It's the Biggest Festival Ever, and This Is Your Guide to It

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it’s the biggest festival ever, and this is your guide to it

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The A-Z of Edinburgh Festival 2014 Contents ThreeWeeks 2014 wk0 Welcome to Edinburgh paid-for show to award winning glory strand of work celebrating the 20th the agenda of the average Festival- to the biggest stages in the Festival. anniversary of democracy in South goer than normal. START POINT 2014, the biggest And then, if you have any credibility, a Africa. And if you’re inspired to be Caro writes… 04 festival in the second show back in a dingy pub room sporty by Glasgow 2014, book yourself in the Free Fringe, cos that’s how you tickets for a show at the Just The International Festival News 05 world. Actually, it’s keep it real people. Tonic caves and then another at the Few festivals can be as international as several festivals all Pleasance Courtyard with just a five this one. Obviously the International INTERVIEWS minute gap, and enjoy running up that Festival is a global affair, otherwise happening at once. Dance hill. Latecomers will not be admitted. that would be false advertising. But all Apphia Campbell Q&A 06 The programmed Though don’t be thinking it’s just of Edinburgh’s festivals bring together Dan Schreiber Q&A comedy at the Fringe, because there’s people from the world over, with 47 International Festival, Holyrood Susan Calman Q&A 08 so much more. Including a very other countries represented in the the Book, Politics and impressive programme of dance. Pretty much every building becomes Fringe alone. Look out for Tamsin Fitzgerald from a venue during the Edinburgh Festival, COMEDY Art festivals, the Tattoo, ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award winning including the Scottish Parliament, Juniors Chris Turner Column 10 the Mela, and the company 2faced Dance with her tips which hosts the Festival Of Politics Comedy 3 To See 10 for navigating the dance programme from 15-17 Aug. It’s a great event any Yep, there’s plenty of shows for massive unprogrammed on page 23. And don’t forget there year, but this year, needless to say, younger Festival goers too. The Zoe Lyons Q&A 14 ‘everyone’s welcome’, are some grand dance and ballet political debate should be higher on Fringe’s childrens show strand is Sarah Campbell 16 productions in the International brimming with great choices for all Edinburgh Fringe. Festival too. the family, and the Book Festival has Here’s a speedy guide to a brilliant programme for younger THEATRE minds too. Allen Barton Column 17 it all, from A to Z. Exhibitions Lucy Benson-Brown Q&A 18 Yes, you’ll find lots of arty happenings in Edinburgh during August as well. Kabaret Theatre 3 To See 19 August Indeed there’s a whole separate What do you mean I’m starting to Ramin Gray Q&A 22 Edinburgh Art Festival programme to cheat here? So, yes, Kabaret. Such This is when it all happens, of course. peruse. And even if visual arts aren’t a vibrant strand of the Fringe, look With the Fringe kicking off right PHYSICAL usually your thing, you can’t beat a out for some top cabaret tips from at the start of the month, and the chilled morning absorbing some of the ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award winner Tamsin Fitzgerald Tips 23 International Festival keeping things world’s greatest artworks to refresh Sarah-Louise Young on page 25. going to the very end. Though for most Natasha Gilmore Q&A 24 yourself after a night of Fringe excess. people the core ‘three weeks’ of the Festival are from the 1st to the 25th of Literature CABARET this month. Free I’m talking about the Book Festival, of Sarah-Louise Young Tips 25 Doing the Edinburgh Festival need course, taking over Charlotte Square Biggest not break the bank, because of all the Gardens with two weeks of discussion, MUSICALS free shows on offer. There are now talks and debates. It’s got a brilliant The Edinburgh Festival is the biggest three free show strands to choose programme, plus if the sun shines, the Guy Retallack 26 cultural festival on the planet, that’s from - the Free Fringe, Free Festival Book Festival site is another excellent no secret. Indeed, just the Edinburgh Musicals 3 To See 28 and Freestival - and you’ll find freebie place to chill. Though take a book to Fringe on its own is the biggest. Add shows outside of those programmes read won’t you? Oh, and also look out the International, Book, Art and Politics too. Though, as Sam Brady put in on for the Book Fringe at Word Power MUSIC festivals, the Mela and the Tattoo, and the ThreeWeeks website, “remember Books on West Nicolson Street. blimey, big big. And this year is also the Daniel Cainer Tips 28 that ‘free shows’ are only free to get biggest ever Fringe, with 3193 shows in – you are expected to pay to get in the programme. Which makes all out”. In that if you like what you see, Music ART & EVENTS this the biggest cultural extravaganza you should throw a little something 30 ever staged in human history. So yeah, Not always something you think 3 To See in the bucket on exiting. By which I biggest. about when you say “Edinburgh mean money. Festival”, but there’s so much SPOKEN WORD music in the city over August Comedy Games I wouldn’t know where to start Nadia Brooks Q&A 31 telling you about it. Fortunately Perhaps the genre most associated Richard Tyrone Jones 32 I’m talking about the ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award with the Edinburgh Festival these Tips Commonwealth Games people. winner Daniel Cainer does it for days, and the biggest strand of the And while the Glasgow games may me, on page 28, with his picks of Fringe. Indeed the Edinburgh Fringe’s wrap up just at the Fringe begins, the musical Fringe. Meanwhile for comedy section is itself the biggest CHILDREN’S SHOWS the Edinburgh International Festival classical fans, the International comedy festival in the world. For Children’s 3 To See 32 has specifically invited performers Festival is over-flowing with any new comedian, certainly in the from a number of Commonwealth concerts, and we’d also recommend Potter Sherlock Q&A 33 English speaking world, the Edinburgh countries as part of Scotland’s wider the Fringe programme at the Royal Fringe is an annual benchmark for celebrations this summer. And in Over-Seas League. cont> your career, as you move from open FESTIVAL PEOPLE amongst that you’ll find a whole mic to shared-slot to free full-hour to Venue People 34 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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been a great spoken word scene at the Night-Time Festival for years. Take note, some of it X-rated The Edinburgh Festival is very nearly can still be found hiding in the comedy It’s a family affair this Festival, though a 24 hour affair, with plenty of late and theatre programmes. ThreeWeeks some shows are a bit more ‘grown ups night/ early morning drinking haunts Editors’ Award winner Richard Tyrone only’. It used to be the aim of many a on offer. Though Edinburgh nights Jones has the spoken word tips for Fringe producer to create the show are not just about the booze. There’s a you on page 32. that generated enough outrage that a plethora of late night shows to choose boycott would be launched, ensuring ‘Blind Hamlet’ director Ramin Grey. from, our favourites being those that Theatre a sell-out run into September. People CARO WRITES> We also spoke to Natasha Gilmore, bring together performers from across seem less prone to get outraged about the Festival to perform a short ‘spot’. X-rated performances these days. But Aaaaand, we’re back. And choreographer from linked physical How did I take so long to get to Them hoping beyond hope that you’re theatre? Oh yes, I remember, the they’re still there to be enjoyed if that I am not just talking about shows ‘Tiger’ and ‘Tiger Tail’, Guy not yet so drunk that you’ll forget how alphabet. There are some grand rocks your boat. ThreeWeeks, I’m talking Retallack, director of the musical ‘Thrill Me’, the team behind family good they were. Their thinking is you theatrics in the International Festival, about all you performers and show ‘Potted Sherlock’, and spoken might buy tickets for the full show in though it’s the Fringe that is the real Yearly Institutions Festival-going culture-lovers word performer Nadia Brooks. the morning. Sometimes it works. Mecca for theatre fans, with pretty out there, all probably getting And it doesn’t end there; we’ve much every flavour of the dramatic If you’re a Fringe regular you’ll likely into a Festival mood just as I also ceded the floor to a number Opera arts on offer, and plenty of brand new have some moments and events type these very words. Or if of guest columnists, who have plays too. And with running times you look forward to each year. The not, very soon after. written enlightening articles for us, The International Festival is the place generally shorter here than elsewhere, buzz of Meet The Media at the start to go if you’re an opera fan, it’s a of the Fringe. The first night you go For that time is upon us, and we and you, on a variety of subjects. it’s particularly good for theatre lovers really impressive programme of full the whole hog and leave the Gilded are girding our collective loins for Comedian Chris Turner tells us about with short attention spans. productions and concerts. There’s a Balloon as the sun rises. Plus there’s the heady month-long melting pot of his descent from archaeology to little opera in the Fringe too, you’ll the award shows, the charity galas, extraordinarily diverse culture and comedy, Allen Barton outlines the find it in amongst the musicals strand, Union the big day off in the middle when entertainment that is the Edinburgh genesis of his play ‘Years To The Day’, which also deserves a mention. If you everyone gets ill, and, for those still Festival. ThreeWeeks celebrates all and Sarah Campbell shares her top As in between Scotland and England. like your musical theatre, you’ll be well in town at the end of August, the this by creating our magazine and Fringe worries. Don’t worry, though, With the big vote now very much catered for here. International Festival’s awe-inspiring online publications, of course, which it will all be okay. on the horizon, there are a fair few firework finale. together, we hope, adequately reflect And, once you’ve read them all, I shows dealing with the old union of the width and breadth of what’s on bet you will be much better prepared Physical Theatre kingdoms this year, and it’ll be hard offer here in August, and at the same to attack the Festival. Informed, for any vaguely political comedian to Zzzzzzzz time help you navigate this sprawling armed, and with at least a few shows This is another less-talked about but not reference the referendum. More mass of shows and events. It is to aim for. However, I would urge impressive strand within the Fringe, focused debates on Scotland’s future, If you’re not already feeling sleepy difficult, these days, to work your way you not to leave it all up to us. Or though physical theatre shows are whatever way the Yes/No vote goes, after reading about all this cultural through all the programmes with indeed, our fellow media. There lumped in with the dance and circus can be found in both the Book and exertion, you’ll definitely need some a highlighter pen, especially if one are thousands of shows, and only a productions in the programme. So Politics festivals. recovery time come September. So of those is the Fringe Programme, fraction of them get picked up by the this is where the ‘secondary’ genre please do schedule in a post-Festival which gets thicker and thicker every press; only a small number feature listings the Fringe provides are very lie in. Thank you. year. in pre-festival preview picks, and not important. Don’t say I didn’t tell you. Venues So this, our preview issue, is every show will get a review - from Oh yes, venues. I’ve already packed full of hints and tips, and an established publication - in print Quality Not mentioned that pretty much every we hope that they’ll help you in the or online. building in Edinburgh becomes a decision making process. As usual, So, when someone hands you a Guaranteed venue in August. In the Fringe each I’ve trawled the programmes looking flyer, or when you are perusing the The whole point of the Fringe is for shows that look interesting, Fringe Programme and for some that anyone who can find a space to shows that I know will be good, reason notice a particular show perform (and usually some money) and shows that someone else has title, don’t write it off because it is welcome to do so. This is how convinced me will be worth seeing, has no “press quotes” in its blurb, you stumble across magnificent and I’ve written about them all in or because you can’t find a review performances that just wouldn’t be our 3 To See previews. Furthermore, of it online. It might be brilliant, it’s booked at a programmed festival. four guest contributors – all former just nobody knows it yet. And yes, Though it also means there are a few winners of ThreeWeeks Editors’ you take a risk when you go to see duds in there, usually ideas that had Awards no less – have also been a show like that – you might end up venue is independently programmed potential but didn’t quite work out. But perusing the listings to provide some wasting your money and time on and run, and many people navigate that’s the point of the Fringe, take a top five recommendations from an hour of pap – but it might be a the Festival via each venue’s gamble, don’t play it safe, and see how their own genre specialisms: Richard risk that pays off. You might make specialisms and reputation. As always, it turns out. Maybe awful. Maybe the Tyrone Jones recommends spoken a huge discovery. You might sit in a there’s some new venues this year, greatest night of your life. word events, Daniel Cainer selects near-deserted performance space with a number of existing Fringe the music, Sarah-Louise Young offers and watch a show by a fantastic new venue operators expanding into new you her cabaret picks, and Tamzin talent, you might go out and tell your Reviews spaces. Some useful venue info: The Fitzgerald gives you tips for the friends. You might start a word-of- Assembly Rooms is not run by the dance programme. mouth movement that ensures a It’s the erratic nature of the Fringe that same people as the other Assembly But that’s not all, of course. Aside trickle of custom to that show every makes the reviews so important. The venues, and any venue with Laughing from all the tips and picks, we have day. By the end of the Festival, there ThreeWeeks review team check out Horse in its name is Free Festival loads of interviews and columns, all might be a queue for it all down the shows across all the genres, big names rather than Free Fringe. featuring acts and companies that Cowgate... wouldn’t it be exciting to and total newbies, and at venues we love. Some of them are Fringe be a part of that? large and small. A selection of reviews stalwarts, others relative newcomers, Caro @ ThreeWeeks will be published in the ThreeWeeks Weird Stuff and we have high hopes for them magazine each week, though to see Yep, there’s plenty of weird stuff to them all you should sign up for the all. In this issue you’ll find Q&As with PS: Look out for the main three issues enjoy this Festival. Half of it situated free ThreeWeeks Daily by email at stand-up types Susan Calman, Zoe of the ThreeWeeks magazine, out in on the Royal Mile. Embrace it. Enjoy it. threeweeks.co.uk/signup. Lyons and Dan Schreiber, as well as all the venues on 6, 13 and 20 Aug. Be a bit weird yourself, why don’t you? with the talented people behind a And make sure you sign up for the Though if you spot a local clearly in number of theatrical pieces: Apphia ThreeWeeks Daily email to get Spoken Word a rush to get somewhere important, Campbell, star of ‘Black Is The Color the latest news and reviews in probably best not to be weird in their Of My Voice’, Lucy Benson Brown your inbox each day. Sign up at A recent addition to the Fringe’s face. from ‘Cutting Off Kate Bush’, and ThreeWeeks.co.uk/signup programme guide, though there’s TW

