theSpace on North Bridge, Various dates from 2 Aug to 22 Aug, £6—£8 Perfection C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50
17:15
MenSWEAR Collection: Three, Two, F*ck C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50 Occupied Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £9 Treasure Island theSpace on Niddry St, 1–23 Aug, £10—£11 Life on the One Wheel ZOO, 17–25 Aug, £8 Safeword Sweet Grassmarket, 20–24 Aug, £8 Light Pleasance Dome, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £7.50—£13
17:20 The Sonneteer Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 1–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £8—£14 Klip HH Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £6—£11
17:30 Dead To Me Summerhall @ Roundabout, 6–23 Aug, not 7, 14, 21, £8—£11 Burger Van Thistle King James Hotel, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 7, 21, £free
❤ Black Faggot HHHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£12.50
Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 2, 3, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10
John Muir. Rhapsody in Green Valvona & Crolla, 13 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, £12
Yellow Moon: The Ballad of Leila and Lee theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £8
Indian Peter’s Coffee House Valvona & Crolla, 14 Aug, £12
Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits St Cuthbert’s Church, 11–15 Aug, £10
17:35 Monkeys and Typewriters theSpace @ Venue45, Various dates from 12 Aug to 23 Aug, £5 The Ukulele Evangelists Bang One Out theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £8 Harry the King Zoo Southside, 10–25 Aug, £9 Ablutions HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£11
17:40 Motortown Sweet Grassmarket, 18–24 Aug, £8.50 True Brits Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £5—£10 Hamlet SpaceCabaret @ 54, 11–16 Aug, £8—£10
Newton’s Cauldron Paradise in The Vault, 2–17 Aug, not 11, £5—£7
Where to Begin Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5 Property Rites Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, £5
The Human Voice Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 18–25 Aug, £10
Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes Upstairs @ Le Monde, 3–21 Aug, not 8, 9, 15, 16, £16.50
Moonshine, Medicine and The Mob: Whisky Theatre Valvona & Crolla Scottish Foodhall@Jenners, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, £15
PratFall theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 18–23 Aug, £5
BigMouth Traverse Theatre, 21 Aug, £19 Larkin’ About Valvona & Crolla, 8–12 Aug, weekdays only, £10
Momma Was a Bad Mutha theSpace on the Mile, 18–23 Aug, £12
Spectrum theSpace on North Bridge, Various dates from 3 Aug to 23 Aug, £6—£8
So It Goes Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£10.50
17:05 The Blazers theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £6—£7
Unprescribed Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 1–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £5—£9
After Aria The Printworks , 14–16 Aug, £8 Your Fragrant Phantom C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50
The Great Gatsby Assembly Roxy, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £10—£14 SmallWar HHH Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, £19
17:50 Compulsion Paradise in The Vault, 19–25 Aug, £8 The Greenville Ghost C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50 21st Century Poe: Moyamensing Paradise in The Vault, 4–17 Aug, not 11, £8
17:55 Antigone C venues - C, 17–25 Aug, £9.50—£11.50 The Alchemist Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10
18:00
17:45
Bad Boys: Whisky Theatre Valvona & Crolla Scottish Foodhall@Jenners, 6–23 Aug, not 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, £15
Civil Rogues HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£11
Phone Whore: A One Act Play With Frequent Interruptions Sweet Grassmarket, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £8.50
Yellow Moon: The Ballad of Leila and Lee Bedlam Theatre, 12 Aug, £5 Unfaithful Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £19 The Interview Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, £6—£10
The Lieutenant of Inishmore Hill Street Drama Lodge, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 12, 13, 20, £7—£12.50
