ISSUE 2: 2nd AUGUST 2013
FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS: SLIGHTLY FAT FEATURES HAVE ARRIVED SLIGHTLY FAT FEATURES
Pleasance Times chat to the performers of the best cabaretcircus-comedy act in town
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asten your seatbelts, Slightly Fat Features, the smash hit comedy troupe, are cavorting into Edinburgh with their brand new show. Featuring circus, comedy and cabaret Slightly Fat Features is charmingly chaotic mixture of tiger taming, bullet catching, motorbike riding madness. The seven piece ensemble have been performing as Slightly Fat Features since 2010 and aim to bring cabaret and variety kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Part Monty Python, part Cirque du Soleil they successfully combine comedy with spectacular performance to amuse and entertain audiences of all ages. The cast of Slightly Fat Features are renowned and have entertained national and international audiences of all ages with appearances on BBC Radio 4, ITV, and sell out runs at the Roundhouse, London and toured worldwide with a variety of shows. Now, they are about to embark on their Edinburgh debut. I caught up with producer and performer Goronwy Thom ahead of
their second performance who lifted the lid on why the cast are so excited to be at the Fringe this year. “It’s a show for everyone,” Goronwy enthused, “It’s cabaret come comedy come circus and there’s something that everyone will enjoy.” As we chat an audience member from the previous night congratulates Goronwy on the show and describes it as “everyone’s cup of tea, whatever their age.” From Goronwy’s descriptions this is exactly what it seems. “It’s our first time together at the Fringe as well,” Goronwy smiled, “Our Edinburgh debut so we’re really excited about performing this year.” With an outstanding cast who have years of experience between them, we can expect big things from Slightly Fat Features this year as the show that gives audiences a little bit of everything and a lot of fun. Catch Slightly Fat Features at the Pleasance Courtyard, until 26 August at 17:50
Image of the day: Alex Owen and Ben Ashenden comedy duo The Pin, take a break backstage ahead of their show at the Pleasance Courtyard Image: Jassy Earl, Pleasance Photographer
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Pleasance Times heads over to the Kidzone to discover what is lurking in another universe.
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idden away from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant Pleasance Courtyard are The Green and the Pleasance Kidzone; a fantastic place for the smaller fringe-goers to enjoy some creative activities and watch shows designed specifically with them in mind. After last year’s wintry, arctic theme, this year the Kidzone launches itself into space as an area inspired by all things a little out of this world.
Image: lukejoyce@archetype images
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Earlier this year the Pleasance launched an exciting competition for young, aspiring artists and space enthusiasts, asking children to design and draw an extra-terrestrial creature. Entries were judged by Cbeebies’ Andy Day, a BAFTA nominated children’s television presenter, and finally two winners were selected. The winning entry in each category - up to five years old or between six and eleven - of the competition has now been turned into a life sized realisation and will stand proudly in the Kidzone throughout the festival. Winners also received an array of other treats, including a craft goody bag and a family day pass to the Pleasance.
Aside from the Kidzone’s latest alien additions, there is plenty on to keep every child entertained at the Courtyard. Activities will be available for children to enjoy throughout the Fringe and the programme of children’s shows this year is as outstanding as ever. From Michael Morpurgo’s I Believe in Unicorns in Pleasance Beside to The Adventure at the Pleasance Courtyard Promenade plus a number of shows such as Back From The Future and Just So Stories in The Green at the Kidzone, there will be something for every young festival goer at the Pleasance this year. Pleasance Kidzone is open daily at the Pleasance Courtyard from 10:00
Image: Jassy Earl, Pleasance Photographer
BOOK NOW: 0131 556 6550 www.pleasance.co.uk
Edited by Sophie Chilvers and Emily Tanner
NOT YOUR NORMAL 9-5
Emily Tanner finds the cure to nine to five boredom at BLAM!