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Mills plots a conflicted finale Fringe Stats

With the Edinburgh Fringe while 13% are music, a lower profile at the EIF this August bigger than ever this year, but nevertheless significant strand of the Fringe (even if many of the It’s Artistic Director let’s take a quick look at the shows in it have just one or a few Jonathan Mills’ last time at numbers shall we? The big performances, rather than full three the helm of the Edinburgh fat red programme you’ll week runs). International Festival, find all over the city lists Launching the programme 49,497 performances of 3193 earlier this year, the boss of the and 2400 artists from 43 Fringe Society, which publishes countries will join him for shows in 299 venues, an 11% the programme on behalf of the a magnificent swan song, increase on last year’s show Edinburgh Fringe community, Kath which ticks the ‘international’ count – and remember not M Mainland, told reporters: “This box if nothing else. every Fringe show pays to list programme is the culmination of the itself in the official brochure. creativity and hard work of thousands Theme wise the centenary of the outset of people. The Edinburgh Festival of the First World War will have an In terms of the genres into which the Fringe is many things to many people impact, with the relationship between programme is divided, the Dance & and part of the success of the Fringe culture and conflict set to be explored. Physical Theatre section has been is that whatever you are looking for, Says the EIF, this year’s programme renamed Dance, Circus & Physical and in whatever capacity you are “looks at the work of artists who in Theatre to acknowledge the growth looking, you can almost certainly be difficult and uncertain circumstances in the number of circus shows at the satisfied by what you find. This year can transcend their surroundings Festival in recent years, making what the Fringe includes 3193 shows which to create work of great beauty and was already a pretty eclectic section of is a record number of shows, but more optimism”. company’s co-founder, Benjamin from around the world to present an the brochure even more so. Elsewhere importantly the programme offers the Meanwhile, with the Commonwealth Britten’s ‘Owen Wingrave’, a piece intense three weeks of intimate and the newish Spoken Word section has widest selection of international high Games taking place in Glasgow shortly originally written for TV and first epic theatre, dance, music and opera. 88% more listings than last year, while quality arts and entertainment that before this year’s Edinburgh Festival, broadcast by the BBC in 1971. Playing We are working with a number of the Children’s Shows chapter has also you will find in any one place at any Mills has also made sure to invite to Mills’ conflict theme, the piece tells international co-producing partners grown in size pretty significantly, with one time. A truly unique experience”. artists from some key Commonwealth the story of a young man’s moral tussle to bring performances to the UK from 22% more productions listed. The Fringe officially runs from 1-25 countries, including Canada, Australia, with his family’s military history and around the world, from New Zealand Though overall comedy remains Aug this year, though some venues New Zealand and South Africa. Indeed expectations. to South Africa, ensuring the Festival by far the biggest part of the kick off previews a couple of days there is a whole strand of work Elsewhere in the EIF’s programme retains its unique mix of artists and proceedings, with over a third of the earlier as usual on the 30 Jul. celebrating the 20th anniversary of of theatre, opera, dance, ballet and work which makes it an unmissable festival sitting in that genre. 28% of democracy in the latter. classical music festival-goers will date in the global cultural calendar”. shows come from the theatre side, More at www.edfringe.com The stand out production in the EIF’s find the likes of Stan Douglas, Luk He went on: “We are delighted to theatre programme is ‘The James Plays’ Perceval, Heiner Goebbels, Nicola be working with a range of funders (pictured), the first ever co-production Benedetti, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and partners to share with you what between the National Theatres of Lemi Ponifasio, Tom Cairns, Ute we believe is a fantastic Festival Scotland and Great Britain, and the EIF. Lemper, Brett Bailey, Blythe Duff, Mark programme. From our core public James McArdle, Blythe Duff, Andrew Baldwin, Daniil Trifonov, Anne Sofie funders, Creative Scotland and City of Rothney, Jamie Sives and Sofie Gråbøl von Otter, Piotr Anderszewski, Oliver Edinburgh Council, to the many trusts, will all star in the newly penned trilogy Knussen, Jordi Savall, the Kronos foundations, international partners and about James I, II and III of Scotland, Quartet, Mariinsky Opera, Tanztheater individuals who generously donate written by Rona Munro and directed Wuppertal Pina Bausch, the Handspring sums large and small, the commitment by NTS’s Laurie Sansom. Audience Puppet Company, the Paco Peña and passion of so many for this Festival members will be able to buy tickets to Flamenco Company and the Czech remains truly inspiring. I look forward see each play over a three-day period, Philharmonic. Which is quite a lot to be to welcoming audiences from Scotland or if they are feeling adventurous see getting on with. And of course there’ll and around the world to Edinburgh the whole trilogy in just one sitting. be the customary opening concert and this August to share in compelling In the opera strand another co- firework-filled finale. stories from artists who are exploring production stands out, a collaboration Announcing his final programme and transcending conflict to create the with Aldeburgh Music that will see earlier this year, Mills said: “In Festival most sublime and optimistic work”. the staging of a notable work by that 2014 we bring together cultures More at www.eif.co.uk More festival news: www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/news