Shakespeare in the Garden: A Midsummer Night’s Dream C venues - C south, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £7.50—£9.50
Cuckooed Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £19
Voca People HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £8—£16
12–14 August 2014 fest 91
THEATRE LISTINGS Lippy Traverse Theatre, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £19 Mata Hari In Eight Bullets Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, £15 RIVERRUN Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £19 High Vis Princes Mall, 1–25 Aug, £free Trailer Park Plays Laughing Horse @ Gorgie City Farm, 7–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £free Somebody I Used to Know HHH Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 2, 3, 6, 13, 20, £8—£10 Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles National Library of Scotland, 11–22 Aug, weekdays only, £6 Victorian Vices – Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls theSpace on Niddry St, 1–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £8—£11
❤ The Capone Trilogy: Lucifer
HHHH C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, £11.50—£13.50
The Object Lesson Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £9—£14 The Duck Pond Bedlam Theatre, 2–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£8
18:05 When My Time Comes theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £5 Belfast Boy Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, £7.50—£10 Casting the Runes theSpace on the Mile, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £5—£10 Title and Deed by Will Eno HH Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8—£13
18:10
18:25
The God That Comes Summerhall, 13–24 Aug, not 18, £12
A Modernist Event C venues - C south, 3–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
Chef Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–17 Aug, £6—£10.50
18:15 Labour of Love Church Hill Theatre, 16 Aug, £5 Spoiling HHH Traverse Theatre, 3 Aug, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £18 Love Thy Neighbour Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, £5 Letters Home Edinburgh International Book Festival, 9–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £10—£15 Bunbury Is Dead Cafe Camino, 2–23 Aug, not 15, £free Death Shall Have No Dominion Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–23 Aug, not 19, £free Too Cool to Care Venue 13, 2–23 Aug, not 11, £8 The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha ZOO, 1–25 Aug, not 6, 13, 20, £9 Donald Robertson Is Not a Stand-Up Comedian Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £18 Weekend Breaks The Royal Scots Club, 11–16 Aug, £12 Footloose Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
18:20 Charmolypi Summerhall, 9–24 Aug, not 18, £10 Sonnets for an Old Century Church Hill Theatre, 15 Aug, £5 The Three Peaks Quaker Meeting House, 11–16 Aug, £8
92 fest 12–14 August 2014
Wastwater C venues - C nova, 1–16 Aug, £8.50—£10.50
18:30 Silence in Court New Town Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £10—£12 The Flood Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £12 He Had Hairy Hands
HHH
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 13, £6—£11.50
Boosters ZOO, 4–24 Aug, £5—£9 Men in the Cities Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £18 Mental Pleasance Pop-Up: The Bedroom, 7–24 Aug, not 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, £10 Broken Dolls (Razbitye Kuklu) C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50 Horizontal Collaboration Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £18 The Carousel Traverse Theatre, 2 Aug, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £18 Light Killer Summerhall, 9–24 Aug, £7—£11 Torsten The Bareback Saint Assembly George Square Studios, 5–16 Aug, £16—£19
18:35 Hyde & Seek C venues - C nova, 3–25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50
Working Title: The Orpheus Project C venues - C too, 2–25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50 I Promise You Sex and Violence HH Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 2–23 Aug, not 7, 14, 21, £11—£14 Old Gristle theSpace @ Venue45, Various dates from 12 Aug to 23 Aug, £5
Beans On Toast Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, not 18, £5—£9