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ver wished your working day was a little livelier? Ever wondered how to strike up a conversation with that quiet coworker who sits four desks away by the untouched water cooler? Ever contemplated tearing apart your office, escaping from the daily grind and making yourself a robot suit from office stationery? Well the creators of dynamic physical theatre piece BLAM! most certainly have. What begins as a slow deskbound day soon becomes utter chaos and mayhem as the four office drones tackle boredom at its source. Described as ‘Die Hard meets The Office,’ Danish company Neander’s latest production BLAM! is certainly a blast to the system. An exhilarating performance of high energy and enthusiasm is given by each of the four performers who draw the audience into their tale of drudgery turned anarchy through their dramatic physical theatre. BLAM! is the game which the colleagues have devised to brighten up their dull day, beginning in a low key manner but quickly crescendoing into utter pandemonium. Playing games of war with staplers and files, using their bodies against each other in martial arts and entering the desolation of the apocalyptic waste of a nine to five BLAM! contains moments of impressive physicality to produce
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
An exhilarating performance of high energy
OF FRINGE FIRSTS
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his year is the 40th Anniversary of the Scotsman Fringe First Awards celebrating new writing and innovation in performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
comedy yet also tells the tale of office politics with emotional moments throughout. The production for BLAM! is stunning. The performers time their movements perfectly with the vibrant lighting and powerful sound effects. Neander throw their all – quite literally – into their performance, swinging up into the lighting and towards the audience, attacking the office with the full force of their bodies and barely allowing themselves or the audience to catch their breath. The finale is something else completely; a rock concert combined with an action thriller come bromance had the audience on their feet.
For many young playwrights, theatre companies and directors in the early stages of their careers, winning this award has been vital to setting them on their paths.
BLAM! is certainly a blast to the system
2. Sunday 11th August 1985 Losing Venice by John Clifford First performed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.
Providing comedy, quality physical theatre and exceptional production, BLAM! is a dynamic ride for both audience and cast. By the end you may be wondering why your office can’t be more like BLAM! – or just glad that your own nine to five is a little less frantic.
3. Sunday 18th August 1992 Stalinland by David Greig First presented by Suspect Culture at Theatre Zoo, Edinburgh.
To celebrate the awards the Pleasance, in association with The Scotsman, is hosting a series of rehearsed readings to represent each decade of the Award, directed by Hannah Eidinow. These will take place every Sunday in the Pleasance Courtyard Cabaret Bar at 11:30am. 1. Sunday 4th August 1973 Union Jack (and Bonzo) by Stanley Eveling First performed at the Traverse Theatre Club, Edinburgh.
4. Sunday 25th August 2000 The Bogus Woman written by Kay Adshead. First produced by The Red Room and Mama Quilla at The Traverse Edinburgh directed by Lisa Goldman, performed by Noma Dumezweni. It then transferred to The Bush.
You can catch BLAM! at the Pleasance Courtyard until 26th August at 17:55
ELLIPSIS...WITH THE SEX GURU
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his year Pleasance Times has been asking performers, crew and members of the Pleasance team to tell us their stories from the fringe through five simple questions Here Sex Guru shares his fears, embarassments and favourite moments with us and gets excited about the latest addition to the royal family. The most embarrassing moment on stage was… when someone from the audience (front row) asked me how he should deal with his constant worries about his looks when there are so many beautiful women around. To which
PLEASANCE TWEETS
I replied that he needn’t worry so much about his looks , as a man. “But I am a woman!”, she said. There was quite an awkward moment after that.
Sex Guru: ‘The Sexological Comedy Show’ is on at the Pleasance Courtyard, daily until 25 August at 19:00
I am most proud of… my son. My biggest fear is… my mother. This year I’m most about… the Royal baby!
excited
My favourite thing about the Fringe is… the healthy, inexpensive and varied nutrition most places in town provide.
@LouiseElliot26: Having a pint at the Pleasance #very pleasant!
@BrowellPhilip: In queue for ‘relativitively speaking ‘ at Pleasance Courtyard with a chap called A Einstein
2 1 FOR
Cut out and present to the Box Office for 2 FOR 1 tickets for:
Sex Guru 19:00 2nd & 3rd August Pleasance Courtyard
@MSzalwinska: Are the roast dinner sandwiches at the Pleasance Hunt & Darton cafe as good as they sound?
The Pleasance Theatre Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (1050944) and Scotland (SCO43227)