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Dan Schreiber is one of Apphia Campbell the ‘QI elves’ to which Stephen Fry often refers Inspired by the music and work of Nina Simone, and one TW: Had you been a fan of TW: You also performed the piece in on the popular BBC Simone before you first read the New York, how did audiences differ particular event in the legendary singer’s life, Apphia autobiography? Did you do any there? panel show, helping Campbell conceived, wrote and performs ‘Black Is The additional research about her life AC: The audiences in New York were a dig up the trivia and Color Of My Voice’, a one woman show that combines when writing the play? lot smaller and, of course, more aware misconceptions that form music, history and an imagined recall of what Simone AC: Absolutely. When I first began of the history. One person in particular listening to her music about ten came up to me and said, “I thought the heart of the show. went through during a three-day ‘spiritual cleansing’ years ago, something struck me and I would hate it, but I really liked it. I But you might know that I needed to know more. As I said, thought it was a different way to tell already if you’re a ‘QI’ Campbell premiered the show in Shanghai, and later I pored over her autobiography the story”. I just laughed and said, fan, because Schreiber performed it in New York, but now brings the work to several times. And then I found every “Well, I’m an artist, I’m supposed to be is one of the regulars the Edinburgh Fringe for a full Festival run at the Gilded book, article, YouTube video, and creative”. documentary I could find. It was about on the show’s spin-off Balloon. Ahead of that we spoke to Campbell about the a three-year research process, and in TW: You seem very keen to bring podcast that launched conception of the show, how Simone’s life inspired the turn, a personal discovery, for me. this show to the Edinburgh Fringe, earlier this year, ‘No Such piece, and her preparations for the Edinburgh run. why is that? TW: Simone’s music will always AC: The Edinburgh Fringe is the Thing As Fish’. He also live on, but do you think it’s largest arts festival in the world! Of works with QI creator TW: The show is “inspired by the life Liberia. I couldn’t stop thinking about important people also hear about COURSE this is where I should bring of Nina Simone”. What does that it. I found that such a compelling part her involvement in the civil rights my work! I want to reach a broader John Lloyd on the radio mean? of her history. And I kept coming back movement? audience and this is certainly the show ‘The Museum Of AC: The protagonist in the play is to the same question: “What did this AC: Heck yes! You can’t tell a story place to do it. Curiosity’, a programme called Mena Bordeaux. I invented a woman do while she was stuck in a inspired by Simone and not talk about new character so I could explore the room for three days?” The question it; the play addresses her activism TW: Has the show developed he helped conceive and story in the way I wanted to without kept turning in my head and finally I as a major part of her personal and or changed since last year’s co-produces. being disrespectful to Nina Simone, said, “Okay, I want to explore this”. professional development. You productions at all? or confusing people into thinking this can’t listen to a song like ‘Mississippi AC: For the Festival, we’ve had to But away from the elving piece is a biography, which it isn’t. TW: How is Simone’s music used? Goddamn’ and not be blown away shorten it due to time constraints. and curious museum But the story arises from a time when AC: The music is used to add narrative by the mind who would write a song The original show ran at 1:20 and we Simone was in Liberia following her context to the character as a musician like that. She was so fearless and have it down to an hour for Edinburgh, producing, Schreiber also father’s death. She was going through and a performer. She goes through grounded, and I think so much of that so we had to shorten it by a quarter. performs stand-up, and a rough period, and she consulted quite a transformation, and music developed with her civil rights work. Editing for Edinburgh was brutal. I was this year brings to the a faith healer who instructed her to is the thematic element taking her talking to my Production Assistant, Fringe his first full hour undertake a spiritual cleansing ritual from one stage of her life to the TW: What’s it like writing AND who’s a writing teacher by trade, that involved isolating herself for next. It’s not just jazz by a long shot. performing a one woman play? about the cuts we needed to make, show, ‘Cockblocked From three days. That ritual is the setting Simone was a piano prodigy, and was AC: Well, the writing and performing and she immediately responded with, Outer Space’. We caught of the play. It’s absolutely a fictional heavily involved in the church, so the go hand-in-hand pretty well. “Oh, you need to cut this song and this up with the man himself account of what happened, but the play includes Bach recordings and Performing a play you wrote for part and this thing. They don’t move background of the character and gospel pieces. As the play continues yourself is amazing – you don’t the story along. Murder your babies”. to talk ‘QI’, the most where and who this character is and Bordeaux finds solace in jazz, have to “day job it” until the perfect I was horrified. I kept saying, “Nooo! I amazing of facts, and comes from Simone’s life. I sing several pieces that Simone part comes along. You can create really like that part! Can we put it back what we can expect from made famous, either as a part of it yourself and you can write to later?” I had to cut a lot of parts I really TW: Where did the idea for the show the character’s performance history your strengths as a performer. It’s loved, but I’m finding that the editing his debut Fringe show. come from? or to add to the mood of the story. performing AND producing the process really made the play tighter. AC: At the point when I decided to What I love about Simone’s music is show that’s a problem. When you’re I’m looking forward to seeing how the TW: Let’s get the ‘QI’ questions out write ‘Black Is The Color’, I had read how affected you feel by the end of performing and handling the business edited version plays out during the of the way first! How did you get to Simone’s autobiography about four the song, so my first priority was to end of the show at the same time, Fringe, and if all goes well, I’ll be able be one of the QI elves? or five times, and I always came back capture that feeling by incorporating it can get messy because you get to perform the full show to a larger DS: I moved over to England after to the one part about the ritual in the music we use. emotionally involved in both jobs, audience after Edinburgh. graduating from a hippy high school but you can’t let one affect the other in Sydney without any qualifications. or your show will suffer. In past runs, TW: What are your ambitions for the A chance meeting with the ‘QI’ people have asked me, “Hey, we have piece beyond Edinburgh? bosses led to the job. Every elf has this problem. What do we do?” and AC: I would love to tour the show! a title: History Elf, Science Elf and so it’s my job as producer to fix those I love London and would love the on. I was Idiot Elf. I knew nothing. problems, but I’m also in character, so opportunity to put it up in a theatre Surprisingly, knowing nothing is an I’m yelling or snapping just so I won’t there, or anywhere really. I’m not too advantage at ‘QI’. drop character. I’ve had to apologise picky. Telling this story wherever I can quite a few times! is my one priority. TW: And what exactly does being a QI elf involve? TW: You debuted the show in TW: My favourite Nina Simone DS: Refusing to find anything dull. Shanghai. Are audiences in China track is ‘Sinnerman’. What’s your Reading that 3000 paged book on aware of Simone’s music, and/or the favourite and why? the history of popes, until you spot history of civil rights in the USA? AC: Ah! I’m always asked this question that one golden sentence that reads: AC: Many local audiences didn’t and it stumps me every time. Last “During his 27-year reign, Pope really know who she was. To raise week I said ‘Plain Gold Ring’ but this John Paul II took over 100 skiing money for the Edinburgh run, we did week I’ve been listening to ‘Lil Liza vacations”. a revue of jazz standards that Nina Jane’ on repeat. It’s a folky tune and Simone popularised, and the venue the rhythm sounds simple, but when I TW: You’re also a regular on the manager did and still calls me Nina. try to sing it I’m always thrown off. Yet, ‘QI’ podcast ‘No Such Thing As A I think it’s pretty funny! I don’t try to she sings it with such ease. It makes Fish’. Is it good to share your bits impersonate her voice, I’m definitely me happy; it really gets me dancing, of trivia directly with the audience, me as a singer, even in the play. But and with all these Edinburgh Fringe rather than letting Stephen Fry take in the end, it was really fulfilling to nerves building up, I can really use all the glory of being the top trivia introduce Shanghai audiences to the excuses for stress-busting booty deliverer? this music and give them a bit of shaking I can get. DS: The podcast is my favourite background into Black American thing to do. It came about because history. ‘Black Is The Color Of My Voice’ is on at too many facts in the ‘QI’ office kept Gilded Balloon from 30 Jul until 25 Aug.

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Dan Schreiber going to waste. Like the time world’s most interesting authors, TW: You’re also doing a live Chief Elf James Harkin looked explorers, potato experts, deep-sea version of ‘TMOC’ with John up from his computer and said: divers, and getting them to sit with this Festival. How will that “You know there are currently each other, just chatting about compare to the radio show? over 600 guys in the world with their favourite things. DS: Just like the radio show it’s two dicks”. We decided to gather going to be packed with amazing round a microphone once a week TW: When did you make the guests, from academics like and share our favourite facts we’d move into stand-up? the head of Ancient Babylonian found that week. As we speak we’re DS: Four years ago. When my agent Cuneiform from the British eighteen episodes in, are number forced me to get on stage to do it. Museum to comedians like Jimmy three in the iTunes charts and have I didn’t want to do it, because I had Carr. We’re doing nine shows. just hit our two millionth listen. It’s nothing to say. So, I got very drunk Come. done ridiculously well. None of us before going on. The gig worked. expected that. I realised that not only did I have TW: Do people constantly ask nothing to say, but I had shitloads you for your favourite bit of QI TW: How did you come to of nothing to say. I have over an trivia? Does that get irritating? co-create the radio show ‘The hour of nothing to say now. DS: Yes! But no, it’s not irritating. Museum Of Curiosity’ with QI Any conversation that begins with chief John Lloyd? TW: What can people expect someone saying “did you know…” DS: John, Richard Turner – the from your Fringe show? Will it be always ends up being an awesome other co-creator/co-producer – and brimming with trivia? one. I wanted to make a show where DS: My blurb basically says it all: we could meet our heroes. While Yetis, astronauts, paranormal TW: What’s your favourite bit of trying to think up what that show dating websites, the trouble with QI trivia? could be, John Lloyd got offered being hairy, the ancient wisdom DS: Did you know… In 1895, the the post of Professor Of Ignorance of Chinese zoo keepers, the pubic only two cars in Ohio crashed into at the University of Buckingham. lice hunter of Rotterdam and more. each other. This got us thinking, what would a It’s packed with facts and personal Prof Of Ignorance do? Probably run adventures into the world of dork. TW: You must know a lot of an infinitely large and impossible brainy and knowledgeable museum. And that’s how we got TW: And why the title people. What’s your dream pub our show. ‘Cockblocked From Outer quiz team? Space’? DS: Easy. My ‘No Such Thing As A TW: How does working on the DS: I once had a date ruined by a Fish’ co-hosts James Harkin, Anna radio show compare to ‘QI’ itself? man from outer space. Literally Ptaszynski and Andy Murray. DS: It’s completely different. ‘QI’ while he was orbiting the planet in ‘Dan Schreiber: Cockblocked From Outer is all about the facts. ‘Museum’ is the International Space Station. Space’ is on at Underbelly from 30 Jul all about the people. Finding the until 25 Aug. TW

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Her neighbours may call her “the mad cat lady”, but round here Susan Calman is a ThreeWeeks favourite, back at the Fringe this year with a brand new show to share. And a ‘confession’ as well if the blurb to ‘Lady Like’ is to be believed. Ahead of the new show we questioned the lady herself about her Radio 4 programme, recent TV appearances, that new show, and being rather candid on stage.

TW: Welcome back to the Fringe. Your show blurb says you have a ‘confession’ to make this year. Presumably it would ruin the show for you to tell us what it is, but have you got any other confessions you’d like to share before the Fringe begins? SC: It’s not really a confession I suppose but I’m a huge fan of line dancing. I can’t line dance myself but enjoy watching others do it. Having said that, I’m now aware that it sounds a little pervy. I don’t mean it to. When I have the time in the future I’m going to learn