18:55 Forever Young theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 18–23 Aug, £8
19:00
18:40
Help Yourself Central Hall, Various dates from 7 Aug to 14 Aug, £9
Punk Rock theSpace on North Bridge, 18–23 Aug, £7
Naked in Alaska Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£10
You’re Never Too Old Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10
Vincent Goes Splat
18:45 Tales from the MP3 Summerhall, 10–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £10.50—£12.50 Lace Up theSpace on North Bridge, Various dates from 4 Aug to 22 Aug, £8 Death is the New Porn theSpace on North Bridge, Various dates from 3 Aug to 23 Aug, £6—£8 A Brief History of Scotland - We Done Loads! Sweet Grassmarket, 2–24 Aug, £9.50 James Bannon: Running with the Firm Assembly Roxy, 18–24 Aug, £10 Noughts and Crosses Paradise in Augustines, 12–17 Aug, £10 Trainspotting HHH Hill Street Drama Lodge, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £7—£14
18:50
Deprescos theSpace @ Venue45, Various dates from 11 Aug to 22 Aug, £5
Awkward Conversations with Animals I’ve F*cked Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£10.50
Doctor Marigold’s Prescriptions theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £7
Chris Dugdale: More Magic and Mischief Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£12
HHH
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
Bazaar and Rummage C venues - C nova, 1–16 Aug, not 7, £8.50—£10.50 I’m Not Pale, I’m Dead
HHH
Assembly Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£11
The Despondent Divorcée C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, not 8, 9, £8.50—£10.50 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Edinburgh Elim, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, £8 Legion Buccleuch Free Church, 19–23 Aug, £free Dead Wait Pleasance Pop-Up: The Game Lab, 2–17 Aug, not 5, 12, £8—£10 Miss Julie Scottish Storytelling Centre, 11–15 Aug, £10 Can’t Stay Away! theSpace on Niddry St, 1–23 Aug, £9—£11 My Name is Saoirse Scottish Storytelling Centre, Various dates from 1 Aug to 19 Aug, £10 X and Y Scottish Storytelling Centre, Various dates from 6 Aug to 24 Aug, £10 Barbara and Yogashwara’s Safe Space theSpace on Niddry St, 6–20 Aug, not 10, 14, 18, £8
And I Ran With The Gang – The Story Of The Original Bay City Roller Upstairs @ Le Monde, 3–21 Aug, not 8, 9, 15, 16, £12
19:05 Stackard Banks is Self-Discovered Ciao Roma, 2–23 Aug, not 12, £free Olaudah Equiano: The Enslaved African theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £8 Hamlet theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 18–23 Aug, £8—£10 Don Quixote theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £5
19:10 Winter of Our Discotheque Paradise in The Vault, 12–25 Aug, not 18, £8 Backstage Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 6–19 Aug, £8—£10 Candy Cigarettes theSpace on the Mile, 19–23 Aug, £8 Can You Spare a Crime Serenity Cafe, 2–12 Aug, £free The Canterbury Crawl theSpace on the Mile, 19–23 Aug, £5 And the Horse You Rode in On Paradise in Augustines, 4–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £7 Beats North Summerhall @ Roundabout, 11–23 Aug, not 14, 21, £11—£14
19:15 The Player’s Advice to Shakespeare C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £9.50—£11.50 Chariot: The Eric Liddell Story Palmerston Place Church, 19–22 Aug, £11 3,000 Trees by George Gunn Gryphon@WestEnd, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8
www.festmag.co.uk
THEATRE LISTINGS 19:20 Doing Time With Number 5 Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, £7 The Bunker Trilogy: Agamemnon C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, £11.50—£13.50 In Control Paradise in The Vault, Various dates from 3 Aug to 25 Aug, £6.50—£7 Rats! Paradise in The Vault, Various dates from 2 Aug to 24 Aug, £6.50—£7
19:25 Frankenstein: UnBolted Just the Tonic at The Caves, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £1—£9
19:30 Swing Dance Base, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8—£10 A Game of Soldiers Lauriston Halls, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £10 Relatively Speaking Murrayfield Parish Church Centre, 6–16 Aug, not 10, £10.50
❤ How to Disappear Completely HHHH Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 13, £6—£11.50
