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Oh my good Godley: Janey questions Ashley CHRIS MARTIN CHRIS SOPHIE WILLAN

August 2nd 2014 to August 31st 2014 12pm - 9pm “chicly Performances conniving” Thursday - Saturday Herald Scotland 7 - 9pm “an audacious Top Floor Ocean Terminal statement on Ocean Drive form, function Edinburgh EH6 6JJ and how a space’s narrative can be shaped” The List START POINT GET THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWSFor AND all INTERVIEWS the latest festival IN YOUR news INBOX as it breaks DAILY sign up for the free ThreeWeeks Daily email nowwww.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/news at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/signup

Paines Plough’s Fringe pop-up in Roundabout Contents

in a day, requiring no tools or specialist have the best playwrights in the world ThreeWeeks 2014 wk2 skills to assemble. The lighting and here in the UK”, Grieve says of the sound systems are bespoke designed motivation behind the project, “and START POINT and utilise completely new technology we think everyone should have the which is incredibly energy efficient. chance to see brilliant new plays. But in Caro writes… 04 It’s a dynamic, immersive space which many parts of the country there are no 04 wraps the audience around the action theatres. Roundabout means we can Letter To Edinburgh and creates a bear pit atmosphere”. take a theatre to those places and pop The new venue is popping up for the it up in a school hall or sports centre INTERVIEWS very first time at the Fringe this year, or warehouse, bringing a unique in the Summerhall complex, hosting venue and a host of great new plays to Sophie Willan Q&A 06 shows presented by both Paines people’s doorsteps”. Plough itself, and guest companies But staying with the Edinburgh Erin Kamler Q&A 06 including Northern Stage. After season for now, Grieve talks through Travesti Q&A 07 which the Roundabout venue will go his programme. “We have four of our on tour. “We’re working with local own productions: the multi-award organisations everywhere we visit to winning ‘Lungs’ by Duncan Macmillan, COMEDY programme a festival of community a new thriller from George Devine 08 Paines Plough will be something extra special at the Fringe work around our own productions” Award winner Alexandra Wood Chris Martin Q&A familiar to anyone with by bringing their own performance Grieve continues. “The venue will host called ‘The Initiate’, a magical show Janey chats to Ashley 08 space with them, called Roundabout. everything from local amateur and for children seven plus which we’re even a passing interest in And while it’s become fashionable youth theatre productions to concerts, co-producing with Half Moon called Comedy Reviews 08 the Fringe’s theatre strand, of late to refer to all the temporary dance, talks, comedians. There’s even a ‘Our Teacher’s A Troll’ by ‘Matilda Massive Dad Question 09 the acclaimed new writing theatres built in Edinburgh for the wedding in Barnsley!” The Musical’ writer Dennis Kelly, and theatre company having Fringe festival as ‘pop-up venues’, this While giving the theatre group their ‘Every Brilliant Thing’, also by Duncan Short & Curly Column 10 one really is. own Edinburgh space is an added Macmillan, which we’re co-producing presented countless shows “Roundabout is a completely bonus, Paines Plough have really with Pentabus. We’re also hosting Comics heckle Christ 10 at the Festival over the self-contained, 168-seat in-the-round invested in creating the Roundabout new work from The Royal Exchange More Comedy Reviews 11 years. auditorium”, Paines Plough Co-Artistic construction so they can take theatre Manchester, Northern Stage, Greyscale Director James Grieve explains. “It flat to places where there are no suitable and The Lyric Hammersmith’s Secret Though this year the company is doing packs into a single lorry and pops up venues to perform. “We’re lucky to Theatre Company”. THEATRE Jason Hewitt Q&A 12 Referendum debates run throughout much Theatre Reviews 13 of the 2014 Festival Of Politics MUSIC Fascinating Aida Question 16 In a year when politics – coverage of the independence debate that we use the Festival Of Politics economy and immigration to poverty, Music Reviews 16 and one political debate in Scotland and the rest of the UK, to give people the space to gather we are offering three days of thought Isobel Fraser will chair a panel of and discuss the implications of the provoking and inspiring sessions Tom Blackmore Q&A 17 in particular – is at the international journalists exploring important decision being made. within our unique building”. top of most agendas in how the referendum campaign is From oil to currency, Europe to the More at www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk Scotland, Edinburgh’s being viewed elsewhere around the MUSICALS annual Festival Of Politics globe. And James Naughtie will lead a discussion on what Scotland might The Girl Who Q&A 18 takes place this week, with look like in six years time with either the upcoming referendum outcome. on Scottish independence Not every session is entirely PHYSICAL unsurprisingly a theme referendum focused mind, though sessions on immigration, poverty and Curtis Uhlemann Q&A 20 running throughout the Scottish identity may all also touch three-day programme of on what impact a break-away from talks and debates. the UK could have in Scotland. Either SPOKEN WORD way, the Festival Of Politics is set to Scottish journalists George Kerevan raise many an interesting topic as it Lucy Ayrton Q&A 21 and Alan Cochrane will discuss takes over the Scottish Parliament in the various issues around Scottish Holyrood from 15-17 Aug. independence, expanding on their Launching this year’s programme CHILDREN’S SHOWS co-written book on the topic, in which last month, the Presiding Officer of 22 the former advocated yes to Scotland Parliament Tricia Marwick MSP told Children’s Reviews splitting from the United Kingdom, reporters: “When the Festival opens, and the latter set out the case for it will be just over one month to go no. Meanwhile, looking beyond until the referendum. It is only right FESTIVAL PEOPLE How do you flyer? 23 TW EDINBURGH LONDON TW www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk TW www.ThisWeekLondon.com The Edinburgh Festival sorted | since 1996 Culture in London sorted | all year round

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However, I can now reveal that the weather Letter To Edinburgh: is going to improve dramatically by the time you read this. By the power of my mind. Though I did just sneak a peak at BBC from Nat Luurtsema Weather and it’s saying Wednesday will be quite nice. So I hope you are sitting reading Nat Luurtsema is taking my poster, until by Week Two I I’m coming up in a week’s time this outside, or by an open window, and a year off the Edinburgh could flyer for myself in peaceful to do Beth O’Brien’s latest making plans to walk to your next venue Fringe. So she sent anonymity (“I hear she’s amazing, spectacular feat of a gig, Sketch CARO WRITES> rather than taking another taxi. no I’ve never got to meet her”). Transfer Deadline, in aid of everyone else this letter. This is not an option by Week Cancer Research UK, where Ooof, I’m tired and it’s not even the middle And perhaps you might use this copy of Three, as the damage is so severe sketch groups all trade members of middle week yet. Well, it’s not when I’m ThreeWeeks to help you choose what Hi guys!! I’m hearing a great buzz I look like an aged relative of for one night, promising to writing this, even if it is by the time you that show might be. We’ve got plenty of about your show and that review myself. wash them and return them are reading it. I’m writing this at the end of reviews in this issue, plus features featuring definitely read like a four. promptly. Which brings me to Week 1, and frankly, I just want to go to bed the brilliant people behind some of the I would try to halt the physical the purpose of this letter: feel already. Then again, it is currently 4am as I best shows happening at the Festival. I am not at the Fringe this destruction of myself, keeping free to chuck any gigs my way type these words, such is the way with our That includes Sophie Willan, Erin Kamler, year. Festival PR being the my haggis intake to every other 19-21 August, plus if you’ve got Weekly Edition print deadlines, and I had a Rebecca Chill and Bradley Leech just for exhilaratingly pointless arms- day, but you can’t live a life a spare room (or… just some busy day navigating the Festival in the rain starters, plus comedian Chris Martin; race it is, I doubt any of you have strangled by rules, so be kind spare room) I probably need to before I sat down to finish off this magazine. spoken word type Lucy Ayrton; musical noticed. But it is true, The Luurts to yourself on that front. You’re sleep somewhere, at some point makers Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie; is not with you. She is at home over a week in, so I assume the between four and nine am. It’s a while since I complained about the Tom Blackmore, creator of ‘Dreams Of experimenting with giving herself vegetables you bought at the Edinburgh weather (though stalwart Peace And Freedom’; Curtis Uhlemann new nicknames. But let’s spread beginning, declaring that this Just remember, you’re doing Festival friends who’ve been Fringing for of ‘The Warriors: A Love Story’; and a more exciting rumour that I’m is the way it’s going to be this really well. This is all character- decades might well remember that I used to ‘Claustrophobia’ writer Jason Hewitt. Plus in a movie or something… use month, have rotted. Sad for them, building, and your victories and moan about it all the time) but I kind of feel there’s an article in which lots of comedians your imagination but keep it but consider it a necessary loss. humiliations are entirely your the need to let off steam. Mainly because I conspire to heckle Christ, and finally, cover realistic: “Nat’s going to be the You don’t need to pretend any business because everyone is too keep ending up actually giving off steam, in star Janey Godley has a quick chat with new Wolverine, unpaid, just travel more, with that courgette judging busy worrying about themselves. warm venues, after getting wet on my way her equally cover starry daughter Ashley expenses, but good exposure” you, now go to Mother India. How liberating is that? to a show. And seriously, I get sad when the Storrie. type of thing. Thanks. rain won’t stop, because it puts a damper on That enough for you to get your teeth into? everything. It’s sad to see flyerers looking This is my first August away I reckon. See you next week. deflated. Comedians down-beat. Actors from the Fringe in a decade. (A Caro @ ThreeWeeks unmotivated. decade. I am so terribly terribly old, how am I still alive?) It wasn’t an easy decision but I reasoned that if I missed Edinburgh, I had a souvenir to console myself, my debt from 2011 onwards. Sweet memories. Though last year I did my stand-up show on the Free Fringe and actually made profit. So like a ruined gambler who’s miraculously won, I am stepping away from the blackjack table. I beat the house! Sort of.

But enough about me, how are you? How’s your show? Uh huh uh huh. Good stuff. They’re all bastards except us. Etc. Are your legs weirdly muscly from constantly walking uphill, while your upper half hangs limp and malnourished? Do you get that thing where your back hurts and it feels suspiciously like a kidney is leaking ethanol? I’ve had it too, I’m sure it’s fine. Don’t Google it.