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Susan Calman to do it so I can join in. It’s not sounding Second, perform a good show where I that the Fringe is the best opportunity SC: Comedy has a big role to play shows still seems to be an issue, any better is it? clearly explain why I’m an idiot with lots to become a better performer; a bad because you can say things in a though various things have been of jokes, stories and the like. And third gig can teach you as much, if not more, comedy show without terrifying said – at the BBC in particular – about TW: For a lot of comedians the Big the audience leaves knowing that no than a good one. e) Allow yourself one everyone. I can talk about the fact that addressing the problem. Do you Fringe Deadline is a cure for their matter how bad they think life is, I am night to get very drunk, but make sure I’ve had depression and how I dealt think it will be? chronic procrastination and helps clearly failing more spectacularly. someone looks after you. And wander with it. Intersperse it with a few jokes SC: It will change, I have no doubt them actually get a new show through Bristo Square at 3am laughing and no one worries that I’m about to about that. It won’t happen overnight written. Is it like that for you, or were TW: For all your fellow performers at the moon. lose it on stage. It’s the same with the though. To my mind the key is getting you ready to go in March? setting out on a full Fringe run, have show I did on equal marriage, I know a panel show on the television with a SC: This year I knew I would be filming you got any tips for how they can TW: I’m going to install a little it challenged some of the audience’s woman as a host or as a regular. That’s a TV show in July – called ‘Don’t Drop “feel better” when they hit half-way honesty into my questioning here. I perceptions about that issue but when things will really change. I firmly The Baton’ about the Commonwealth hell? managed to totally miss your Radio because I made them laugh it didn’t believe that will happen soon. Radio Games in case you wondered – so I SC: I’ve been performing at the Fringe 4 series earlier this year. What was seem like a lecture. I hope! has already proven that audiences decided to do things slightly differently in various shows for seven years now. it about? And please tell me their don’t really care if a woman is hosting than I usually would. I embarked on a It’s taken me this long to really work going to repeat it? Or should I go find TW: I did catch your guest a panel show, television will get to the preview tour from the end of January out how to survive. This year I’m it on one of those dodgy file-sharing appearances in ‘Fresh Meat’ as the same point. It has to. through till March over 26 nights. It going to run every morning, I’ve given websites? reluctant student counsellor. How meant that the show was pretty much up smoking and I’m eating well. No SC: It was the second series. Did you does the acting work compare to the TW: With so many shows at the there at the start of April. Over the past really. I am. Every year at the Fringe I miss both? I can come round to your comedy? Fringe these days publicity is few months I’ve been tweaking bits start to feel physically awful half way house and talk you through each SC: That character in ‘Fresh Meat’ was everything. Given the ‘Mad Cat Lady’ and pieces but I’m very organised. It’s through which just adds to the general episode in immense detail if you clearly not equipped to help anyone. It moniker your neighbours have always difficult to get punters to show melancholy and self loathing. I’m want? Ha! I think you can buy them on was brilliant fun though. Some of the famously given you, were you not up at previews once the weather gets hoping that treating myself better will iTunes to be honest but the last series most enjoyable moments in my career tempted to promote the show with better so I found trying out my show in lead to a less spectacular mid-August covered appearance, children, DNA and have been acting in shows. In ‘Dead endless pictures of cats? I mean, you the depths of winter was better. Colder, droop. General tips though would be: a) intellectual snobbery. The two series Boss’ I got to play a member of a prison could be all over Facebook. slightly more miserable, but at least Don’t get obsessed with reviews, you’ll I’ve written and performed for Radio 4 gang. Who could ask for more? I love SC: Haven’t you seen my Twitter feed? people turned up! hate yourself and your fellow comics. are probably the shows I’m most proud acting and I hope in the next year or Seriously. It’s all about the cats. b) Don’t get involved in bitching, you of. I’m currently pitching for series so I can do more of it. It’s slightly less TW: You’re also promising to make might find yourself standing beside three so fingers crossed. pressure when you read out words that TW: Finally, you’re known for being your audience “feel better” with the the wife/brother/agent of the comic someone else has written! pretty frank and honest in your shows. new show. How are you planning on you’re talking about which will make TW: Depression was one of the topics Is there anything you’ve ever shared doing that? the rest of the month very awkward. covered on the radio programme TW: Now I’m thinking you’re thinking that you later regretted doing so? SC: It’s a three stage approach. First, c) Find some nice people to talk to with the sensible message that that’s I’ve only ever seen your five minutes SC: I think I’ll find out this year. nice, air conditioned, accessible about things other than the Festival; something we all need to talk about of acting on ‘Fresh Meat’. But we love venue that doesn’t smell of death. I’ve go swimming, go to an art gallery, more. How do you think we can make all your stand-up and panel show ‘Susan Calman: Lady Like’ is on at Underbelly performed in many rooms that have a anything to get away from comedy. that happen? Does comedy have a work too. The dominance of male from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. distinct smell of despair. Not this year. d) Remember, above everything else, role to play? comedians on those there panel LINKS: www.susancalman.com

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Chris Turner: TW 3 TO SEE Standing up, not digging down

my degree: whilst my friends spent Chris Turner’s tutors at Oxford were never their summers studying primates convinced he was really committed to in Sumatra, I was flyering tourists in Scottish rain. Archaeology & Anthropology. They’re It was a term before my final exams when the senior tutor told me to buck perceptive these Archaeology types, given my ideas up, or be kicked out. I didn’t Turner was secretly busy fitting his studies want to be an archaeologist, but I didn’t want to be the person who tried in around the more time-consuming matter to be an archaeologist and failed. I cancelled the gigs I’d booked during of launching a stand-up career. Though my exams, hunkered down for some fortunately for him archaeologists are also all-night library sessions, and a few months later had scraped myself a 2:1. pretty patient. Something he put the test. Three years on, and I’m making a living as a stand-up comedian. This Turner takes up the story… Edinburgh, I’ll be performing my debut solo show, and my time at Oxford makes an appearance as material. If & Anth graduate who had achieved the run goes well, that’s what it will TW COLUMN a ‘gentleman’s degree’ (a third) at remain - a memory. If not, it’s a back Cambridge. I had been gigging more up plan - though I hope not. I’d be a After three days of incessant mud- and more, focusing on joke-writing rubbish archaeologist. I can’t even actually be Scott Bakula and Dean shovelling, hunched in a damp pit in and absorbing as much comedy as I grow a beard. 3 improv Stockwell, they are a well established Dorchester-on-Thames, I picked up could, all the while handing in essays and respected group of improvvers. strewn with factual inaccuracies that a spade and slammed it into the top ‘Chris Turner: Pretty Fly’ is on at Pleasance Austentatious: An Improvised Woooo! fell short of the word count. I was of my foot with enough pressure, I Courtyard from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. Jane Austen Novel Cowgatehead, from 1 Aug until 24 Aug. nothing if not committed, just not to hoped, to break a bone or two whilst I’m an occasional preserving my ancestors’ hard-fought indulger in both Cariad & Paul: A Two Player evolutionary battle for bipedalism. Austen novels and Adventure (pictured above) A fortnight before, four days after ‘TV bonnet shows’ the death of Michael Jackson, I was As well as liking their quality improv, (or costume drama, ThreeWeeks reviewers are known scattering a tolerant audience with as people more Swizzels Matlow sweets in a sparsely to be very vocal in their praise of usually call them), and, as you may the very super (and also Edinburgh populated bar. I had just stepped on have gathered, I quite like comedy, so stage to tell jokes for the first time. Comedy Award Newcomer nominated) this show attracted me from the first character comedian Cariad Lloyd, and My first year studying Archaeology time I saw it in the programme in 2011. & Anthropology at Oxford University although we are less well acquainted As you may expect from the title, the with the live work of Paul Foxcroft, wasn’t what it had promised to be. It theme here is the ‘lost’ works of Jane was nothing like ‘Time Team’, ‘Tomb we are very much aware of just how Austen, and what you can expect from brilliant this show was last year. Raider’ or ‘Indiana Jones’. No ruddy this talented troupe is a brand new, cheeked, flagrantly alcoholic, Cornish These two are consummate skilled different and consistently funny story improvisers, by the sounds of it; to the trowel-wielders waxing lyrical about in every show. This is their third year Anglo Saxon hoards; no tank-topped point that certain viewers last year at the Festival, and they’ve previously had trouble believing it was genuinely aristocratic beauties shutting received two glowing reviews from butlers in the freezer; and most improvised. There are only a few us featuring the use of hyperbolic shows, so be careful, don’t miss it. disappointingly, no wise-cracking, phrases such as “supremely talented”, Pleasance Dome, from 18 Aug until 23 Aug. nine-year-old Chinese sidekicks. “blinding one-liners” and “nothing Admittedly, none of this was in the short of heroic”. Yes, they are that prospectus, but who reads those? good. The self-inflicted fracture during the 3 musical comedy Pleasance Dome, from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. Dorchester-on-Thames archaeology dig was effective. It saw me relegated David Elms: Nurture Boy to pot-washer, and I spent a week and Oh boy! I believe this is a half scrubbing Roman pot shards The Quantum Leap Show David Elms’ first with a frayed-bristle toothbrush, When I saw the title full solo hour at the before receiving the most damning of this next show I Edinburgh Fringe, so field report ever doled out by the was almost ready I don’t have much in department. to tell everyone to the way of a Festival A “complete disregard for the go home right away, record to cite. I can, however, confirm subject” they said! I didn’t care. I was because this lot have that one of our reviewers, when seeing in love with comedy, addicted to the won the Fringe. But I do appreciate him in one of those three-stand-ups- lights, the laughter, the applause - that these are the possibly slightly in-a-row shows a coupla three years admittedly at this point in my fledgling worrying sentiments of someone who back praised his “calm stage presence career, the last two were the merest was, as a younger person, ever so and toned down style”. Judging by his of specks on the comedy horizon, slightly (completely?) addicted to US publicity (and I’m not going to bother but surely as time passed, jokes were TV import ‘Quantum Leap’. If you’ve researching this too hard), lots of other written and stage time accrued, they never heard of it (shame on you), it’s a reviewers had good things to say would rise, twin Tatooine suns… sci-fi-ish show about a very nice man about him too, and this show promises “If you don’t start treating this like who is forced to flit around in time, songs, romance, a charming and it’s your degree, we shall have no putting right what once went wrong. inventive debut. So I’m going to give choice but to rusticate you”. This show offers a new and improvised this one a go. I hadn’t been taking it seriously. I episode every day, and while the team Pleasance Courtyard, from 30 Jul until 25 idolised Hugh Laurie, a fellow Arch behind this – The Maydays – may not Aug. TW

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So many comedy shows to choose from, only so many hours in the Fringe day available for laughing, so where to start? Well, ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses has ploughed through them all to present her latest batch of comedic 3 To See Edinburgh show recommendations.

Jollyboat: Late With Kate, Canon’s Gait, from 2 Aug Five Stars, F*****ck Yeah! until 23 Aug; The News At Kate: Leftie Cock Womble, Viva Mexico, from 2 Aug until 23 Aug Well, okay, this was one where the title The Colour Ham drew me in a little. But also the very clear The Colour Ham offer memory of hearing up an intriguing blend good things about of sketch comedy, this show from my trusty writers, and magic and mentalism one particularly trusted reviewer in (see, you’re interested particular, who claimed back in 2012 already, aren’t you?) that these guys are a five star act, and they are clearly very good at it; warning our readers to expect “expect ThreeWeeks have reviewed this trio awful puns, hilarious gags and note- twice already, in 2012 and 2013, and on perfect musical parodies”. They are still both occasions our reviewer thought free at the moment, but surely not for they rocked so flipping hard that they long. Catch them before they’re on the were worthy of a 5/5 review. And two telly. 5/5 reviews, from two different writers, for two consecutive Fringe years, is not Beat, from 2 Aug until 23 Aug. that common an occurrence, and is pretty much always indicative of an act Jonny & The Baptists: that’s coming up with something highly The Satiric Verses consistent and quite, quite special. In You might be a bit short, I am pretty sure this show will be more aware of award very good. -nominated musical Just the Tonic at the Caves, from 31 July until comedy duo Jonny 23 Aug. and The Baptists than you were this time Joel Dommett: Finding Emo last year, because of a somewhat public Joel Dommett is spat between them and UKIP deputy another act who has leader Paul Nuttall. “We traversed the won consistent praise UK and Scotland with our Stop UKIP and general adoration Tour, massively pissing off a plethora of from our roving team, fruitcakes and racists”, they say, “and who have in the we appear to have learnt something. past fallen hard for his energetically Well, learnt many things. Conveniently hilarious yet self-deprecating persona. about an hour’s worth of things.” And In this year’s show he reveals that when ‘The Satiric Verses’, apparently, is that he was a teenager, he was in an emo hour. Should be diverting. band that played just one gig. Will he Pleasance Dome, from 30 Jul until 24 Aug. find and reunite its members for the sake of his stand-up show narrative? Possibly, says the Fringe Programme. 3 ThreeWeeks Laughing Horse at the Counting House, from approved 1 Aug until 24 Aug.