Leave Me Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 10–25 Aug, £7 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour Outside the Beehive Inn, 1–31 Aug, £14 Kiss Me Honey, Honey! Gilded Balloon , 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 23 Aug, £12.50
At the Illusionist’s Table The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 1–22 Aug, not 3, 7, 9, 10, 17, £59 Claustrophobia ZOO, 1–25 Aug, not 18, £9—£10 Paras Over the Barras St. Serf’s Halls, 4–15 Aug, not 10, £10 Woody Allen’s Writer’s Block St Ninian’s Hall, 4–16 Aug, not 10, 14, £12 Woodbine Willie Edinburgh Elim, 12–16 Aug, £11 Mary Stewart Duddingston Kirk Manse Gardens, 6–24 Aug, not 11, 12, 18, 19, £10 Pre-View: Traverse Theatre, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, £6
19:50 21 Things You Should Know About Toronto’s Crack-Smoking Mayor Sweet Grassmarket, 1–24 Aug, not 2, £5—£8.50 Keeping Abreast Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18, £8—£13 God on Trial C venues - C nova, 1–16 Aug, £9.50—£11.50
19:55 Last Call C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50
20:00
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest theSpace @ Venue45, 11–16 Aug, £7
Victorian Vices – The Picture of Dorian Gray theSpace on Niddry St, 1–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £8—£11
The Really Big Diamond theSpace @ Venue45, 19–23 Aug, £7
No Guts, No Heart, No Glory Sandy’s Boxing Gym, 22–24 Aug, £12
Tinderbox Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 1–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £8—£10
So What If I Dance? Sweet Grassmarket, 1–17 Aug, not 3, 6, 13, £5—£7
19:35
A Journey Round My Skull Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £11—£12
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience B’est Restaurant, 3–26 Aug, not 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, £49.50
Making Light theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £7
God’s Own Country Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, £8—£10
19:40 Sins of Seven Tables Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £3—£7
19:45
(Un)tied Sweet Grassmarket, 20–24 Aug, £8 Notoriously Yours C venues - C south, 3–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50 Pint Size Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Amazing Grace Palmerston Place Church, 13–15 Aug, £10
The Sorcerer’s Tale Mayfield Salisbury Church, 2–22 Aug, not 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, £10
Mojo C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £9.50—£11.50
Bond! ZOO, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £6—£12
Where to Begin Church Hill Theatre, 15 Aug, £5
Blood Orange HHH Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £14.50
The Quant HHH Hill Street Solo Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £5—£10
Property Rites Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5
Kaspar Venue 13, 2–23 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £8
Soften the Grey theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18–23 Aug, £8
www.festmag.co.uk
Grimm C venues - C too, 1–16 Aug, £8.50—£10.50
20:05
Marijan theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 1–23 Aug, not 13, 14, 15, prices vary An Extraordinary Light theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–16 Aug, not 3, 10, £6—£8
20:10 According To His Need C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7.50—£9.50 The Sorrows of Young Werther theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 13–15 Aug, £6 The 24 Hour Mystery Play Paradise in Augustines, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, £7 Upper Lip theSpace on the Mile, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 16, £6—£8 Before Us Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, 18, £6—£10.50
20:15 Labour of Love Church Hill Theatre, 18 Aug, £5 Captain Amazing Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, £14 A Series of Increasingly Impossible Acts Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 2–17 Aug, not 7, 14, £11—£14 Lippy Traverse Theatre, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £19 Nancy Dell’Olio: Rainbows From Diamonds Gilded Balloon , 14–24 Aug, £11—£13
20:20 Chatroom C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £9.50—£11.50 Sonnets for an Old Century Church Hill Theatre, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, £5