I always felt that Edinburgh was so tough that I should deny myself nothing all month. This is a good system but the consequences are dramatic. Every day I would look less and less like the nice photo on

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Sophie Willan: Novice Detective

Photo: Kat Gollock Stand-up Sophie Willan SW: This story seemed to be and myself, me as the lead but I picked it because it becomes the Novice something that friends and detective, feeds heavily into genuinely suited the theme of colleagues thought I should the narrative and the comedy the show. I think backdrops, Detective for Fringe write as a show. So I did. Simple of the show. This is what makes themes and metaphors in audiences this year as that. the show so different, it’s not shows have to be very carefully as she retells the true just audience interaction, it’s thought out.’ TW: How much is fact and how audience interaction with a story of how she and much is fiction? narrative. I’ve performed this TW: And finally, who is the her “slightly psychic” SW: I’d say it’s 95% true. There show at over 50 venues across best detective of them all and gran once set out to are odd details that have been the UK and have had all sorts of why? honed to make the show as sidekicks along the way. It really SW: I love Jessica Fletcher! find her missing father. a whole work; a little poetic/ makes the show feel fresh, fun There’s just something very Detective mac donned, comedic license, you know. and exciting; not just for the calming about her lovely, magnifying glass in audience but for me too. little owl face. And I like that hand, we sought out TW: You describe your gran she does the most ridiculous as “slightly psychic”. How TW: How does ‘Novice things to get information; she’s the lady herself to find slightly? How psychic? Detective’ compare to your always on a case that leads out more. SW: Well, it’s more that she more conventional stand-up? to her turning up at a hotel has incredible instincts. And SW: Well, for a start it has a or a hospital or something, TW: OK Novice Detective, sometimes, she can predict narrative. There’s also a set, incognito as her own distant without giving everything the future. She knew George confetti canons and a wild relative from Lancashire. away, tell us a bit about the Michael was gay ten years dance-number-come-lap-dance And her interpretation of a true story behind this show? before he did. at the end. Though my stand-up Lancashire lass is hilarious, it’s SW: When I was a child my sets are quite alternative they basically Les Dawson, face full gran and I turned detective to TW: The audience gets don’t tend to cram all that in! of slap, a bonnet and a feather track down my missing father. involved. What role do they bower in the afternoon. I love A series of curious events led play? TW: You seem at home in the comedy value of that show! to us hunting down a nineties SW: I get the audience involved that detective’s mac. Do you popstar! Whether it was him or in different ways, but I pick one anticipate future shows on a not, you’ll have to come to the audience member at random sleuthing theme? Read more from Sophie at show to find out. to play my detective assistant SW: No, I don’t think so. I’ve ThreeWeeks.co.uk/sophiewillan for the duration of the show. really enjoyed playing around ‘Sophie Willan: Novice Detective’ is on TW: Why did you decide to This role of side-kick, and with film noir and trashy at Zoo until 25 Aug. turn this story into a show? the dynamic between them afternoon detective spoofery, TW

Erin Kamler: Land Of Smiles

Erin Kamler’s musical know what they are getting into swoop into brothels and arrest the ‘Land Of Smiles’ tackles the and do so by choice. Anti-trafficking women working there in an effort to initiatives, often funded by private secure prosecutions. This does little complex issue of human donors and the US State Department, to help the women’s families and trafficking, interestingly say they work hard to fight trafficking. communities back home who are casting a critical eye But the problem is, many do this by struggling to survive. trying to eradicate prostitution and Another problem identified in over the anti-trafficking curb migration, resulting in policies the show is the ongoing debate movement. We spoke to that can be harmful, rather than between feminists over the issue of Kamler about her research helpful, to women. prostitution. ‘Abolitionist’ feminists believe that all prostitution is on this topic, the viewpoint TW: Do you believe the problems demeaning and oppressive to women, she has reached, and why you identify are widespread? while ‘pro-rights’ feminists argue she chose musical theatre EK: The problems are numerous, that sex workers have the right to to share her message. complex, and yes, quite widespread. consent and that voluntary sex work One of the problems we grapple with should not be considered a form of TW: The issue of human trafficking in the show is the ‘push factors’ that human trafficking. This debate affects has been explored at the Fringe in lead to women’s irregular, aka ‘illegal’, policies on prostitution, which is the past, though interestingly your migration. still criminalised in many countries starting point is to cast a critical eye Lipoh, one of the main characters, throughout the world. By criminalising on the anti-trafficking movement, migrates from Burma’s war-torn women who engage in sex work, a cause I think most of us would be Kachin State to Thailand in search governments automatically set up innately sympathetic towards. What of work. As the story unfolds, we a “victim-criminal binary”, in which is your criticism of this cause? learn that the money she earns in the women who are caught working in the EK: My criticism is that many of the brothel where she works is actually trade must either identify themselves policies designed to fight human allowing her to take care of her family as a “victim” of human trafficking trafficking often harm the very and an entire community back home. or a “criminal” who has consented women they are supposedly intended We also learn about the conditions to working in the industry. Forcing to help. When people hear the word that led her to migrate; namely, the women into these categories strips ‘trafficking’, they often think of young atrocities that are being committed by them of agency and reduces them to women held in bondage, forced the Burmese government against the being pawns of the state. into prostitution against their will. Kachin people. These ‘push factors’ Now, this is certainly something that were common themes among the TW: As you say, there are clearly happens, it’s a real and very serious women I interviewed in Thailand. numerous elements to this issue problem. But often sex workers, many The problem with the anti-trafficking and debate. Do you explore the of whom are migrants seeking a movement is that it often fails address various differing elements and these push factors. Instead, NGOs perspectives in ‘Land Of Smiles’? better life in a country far from home, Photo: Rich Dyson

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Rebecca Chill & Bradley Leech: Travesti

Women’s stories, men’s women being cat-called or groped, from the process of editing. There voices. It’s a simple but also the gendered social norms is also the dramatic licence in terms that women themselves follow, to of character. Although the cast are concept, but it creates a the extent that you never really playing six characters, the play is powerful piece, challenging think about them, things like shaving made of ten women’s stories, so all society’s perceived gender their legs and wearing make up. It of the cast have taken more than one struck me as unusual that these are voice to create their one character. norms. ‘Travesti’ began behaviours and norms we would The stories, however, are all true. with the real-life stories never accept or expect the other way There is no clever editing to make a of ten women, discussing around. story more dramatic than it is, they are true stories and the boys perform the traumatic and the TW: Where do the stories that are them with the exact tone, intonation mundane, from sexual told come from? and featuring all the same “ums”, “ahs” assault to unruly body RC: After we’d come up with the and giggles that the women told them hair. And those stories are general concept for the show, we to us with. sent out a plea for stories over now retold by six male various social media platforms and TW: How do the men in the cast characters. We spoke to had a good response. Some women feel about speaking the words of RC: It’s an art of balance just like any other play. And although some of the Rebecca Chill and Bradley contacted us saying that they women talking about their personal loved the idea but didn’t want to be experiences? stories may seem mundane, such as Leech, Artistic Directors interviewed, but other women jumped RC: I think they feel it is a great shaving body hair or wearing make of Unbound Productions, at the chance to tell their stories. In responsibility. They have developed a up, when these stories so unique about the motivation for the end we interviewed ten women, a real love and respect for the women to women are told by men, they mixture of people we met for the first who have shared their stories, and cease to be mundane and actually and impact of the project. time through the project, and others they have spoken at length about become fascinating pieces of social exactly what we hoped for. We’ve had we had known for years. wanting to do those stories justice and observation. TW: Let’s start at the start, where did people tweet us saying they’re still the women proud. the idea come from for Travesti? talking about the show hours later, TW: How true to the stories you TW: How have audiences responded RC: It was a growing realisation that and that’s the best we can really hope were told are the stories we hear? TW: The show encompasses female to the piece? Is it generating the there were a number of behaviours for. Did you employ any dramatic experiences both mundane and kind of debate that you hoped for? that I accepted as being “just what Read more from Rebecca and Bradley at licence? traumatic. How does it work putting BL: Audiences have been incredibly happens”, but I wasn’t sure why. And ThreeWeeks.co.uk/travesti BL: There is, of course, a necessary different kinds of stories alongside positive, which is absolutely fantastic. not only the sexist behaviour of men, dramatic licence that comes just each other? The debate this piece causes is huge, ‘Travesti’ is on at the Pleasane Dome until those stories you so often hear of and we’re so pleased because that is 25 Aug. TW

EK: We cover many, yes. Every character EK: I’ve been researching issues a policy report or an academic paper EK: I think musicals can be an this with a rational, critical look at the in the show is based on composites of related to trafficking and migration in just cannot do. extremely powerful story-telling world through drama, and you have a various people I interviewed during Southeast Asia for the past five years vehicle for serious issues, because very powerful tool for communicating my research in Thailand. I try to as part of my PhD at the University TW: I sense one of the points you of the emotional nature of music, complex issues. explore, for example, the complexities Of Southern California’s Annenberg are making is that, while human and the power of theatre as a live Read more from Erin at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/ of the Christian NGO worker who has School For Communication And trafficking is of course an important medium. When we witness a serious erinkamler dedicated her life to “saving” the girls Journalism. The musical, while issue, there are other important event through music, we engage in a ‘Land Of Smiles’ is on at Assembly George caught in brothels, but who thinks fictional, is inspired by interviews with issues in Burma that are less different way, using all our senses and Square until 25 Aug. that a better life means they should all over 50 migrant women, primarily well documented, and which are our emotional intelligence. Combine become good Christian girls. I explore ethnic minority women from Burma, sometimes overlooked even by TW the policies of the Thai government NGO employees both secular and those who set out to protect the through the character Achara, a Thai faith-based, government officials, oppressed in the region. Am I right? NGO worker whose mission is to build immigration officers, community- If so, what are those issues? the rule of law in Thailand. based migrant organisations and sex EK: Yes, you’re absolutely right. It’s The idealistic motivations of the workers rights organisations. I found the ‘push factors’ I mentioned – issues United States are explored through that each of these groups approaches like warfare, poverty, and economic Emma, the American case worker the issue of trafficking from their disparity that are being woefully who comes to Thailand wanting to own perspective and with their own overlooked by the international “save the world”, only to discover agenda, yet each must adhere to community. In Burma, the government that things aren’t as black and white policies that are being imposed on has supposedly embarked on a as she first thought. Finally, issues Thailand by the US State Department, reform process intended to promote of warfare, migration and allegiance which has made it a worldwide democracy. But the problem is that to family and nation are explored mandate to combat trafficking. numerous human rights abuses are through the character Soon Nu, the still taking place throughout the Kachin freedom fighter and Lipoh’s TW: How has the research informed country. This leads to migration and ‘auntie’ who helps her cross the the fictional story told in ‘Land Of often, real circumstances of labour border into Thailand. Through these, Smiles’? exploitation. But again, anti-trafficking and other, characters, we glimpse a EK: The show is designed to untangle policy stops short of dealing with any world where there are more questions and expose the complex interplay of these issues. Instead, the focus than answers, and where issues that between these characters and their is on criminalising prostitutes and once seemed abstract are now human various agendas and needs. Since satisfying prosecution quotas. and real. musicals are naturally emotional – music being a vehicle for moving the TW: Some people might be TW: You mentioned your study on heart, not just the mind – the musical surprised that such serious and this issue. Tell us about that. What takes us more deeply into these complex issues are being dealt kinds of people did you interview as characters’ aspirations, dreams and with through musical theatre. What part of it? shortcomings in a way that, I believe, would you say to them?

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Chris Martin: Act To Act: Janey chats to Ashley

Fringe legend Janey Godley, Ashley: You are my mum, why are you Fringe responsibilliness or “the slightly wicked asking questions like you don’t know who I am? subjects, so naturally each year godmother of Scottish should be better. And it’s not like I comedy” if you want her Janey: OK, I tried to be a professional have much else going on in my life own description, is back at journalist there, but that never apart from writing dumb jokes. the Festival. And this year’s worked. What’s it like living with me show ‘Oh My Godley!’ boasts at the Fringe and travelling with me TW: The McDonalds staff rating not only outrageous stories as comedian? system – so those famous stars on a plenty, but also a Storrie, as badges – also runs through the new in Ashley Storrie, as in Janey’s Ashley: Well, the worst thing is when show. How did you become such an I’m out late having fun. You pretend expert on it? award-winning comedian you don’t care if I stay out, but I can tell CM: Simple. Mcdonalds.co.uk. Because daughter. The awards being by your wee angry face that you want they need the exposure! for the comedy, not the me to come home with you, as you daughterhood I think. need 50 hours sleep a day, coz you are TW: Do you think the Fringe media quite old. could learn anything from Ronald With Storrie also hosting the McDonald when it comes to star late night show ‘Pumped!’ Janey: Thanks for that. How do you rating systems? at The Voodoo Rooms this feel when you are onstage and know CM: Haha. Yes. They should start I’m watching in the audience? giving comedians badges to wear month, we thought this was all day everyday with their reviews the Festival to charge Godley Ashley: I feel like am being judged, not attached. with the task of interviewing just by an audience, but by the person her daughter about being a whose vagina I essentially broke in TW: You admit to unashamedly stand-up, and having one for a 1986. liking the Big Mac seller in the show. mum. Here goes… What’s your ideal McDonalds meal? Janey: Technically my vagina isn’t CM: Fillet of fish medium, with Fanta. Janey: Ashley, what’s the worst thing broken. Just ask your dad. about travelling and working with TW: Doesn’t a sneaky McDonalds your mum? Ashley: That’s not what he said. count as a healthy dinner during the Fringe? CM: Anything not battered is a victory.