Late with Kate 3 free acts you’ve Last year the probably heard of ThreeWeeks editors (of which I am one) did what they should Nick Doody vs probably have done The Debonair Assassin a long time ago and You see, some people gave that brilliant Kate Smurthwaite think that the Free one of their Editors’ Awards. You may fringe festival strands have come across her on the radio are full of people or telly because she is on all the time who aren’t funny or in her capacity as a stand-up and a first timers trying political activist/commenter (this year out duff material. Now, that absolutely she was even on Question Time) but isn’t true at all (and there are loads of Kate is also a stalwart, hard-working free shows included in all my other and talented veteran of the Fringe, and comedy picks, too) but I just thought she’s back for another busy August; Not I would hammer that point home by only is she bringing back her annual telling you about the free shows out tradition ‘The News At Kate’, she’ll be there from comedians like this one, hosting a late night comedy showcase, Nick Doody, an Edinburgh veteran that and performing interactive comedy you’ve probably heard of via all the TV show ‘The Evolution Will Be Televised’. and radio stuff he’s responsible for, and Tirelessly excellent. possibly through his appearance on The Evolution Will Be Televised, Ciao Roma, C4’s ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ from 2 Aug until 23 Aug cont>

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Michael Legge and Robin Ince Ladies Live Longer: TW 3 TO SEE Are Pointless Anger, Righteous Volunteerology Ire 3: Ooh Stick You, Your Mama I have no scientific cont> contest back in 1997 (crikey, Too... and Your Daddy proof of this, but was it so long ago?). Anyway, he is What is it with these I feel as though very, very skilled, and this show is ridiculously long sketch comedy guaranteed to be good. titles for shows? is an area of Canon’s Gait, from 2 Aug until 24 Aug. Anyway, moving on, entertainment not sure who you irritatingly dominated by white male Brendon Burns will be more familiar trios. So it’s good to nominate a female duo (two out of three ain’t bad, Another Fringe with, Michael Legge, or Robin Ince, I suppose) to be one of your viewing veteran (or is it but I feel certain you will have heard choices this August. They came to my legend? Can never of one or both of them. Possibly Robin attention because certain members remember) headed Ince is more recognisable, because of a previous ThreeWeeks team for free Fringery this everyone seems to know about the became enamoured of them, then year is the inimitable Infinite Monkey Cage show he does the reviewer we sent in adored their Brendon Burns, who I am sure you with Brian Cox. But they’ve both show and gave them a resoundingly will remember from appearances been around for a good long time, glowing review and a 5/5 rating. So on the The 11 O’Clock Show (if you doing more shows than I can possibly frankly, they must be good. are old enough), and about eight afford to mention here, in Edinburgh, million different festival posters. London, venues and festivals Just the Tonic at The Caves, from 6 Aug The programme doesn’t offer much everywhere. Anyway, they are good, until 22 Aug. info about the show - “Warning! and this show will be good. Despite May contain material that will never their “Not suitable for most people, 3 comedy misery be commissioned and an Arnold probably” disclaimer. Schwarzenegger impression that Wee Red Bar, from 2 Aug until 12 Aug. and death, yay! goes on for possibly 15 to 20 minutes too long” - but I seriously doubt this Andrew Lawrence: show will be a waste of your time. Of 3 sketch course, if you are a wrestling fan (or Reasons to Kill Yourself not) with some cash, you might want Clever Peter (pictured right) As you’ll know, because you can to head over to his other show, which Our team have always been fond read, Andrew isn’t free, but which will be very funny. of the antics of award-winning and Lawrence’s The Brendon Burns Show, The Liquid Room, critically acclaimed sketch team show this year is from 2 Aug until 23 Aug. Clever Peter, who you may have heard cheerfully entitled Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana Sit in on Radio 4. If you listen to Radio 4. ‘Reasons To Kill Yourself’ and though a 150 Seater at 10pm and Provide the If you don’t listen to Radio 4 and this probably isn’t really the sort Commentary to Bad Wrestling Matches, are thus far unacquainted with this of title to make you think mirthful Stand in the Square, from 1 Aug until 25 Aug. particular troupe, then you should thoughts, you have to remember that seek this lot out. They’re doing two this is Andrew Lawrence we’re talking shows, too, so you’ve got no excuse. about. A now seasoned veteran of the Fringe and comedy in general, with The first, at the Pleasance, is called regular TV and Radio appearances ‘The Dream Factory’, the second, ‘Free under his belt, misanthropy and For All!’ is free (see what they did bitterness is kind of his thing. If he there?) and sounds like it’s a mash-up wants to talk about his disappointing of some old and some new material. life and how crappy the world is, he will. And, of course, it will be funny. Clever Peter: Free for All!, Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. The Assembly Rooms, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. Clever Peter: The Dreams Factory, Pleasance Courtyard, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. Comedy Death: Comics Talking The Grandees About Their Worst Gigs I’ve been aware of I honestly don’t The Grandees for a know whether this long time, but never will be funny or just actually saw them horribly painful, but until last year, when it’s a show in which a I ventured out in the range of comedians late evening on my own (this has been tell you about their most agonisingly quite a rare occurrence these last soul-destroying moments as couple of years), watched their show, perfomers. There’s a reason why we laughed and smiled, and wondered talk about dying on stage, of course. why I hadn’t made the effort before. It’s because it is utterly, utterly terrible You can take a look at my review on when you go down like a lead balloon. the website for further proof of how Yet, come, come; this isn’t people funny and engaging they are. Or you actually dying on stage, it’s people can just trust me and go see one of talking about dying on stage. It might the two shows they are doing this be informative for you, possibly even year (another with two shows... is entertaining. And it might be cathartic this a thing with my favourite sketch for them. To live through that horror comedy troupes this year...? Did they all over again. Maybe. get together and organise it?) Cowgatehead, from 2 Aug until 24 Aug. The Grandees: BaBoom!m Underbelly, Cowgate, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. The Walking Dead The Grandees: A Creepshow, Heroes @ The ThreeWeeks knows this show about Hive, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. zombies is good because we actually saw it last year – yes, it’s a re-run, but

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it’s one that’s definitely worth Erich McElroy: The British Referendum seeing, and that’s a fact pretty Erich McElroy isn’t sitting much proven by sell out runs on the fence, he has some at the Adelaide Fringe and the pretty strong opinions on Melbourne Comedy Festival. the referendum, and he’s “It is hard not to be engrossed not even a native. He’s an by this natural and well seasoned comedian” American in possession of said our reviewer. “He is incredibly comfortable a British passport, in fact, who has taken his and hilariously informal on stage. Even those citizenship test, and everything. Now that he’s who think they have no interest in fantasy or become a fully paid up Brit, he’s not very happy zombies should attend”. Amen to that. at the thought of losing the Scottish element, The Liquid Room, from 1 Aug until 24 Aug. and I can kind of understand that. But whether you agree with him or not, this show is likely to be slick and funny because McElroy is a skilled, 3 referendum experienced comedian with an impressive Bruce Fummey comedy CV. I know there are plenty of Just the Tonic at the Community Project, from 31 Jul people out there who don’t until 24 Aug. care about the referendum, don’t want to hear about the Aye Right? How No?: The Comedy referendum and may even Countdown to the Referendum with be sick of hearing about the Vladimir McTavish & Keir McAllister referendum. I suspect there are also a lot of (pictured right) comedians out there who just don’t want to get involved in the debate. Not so Bruce Fummey, Another listing, another great big long title, evidently, who is doing two referendum and this time it’s this ‘Comedy Countdown’ themed shows, one, seemingly, about voting featuring a Scottish Fringe veteran of long yes, and one about voting no. So possibly not standing, Vladimir McTavish, and two-time really entering the debate, either. Anyway, Scottish Comedian Of The Year finalist Keir the ‘Afro-Celtic’ comedian is no stranger to Mcallister, who will offer some “left field broaching Scottish themes, and has in the past answers” to the big Scottish question, as well impressed a number of ThreeWeeks reviewers as hosting guests in the form of such well with his amiable stage presence, educational known comedy acts as Fred MacAulay and Des material and spontaneous wit, and I think all Clarke. According to the blurb on the venue that bodes well. website, this mixture of stand up and panel show comedy, poetry, political comment, Aaah’m Votin YES, Scottish Comedy Festival @ The music and spoken word might help you make Beehive Inn, from 1 Aug until 23 Aug up your mind... but then again, might not. Aaah’m Votin NO, Laughing Horse @ Espionage, from Worth a look, I think, whichever way you are 1 Aug until 23 Aug leaning. The Assembly Rooms, from 30 Jul until 24 Aug. TW

WEEK ZERO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 13 TW COMEDY NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Zoe Lyons: Champion mustard cutter