20:30 The Carousel Traverse Theatre, 3 Aug, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 21 Aug, £18 The Bridge just Festival, 1–25 Aug, not 2, 11, 18, 24, £10 Sirens Summerhall, 12–24 Aug, not 18, £8—£12.50 Dead Wait Pleasance Pop-Up: The Game Lab, 2–17 Aug, not 5, 12, £8—£10 Unfaithful Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £19 The House of Bernarda Alba theSpace on Niddry St, 1–23 Aug, £9—£11 Cuckooed Traverse Theatre, 2 Aug, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £13—£19
The Importance of Being Earnest as Performed by Three F*cking Queens and a Duck theSpace on North Bridge, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £9—£11
20:40 ❤ The Capone Trilogy: Vindici
HHHH
C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, £11.50—£13.50
Darkle theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 10, £10—£11 What Do You Mean Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, not 12, 19, £10 Sleeping with Beauty Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 19 Aug, £4
20:45
The Flood Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £12
Standing on Lego Paradise in Augustines, 19–21 Aug, £5—£8
Standby for Tape Back-Up Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8—£10
Mates Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 1–16 Aug, not 10, £10
Italia ‘n’ Caledonia Valvona & Crolla, 11 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, £12
Take Me Home: A One-woman Odyssey George Next Door, 2–23 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £free
Rumours The Royal Scots Club, 11–16 Aug, £12
Terror Paradise in The Vault, 12–24 Aug, not 18, £10
John Muir. Rhapsody in Green Valvona & Crolla, 14 Aug, 23 Aug, £12
The Cold Clear Elsewhere Cafe Camino, 2–23 Aug, not 15, £free
Indian Peter’s Coffee House Valvona & Crolla, 6 Aug, 9 Aug, 12 Aug, 18 Aug, £12
The Rooftops Of Paris Laughing Horse @ Ryrie’s, 2–15 Aug, not 6, 11, £free
Shrew C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 Lysistrata C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £10.50—£12.50
20:35 Great Artists Steal
Donald Robertson Is Not a Stand-Up Comedian Traverse Theatre, 7 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 24 Aug, £18 Men in the Cities Traverse Theatre, 6 Aug, 12 Aug, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, £18
theSpace @ Venue45, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £5—£9
SmallWar HHH Traverse Theatre, 5 Aug, 10 Aug, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £19
The Rose of Jericho theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £6—£10
RIVERRUN Traverse Theatre, 3 Aug, 8 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £19
HH
12–14 August 2014 fest 93
THEATRE LISTINGS Serve Cold Gryphon@WestEnd, 11–16 Aug, £8
20:50 Punk Rock Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 18–23 Aug, £6
❤ Janis Joplin: Full Tilt HHHH Assembly Checkpoint, 1–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £10—£13.50
Actors Paradise in The Vault, 12–25 Aug, not 18, £6.50—£8
3,000 Trees: The Death of Mr William MacRae Sweet Grassmarket, 1–24 Aug, £8 Trainspotting HHH Hill Street Drama Lodge, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £7—£14 Fragile ZOO, 1–25 Aug, £8.50—£9.50 Return to the Voice Summerhall @ St Giles Cathedral, Various dates from 7 Aug to 25 Aug, £15
The Merchant of Venice Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 18–23 Aug, £9
Hibrow In-Conversations Summerhall @ Roundabout, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, £10
20:55
21:05
The Villains, the Vote and the Black, Black Oil Sweet Grassmarket, 18–24 Aug, £7
Dave! theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 14 Aug, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, £7
21:00 ❤ The Generation of Z: Edinburgh
HHHH Assembly George Square Theatre, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 19, £8—£12
Private View Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 6–24 Aug, not 12, £7 A Journey Round My Skull Summerhall, 18 Aug, £11 Big Brother: Blitzkrieg Sweet Grassmarket, 4–17 Aug, £8.50 Hunter and Johnny ZOO, 1–25 Aug, £9
Candide: The Optimist theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 1–12 Aug, not 3, £5—£10 A Quartet of Chekhov Farces theSpace on the Mile, 11–16 Aug, £7—£8 Lady GoGo Goch Summerhall, 1–24 Aug, not 4, 11, 18, £11—£12 Totally Devoted theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £6—£9 Seated Reservations theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11 Aug, 13 Aug, 15 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, £7