TW: I can’t believe I’ve just asked four consecutive questions about Taking in the Chris McDonalds. I should keep this more local. Salt n Vinegar, or Salt n Sauce? pretty sure you can’t flick any pages. CM: Salt n Vinegar. Licking your So why not navigate the Fringe fingers after salt and vinegar crisps is TW REVIEWS seeing only shows by people with the one of the greatest things on earth. same name as you? In fact, I highly ThreeWeeks Co- recommend it. Well, I do if your name TW: There’s a karaoke story in Editor Chris Cooke is Chris. As you’ll see from the reviews the show too. I take it a move into below, it’s a strategy that’s paid off musical comedy isn’t on the cards? reviews comedy shows pretty damn well so far, even if it has CM: I’m the most tone deaf person on Photo: Kat Gollock featuring, well, a Chris. made me look like one of those “he earth. I’d get egged offstage within gives everything four stars” kind of one minute. stuff onstage, stuff I find funny or silly, How big a narcissist do you need to be reviewers. Though the comedy Chrises and will then usually notice themes in to only review shows by comedians are as yet far from exhausted, and I’ll TW INTERVIEWS TW: We’re nearly mid-Festival now, the kind of things I’m writing about. with the same name as you? This big be posting more Chris show reviews is the show going well? What’s been And once I’m aware of a theme I’ll apparently. Though I only set out on online this week at www.ThreeWeeks. Chris Martin is back with a the best audience responses? start writing to it. this endeavour after discovering there co.uk/chrisshows. Though if this run brand new show at this year’s CM: Yes it’s been fun. The best thing was an actual Chris Cook performing of 4/5s gets too dramatically broken that happened was when I got heckled Fringe – ‘Responsibilliness’ TW: The responsibilities that come at the Festival this year. I mean, that’s maybe I’ll get onto deed poll and about Rasputin. That’s nothing to do – an exploration of the with growing older – and your bid exactly my name. Give or take an ‘e’. become a Simon. Amstell, Munnery, with my show. And when I asked what responsibilities that come to shirk them – are the basic theme even Mayo is in town. That’d work. with age, or more to the point, this year. Are you really that big a it was all about, this posh old man But look at it this way. Ask anyone said he was friends with my dad and the lengths he goes to in order shirker? who performs at this Festival for tips Chris Martin: Responsibilliness CM: I have realised that the only things I should ask him what it meant. Turns on how to choose shows to see, and to shirk them. We caught up out it was my dad’s friend David, who’d (Phil McIntyre Entertainments/ I actually try to do well these days are everyone will tell you - indeed they’ll Aura Talent Ltd) with Chris to find out more comedy, playing FIFA and cooking bought a ticket just to heckle me. insist on it - that the best way to “do More into Yahoo Answers than about the show, his admirably food, and then only if it’s for someone the Fringe” is to pick a show totally at Wikipedia, Chris Martin is mainly complete knowledge of else. I can’t even be bothered to write TW: Well, I guess a ticket sale is a random and take a punt on it. “Flick interested in the inane questions web- the McDonalds staff rating a note properly in my notebook, ticket sale! Finally a question that through the programme”, they’ll say, users ask, rather than in any actual because no one one checks my will only make sense to David and “pick a random page and jab your system, and why a move into trivia the net can provide. Though spelling or neatness, my handwriting anyone else whose seen your show. finger in a random fashion, and go musical comedy ain’t likely to he did inform us that the McDonalds is a disaster! What’s your favourite question on see whatever you’re now pointing happen. staff rating system now rewards a Yahoo Answers? at”. But every time I do that I end maximum of four stars, rather than the TW: Does your success at CM: Another man at one of my gigs pointing at the Fringe Society Annual former five. Quite how a Big Mac seller recent Fringes result in even had my favourite one. He asked General Meeting. And I’ve already seen TW: There is a loose theme running might earn these stars is a (very) loose more responsibilities – ie the Yahoo answers “if a man with one arm that show, way back in 2008 (great through the show. When you theme for the show, punctuating a responsibility to better last year’s commits a crime how do the police dramatic build up, but no resignations, put together a new full hour for series of expertly delivered life stories, show with this? handcuff him?” Delightful! what an anti-climax). Edinburgh, do you start with the with a little drama here and there, and CM: Not really. I just enjoy creating theme or does it evolve as you plenty of big laughs throughout (even new material, and I’ve learnt how ‘Chris Martin: Responsibilliness’ is on at And anyway, Grandad, who uses the choose which stories to tell? and especially with his “shit routine”). to get more material out of certain Pleasance Courtyard until 24 Aug. Fringe Programme anymore? It’s all CM: A bit of both. I start working on Whether he earns his four McDonalds online these days. And whatever you stars I won’t say, but Martin easily gets TW think of the Fringe’s new website, I’m

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Janey: OK, moving on… what’s the most consistent question you are A Question asked at the Fringe? For Three: Ashley: The most consistent question I am asked is “aren’t you somebody’s daughter?” And I answer “isn’t Massive Dad everyone?”. What is the best life Janey: What do you hate about my comedy the most? advice you’ve ever

Ashley: I hate that every time I meet been given? someone new they say “oh, I have heard your mum talk about you in her set”.

Janey: Why do you call me “the Judy Garland of Scottish comedy”?

Ashley: Because I want to be the Liza Minelli of Scottish comedy, so if I keep implying it, it may stick. The best life advice Janey: Have you ever thought about Stevie Martin: I’ve ever received was from an old killing me in my sleep? willow tree. She said “Que que na- Ashley: No. I would do it when you to-ra, you will understand; Listen to are awake so I could see the fear and your heart, you will understand; Let mild amusement on your face as you it break upon you like a wave upon thought it was a joke. the sand; Listen to your heart, you will understand”. There was lots of Janey: Thank you. repetition. I didn’t get what she was saying at the time, probably because ‘Oh My Godley!’ is on at Underbelly Bristo we all know that trees are full of shit, Square until 25 Aug. but now I see that it’s all about going ‘Pumped!’ is on at The Voodoo Rooms until with the flow. For example, I quit my Photo: Rich Dyson 24 Aug. job to come to Edinburgh and, instead TW of enjoying myself here, I’m constantly terrified of the moment it ends when I have to go back to real life. We should all let it break upon us like waves upon shows of the comedy Fringe the sand and accept that trees give great advice. (This is based on the popular Disney film ‘Pocahontas’ by four of mine (though we do still mark lack the life experiences that make style good way) puns throughout the some post-show mental rewinds the way. I’m not high). out of five). for credible rap. So hip-hop fanatic proceedings. Certainly one to watch, (“now, when did he set that up?”). Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 Aug. and decent rap-deliverer Chris Turner and therefore worth watching now. It isn’t the slickest magic show, for tw rating 4/5 | [Chris Cooke] is wise to have instead turned to Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug. obvious budgetary reasons, though Liz Smith: I’m a big advocator of stand-up. Though if your comedy tw rating 4/5 | [Chris Cooke] tricks can be better without the slick. the saying ‘Never Apologise, Never Chris Turner: Pretty Fly draws heavily on real life, as Turner’s True, some of the close-up magic was Explain’. Especially if you’ve chosen to (Fluid Thinking) does, a few more life-dramas would Chris Cook: Charlatan (Chris a little too close-up even in a smallish perform comedy, because apologising be useful here too. Nevertheless, he venue; that budget, when Cook gets it, and explaining come very naturally. However strong your passion for Cook Magic / PBH’s Free Fringe) makes good use of his limited story could be spent on some kind of video Particularly if your friends have come Dre, a career in hip-hop is going to be So, other Chris Cook, what have you bank - disapproving mother, flunking set up perhaps. But the gasps from all the way to Edinburgh to support tricky if you’re a privately educated got? Well, an entertaining hour of college, first love interest - partly by the front-row meant this wasn’t too you, and have caught the show on a white boy from suburban Manchester. tricks and patter, that’s what, with scattering groansome (in a Tim Vine- problematic. Cook’s show may not yet “quiet” day. In MD we operate a strict Not because of race, you’ll just likely enough magical twists to generate warrant five stars, but it was certainly close-ranks policy. Other than that, my worth the five pounds I dropped in his mother once told me to play Monopoly hat on exiting. with any man I’m thinking of marrying. Voodoo Rooms, until 24 Aug. I think the idea is to test what they’re tw rating 4/5 | [Chris Cooke] like in the property market. But my mum isn’t married and doesn’t own Chris Kent: Uncorked any property. A video camera recorded me walking into this show. A documentary’s Tessa Coates: Draco dormiens being made we’re told. And after nunquam titillandus. Brush your teeth. an hour in Kent’s world, complete Get plenty of vitamins. Stop telling with Mum, Dad, little brother and people your style icon is Miss Honey. the family dog, it’s a documentary For heaven’s sake, buy some proper I’d quite like to see. Kent’s family and shoes. Will you stop trying to eat that. friends feature heavily in his always Dance, even if you have nowhere to do entertaining and often very funny it but your own living room. Seriously, stories of growing up in the rough end put down that croissant, you’re allergic of Cork. And while you’ve no idea how to wheat. Be with someone who gives much comedic license is employed, you the same feeling as when you see you do feel quite close to this clan by your food coming in a restaurant. Go the show’s conclusion. The evidence big or go home. And something about then produced of the events just carrying a pig up a mountain, which described was a nice touch, even if it I have forgotten, but which I like to did feel like a bit like an after-thought. think was about taking the first step, no Nevertheless, ‘Chris Kent: Uncorked’ matter how far away your destination left you charmed and smiling. feels. Gilded Balloon, until 25 Aug. Massive Dad is on at the Pleasance Courtyard Photo: Rich Dyson tw rating 4/5 | [Chris Cooke] until 24 Aug.

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The penis on the posters Who Dunnit? Let’s look at the Five Suspects

Remember that time Kunt & The Gang distributed cock n ball stickers all over Edinburgh, ensuring every comedian with a poster stuck to a wall now had some male genitalia added to their printed face? Well, at least that year it was a ‘thing’. But what if you find some similar graffiti has been added to your 2014 Fringe publicity? What can it mean? Who can be responsible? Short & Curly, in something of a ‘Who Dunnit’ mood this Fringe, consider the suspects.