here in 2002, both for you most days of the week in London. together routines you’ve been Long-term ThreeWeeks favourite Zoe Lyons personally, and for comedians in And yes, very occasionally you were performing during the previous is back at the Fringe this year with a brand general? performing to just the other acts, but year? ZL: It has certainly grown over the mostly there was an audience of some ZL: It’s actually a bit of both. I will new show called ‘Mustard Cutter’, an hour last ten plus years. There seems to kind. Though it’s also true that while a take my routines that I have worked be more and more shows every year. lot of people will start out in stand-up, on over the year and see if I can find of quality stand-up promising to cover Obviously we have had the advent many will drop out along the way. I a way of linking them together into everything “from pan pipes to the price of of the Free Fringe, which has gone believe that comedy is more or less a a show. Then I’ll need to do some from strength to strength, and more meritocracy, so if you stick at it long writing to link those sections together. lobster”. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Gilded recently produced some award enough and are good enough it will But I have never sat down and started winning shows. So there are now reward. a complete new hour from scratch, it’s Balloon castle, you’ll find her appearing in more options as to how you chose to more patchwork than that. ‘Outings’, a new show inspired by the YouTube ‘do’ the Fringe. Personally I’m far more TW: Have you got any tips for people relaxed these days with my approach performing their first full hour shows TW: You’re also involved in this phenomenon that was Tom Daley’s ‘coming to the Festival. Doing my first solo at the Fringe this year? interesting new show ‘Outings’ at show felt very stressful but it has got ZL: Pace yourself folks, it is a long the Fringe this year. What’s that out’ statement last year, exploring the real-life easier over the years. My aims now Festival so don’t peak too soon. Have about? are simple, do a good show and enjoy fun with your show. Be grateful for ZL: The show was inspired by Tom coming out stories of various other gay men doing it. every bum on every seat. If there are Daley’s coming out speech on and women. three people in the audience give them YouTube, and is based on real people’s TW: You mentioned the phenomenal a 100% performance. Realise that coming out stories, which they have rise of the Free Fringe and the other there will be ups and downs during the submitted to the production. It is a years in sketch shows, so this is my spin-off free show platforms. These course of the month. We have all had really interesting mix of stories and eighth full Edinburgh. I am not entirely TW INTERVIEW seem to have made it easier for new those difficult shows… I once nearly personalities. sure why I put myself through it. I comedians to perform in Edinburgh, faked a heart attack to get off stage, think it might be that feeling that I will TW: I just did a quick scan of your though it’s also greatly increased we have all been there. Don’t read TW: How did you get involved in this be missing out on something if I’m not biography, and I think this might the competition Do you think its your reviews during the Festival, read project? at the Festival in August. Also, I really be your ninth or tenth full run at harder or easier starting out in them after if you must. Try and eat a ZL: I was asked to audition for the love chips and sauce and you gotta the Fringe? What keeps pulling you comedy in 2014 compared to when vegetable once a week. And take it show and got cast. David Grindley, get your quality chips and sauce in back to this madness? you began? seriously but don’t be consumed by it. who is directing the show, was a friend Edinburgh. ZL: Your maths is slightly out, don’t ZL: I think it is probably harder. I also of mine at university. He actually feel bad, we are creative types, not gather from newer acts that it’s harder TW: Do you sit down and write a directed me in a show years ago that TW: How has the Festival changed numbers people! This will be my sixth to get spots at open mic shows these new hour show for each Fringe, or we brought to the Fringe when we since your first time performing solo show and I also did a couple of days. When I started I could get a spot does your Edinburgh show bring were students.

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TW: Is it exciting / challenging / terrifying to be involved in a theatrical production in addition to the stand up show? ZL: I have really enjoyed being part of this production. I think doing the two shows actually helps me to concentrate my energies better, it focuses me. Being a stand up is quite a solitary endeavour, so being involved with the other cast and crew on ‘Outings’ has been a lovely change.

TW: Any tips for people navigating this year’s stupidly big Fringe programme? Any acts to look out for, or tips for working out which shows to see? ZL: Always have one randomly chosen show, flick through the book, stop and jab your finger somewhere on the page and where it lands.... that’s were you are headed. And then make sure Sara Pascoe and Lucy Beaumont are on your definite ‘to see list’.

TW: Oh, and I had a quick look at your official show blurb. What is it with the current price of lobster? ZL: Lobster prices have dropped in recent years due to the swelling of their population. Some think global warming is the reason behind the lobster baby boom. Still expensive though.

‘Zoe Lyons: Mustard Cutter’ is on at Gilded Balloon from 30 Jul until 25 Aug.

‘Outings’ is on at Gilded Balloon from 30 Jul until 25 Aug.

WEEK ZERO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 15 TW COMEDY NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Sarah Campbell’s Top Fringe worries This is the biggest cultural extravaganza on the planet bar none. For you ticket buyers that can result in the fear that the show in the room next to the one you’re sitting is where the really big laughs, dramas and wonders are to be found. Meanwhile for the thousands of performers in town the main fear is that the show in the room next to the one you’re performing in is where the really big laughs, dramas and wonders are to be found. Though for Fringe stand-ups, there are plenty of other worries to be dealing with too. As Sarah Campbell explains in her top five Edinburgh worries.

2. Catching diseases off 3. Clothing option anxiety TW COLUMN microphones Have I worn too many clothes for the Think about it – thousands of day or too few? Is that sweat running 1. Fear of missing out comedians all breathing and spitting down my back or is it drizzle?? Is this Due to Edinburgh’s unique mobile into the same few bits of metal mesh jacket really waterproof or is it just data network, my phone generally all day and all night. It’s probably the rustley? Oh God, maybe I should go receives all my text messages and bacterial community’s biggest arts back to the flat and change? But then voicemails in one go about three days festival too. Last year my chin went all with the extra journeys I’ll be doubly after they were sent. And they say red and crusty and I was convinced sweaty! I’m going to have to meet that stuff like “Are you coming to the party? I had some kind of fungal infection trendy TV producer dripping with rain It’s going to be amazing!”…“We’re eating at my face, but it turned out water and stale booze sweat. She’s at the party, where are you??? It’s to be a metal allergy. I am the world’s going to be covered in run-off from my amazing!”…“We’re leaving the party only microphone-intolerant stand-up. liver… In Edinburgh you are doomed now you miserable cow. It was This year I’ll be Vaselineing my chin never to achieve the perfect outfit amazing”. If someone’s phone goes off pre-show. Arriving onstage at a gig choice. Well, technically the perfect during my show I congratulate them, and wiping the mic off with an anti-bac outfit does exist. To be neither too hot and ask them to text my mum to let wipe hardly says “this person is a nor rain-soaked you should wear just her know I’m alive. laugh-riot” does it? a plastic rain poncho and NOTHING underneath. Maybe it’d be worth the

jail time to live one day as a lion, rather 5. Are all these street performers than three weeks as a mouldering, going to be okay when the sweaty lamb. Fringe is over? What do they all do when they’re 4. I will get lost forever in this not here? I mean I never see men up sudden and vast maze of Tattoo- unicycles banging machetes together punter buses at any other time of the year... where I’ve had a few panicky moments in do they go? Maybe it’s really lucrative the labyrinth of Tattoo coaches that and they all winter in the Azores in a appears on Chambers St each evening. special resort with unicycle access, It’s always dark then too so you can’t lighting cigars off their juggling even use the height of the sun to guide torches and laughing at us suckers you. Occasionally in there I happen in the rat race. I always mean to ask upon groups of pensioners. And in these people about their lives away that moment it’s like a microcosm of from the Festival but they terrify me. I the culture wars – they’re like “who is have a recurring day-mare where we’re this Fringe beatnik come to make us chatting and then suddenly they’ve smoke heroin and play the bongos?” laid a rope around me on the street Also why are they all OAPs? It’s sinister. and they’re shouting and I have to get Is it something that’ll suddenly grip in a box and be thrown off a unicycle me at 65? A burning love of military and the whole thing takes much longer competence? than necessary.

‘Don’t Worry Guys It’s Sarah Campbell’ is on at Cabaret Voltaire from 2 Aug until 23 Aug.

TW PODCAST TW ThreeWeeks.co.uk/podcasts Get online for the audio guide to the Fringe

TW PAGE 16 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ZERO THEATRE 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 Allen Barton: Years To The Day

I’m the annoying friend my online calendar for his through a divorce, my TW COLUMN who pesters other friends name, and sure enough, daughter had been born, to get together in person. there it was: four years ago, we fought about politics Sitting in the Pleasance’s It’s practically a secondary to the day. Too good. as usual, but at moments it career for which I’ve We both shook our seemed as if we’d lost the theatre programme, ‘Years To developed strategies, heads - how had the time easy humor with which we’d The Day’ is an examination persistence, long-term for an entire university engaged before. goals. Twenty-four years education flown by, Why? Had our early of the nature of friendship in after college, I still miss the while we had settled for forties “we’re men now” an online age. Two friends dining hall, where glorious commenting on each maturity made us more hours could be spent other’s Facebook posts? certain of who we were, come together for a face- blowing off ten-page papers Hey, a new baby! Click ‘Like’ less in need of others’ to face coffee after years to argue about politics, and the celebration is done. approval? Or were we just religion, or the latest film. A new job! Click ‘Like’ and more calcified and inflexible of interacting exclusively I have a friend I’ve known the congratulations are to different points of view? via social media, where, as since junior high school over. I haven’t received a Frankly, at times, the - she moved to California personal letter in years. The friendship seemed expired, everyone knows, few people when I was 16, and we form has become a relic. I and I know we both shared really present themselves as exchanged letters every teach acting at The Beverly the unspoken question: “Is month for quite a while. She Hills Playhouse, and try this the last time I’m going they actually are. Can their has lived in Newport Beach, emphatically to encourage to see this person?” Over 80 minutes or so. Driving actor, ended up playing and I forty minutes north in students to communicate time, I have developed friendship survive this real life around LA these days, I’ve the role of the entirely Los Angeles, for over twenty with people in the business the ability to sense this encounter? noticed I no longer can tell fictionalized ‘Jeff’ in the years. We’ve seen each by hand-written cards, not depressing occasion in the the difference between play, which has now been other once. by emails or text or Twitter moment. Inspired by actual events, posters for movies, video performed in LA, Paris, New It requires Herculean or Facebook. I noted to Jeff that we games and amusement York, and is scheduled for this comedy drama explores effort and persistence to get A fascinating ninety had on our hands a decent park rides, and here could Edinburgh, San Francisco together with friends these minutes passed with Jeff, dramatic premise: a single topics such as marriage, films, be a small antidote to the and Athens still in 2014. days, against an endless sea where we rediscovered conversation between ever-increasing hyper- These in-person get- politics and gay rights, as well of quotidian conflicts. And more than a bit about two old friends who hadn’t adrenalisation of American togethers can yield some why bother, when Facebook why we were friends, and seen each other in quite as scrutinising social media. storytelling: A conversation, wondrous, unexpected makes the substitute so how the casual social some time - rehashing and nothing more. results. They’re worth the Author Allen Barton, an LA- easy? But occasionally, media banter can make it history, divulging secrets. And thus, my play ‘Years effort. success! A couple years seem as if we’re in touch There would be the based writer director, teacher To The Day’ was born. Jeff ago I secured a sitdown and connected, when in challenge of creating a ‘Years To The Day’ is on at fortunately remains a good Pleasance Courtyard, from 30 and classical pianist, tells us with my old friend Jeff. How fact we’re not – not in the single conversation that friend, and, as a first-rate Jul until 24 Aug. how it all came about. long had it been? I searched slightest. He had gone would be engaging for TW