21:10 Guaranteed Nudity theSpace on the Mile, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £6
94 fest 12–14 August 2014
❤ Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho
HHHH Assembly George Square Gardens, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £8—£13
Honest theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 18–23 Aug, £8
21:15 Horizontal Collaboration Traverse Theatre, 2 Aug, 14 Aug, 20 Aug, £18 Spoiling HHH Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, £18 Replay C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50 Connected SpaceCabaret @ 54, 18–23 Aug, £8 The Lieutenant of Inishmore Hill Street Drama Lodge, 1–24 Aug, not 6, 12, 13, 20, £7—£12.50 Not I and Rockaby theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 14–16 Aug, £5 666 DSM: A Dark Comedy about Sanity, Society and Spirituality Venue 13, 2–23 Aug, not 11, £8
Paperback Time Machine: Book to the Future Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £4—£8 London Life SpaceCabaret @ 54, 11–16 Aug, £10
21:25 Barge Baby C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12, £8.50—£10.50
21:30
HHH
Assembly George Square Studios, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £7—£15
21:45 The Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union C venues - C cubed, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
21:50
The World Mouse Plague Summerhall, 13–24 Aug, not 18, 19, £8—£10
Snoutology for Beginners Summerhall, 18–24 Aug, £5—£7
Thief Hill Street Solo Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £10
21:55
Send More Paper Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 21 Aug, £14 The Unholy Trinity theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 11–23 Aug, not 17, £12
21:35 Neverland theSpace @ Venue45, 11–16 Aug, £9 The Temptation of St Anthony theSpace @ Venue45, 18–23 Aug, £8—£9
21:40
Super Tramp Zoo Southside, 1–25 Aug, £9
Punk Rock Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 17 Aug, £7
21:20
Phantom Pain theSpace on North Bridge, 11–16 Aug, £7.50
Dracula HHH Pleasance Courtyard, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8—£14
The Post Show
GoldDust theSpace on North Bridge, 18–23 Aug, £5
22:00 Candide Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 18–22 Aug, £7.50 Swiss Cheese Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 18 Aug, £free Mata Hari In Eight Bullets Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 7–23 Aug, not 9, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, £10—£15 Wuthering Heights Summerhall, 10–24 Aug, not 15, 18, £12.50
Drunk Lion Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, 1–24 Aug, £free Gidding’s Ward Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 11–16 Aug, £5
❤ Milk Presents: Self Service HHHH Northern Stage at King’s Hall, 2–23 Aug, not 3, 7, 14, 21, £8—£11
My Name is Saoirse just Festival, 6–23 Aug, not 16, 17, 18, 19, £10 Sanitise Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
22:05 MenSWEAR Collection: Spunk C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £8.50—£10.50
22:10 The Noctambulist Paradise in The Vault, 12–17 Aug, £8 Loose Soul Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 1–25 Aug, £9
22:15 We Were Kings theSpace on the Mile, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £5—£7
X and Y just Festival, Various dates from 1 Aug to 19 Aug, £5—£10
Refresh: Stories of Love, Sex, and the Internet theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £5—£7
The Bunker Trilogy: Macbeth C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, £11.50—£13.50
Tape C venues - C too, 10–25 Aug, not 14, 15, 16, £7.50—£9.50
www.festmag.co.uk
THEATRE LISTINGS The Bastard Queen theSpace on Niddry St, 18–23 Aug, £7 A Male Soprano Paradise in The Vault, 4–25 Aug, not 10, 11, 18, £7 Footloose Church Hill Theatre, 16 Aug, £5
22:20 Biding Time (Remix) Summerhall, 5–23 Aug, not 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 22, £6—£12
22:25 Hamlet theSpace on North Bridge, 1–23 Aug, not 3, 10, 17, £4—£7.50
22:30 And They Played Shang-a-Lang The Assembly Rooms, 13–24 Aug, £12—£15