The Flyerer. Desperate for money before the start of the next academic year, the flyerer accepts work distributing bits of paper for a comedian they are told is amazing but don’t even know. As the heavens open up, passers-by treat them like a lepers, and they see the face of their comedian overlord grinning down at them. As they reach into their pocket for a tissue to blow their cold filled nose they happen upon a black permanent marker pen, and the thought occurs “Perhaps this comedian could do with some genitalia protruding from their forehead?”

The Bitter Comedian. Downtrodden, under- appreciated and under the radar. They look up at the big glossy poster of a more successful comedian grinning down at them. They try to convince a couple to come to Fringe comics heckle Christ see their show because it has a funny pun based on their name… plus it’s free entry. The couple say that they’d love to, but they can’t because they’re off to go and see As they always say, anyone’s Ria Lina (in ‘School Of Riason’ at Gilded Jokes & Novelties shop just off Grassmarket, the big comedian with the huge poster you’re standing welcome to do stand-up at the Balloon): Do you feel the whole prophet simple and cost effective. in front of. The bitter comedian reaches into his or her Edinburgh Fringe, just as long as thing is maybe just an overreaction to never knowing your dad? Marcel Lucont (in ‘Marcel Lucont Is’ pocket for another one of their hastily Photocopied flyers they can take the heckles. Though (because their real ones failed to get printed in time for JC: No, carpentry was no longer providing a at the Pleasance Dome): Jesus, if on a the start of the Fringe) and they happen across a marker most comedians don’t turn the stable income (offshore manufacturing) and dinner date with a Christian woman, is pen. “Perhaps this comedian could do with some genitalia heckling into their entire show. the prophet industry was booming at the ordering the ‘spare ribs’ tantamount to entering their mouth...?”. But most comedians aren’t Jesus time, so I made the switch and never looked cannibalism? Christ. back. JC: Yes. Not that that’s always a bad thing. The Artist. The world is a blank canvas, and the artist “And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and has been perfecting the perfect anatomically correct Yes, with Edinburgh 2014 hosting John Robertson (in ‘The Dark Room’ the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.” - genitalia in school notepads and library books for years. the Messiah himself (who may look at Underbelly Cowgate and ‘A Leviticus 26:29. If it’s a first date you’re best They happen across this comedian’s photo, no one is rather more like Aussie comedian Nifty History’ at The Stand): Why is off playing it safe and ordering the sacrificial looking. They reach for their trusty sharpie. “Perhaps I lamb. Josh Ladgrove than you might there suffering? And in the case of could squeeze a cock and balls into his open hand?” masochists, why isn’t there more? have thought) in a show called Lou Sanders (in ‘In Another Great Show JC: Without suffering, Buddha would The Local. Every year they have to put up with this ‘Come Heckle Christ’, we invited Again’ at City Cafe): Why do dogs sniff never have laid out the Four Noble Truths circus of performers descending on their beloved capital comics from across the Fringe to each other’s butt holes and are you my (basically, that shit happens) and we never city. These exhibitionists getting in the way makes the real dad? shout out their own heckles (aka would have got Buddhism (my favourite Local’s blood boil. It’s too busy! Then suddenly this JC: That’s two questions Lou, though they questions) to the Almighty via the religion). As for the masochists, might I comedian’s face is grinning down on them. It’s time to do seem related. There are many mysteries pages of ThreeWeeks. Take it away suggest attaching yourself to a crucifix and take matters into their own hands, and the matter is a contained within the confines of a dog’s butt inviting an audience to heckle you for an black permanent marker pen. “Perhaps this comedian JC… hole and no. hour. could do with a cock and balls entering his ear hole?” Jim Campbell (in ‘Personal Space’ at Alfie Moore (in ‘The Naked Stun’ at Underbelly Bristo Square): The general Abigoliah Schamaun (in ‘It’s Pronounced The Reviewer. The editor at Three Festivals Baby has Assembly George Square): Hey Jesus, consensus is that human flesh tastes like Abigoliah Schamaun’ at Gilded Balloon): I refused a request to publish this Reviewer’s review of a just trying to split the bill for the Last chicken yet the body of Christ you get in know he betrayed you, but the Judas kiss; certain comedian where they describe the stand-up with Supper. Can you remember if Peter had church is basically a biscuit. What’s going was it hot? a slang term for the male genitalia. As they see the image the cheesecake? on here? JC: Ahh, the real Passion Of The Christ, way of that same comedian grinning down, they reach into JC: Did you ask Peter? He’ll probably deny it JC: Frogs and rabbits are supposed to taste before Brokeback Mountain. (Yes). their pocket and find a black marker the first three times you ask him, so just be like chicken. Humans are supposed to pen. “Perhaps I can give a more sure to ask him a fourth time. take like pork. But we don’t. We taste like Baba Brinkman (in ‘The Rap Guide To succinct review on this poster Oreos. The church originally used Oreos Religion’ at Gilded Balloon and ‘The instead? By drawing a cock Dr Professor Neal Portenza (in ‘Performs for communion, but had to switch to the Canterbury Tales Remixed’ at Underbelly and balls spurting into his His Own Autopsy Live On Stage…’ at Just bland wafers you’re used to as a cost saving Bristo Square): I saw a magician turn eye socket?” the Tonic at The Mash House): Hello Mr. measure after dealing with the onslaught of water into wine at the Fringe, can you Jesus, my left foot itches. civil litigation re overzealous priests. reveal the trick? Who do YOU think JC: Hi Neal, that’s not really a question. Have JC: There are two common techniques. The it was? you tried Canesten? It’s about £4.99 from Rhys Mathewson (in ‘Hombre Lobo’ at the first is a Derren Brown (God) style technique Boots. Short & Pleasance Courtyard ): Hi Jesus. How do where you hypnotise the entire audience Curly - Who you feel about disco also dying and then and simply replace the water with wine Dunnit?’ is coming back? while they’re all under. Personally, I’m not Come Heckle Christ is on at the Pleasance on at Ciao JC: Disco’s back? Has anyone told Disco Stu? clever enough for that and can’t really be Courtyard until 24 Aug. Roma I’m not too fussed either way, I’m more of a bothered. The second technique is more to until 23 metal fan. my liking; a £5.99 DIY kit from Aha Ha Ha Aug. TW

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socio-linguistics. And, once you a bucket when the full house exited TW REVIEWS buy into the concept of a five-word her free show, plus her stage manager show, it’s a lot of fun. It was striking clearly hadn’t screwed the light fitting how much physical contact there in properly, so it crashed onto the ThreeWeeks Podcast was through the performance but it stage five minutes before the end. Editor Tom Bragg emphasised that discarding language But Murray had some good material, (and associated differences such as and fuckwittery’s a fun theme, though checks out the shows race) and relying on normal human she tends to fill the gaps between with censored titles curiosity paradoxically brings people sections with comments like “so that closer together. was good”, which immediately flatten Having set myself the remit of Banshee Labyrinth, until 24 Aug. the mood. Join the club if you’re so reviewing only shows with an tw rating 5/5 | [Tom Bragg] inclined. asterisk in their title, I then started The Liquid Room, until 24 Aug. to fear that these might be almost Testiculating (Waving Your tw rating 3/5 | [Tom Bragg] exclusively low-grade comedy shows, Arms Talking B*ll*cks) (Eric inserting a swear in the name to grab Lampaert / Free Festival ) The Importance of Being attention away from the mediocre Earnest As Performed By Three material within. But, of course, at the A slightly noxious mix of jokes F*cking Queens And A Duck Edinburgh Fringe anyone can swear. about Nazis and racism, coupled Star ratings ranged from one to five with a manic belief in his own ideas: (Out Cast Theatre) in this selection of shows, and the Eric Lambert started upbeat, and A brilliant farce tracing the antics types of performance was varied too the first few Nazi jokes came off, of four intrepid actors (one being a Photo: Rich Dyson – from straight stand-up to conceptual but as he wearied through the set wooden bird) through rehearsal, the comedy, to slide show storytelling, to the punchlines began to land on inevitable cast member love affair, the towards the end – in this one the periods are spent looking at a slide- complete farce. the wrong side of edgy and by jealousy, the rivalry and the thrill of crescendo was, disappointingly, a bit show of the thousands of pictures he’s the time he sang his exit number the first performance. The hour flew short-lived. taken, some of which are momentarily The disappointment was that more (accompanied by imaginary piano) past, unlike the wooden duck, which theSpace on North Bridge, until 23 Aug. funny, but the tedium of repetition boundaries weren’t broken. Surely, about hating all people as well as made only a short aerial voyage in tw rating 4/5 | [Tom Bragg] left this reviewer’s eyelids heavy. if you’re going to break language people of other races, the joke was a moment of shocked alarm during Jon Bennett tried to spice things up rules in the title of the show, you’re more worn than the blistered hands their half-manic performance of the Pretending Things Are a C*ck by telling stories about some of the expected to break some rules on of a mass grave digger. The one plus butchered Wilde classic. An enjoyable (2hoots Productions / Free pictures, but ended up just taking the was his physicality, which he used to stage, no? The only show to break show that could only have been Festival) audience through long-winded and any rules was Richard Tyrone Jones’s hilarious effect but all too rarely. His improved by a little more time spent dull narratives about travelling - and The premise of this show is funny: ‘What The F*ck Is This?’, where testiculation flowed for a bit, but the on that actual finale performance. The how weird his family are - that had no a guy travels around the world for language was cast out the window in scrotum of a friendly atmosphere build-up was magisterial and soaked real punchlines. Sadly, this show was years, taking photos of things in favour of animated hand waving and soon contracted, shrinking his in lines that tumesced outrageous half-cocked. positions that make them look like repetition of the five words of the title, bollocks back into himself. expectation, but the fun of a farce his cock. But that’s pretty much the Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, until 24 Aug. tw in varying order. Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, is when the whole thing crescendos rating 1/5 | [Tom Bragg] only joke of the hour-long set. Long until 23 Aug. The Fringe Society guidelines decree: tw rating 2/5 | [Tom Bragg] TW “f*ck and c*nt will be represented as such by replacing the key characters Foul Play. The F*cking Nasty of the word with * symbols.” The Show (Brett Vincent for Get programmers feel “this is reflective of Comedy, TheProducersUK and the general offence caused by these Pleasance Theatre Trust ) words”. But I couldn’t see the same Another late night comedy gig trying rule for words like b*ll*cks, sh*t or out an original format, this time c*ck. So are shows using these words promising acts the chance to deliver in their titles deliberately including their nastiest material. However, with asterisks to make themselves sound sets lasting just seven minutes, the more edgy? Does it pull the crowds in? comics couldn’t interact with the Well, four of the six shows were on the audience and just delivered standard Free Fringe and all of them pulled in stuff, mocking their family or telling full or near-full houses while the other mildly edgy jokes. The compère, two on the paid Fringe were also very Paul Chowdhry, had time to lay into popular. Perhaps it is a cheap trick for the crowd but he just picked on two getting b*ms on s*ats. guys in the front row ad nauseam. To top it off, Come Heckle Jesus – a To f*ck or not to f*ck? Well, all in all man dressed as Jesus responding to they were a mixed bunch. But my heckles - was on last. He’s probably advice, as so often at the Fringe, is to the most non-nasty comic at the ignore the f*cking stars and go judge Festival, which would have been for yourself. ironic if the rest of the show had fit into the format in any way at all. NB: Richard Tyrone Jones: What the The comedians were funny. Just not F*ck is This? (@rtjpoet / ‘Utter!’ / F*cking Nasty. PBH’s Free Fringe ) Pleasance Dome, until 23 Aug. Conceptual comedy where the tw rating 1/5 | [Tom Bragg] performer said nothing but “what the fuck is this?” for an hour. It Susan Murray’s F*ckwit Club had everything - comedy, tragedy; (Susan Murray / PBH’s Free pathos, logos, ethos; a sprinkling Fringe) of postmodernism. It brought to Murray has done some seriously animated life how much can be stupid things in her life and is now communicated with just five words part of a club that meets on Sundays when the deceit of interpretation to compare the week’s fuckwittery. is broken down to its theory-laden Some of it we possibly got to see... fundamental components through she left the stage on the wrong side, a pre-structuralist approach to meaning she wasn’t at the door with

WEEK TWO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 11 TW THEATRE NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Jason Hewitt: Cleverly crafting claustrophobia

and more challenging for the Photo: Rich Dyson audience to watch.