TW COLUMN

WEEK ZERO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 17 TW THEATRE NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Lucy Benson-Brown: Cutting Off Kate Bush

for me, what I learnt there was TW INTERVIEW absolutely crucial to this process and I kept going back to my notebook and TW: So tell us the basic premise of reading notes on form and structure the show. and all of the tips I was given. It was LBB: It’s about a girl called Cathy who very helpful! finds herself in her old family home and, whilst there, discovers a box of TW: Why was it important for you her mum’s old records. As she listens to bring this play to the Edinburgh to them she begins to have these Fringe? vivid memories of her childhood and LBB: I haven’t performed at the her mother. In an impulsive moment, Edinburgh Fringe in nine years. I she decides to post her findings on always wanted to come back and YouTube and so, eventually, all her perform a solo-show, and one day I discoveries past and present are had this idea, and then before I knew documented online. And with that, of it I had applied and here we are. I think course, comes consequences. as a performer and writer, bringing your work and sharing it in Edinburgh TW: It seems that you’re exploring is an incredibly daunting experience the phenomenon of people but it is also an exhilarating one. It’s in private spaces expressing one of the best places in the world to themselves in a very public domain perform. I’m so incredibly nervous but via social media. What interested also, I just can’t wait! you in this? LBB: When I was growing up, all my TW: You raised some of your show discoveries and musings were written budget via Kickstarter, which is in a diary, if at all. It was a private thing something a few performers are that I could throw away if and when I now doing. What motivated you to “Cathy is having a crisis”, says the blurb. “And she’s venting on YouTube through the medium of wanted to, and no-one would be any go this route, and did it work? Kate Bush”. Well you gotta check out that one, haven’t you? Lucy Benson-Brown has penned and the wiser. But now we are so obsessed LLB: Kickstarter is brilliant, because performs in this new one-woman show ‘Cutting Off Kate Bush’, exploring how people commonly with our social media presence, I it allows you to engage an audience share private moments in the public domain in this here social media age. thought it would be interesting to and if they believe in your idea, then have a character discovering and they have the opportunity to pledge She herself took to the net earlier this year to help fund the Edinburgh show, raising some of her re-discovering private things through and you can offer them rewards, budget through Kickstarter and having to record her own online video as part of the fund-raising a public medium. Social media can be even if it’s simply tickets. In fact, because of Kickstarter, our previews campaign. We caught up with Benson-Brown ahead of the Festival to find out how the Kickstarting comforting, sometimes dangerously are pretty much sold out, so it means went, to get the heads up on the piece, and to find out exactly how Kate Bush fits into it all. so, but often it’s a real beast and it’ll stab you in the back if you’re that I get to share the play first with not careful. That’s what I wanted to the people who helped to fund it, explore with this play. which is great support for those first few performances. I was absolutely TW: And why the music of Kate amazed by the response from friends Bush? and family on Kickstarter, but a lot of LBB: Partly, I guess, because she is so people that pledged were not people theatrical. Her music lends itself well that I knew, which was awesome. to storytelling and the stage; it’s just so visual. But the main reason was TW: You had to make a video about because Kate Bush’s music represents the project to go on your Kickstarter a very specific era from when I was campaign page. Did putting yourself growing up. And its flamboyance and on camera online help you get into style is just so fun to work with as a character? performer. LLB: Yes I think so. I’m not very good with camera and self-tapes, I get so TW: What are the pros and cons to self-conscious. In the play, you never both writing and performing a new really see the videos played back, play? you only see her making them, but LBB: It’s really hard to step back from in rehearsals we recorded certain the writing and be able to analyse it. sections and played them back so I Often in rehearsals my director would could see them... it definitely helped. ask me why something was the way it was and all I could say was: “I don’t TW: What are your plans for ‘Cutting know... it just is”. But over the rehearsal Off Kate Bush’ beyond the Fringe? period it’s been fun coming up with LLB: I’d like to take it back to London the answers, being able to step away and play it there, but I’d also love to and get my actor hat on. I don’t know, tour it. Who knows? because it’s so personal, the challenge is to find out how Cathy and I are TW: I’d say ‘Babooshka’ closely different, so I have something to play. followed by ‘Don’t’ Give Up’. What’s the best Kate Bush track and why? TW: You’re a graduate of the LLB: ‘Hounds Of Love’. It’s incredible. Royal Court in London’s Young I challenge you to find a better lyric Writers Programme. Do you feel in the whole history of British music. that scheme impacted on you as a “Take my shoes off and throw them in playwright? the lake... and I’ll be two steps on the LBB: I definitely don’t feel like I’m a water”. Genius. proper playwright. No way. I just feel ‘Cutting Off Kate Bush’ is on at Gilded Balloon like an actor who wrote something. from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. The YWP was such a great experience TW

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on it. I’ve seen quite a lot of Hamlets Mary Stewart TW 3 TO SEE this lifetime, though, so I thought I’d This is the second go for something completely different, Mary Queen Of 3 new plays this one, which appears to take the Scots themed pick concept and make it into an apparently I’ve done for Fringe Broke humorous piece combining the 2014 thus far, so I’d The Paper Birds are trappings of film noir with, er, slapstick better ‘reign’ it in the company behind comedy. Looking forward to seeing if after this one. Ahem. But seriously; this this particular piece the concept works… one has been selected because of the of new writing, and theSpace on North Bridge, from 4 Aug until skill and dedication of the ThreeWeeks they are a company I 9 Aug. Award winning production company always make a point behind it. Theatre Alba have garnered of looking out for on account of the plaudits from many of our reviewers fact that they always tackle important 3 ThreeWeeks over the years, and their shows aren’t themes and create quality theatre, endorsed theatre just excellently put together, they are which always generates appreciative also staged in one of the most super comments from our review team. This Critical! (A Sociopath’s Guide to venues in Edinburgh, Duddingston is a new verbatim production, based Influencing Edinburgh Fringe Kirk Manse Gardens, in the shadow of on interviews carried out throughout Reviewers) Arthur’s Seat. Robert McLellan’s 1951 the UK during 2014, exploring what Well, a title like that is bound to attract a script, written in “light poetic Scots”, it means to be broke, from perhaps Fringe journalist, isn’t is to be performed in this atmospheric just feeling the pinch a little to ending it? Though they might location as dark falls. I suspect it will be up completely and utterly without not want to stay, given a mesmerising experience. resources. the premise of the Duddingston Kirk Manse Gardens, from 6 Aug Pleasance Dome, from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. show. “How far would until 24 Aug. you go to secure a The Interview favourable Fringe review?” asks the Sweater Curse: This looks dark, blurb, “You bring the duct tape – we’ll A Yarn About Love but apparently it’s supply the reviewer”. I may be shifting Yes, I confess I was comedic. Hard to nervously in my seat right now, but I initially attracted to believe that this am also able to acknowledge that this the title because, sort of subject company, Practical Magic, have never over the last year or done a Fringe show that didn’t get a so, I’ve learned to matter could be who loves Dr Seuss, after all. And I Hamlet Private Eye funny in any way, but you know, I glowing ThreeWeeks review. Which crochet and become love it when people irreverently muck Every year at the believe they can make it work. It’s means that a) this will probably be as an unrepentant yarn addict with no around with things that everyone Fringe there’s about the extraordinary rendition good as all their previous shows and plans to aim for recovery; and so, considers sacrosanct… so over to the one particular of a US citizen, the use on him of b) I probably don’t need to watch my even though this appears to be more show’s Fringe blurb, which I really Shakespeare play that ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ - back… focused on knitting than on crochet can’t improve on: “As comedies go, has an especially high ie, torture - America’s stupid gun laws, Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, from 2 Aug (the difference, FYI, is huge – I am Midsummer’s the greatest! Except profile and this year it and the never ending cycle of man’s until 9 Aug. utterly terrible at knitting), it’s that the language Will used ain’t the appears to be ‘Hamlet’; there are loads inhumanity to man. It’s been produced cont> latest. Shaky used old words like: Thee, of productions of it, and shows based by a strong and experienced team, with Thou and Thine. It’s hard to process TW a list of credits as long as three of my that much old at one time. So we ran arms (they are very long arms, too), the script through the Script Squash so I am expecting this to be quite an Two-Fifty. It’s a machine that makes old experience. scripts more nifty. It tightens the plot, Underbelly, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. which is kinda gigantic. The whole play rhymes now and is much less iambic!” The Rose Of Jericho Suitable for you and your kids. If they (pictured above right) are 6 or above. “Know what the difference is between theSpace on North Bridge, from 1 Aug until a common criminal and a common 9 Aug. soldier? The criminal gets to keep the DVD player. Private Nobody aids and MacBheatha abets the ransacking of a whole nation, This sounds like it will and goes home empty handed”. This be brilliant, and it’s new play, written by Alex Martinez and such an apt way to performed by Kevin Hely sees a former adapt this particular soldier looking back at his childhood work; what better way and assessing its impact on the key to add a dimension events of his adult life. Martinez, a to The Scottish Play than to translate it novelist, playwright and screenwriter, into Gaelic? It’s a two hander, focusing has won commissions from Channel on the tense relationship between 4 and the BBC, so I can’t help thinking MacBheatha and his wife, and won he’s got the skills. So, yes. Looking praise from Scotsman critic Joyce forward to this. McMillan when it was performed at theSpace at Surgeons Hall, from 1 Aug Glasgow’s Citizen’s theatre late last until 23 Aug. year. “It offers a fierce insight into the relationship at the centre of one of the world’s greatest plays”, she wrote, “as 3 Shakespearean well as a reminder that like any other twists language charged with history and poetry, Gaelic brings its own energy to Seussification Of A Midsummer this great text, along with a profound Night’s Dream and thrilling sense of connection to Well, I wasn’t going the mediaeval Scotland in which this to see a title like most famous of stories is set”. Sounds that in the Fringe good, huh? And it’s suitable for non- Programme and Gaelic speakers too, so don’t be put off, breezily thumb past Sassenachs. it, was I? I have a child Summerhall, from 11 Aug until 24 Aug.