Looking for Paul Wunderbaum Summerhall, 14–23 Aug, £12.50 The Babysitters C venues - C cubed, 1–16 Aug, £7.50—£9.50 The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven artSpace@StMarks, 5–23 Aug, not 10, 11, 17, 18, £10—£12 A Virgin’s Guide To... Rocky Horror New Town Theatre, 1–24 Aug, not 12, £12—£14
The Devil Without C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 12,
❤ The Generation
£8.50—£10.50
of Z: Edinburgh
22:40
Assembly George Square Theatre, 12 Aug, 13 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, £12
Engels! The Karl Marx Story Double Bill theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 19–23 Aug, £10
22:45 Calypso Nights Assembly Roxy, 1–25 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
Return to the Voice Summerhall @ St Giles Cathedral, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 20 Aug, £12—£15
22:55
22:35
£8.50—£10.50
Smoking Ban theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 11–16 Aug, £7
23:00
Puzzle the Puzzle C venues - C nova, 1–25 Aug, not 11, 18,
Et Tu Elvie C venues - C, 1–25 Aug, £8.50—£10.50
HHHH
This Is Living Bedlam Theatre, 2–23 Aug, not 10, 17, £7—£9
23:10 Case Number Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 20–24 Aug, £6
23:15 What a Gay Play C venues - C, 1–24 Aug, £8.50—£10.50 Trainspotting HHH Hill Street Drama Lodge, 1–24 Aug, not 5, 12, 19, £7—£14
Kim Noble: You’re Not Alone Traverse Theatre, 19–24 Aug, £13—£19 Cheesed Off Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 1–12 Aug, not 6, £free
23:20
Against Nothingness or 3cm Above an Empty Head Summerhall, 18–24 Aug, £10 Séance Sweet Grassmarket, 4 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, £10
23:55
23:30 Tape C venues - C too, 14–16 Aug, £8.50—£9.50
❤ The Generation
Alice theSpace on North Bridge, 6–23 Aug, not 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, £10—£14
of Z: Edinburgh
HHHH
Assembly George Square Theatre, Various dates from 1 Aug to 24 Aug, £8—£12
Dinner is Swerved C venues - C nova, 8–24 Aug, not 12, 19, £15.50—£19.50 Bonenkai Underbelly, Cowgate, 1–24 Aug, not 11, £6—£10
00:00 City Of the Blind Online at www. DavidLeddy.com (with Traverse Theatre), 2–25 Aug, £8.99 Eggs Collective Get A Round Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 2–25 Aug, £free
A dramatic unpredictable magic performance by actor and magician Robert Jägerhorn
6.30 pm 31 July - 24 August HILL STREET SOLO THEATRE tickets: 0131 226 0000 / universalartsfestival.com
www.festmag.co.uk
12–14 August 2014 fest 95
st e F e h T y t r a P h Launc
4 h our 201 t week wit s ancing, la d e s g a n w ri there t the F , a g r in a g e y in s th 2 e Fringe. was rated its 1 kick off th ter, there h to g y u a la w s Fest celeb a c w sti rty. There all, a fanta launch pa nts: all in e m z and h s e fr re erol Sprit p A d n a there were Rum ol Choir, ors Old J igh Scho s H n o o p k s r lo u D o ub Time Rizo, the nks go to ish, Hot D ers: Lady Huge tha n n rm a o portantly rf M e d p n erb ya d most im n a , s le to our sup , Martin Mor, Frisk k r a ce Steena Sp Black Gra and pals, ck e r la B la e C is Tim er Lou n n la p Machine, y rt menal pa our pheno
96 fest 12–14 August 2014
www.festmag.co.uk
www.festmag.co.uk
12–14 August 2014 fest 97
FASCINATING AÏDA:
Ten Things We Did Today Underbelly, Bristo Square, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, not 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 13 Aug, £15.50
1
Adele hasn’t cooked a meal since 1984. She keeps her shoes in the oven.
2
Liza has her toes shellacked for the first time.
Dillie queuing outside the Jo Brand Cabaret Bar to see FA ex-member, Sarah-Louise Young in Night Bus at the Pleasance Upstairs.
4
Dillie uses the minutes before the start of the show to play backgammon.
Adele likes to play with her food.
6
5
Waiting to see The CHRISTEENE Machine at the Underbelly.
Liza sampling wine in Pickles wine bar.
8
7
Liza wonders whether it was Dillie or Adele who pushed her.
Dillie and our esteemed producer, David Johnson, toast the fact that his comments about (massive theatre management group) ATG have gone viral.
10 98 fest 12–14 August 2014
3
9
Adele and Liza take out the empties at the end of the day.
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22:15 31 JUL - 24 AUG
12–14 August 2014 fest 99
by arrangement with Lisa
Thomas managemenT presents
the times
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