TW: The two characters are very strong. How fully formed were they when you set about writing the piece, or did you have the premise and the characters emerged as you wrote? JH: The characters emerged as the script was written and then further developed. I’ve written many different versions of the play and with each one the characters have developed more. Their lives are now a lot more complex, and they both bring into the lift their own emotional baggage. We only ever get to hear snippets of their stories though, and it is left to the audience to piece the puzzle together.

TW: You’ve written fiction as well as theatre. Though you started out working behind the scenes in publishing, how did you make the move to author? JH: I actually started as a bookseller and then moved into publishing, so I’ve always been obsessed with books, and I’ve been writing stories since I was a child. Then, in my early thirties, I realised that I was getting stuck in a rut and made the rash decision to throw in my career in to complete an MA in Creative Writing. It took four Photo: Mark Dawson years to write the novel I started on the course and I managed to get a literary agent for it but, in the end, we couldn’t sell it. My agent’s response to TW INTERVIEW this was simply: ‘Well, write another then’. That’s what I did and another 2014 has been a big year four years on ‘The Dynamite Room’ for Jason Hewitt, with his has just been published. If I’ve learnt debut novel just published, one thing in life it that’s if you want and now his first full-length something bad enough you have to play on the stage. The latter be persistent. is ‘Claustrophobia’, a tightly TW: How does writing for the stage staged drama focused on two compare to writing for the page? strangers trapped in a lift. JH: Obviously when you’re writing a novel you have a lot more scope for Having enjoyed the show very more complex narratives and layers. much, we spoke to Hewitt There’s also the luxury of being about the play, his debuts able to write description, paint the on page and stage, and why locations and tell the reader exactly sometimes a good playwright what your characters are thinking. should leave some words out. You’ve also got more control. I can

TW: Tell us the premise of ‘Claustrophobia’. JH: ‘Claustrophobia’ is a psychological drama about a man and a woman trapped in a lift. On the surface the set-up is pretty simple, but it is also a drama about entrapment, self- imprisonment and control.

TW: Where did the basic idea of the play come from? JH: It originally came from a short film script that To The Moon’s Artistic Director Sharon Burrell had written many years ago. The original idea was a very simple one about two strangers in a lift. But from there it’s been developed over many rewrites into something a lot more psychological

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a girl above his station. In an attempt Sweet Grassmarket, until 17 Aug. not seem very different from one TW REVIEWS to win over his uninterested lover, he tw rating 4/5 | [Laura Gavin] another, and the impersonations of revolutionises the grimy Northern drug Hitler and Goering were not directed Jason Hewitt: Cleverly crafting claustrophobia world using the infamous Silk Road Zelda - The Last Flapper with any thought to physicality or body Paradise Lost (Paul Van Dyke) website, where drugs and other illegal language. The concept was interesting, With this one man production of by William Luce goods could be bought anonymously looking at the Nazi regime through a move them about the room exactly as ‘Paradise Lost’ involving puppets (The Women’s Theatre over the Internet. Like a hybrid of different set of eyes, and the technical I want. With a script all you are really and rudimentary CGI, Paul Van Dyke Association IF) ‘Snatch’ and ‘Starter for Ten’, this is performance was accomplished, but providing is the dialogue and story. It’s tackles John Milton’s epic poem - about This play, which sees Zelda Fitzgerald both an adolescent adventure and a it ultimately failed to make an impact. down to the actors and the director Satan travelling to the Garden of Eden in a psychiatric hospital, recalling her grotesque, criminal caper. Gritty and This show had great potential to charm as to how the characters move, what - with gusto, carving out an easily life and marriage to F Scott Fitzgerald, very well written by Old Vic New Voices or alarm, but sadly it couldn’t seem to they think and how they show that. As digestible hour-long show. Yet despite is performed with the simplest of sets playwright Alex Oates, ‘Silk Road’ is the make up its mind to do either. a playwright, the biggest challenge I a charismatic and flawless rendition - a gauze curtain, the desk and chair best thing to come from its namesake. think is relinquishing control. You are of the material from performer and of a doctor’s office, a few blocks – but theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, until 9 Aug. Unless you’re into guns and drugs. much more aware when writing for puppeteer Van Dyke, who should be through imaginative direction and tw rating 2/5 | [Vicki Baron] Then it’s just one of the best things. the stage that you are working as part commended for his performance, a very physical performance, each of a team and you have to trust that the show lacked any real imagination Assembly George Square Studios, until 25 set piece effectively demonstrated a Little On The Inside everyone else involved has the same when interpreting the source material. Aug. tw rating 4/5 [George Robb] different element of the characters’ (Clean Break) vision as you. Ultimately, the simple set-up and pasts. The show was subtitled, with a Two women who meet in prison lacklustre effects (the show boasts So What If I Dance? beautiful translation from Romanian form a strong love and bond that TW: ‘Claustrophobia’ is your first full “groundbreaking special effects” and (Dragon Literature) to English, but unfortunately this helps them transcend the drudgery length play. How have you found this is simply not the case) just don’t do Most of us probably think we know ultimately jarred, because it was and loneliness of their lives in Clean that experience of seeing your work justice to the complexity of the original. the deal when it comes to strip sometimes evident that the words on Break’s ‘Little On The Inside’. The script transformed on stage by the rest of This show is best suited to newcomers clubs (even if we’ve never set foot screen did not really match those of is beautifully, poetically rhythmic, your team? to the piece, who would benefit from a inside one), which is why this frank, the performer. A very competently and invoking such strong imagery that JH: Both terrifying and exhilarating. simplistic adaptation. unapologetic monologue stands memorably executed piece of theatre, you almost forget the complete lack We have two brilliant actors in Gryphon@WestEnd, until 16 Aug. out as a mesmerising piece of but difficult to watch on a practical of any set or props. The two actors ‘Claustrophobia’ and both have tw rating 3/5 | [James McColl] theatre. This supremely confident level. put in powerful performances, with reduced me to tears during rehearsals solo performance by actress Chipo Hill Street Solo Theatre, until 24 Aug. Sandra Reid bringing a constantly with the power with which they have Pomegranate Jam Kureya tells a dancer’s side of the tw rating 3/5 | [Vicki Baron] engaging presence to her role. Estella brought to life some of the words I (CalArts Festival Theater) story, relaying comic statistics about Daniels puts in an incredibly dynamic have written. It’s a thrill to watch. There the industry and voicing her anger and versatile performance, easily This is a short piece depicting the story Enigma – Emmy Goering (Hitler’s is also the natural fear, of course, as to at public preconceptions. As she’s switching from docile to threatening, of Persephone from Greek mythology, Diva) (Modernes Theater Wien how the play will be received, but at winding her body around a chair happy to heartbroken in a matter of the daughter of Demeter who marries mit Karin Pettenburger) this stage in the game there’s nothing within inches of us, asking audience seconds. In a show that’s brimming the god of the underworld, dividing Telling the disturbing and distorted we can do about that. We just have to members if they’ve ever watched porn, with talent, simplicity and story are all her time equally between her mother’s story of Emmy Goering, wife of the enjoy the ride and be proud of what it’s a confrontational experience. But that are needed to engage and move domain and her husband’s, bringing infamous Hermann, this one-woman we’ve achieved. of course, that’s the whole point: here’s an audience. about the changing of the seasons. show relied on the charisma of an an intelligent, informed and powerful This show tells the classic story simply, alarming character to maintain the Summerhall, until 24 Aug. TW: How did you hook up with To The woman, who sees what she does as just sweetly and with beautiful use of audience’s attention. Unfortunately, this tw rating: 4/5 | [Patricia-Ann Young] Moon? How has the collaboration another job and challenges us to judge colour; billed as a ‘shadow ballet’, it performance was fairly flat; Emmy’s worked? her otherwise. Unforgettable stuff. effectively mixes dancing silhouettes moments of ludicity and insanity did JH: Sharon Burrell, the Artistic Director with intricate shadow puppetry. The of To the Moon, was an assistant TW music is emotive, despite remaining director on three plays I performed in very similar throughout the different as an actor. Then she came to see a parts of the dramatic story, and the short play I co-wrote a few years ago. shadow puppetry is slightly lacking The rest, as they say, is history. in precision, yet overall ‘Pomegranate Jam’ is a short, sweet and stylised piece TW: Do you think that having been an of physical theatre. actor helps when writing a play? JH: I think so. The script is very tight Venue 13, until 23 Aug. but within that I’ve left plenty of space tw rating 4/5 | [Vicki Baron] where the actors can do their own thing. For example, there are sections First Class in the script where I’ve simply stated (Aulos Productions and that there is a passing of time. It’s Relief Theatre / Free Festival) been up to the actors, director and Epiphanies and train journeys collide in our movement director to improvise ‘First Class’, as three characters in three how they show this on stage. If I’d not different time periods find ways to cope been an actor as well I think I might with the pressures of their lives. The have fallen into the trap of cramming in script is very fast paced in places, with more words when you should trust that actors finishing each others sentences, the actors don’t always need dialogue and they switch characters at such to tell a story. a rate that the action can be hard to follow at times and so some important TW: Have you been involved in a plot points get lost in the jumble of production at the Edinburgh Fringe information. The show occasionally before? How are you finding it? veers into melodrama, and some JH: This is my first Edinburgh Fringe slightly hammed-up performances experience so to be here with a debut only emphasise this. Still, once the play and a debut novel is extremely pace levels out and the show finds it exciting. I’m loving it. There’s so much footing, ‘First Class’ proves to be a solid amazing talent crammed in to the city production, with only a few delays in and the atmosphere is electric. Twenty- getting to its final destination. five days simply isn’t going to be long Laughing Horse @ Espionage, until 24 Aug. enough to see everything I want to. tw rating 3/5 | [Patricia-Ann Young] Needless to say, I’ll be back for more next year! Silk Road (EH Productions) ‘Claustrophobia’ is on at Zoo until 25 Aug. ‘Silk Road’ is the tale of a friendly, up- and-coming drug-lord, who lives with his nan and is hopelessly in love with TW

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My Name Is Saoirse (Sunday’s tragedy of trying to maintain dearly- TW REVIEWS Child) held friendships solely via social 5/5 SHOW If you are looking for a humorous media. The piece is an insightful, and heart-warming small scale poignant and emotionally involving Simply the West (Cosmic experience. Gently encouraging us Biscuit Theatre) production this festival, you’ve found it. ‘My name is Saoirse’ centres on to question how we interact over A humorously told tragic tale, a young girl growing up in County long periods of time and across Cosmic Biscuit’s ‘Simply the West’ Limerick. Beginning with childhood great distances, this is a simple but is an amusing, well performed and easing into her adolescence, the significant experience that is not to production. Three physical theatre piece is beautifully written, striking be missed. graduates from St.Mary’s University a mesmerising balance between Assembly Roxy, until 25 Aug. make up the majority of this touching and funny moments. The tw rating 5/5 | [Vicki Baron] ensemble, and their chemistry and talented Eva O’Connor plays the kinship is effective and evident part to perfection, convincingly The Noctambulist onstage. Using puppetry and portraying a young girl in the (Raving Mask Theatre) clowning, they enact the story of a midst of a difficult transition; by Taking on the popular topic girl attempting to cross the Berlin making constant eye contact with of wasters and layabouts, Wall, and introduce the various the audience she reinforces the ‘The Noctambulist’ depicts characters she encounters along the narrative, deepening the connection unsympathetic character Albert, way. The production is intimate, and between actor and spectator. The a sleepwalker. He’s trying to turn full of laughter and charm; the actors various impersonations of family his life around through his new make eye contact and speak to the and friends throughout the piece alter-ego - The Noctambulist - much audience directly. I would love to adds just the right amount of to the dismay of his two flat mates. see the production developed more theatricality to an otherwise sombre With the set-up of a mediocre fully with a longer, more complex story. A captivating performance. sitcom, ‘The Noctambulist’ is a fairly storyline, as the ending felt far too contrived, unexplained and under- abrupt. A charismatic company that Scottish Storytelling Centre, until 19 Aug. tw rating 5/5 [Keara Barnes] explored production that ultimately I would like to see more from in the Photo: Aenne Pallasca falls flat. It’s a disappointing show future. Somebody I Used To Know that’s unable to connect with its The Space @ Jury’s inn until 23 Aug. (Everything I Own) subject matter on any real level, The Duck Pond (withWings Theatre Company) tw rating 3/5 [Keara Barnes] This show involves spending twenty instead opting for clichés and never ‘The Duck Pond’ may sound like a cut price version of ‘Swan Lake’ – indeed, minutes in a shipping container with quite finding its feet. It’s devoid of the performers acknowledge this by making several jokes about not paying TW RATINGS just one performer. If you think this emotional depth, despite having a royalties - yet it is anything but. This production is a clever, playful retelling would be an intimidating experience, strong cast that would seem capable of the ‘Swan Lake’ story, which uses dance, physical theatre and intelligent 1/5 BAD think again. The space is dressed of giving it some. The cast is unable comedy to convey the well known tale of love and tragedy. This is an with familiar and nostalgic teenage to flesh out the two-dimensional 2/5 MEDIOCRE immaculate piece; the only thing I can think of to compare it to is the perfect 3/5 GOOD clutter, and on entry you are offered characters that seem ill-suited for your choice of variety of sweets. this piece. circus show. Not a toe is out of place, the timing is perfect, the audience 4/5 RECOMMENDED The protagonist’s story is one Paradise In The Vault, until 17 Aug. participation is well considered, the acting is superb and, above all, despite 5/5 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that we can all relate to: the minor tw rating 2/5 | [James McColl] the humour, it is still moving. In my opinion, flawless. Bedlam Theatre, until 24 Aug. tw rating 5/5 [Charlotte Taylor]

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A Question For Three: Fascinating Aida What do you wish you’d known before you started coming to the Edinburgh Festival? Liza Pulman: if I’d known just how often I would be coming back to the Festival I would have bagged myself a venue of my own and pocketed 100% of the profits. Fekk!! Dillie Keane: I wish someone had bloody told me I’d still be coming to the Festival 41 years later. I’d have invested in property! I’d own a whole street in the New Town by now! Adele Anderson: I wish someone had told me that what happens in Edinburgh should stay in Edinburgh. Yes, you’ve both had a wonderful time in a magical place but, at the end of the Festival, kiss them goodbye at Waverley Station and board the train with ne’er a backward glance. Next year you can do the whole thing again with somebody new. ‘Fascinating Aida: Charm Offensive’ is on at Underbelly Bristo Square until 25 Aug.

Metropolitan Cathedral Choral TW REVIEWS And Organ Vespers (St Mary’s Metropolitan Picnic In The Cemetery Cathedral / Cantors Of The Holy Rood) (Point View Art Association Even if you love this beautiful evening Presents Made In Macao) prayer service don’t clap – it’s not a This cutting edge performance has concert - but if you enjoy plainchant come from Macao and is well worth and polyphony then this is for you. This experiencing if you enjoy the avant was well sung, dynamic plainchant garde. It combined props, physical in its proper context; the lead cantor theatre, film and music in a set that felt shaped and shepherded the music, like a front room where audience and constantly moving it along to fulfil cast all hung out together. Sometimes its function of communicating the the cast silently wandered around Latin words. A second choir sang unsettlingly, or watched with us, Renaissance polyphony in the organ blurring the line between performer gallery above, providing passages of and audience. Most interesting of all contrast, bringing a little flourish of was that the music was acoustic, not Venice to Edinburgh, and showcasing electronic or computer generated: the cathedral’s own singers. The piano, violin and cello were all very service of Vespers ended with an well played. There was a lot to see and accomplished Duruflé organ solo. I discover, some of it puzzling, and there enjoyed hearing all of this lovely music was no spoken dialogue. ‘Picnic In in its natural habitat, not chained up in The Cemetery’ is touching, endearing a concert hall. and witty, and this is what made its St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, strangeness feel non-threatening. 16 and 23 Aug. C Nova, until 25 Aug. tw rating 4/5 l [Louise Rodgers] tw rating 4/5 l [Louise Rodgers] 5/5 SHOW

Fusion Guitar: Classical And Percussive Guitar (Declan Zapala) It wasn’t just flawless technique and superb artistry that make this a five star show – although that helped - it was the way Zapala communicated with his audience. His funny, confiding anecdotes as he changed the complex tuning of his guitar made the audience feel they already knew and liked him very much. In addition, he displayed raw emotion through his playing – particularly during ‘Philomena’, a composition he wrote for his mother. His programme included recent pieces that used the guitar as a percussion instrument and had a whiff of the experimental about them, as well as Bach preludes from the baroque era: all were breathtaking. Go see this man while he’s still playing smaller venues, he’s brilliant! C too, until 16 Aug. tw rating 5/5 l [Louise Rodgers]

TW PAGE 16 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO MUSIC GET THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS IN YOUR INBOX DAILY sign up for the free ThreeWeeks Daily email now at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/signup Tom Blackmore: Peace and freedom in song

TW: Let’s start with the man at TW: Where did the idea come from James Logie TW INTERVIEW the heart of the piece. For the to create a show around Fyfe’s life? Robertson was uninitiated, tell us a little more TB: About fifteen years ago I was also an important Edinburgh-born David about your grandfather David contacted by a firm of solicitors in the poem to Fyfe and Maxwell Fyfe? City of London to say that they had his wife, Sylvia, Maxwell Fyfe was a lawyer TB: He was a successful lawyer and unearthed a number of boxes of my during the trials. and politician in the mid politician, who “with no advantage of grandfather’s papers. These included As he wrote in Twentieth Century, perhaps wealth, station or influence”, as he put the letters exchanged between August 1946: “It best known for being a it, became Home Secretary and Lord my grandparents when he was at rather captures prosecutor at the Nuremburg Chancellor. He once wrote of himself Nuremberg. Although principally love our mood at the Trials, and as one of the “I would describe my role as that of letters, they also told the story of the moment”. architects of the European an actor given a small walking-on trial. These inspired various projects role in a mighty drama: few people using these papers, including this TW: Tell us Convention Of Human Rights may notice him but he sees a good show. about the music. that followed the atrocities of deal” Though he took centre stage in What form World War II. the 1940s, first as a UK prosecutor at TW: In addition to Fyfe’s letters and does it take, the Nuremberg war crimes trials, and speeches, there’s a musical element and how was it His is a fascinating story, and then as a champion of the European here, choral works based on the conceived? one all the more interesting to Convention of Human Rights. poetry of Rupert Brooke and James TB: It is a song explore, as the human rights Logie Robertson. How do those fit cycle of three- he and his collaborators set TW: So he played an important role into the mix? part harmony for TB: Both poets were important to my the female voice peoples skins, that was the point. He out to protect in the 1950s in shaping the principles of human rights of today? grandfather. He admired Brooke’s ‘War accompanied by piano. It is written, would be astonished at some of the are still routinely questioned TB: Yes, in that together with a handful Sonnets’ as a schoolboy and cited and in my view quite brilliantly, by my resulting freedoms. And appalled at today. And that story is indeed of European colleagues he drafted Brooke’s ‘The Solider’ as he drew his long-term collaborator Sue Casson, present plans to abandon the still explored, through poetry, the ECHR, and made sure that it was summarising speech at Nuremberg to and was inspired by our daughter’s comparatively new apparatus of prose and song, in ‘Dreams Of made law by the then new European a close. Brooke’s poem reads “Sights years in the Southwark Cathedral Girls freedom. The European Court needs Peace And Freedom’, a Fringe Parliamentary Assembly and Council and sounds, dreams happy as her choir working with Stephen Disley. constant reform, as do all meaningful show conceived by Fyfe’s Of Ministers. It was a very simple list day, And laughter learnt of friends, institutions, but for the UK to leave it of rights and freedoms, upheld and and gentleness, In hearts at peace, TW: The European Convention that would be a classic case of throwing grandson interpreted by an international court. under an English heaven”. But Fyfe Fyfe championed so much has come the baby out with the bathwater. Tom But there was a lot of opposition concluded that these aspirations under some new criticism in recent Blackmore. to it, and there still is. But having “are not the prerogative of any one years. How do you think Fyfe would Read more from Tom at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/ We spoke to studied the evidence of terror, death country, they are the inalienable have responded to that? tomblackmore Blackmore and murder at Nuremberg, Fyfe was heritage of mankind”; he strove to TB: I don’t think that he would be ‘Dreams Of Peace And Freedom’ is on at C south until 25 Aug. to find out convinced that something needed to offer all nations Brooke’s “English surprised that international human more. be done to make Europe safe. Heaven”. ‘Non Semper Imbres’ by rights have got under a lot of TW

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Anna, a young girl who has lost her Photo: Kat Gollock TW: Does the line up of songs also TW INTERVIEW parents and sets off on a journey to find vary depending on audience choices, them. However, the audience decides or is it mainly dialogue sequences Anyone who ever fell into which way she goes. Every choice Anna that change? comes up against - whether to climb SG: Everything is affected by the the ‘Choose Your Own the tree or go down the burrow, to tell audience’s choices. Not just the Adventure’ books as a child the truth or to tell a lie - the audience dialogue and story but what songs (or any books where reader makes for her, much like the form of a we hear, the underscore, costume, decisions move forward the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book. lighting, sound. Our cast have learned plot) are probably going to 25 numbers but will only perform a fraction of these each day. Our eight- want to check out ‘The Girl TW: Where did the idea come from for ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ piece band have multiple scores; where Who’, a new musical from style show? Anna goes affects which one they play Noisemaker Productions. SG: All of our work is designed to play from. Our technical team all have maps Though be warned, with with the form of musical theatre and to to follow so they’re ready for whatever audience decisions capable challenge what an audience expects section is coming next. This ensures from a musical. The idea of placing the every aspect of the performance is of delivering 128 different structure in the audience’s hands was determined by our audience. version of the show, you something we’d wanted to try for a while might be tempted to make and when the opportunity to collaborate TW: Is sounds like quite a challenge a few repeat visits, if only with the Royal Conservatoire Of for the cast, with so many variations. to find out what songs Scotland and Assembly came up, we CM: Absolutely. They have a huge thought this would be the perfect amount to retain and respond to with you missed. We spoke to testing ground for it. every show. Not just onstage but also Noisemaker’s cofounders offstage, they need to work to keep Scott Gilmour and Claire TW: Were you a big fan of the ‘Choose sections rehearsed and working if McKenzie about what Your Own Adventure’ books? they haven’t been visited in a while. motivated them to create a SG: Yes! Both Claire and I loved them However, despite this extra level of growing up. The idea that your little work, the reward is that they also have musical where the audience book had hundreds of stories inside no idea what will happen next. So controls the plotline, and how was always pretty cool. And if you went every show, whilst being unique for the exactly their ‘Choose Your the wrong way, or your guy ended up audience, is also a completely different Own Musical’ works. over a cliff or eaten by a dragon, you dynamic and structure for them; could always go back and try a different making it easier to keep fresh over a path. It was a brilliant way of making long run. TW: So, this is a fun concept for a the reader feel active, involved and part show. Tell us the basic premise. of the story; something we definitely TW: Are there any particular ‘routes’ CM: The show follows the story of wanted for our audience. through the story that hardly ever happen? Do you have favourite TW: How does the show work, how route? many times do the audience ‘choose’, SG: Some have definitely been visited and how is the choosing done? more than others but we’ve been SG: Anna, and the audience, are led everywhere at least once so far. There’s through the show by a Jiminy-Cricket- not a favourite overall, but I think type-character called The Clown. He depending what mood you’re in affects presents all of the choices and directs where you’d like to see Anna go. Some Anna to whatever path or decision we days you feel like seeing her captured choose. In total there are 128 possible by pirates on The Forgotten Sea, other versions of the show, which allows days you want her to go to present it to be unique to every audience. In time at Queen Bella’s Palace. Or maybe each journey there are seven choices we just have weird moods... all made in different ways; some are games, some are made at the top of the show and only revealed at the end. TW: What future plans have you got CM: So for example, if Anna travels to for ‘The Girl Who’? Underfoot - one of the worlds she can CM: Honestly, ‘The Girl Who’ was only visit - she must defeat the Gatekeeper ever supposed to be an experiment to be allowed in, otherwise she will for us. We wanted to see if this type of taken prisoner for trespassing. This is ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ show decided by a giant game of noughts would work. That said, we’ve already and crosses played by an audience been approached by a few companies member; if they win Anna can enter, if and producers about the possibility they lose she becomes a prisoner. of developing it further. Ideally, we’d like to rehearse a version which would TW: Presumably some scenes and rely on a smaller group of actors who story-lines don’t appear depending we could tour. Beyond that, we have on how the choosing goes? Does that various ideas about how we’d like mean you had to write two hours of to develop the ‘Girl Who’ brand and script for a one hour show? concept further but, much like the CM: Absolutely. Whichever path the show, you never really know what will audience chooses dictates what happen next. material they see. In every show certain characters, worlds and plots will be Read more about ‘The Girl Who’ at left unvisited. Over the hour you will ThreeWeeks.co.uk/thegirlwho see about a third of the total script and ‘The Girl Who’ is on at Assembly George score. Square until 25 Aug.

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PHYSICAL NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Curtis Uhlemann: Together through conflict

TW: Tell us about the premise of ‘The TW INTERVIEW Warriors’. CU: ‘The Warriors’ is inspired by the A young musician searches through his late grandmother’s trunk and idea of the legacies our grandparents discovers mementoes of her life, which together tell the story of two leave us and what we choose to do with them. The show is based on the actual people, from different sides of an ocean, brought together through international marriage of a German the turmoil of World War II. dancer and American philosopher after World War II, two people who That world is recreated through video, sound and dance in ‘The transformed their horrific experiences Warriors: A Love Story’, a show inspired by a real-life relationship, in the war - the bombing of Dresden, conceived by American group ARCOS Dance and presented at the the inhumanities that come with Fringe this month by Ines Wurth. We spoke to ARCOS’s Artistic seeking out and killing ‘the enemy’ Director Curtis Uhlemann about that true story, how it inspired his - into a lifelong commitment to acts of show, and how it’s now being retold on stage. love and beauty.

TW: The story is inspired by your footage is used in this production? multimedia director Eliot Gray CU: There is a wide variety of audio- Fisher’s real life grandparents. What visual material from the past century influence did their lives have on the incorporated into the piece: rotoscoped piece? versions of Eadweard Muybridge’s CU: The recorded voices of Ursula and 1890s studies of human and animal J Glenn Gray, taken from interviews movement, in a stylised animation in the early 70s, are played in the depicting the Dresden bombing; production. And Glenn’s book ‘The actual war propaganda from multiple Warriors: Reflections On Men In Battle’ countries; audio and film footage from provided thematic and narrative a BBC interview in the 70s with Glenn inspiration. Plus even a few of the and Ursula; home movie video from the set pieces are objects that actually 80s; contemporary news reports; and belonged to the couple. As far as the time-lapses shot during a recent trip form goes, we experimented with to Germany. There are also sequences post-modern and contemporary dance involving filmed dancers and actors styles, trying to create movement that that interact with the live performers honours the era in which Ursula danced onstage in various ways. in Dresden - with German pioneers Mary Wigman and Gret Palucca - as TW: With the choreography, music, well as our own. Their artistic influence and multimedia all seemingly and spirit of innovation in the past is equally important in the piece, what present in our own choreography. is your creative process like? Which ones come first, and how does each TW: Your show is set in a world in element develop with the other? conflict, and a city surrounded by CU: With this production in particular, destruction. But, as the title tells us, we decided to create the show in this is a love story. Is there a message a bit of a different way than we’re in that juxtaposition? used to doing. Because the story was CU: In the show, Ursula is heard inspired by real lives, and we had so using a German phrase “über leben” many documentary, archival, and in reference to “living through” the found footage sources, we started bombing of Dresden, but goes on by developing the video and audio to say that it felt more like “dying” pieces and real-life inspired scenes through it. The show explores first and created the choreography how such profoundly destructive around them. We also considered all experiences make the elements the transitional moments as though of material life less important for they are their own pieces or ideas. survivors. The parts of our life such as That’s something that we also think love and companionship become more sets us apart from others: the work we important for them, as we see in Glenn do in seamless transitions between and Ursula’s life. It’s really not the kind what might normally be distinct scenes of ‘love story’ one would think about with beginning and endings. We like when you hear that phrase: it’s actually to blend and overlap the moments about people learning about a deeper just as we do the different media, love and deciding to live it and teach it looking at the entire show as a series of in their lives. And perhaps the people choreographed moments. they touched with this understanding led different lives for it and passed Read more from Curtis atThreeWeeks.co.uk/ it along to everyone they knew. This curtisuhlemann production is an extension of that ‘The Warriors: A Love Story’ is on at Zoo legacy. Southside until 24 Aug.

TW: The multi-media content is a key element in your work. What kind of TW

TW PAGE 20 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO SPOKEN WORD GET THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS IN YOUR INBOX DAILY sign up for the free ThreeWeeks Daily email now at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/signup Lucy Ayrton: Splitting mermaids at the Fringe

between two worlds, not fully of TW: You mentioned a wider increase ten years ago, and that’s not the way it LA: The show sits in a place between TW INTERVIEW either, but unable to leave the other in feminist discussion in recent should be. They should have it better theatre, storytelling and poetry. It’s behind. The idea of wanting to years. Do you feel work like yours than me. When I left home, my Mum a one-woman show, so I play all the After winning much acclaim change your body is also something is part of a wider movement? And didn’t tell me not to go out drinking parts – two mermaid construction with her 2012 show ‘Lullabies I can really relate to. And I’m really does that make you optimistic, late, she taught me how to stand up workers, a fisherman, a mechanic and interested in the ways fairy tales despite that flood of misogyny and for myself instead. Now, we seem less a witch – and also narrate. It has the To Make Your Children Cry’, evolve over time. Disney’s ‘Little anti-feminism you still see online okay with letting our young women energy of a theatre show, but keeps Lucy Ayrton returns to the Mermaid’ has an opposite ending, and every day? be angry. We want them to shut up the intimacy of spoken word. Fringe with a modern day therefore conclusion, to the original LA: I like to think so! And it does seem and take the blame. reworking of ‘The Little story. There is no “Happily Ever like feminism is becoming more Read more from Lucy atThreeWeeks.co.uk/ Mermaid’ that explores issues After” in the Hans Christian Andersen mainstream again, after a real dip TW: You’re listed in the ‘spoken lucyayrton around child bearing and version. We think of this as making it five years ago. The misogyny I see word’ section of the Festival, though ‘Lucy Ayrton: The Splitting Of The Mermaid’ less suitable for children, but what this on social media makes me very sad the show sounds a little theatrical. reproduction. is on at Underbelly Cowgate until 24 Aug. story is doing is posing a question - “is though. I feel that today’s 18 year old How would you describe the nature TW: Tell us about the premise of it a good idea to give up your voice, women have more to face than I did of the show? TW ‘The Splitting Of The Mermaid’. change your body, and leave your LA: “May the Mermaid wants a baby, culture behind, because you saw a hot but mermaids don’t have wombs. boy on the beach?” I prefer the answer Should she sacrifice her voice, her the original gives. body and her culture for a chance at a child of her own?” The piece updates TW: It seems that the exploration of the original ‘Little Mermaid’ myth to feminist issues across the Fringe’s modern day Hull. I keep the darkness programme - comedy, theatre and of the story but update some of the spoken word - has become a lot patriarchal assumptions. more common in last couple of years. Do you agree? Why do you TW: You tackle contemporary issues think that is? through your retelling of the Hans LA: I think it’s true that there has been Christian Anderson fairy tale. Which an increase in feminist shows at the issues are they? Fringe in the last few years, though I’m LA: I’m aiming to explore issues surprised that there aren’t more. There around childbearing and reproductive are still probably three productions choice. It seems that while we will talk of ‘Hamlet’ to each overtly feminist openly about marriage and settling Fringe show. But the increase there down with partners – “How did you has been is probably linked to a more know he was the one? How can you general increase in feminist discussion tell it’s the right time?” – we don’t have in wider society, partly driven by these kind of open conversations grass roots projects like Laura Bates’ about the decision to have a baby. excellent Everyday Sexism, and also the success of people like Caitlin

Instead we’re presented with two Moran. But I think there would be choices: being “really into her career” more feminist shows if the backlash or “a mother and VERY HAPPY ABOUT to that trend wasn’t so strong. Not IT”, never complaining or questioning. just the more obvious anti-feminist Childbearing is still not presented as stuff on the internet, but day-to-day. a free choice, it’s shown as something Yesterday a woman told my producer that happens to you. that feminists were bad people, and he should set himself on fire. If that TW: Why build the show around ‘The wasn’t the sort of response you get Little Mermaid’? when flyering someone for a teatime LA: I’ve always been drawn to storytelling show, there’d be much mermaids – they’re such a perfect more discussion of politics of all types metaphor for not fitting in. Caught at the Fringe.

WEEK TWO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 21 TW CHILDREN’S SHOWS NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Adventures at the children’s Fringe

Since having a child, I unpleasant, but, you know, the company’s committed and have been forced, by law, if you know anything about sprightly performances, giving to review only children’s kids, or even have one, you’ll their full attention, for the know that they relish any most part, to a hysterical can shows. I occasionally mention of poo, wee, death of whip cream, a very French slip up and accidentally or dismemberment by the bottle of champagne, a grumpy go out and view some time they are seven. Or is that old Stilton and the romance comedy or theatre, but just mine...? In any case, the being played out between please don’t tell the comedian does a great job of chocolate and cheese. Not one Fringe media police or entertaining his crowd, keeping for toddlers, this, but it should I’m for it. So, the moment the rowdier ones in line with easily entertain your minus-9s. a succession of fierce looks, my daughter Cecily and Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 Aug. offering songs and poetry that tw rating 3/5 | [Caro Moses] I arrived in Edinburgh a perhaps skirt a little closer to few days ago, we began the bone than some parents Arabian Nights (Story an exhausting schedule might be comfortable with; Pocket Theatre) yet, my fellow child-wranglers of kid-show-going. Well, This is a brilliant play for laughed happily, probably even it’s exhausting for me. children of any age, and for louder than their enthralled I’m the one who has to their parents too. From the kids. My daughter chortled beginning the room was remember to sort out the delightedly throughout, and mesmerised by a cast of tickets. has already treated me to many three highly talented actors a sketchy reprise. By the time you read who shifted ably from role to Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 Aug. role, drawing us in with equal this, we will have seen tw rating 4/5 | [Caro Moses] helpings of high drama and a whole lot more, and belly-laugh inducing comedy. will probably have gone Sid’s Show The Story of Scheherazade much further afield, to (Oscar Stardust Ltd) and her king is well known, as venues far and wide. If you’ve weaned your child are her tales of genies, lamps, You’ll be able to read on Cbeebies in the last decade secret caves and thieves, but about those in our or so, you won’t have failed there is nothing over-familiar or to come across the channel’s stale about this performance. Daily email. But for the longest serving presenter. Each vignette is briskly paced, moment, this is what we His touring show very much and features well defined have seen, and would reflects his recent career, and beautifully rendered recommend, at the time not least because the show characters, while the well- of going to press. features the very catchy designed and evocative set is ‘number raps’ music, and is slickly used to create a range Dean Friedman’s Smarty peppered throughout with of different environments. Pants (DBS Productions references to Sid’s Cbeebies A top notch show with high and Dean Friedman) friends. It’s very much a production values. show for that demographic, Familiar Fringe face Dean Gilded Balloon, until 24 Aug. clearly designed to appeal Friedman has in recent years tw rating 5/5 [Caro Moses] to the 6-and-unders, and it added musical shows for kids very capably achieves its aim. to his Festival repertoire, and Bec And Tom’s Awesome Sloane’s energy is infectious the result is very successful. Laundry (Gilded Balloon and apparently pretty much ‘Smarty Pants’ has the simplest / Bec Hill and Tom boundless, as he leads the of plots in a setting familiar Goodliffe) audience on a fantastical to small ones: a little girl has journey in search of a missing How awesome, exactly, can a her first day at school and pair of socks. As Sid left the laundry based show be? Well, discovers that telling the other stage, one of the children in the pretty awesome, actually, as children that she knows loads crowd shouted “I love you”; I it turns out. It’s a deliberately about everything isn’t the way think that accurately reflected shambolic-seeming affair (the to win friends and influence the general feeling of affection set seems mostly to be made people. It’s very much aimed in the room. from cardboard and marker at the children – this isn’t really pens) that makes in-jokes of its Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug. the kind of show that delights own seeming-inadequacy, and tw rating 4/5 | [Caro Moses] in sophisticated asides to the in the process elicits delighted adults – but it nonetheless gurgles of laughter from a manages to engage everyone The Tale Of The Dastardly smallish Sunday crowd, who with some very catchy songs, Defrost (As Told By) are more than willing to get and through the winning I struggled initially with the interactive with their endearing, performances of a highly concept of this show, the story bubble-blowing hosts. There’s energetic cast who never drop of an assorted shelf’s worth a vague narrative: Tom, the the pace for a moment. of fridge-stored foodstuffs stuffy one, has to make Bec, Sweet Grassmarket, until 24 Aug. threatened with extinction via the silly one, face up to the tw rating 4/5 | [Caro Moses] the medium of an unexpected responsibility of doing the defrost. I found myself washing, but all sorts of wacky Jay Foreman’s Disgusting wondering just how long these things happen before the spin Songs For Revolting characters were destined to live cycle ends. It doesn’t feel like an Children (And Other in any case... surely digestion hour - all over so quickly - what would be imminent...? But I Funny Stories) (Ditto a pity there isn’t time to stick on am not a child, and perhaps another load! Productions) children don’t overthink these Some of Jay Foreman’s songs Gilded Balloon, until 24 Aug. things; this pint sized audience tw rating 4/5 [Caro Moses] really are truly disgusting and certainly seemed engaged by TW

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Festival People All about ThreeWeeks LONGEST ESTABLISHED: ThreeWeeks columns, and reporting on key events THREEWEEKS DAILY EDITION: How do you flyer? is the longest established magazine in the Festival City. The ThreeWeeks Daily Edition at the Edinburgh Festival, the world’s lands in the inbox of thousands and For newer acts at the girl last year, and with many biggest cultural event, and has been VIBRANT REVIEW TEAM: This thousands of Fringe fans every day, in Festival a daily dose of years flyering on the Fringe discovering and championing new experience is complemented each the run up to and during the Festival. flyering the streets of under my belt, not to mention and exciting comedy, cabaret, dance, year by a vibrant young review team It provides all the latest news, a background in street charity musical, theatre and spoken word who take in hundreds of shows interviews, columns and reviews in Edinburgh is as much fundraising, I decided to start a part of the Fringe Flare Flyering. I’m now in my talent every summer since 1996. first hand, sharing their opinions in one place. To sign up for free go to experience as warm- first year of training people to ThreeWeeks, and helping us spot and ThreeWeeks.co.uk/signup ups, scene changes and be much better at flyering and HALF A MILLION READERS: Each champion the best new talent. curtain calls. Each year it’s going well”. August half a million festival-goers THREEWEEKS ONLINE: a forest of flyers are Gill offers a variety of training rely on the ThreeWeeks free weekly MEDIA-SKILLS PROGRAMME: Since In addition to the weekly magazine distributed across the sessions for those bound for magazine, daily email, website and 1996 ThreeWeeks has also run an and daily email, there is ThreeWeeks flyerer duties, and reckons podcast for a comprehensive guide acclaimed media-skills training Online. All our features and reviews Festival City, but does people can come on leaps to all of the festivals that take place in programme each summer, providing appear here, plus you can search all that effort actually and bounds in just an hour or result in any ticket sales? two. He told ThreeWeeks: “We Edinburgh during August, including formal and on-the-ground arts content by genre and venue. And it’s Well, many a Fringe run training that is sometimes the International, Book, Art and journalism training to hundreds of here you will find the ever popular veteran will tell you, that behind doors or on the street, Politics festivals and the awe inspiring talented young writers, giving future ThreeWeeks Podcast for audio depends on how you go or both, and either as a group Edinburgh Fringe. arts and media talent guidance, coverage of the Festival. Get online at or with just with one person or about your flyering. feedback and unique access to the ThreeWeeks.co.uk company. We look at how you ALL OVER EDINBURGH: The world’s most exciting festival. An can best sell your show, what “Last year I came to the ThreeWeeks weekly magazine is all-new ThreeWeeks media-skills THISWEEK LONDON: Fringe as a punter and I are the best things to say, how available to pick up for free at sites all programme will launch in Spring ThisWeek London is a new sister was shocked at how many should you say it, how do you performers seemed to be ‘hook’ people, and much more”. over Edinburgh during August, with 2015. This year we welcome back a media to ThreeWeeks, providing putting people off their show For more information on pick-up points in bars, cafes and box number of alumni from media-skills year round coverage of cultural as opposed to attracting them” Gill’s services check www. offices at all the key festival venues. programmes past to review the events in London, including says actor Fionn Gill, who’s flareflyering.com, meanwhile This preview edition is also delivered Festival. daily recommendations from the done his own fair share of here he provides his top three direct to homes all over central ThisWeek team, and the Caro Meets flyering over the years as an tips. Edinburgh. THREEWEEKS WEEKLY EDITION: interviews with some of our favourite 1. Have fun and enjoy actor in, amongst other things, The ThreeWeeks Weekly Edition is performers, producers and directors. the ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award yourself. If you’re having fun EIGHTEEN YEARS EXPERIENCE: our flagship publication, published ThisWeek London also benefits from winning show ‘Keepers’ in 2010. you’re more likely to engage “There was actually one girl people because warm positive The ThreeWeeks editors have been weekly during August and packed ThreeWeeks’ eighteen years covering in particular who was shouting energy is attractive. covering the Edinburgh Festival for with reviews, interviews and the Edinburgh Festival, tipping Fringe ‘Five Star Sell-out Show’ outside 2. Connect with people. over eighteen years, and provide exclusive columns. You can pick up favourites old and new (and brand the Pleasance Dome whilst Establishing a rapport includes their expertise and continued your free copy of ThreeWeeks from new) as they appear in London. Check furiously waving flyers around. someone in what you are doing passion for the world’s greatest all the key venues at the Edinburgh us out at ThisWeekLondon.com, or She was getting through to no- and makes them feel much cultural extravaganza each August, Festival and numerous other places sign up for the weekly bulletin at more special. Just handing one and I wanted to help her. interviewing performers, directors across the city as well. ThisWeekLondon.com/signup. Then I started to think about out flyers or rattling off a spiel and producers, commissioning guest all the other ineffective flyering leaves people feeling cold and you see. The subtle flyer drop bombarded. on your table. The ‘sales pitch’. 3. Choose the right places at CREDITS & INFO> The mimed performance the right times. Learn where your piece. The loud performance audiences are for your show. Editors & Publishers: Louise Rogers, Patricia Ann Young, Published by TW Publishing, piece. Or worst of all, looking Where do they hang out? At what Chris Cooke and Caro Moses Stephanie Gray, Tim Bano, Vicki Baron. a division of UnLimited Media bored, looking anxious and just time? Are they waiting to see www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk handing someone a flyer”. or coming out of other similar Commissioning Editor: Caro Moses Commercial Manager: Sam Taylor Wanting to help those shows? Blanket flyering on the Tel: 0131 516 8842 failing at flyering, Gill has now Mile, or around Bristo Square, Production & News Editor: Chris Cooke Accounts & Admin Manager: Jason Rust launched a new company that may hit numbers but fewer, more ThreeWeeks is a member of Picture Editor: Kat Gollock Design Support: Edward Stone sets out to do just that. “Having targeted interactions will always the Festival Media Network be more effective. seen ‘Five Star Sell-out Show’ Podcast Editor: Tom Bragg Founders: Chris Cooke, Geraint Preston, www.festivalmedianetwork.com Alex Thomson Sub Editor: Gemma Scott GET IN TOUCH! Editorial contact: [email protected] Review Team: Andrew Leask, Andrew Advertising contact: [email protected] Bell, Bethan Highgate-Betts, Bruce All ThreeWeeks content is News desk: [email protected] Blacklaw, Charlotte Taylor, Dave Fargnoli, © UnLimited Publishing 2014. 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