WEEK ZERO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 19 TW THEATRE NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique

a play called ‘Me And Mr C’, that was TW 3 TO SEE on at the Fringe back in 2012, and got a very nice review from us. If that was a cont> something I’d like to see. “unique piece of theatre and well worth But then I searched through my watching” then I feel there’s a fairly brain, addled by nearly twenty high chance that this one will be too. years of trying to remember the Summerhall, from 6 Aug until 23 Aug. names of many thousands of Fringe productions, and recalled that creator Lippy (pictured left) Elaine Liner brought this very piece “Fourteen years ago four women to the Festival last year and it was made an extraordinary decision. They well received by our reviewer, who decided to die. We weren’t there. This considered it to be a “very sweet is not their story. We don’t know what show”. Sounds like the perfect post- they said. We are only putting words lunch relaxer. in their mouths.” ‘Lippy’ is based on Sweet Grassmarket, from 1 Aug until 24 Aug. a real life incident of 2000, when an elderly woman and her three nieces all starved themselves to death. This 3 war themed is a UK premiere, but it’s already been theatre picks performed in Dublin, and to broad critical acclaim. The Flood Traverse Theatre, from 6 Aug until 24 Aug. I was immediately attracted to this show because it’s by 3 storytelling shows Badac Theatre, an Sophie Wu is Minging, She excellent producing Looks Like She’s Dead company who Sophie Wu may be known to specialise in pieces exploring themes audiences of Channel 4’s Fresh Meat of human rights, violence and conflict. and other film/TV appearances, but ‘The Flood’ is set against the backdrop that’s not the reason I selected this of the bloody first world war and Rupert Brooke to life, accompanied Forever Young The Collector show for inclusion here. Nor was I explores the slaughter of millions of by music and movement. “‘Forever This is another piece Moving on to a attracted by the attention-seeking title soldiers, while a passionate parallel Young’ is a celebration, a protest and a exploring the horror different type of war of the show. I’d in fact, heard tell on love story examines the psychological tribute to those who lived, loved, died of the first world war, now, for this one the grape vine that she’s pretty good effects WW1 had on the women left and wrote through 1914-1918”, says the this time through is set during the at live performance. And, according at home. This sounds like it will be programme blurb. “‘Only a dyed-in- personal testimonies, US occupation of to the Fringe programme she “rises intense, emotional and draining, and the-wool cynic would not be moved’” letters and diary Iraq, played out on magnanimously above taking petty definitely worth the effort. said the Stage. I can believe it. extracts and popular songs from the the site of Saddam revenge for her teenage humiliations, Summerhall, from 1 Aug until 24 Aug. period, in a show that brings to life the theSpace at Symposium Hall, from 11 Aug Hussein’s most brutal prison camp. in her well-balanced, light and sane words of the likes of Wilfrid Owen and until 23 Aug. It’s a “darkly humorous ghost story” debut show”. I like sane, I like light, from the rather brilliant mind of that I like well-balanced. Let’s hope she there Henry Naylor, one half of well makes good on the promise. known double act Parsons and Naylor, Wee Red Bar, from 2 Aug until 24 Aug. and former lead writer for ‘Spitting Image’. Naylor’s previous Fringe plays have garnered much critical acclaim, Running Into Me and I feel very confident that this one Selected for the inaugural A Series will too. of One festival at La Mama in New York, this one woman show has Gilded Balloon, from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. already been called “Raw, intense and thought-provoking”. Vickie Tanner 3 theatre of death tells the story of her upbringing in a poor urban US neighbourhood, Dead Letters surrounded by drug and prison George discovers a culture, and her struggle to defy the ‘Dead Letter office’, odds, escape, and succeed. I get the a room full of lonely sense that maybe there’s a bit of a and abandoned twist here, somehow – it was the letters that have words “it’s the best kind of story: one been, and embarks you think you can predict, but can’t” on a mission to deliver them all to that did it. In any case, this looks good. their intended recipients; on the way Underbelly, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. he is forced to delve into people’s pasts; PropUp use physical and visual Talk About Something You Like storytelling to explore the idea that the ensuing revelations won’t always Byron Vincent is a poetry/spoken be easy to accept, and that some word/storytelling type, who you’ll things are better left unsaid. find appearing on Radio 4, Channel 4, BBC, and at various UK festivals, C cubed, from 31 Jul until 25 Aug. literary and otherwise. This is the unflinching and honest account of his Dead To Me own struggle with bi-polar disorder, in This is an apparently which he tells the story of a summer “disturbingly funny” spent in a psychiatric unit, analyses story about a man psychiatric practice of the past and who - presumably present, and challenges the authority because of his belief of the medical establishment and in reason, logic and pharmaceutical industry. Sounds humanity – has a troubled relationship clever, important, and intense. with a psychic and her spirit guide. Pleasance Courtyard, from 30 Jul until 24 The brains behind this peice is Gary Aug. Kitching, who was also responsible for TW

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Ramin Gray: Completing the Bard

TW: People over use the word be depending on how the audience prior knowledge is necessary. Better to TW: Nevertheless, the Fringe seems TW INTERVIEW ‘innovative’, but this REALLY is an reacts? think of this as an original new play by like the perfect place for a ground- innovative production. Can you fill us RG: Now I’ve told you about the Nassim Soleimanpour. breaking piece of theatre like ‘Blind “A writer reading ‘Hamlet’ in on the premise? dictaphone recordings, you’ll realise Hamlet’. Would you agree? And if so RG: The Actors Touring Company that ‘Blind Hamlet’ sets up a conflict TW: How did the collaboration with why? for the first time is gradually commissioned a play from Iranian between a very fixed, unchangeable Soleimanpour come about? RG: Yes, the Fringe is perfect to try out losing his eyesight” says the writer Nassim Soleimanpour and thing, the recordings, and a live, RG: I saw ‘White Rabbit, Red Rabbit’ something like ‘Blind Hamlet’. There’s a show’s blurb. “As he realises he what he delivered was in the form of unpredictable beast, the audience. But up here at the Fringe three years ago supportive curiosity, a critical mass that will never finish the play that recordings on a dictaphone. We’ve within those parameters, well, anything and contacted him. He gives his email buoys you up. You know a great deal of he slept through when young, decided to play those recordings to the could happen. out in the play! And we struck up a the time, we make stuff in darkness, in he calls on the audience to audience, to see if people will follow his creative, exciting dialogue. Being half blindness. And it’s the audiences that instructions to help us create the event TW: Should Fringe-goers come on Iranian myself, I found it particularly allow us to see what we’ve done. help”. Intrigued. What if I that was in his mind’s eye. multiple nights, to experience how thrilling to be back in contact with the told you the dictaphone in a few differing reactions can change country, especially in these politically ‘Blind Hamlet’ is on at Assembly Roxy from 31 the picture plays the key role TW: How will the interactive elements the show? interesting times. Jul until 25 Aug. in this play? That, and the of the production work? Do ticket- RG: I certainly hope we’ve packed in audience. buyers need to be ready for some enough for the play to bear multiple TW: I hear the piece has developed audience participation? viewings. And yes, the ending will hugely in the rehearsal room. After winning a Fringe First RG: My brother hates theatre, but he’s be fresh and different every night, a How does your partnership with addicted to cinema, and for a very bespoke finale for every audience. Soleimanpour work? last year for ‘The Events’, the simple reason: he knows that even in a RG: Like any good collaboration, it’s Actors Touring Company big West End theatre, at some level the TW: Are there any specific themes fractious, challenging, frustrating, commissioned Nassim act of theatre will involve him, and will from ‘Hamlet’ explored in the play? pleasurable, intoxicating and tough. Soleimanpour, perhaps best only work if he participates. He prefers RG: Doubt. Perception. Action. known for his play ‘White to sit back in the cinema and let it all Existence. Darkness. TW: Following all the acclaim and Rabbit Red Rabbit’, to write roll by. Well, ‘Blind Hamlet’ is certainly awards your production of David not for him. But I’d say that it’s merely TW: And would it help to brush up on Greig’s ‘The Events’ won last year, do ‘Blind Hamlet’, a collaboration a souped-up version of the basic act your ‘Hamlet’ before coming along? you feel under particular pressure that has resulted in what is set of theatre: to get something out of it, Or maybe people should go and see this Fringe? to be one of the most ground you need to put something in. And, one of the various productions of the RG: Well, I honestly never expected any breaking shows at the Festival. yes, Nassim will be asking audience play being performed at the Fringe of the acclaim, it was an added bonus. We spoke to ATC’s Artistic members to join his disembodied voice this year first? I think most people who do what we’re onstage. RG: Your Hamlet should always be kept doing, just try to make stuff. And some Director Ramin Gray to find out well-brushed! It’s the play that contains of it works, a lot of it fails. As Beckett more. TW: How different can each night all plays. But no, we made sure that no says, Fail. Fail better. TW

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sits alongside great design and music, Grace appear at in 2013, ‘Missing’ both works combine the theatrical this year’s Fringe. by David Bolger with the physical exceptionally well. With the promise explores what Expect heart in the mouth action, of highly physical it might feel like extreme emotions and stunning performances, rich if a loved one dancers. in the storytelling disappeared. This is Riders, Zoo Southside, from 1 Aug until 10 traditions of the South Pacific, video one of those shows where you see a Aug. footage of the work looks distinctly lot of good feedback from people on La Loba, Zoo Southside, from 12 Aug until promising. It’s a show perhaps for Twitter. With a stellar list of awards 25 Aug. purists; I can’t wait to see what this behind them, ‘Missing’ promises to be company has to offer. beautifully haunting. Black Grace Assembly Roxy, from 30 Jul until 22 Aug Dance Base, from 1 Aug until 24 Aug As someone who likes to watch Find out more about the 2faced Dance dancers dance I am interested Missing Company at www.2faceddance.co.uk to see New Zealand-based Black The hit of the Dublin Dance Festival TW

SPIN TW GUEST TIPS If you’re the type who likes to see In addition to the dance that really moves then ‘SPIN’ dance and ballet is the show for you. A fast-paced, programmes of highly energetic urban fusion show, the Edinburgh demonstrating a multitude of tricks, acrobatics and tender moments International Festival, to boot. With a fabulous cast that features dancers who have worked the Fringe boasts an with Motionhouse and 2Faced Dance, impressive line up of ‘SPIN’ is one of those shows that you can’t help but enjoy. It also includes a dance shows, sitting rather clever set that the dancers use to climb, slide and jump off. ‘SPIN’ is in the programme suitable for the whole family. alongside physical Zoo Southside, from 18 Aug until 25 Aug.

theatre and circus. PSS PSS I always like to pick To help you pick out a random show some highlights, we when in Edinburgh and I do love a bit of turned to Tamsin circus. Winners of the Cirque de Soliel Fitzgerald of the Prize, Pss Pss feature a duo, some ThreeWeeks Editors’ utterly charming crazy acrobatics, superb hand to hand and a lot of Award winning clowning around. This show looks sweet, witty and traditional with a 2faced Dance. Her twist of the modern and genuinely company isn’t fielding excellent. I highly recommend. its own show this Zoo Southside, from 1 Aug until 25 Aug Festival (though do Riders and La Loba This year I am really check them out next looking forward time, they continually to seeing two new works, ‘Riders’ impress), so she’s and ‘La Loba’ from kindly selected five Lenka Vagnerová And Company. Lenka’s work always other productions challenges you as an audience member and these two works will be definitely worth no exception. Containing beautiful, your time. earthy and intelligent movement that

WEEK ZERO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 23 TW PHYSICAL NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Natasha Gilmore: Alternative perspectives

TW INTERVIEW TW INTERVIEW There are plenty of children’s shows at the Fringe which are actually as entertaining for grown ups, but what if the kid’s show itself was reinterpreted for older eyes? That’s the challenge choreographer Natasha Gilmore set herself after realising how she and her children often interpreted differently stories that they read together.

She teamed up with Robert Alan Evans and musician Kim Moore to create two dance pieces based on the popular children’s book ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’, one for children, called ‘Tiger Tale’, and one for adults, called simply ‘Tiger’. The two productions follow the same story and feature many of the same elements, but with a different perspective depending on who is in the audience. We spoke to Gilmore to find out more about this fascinating project.

TW: When and how did the idea come about to expand the ideas in parents’ relationship. So we perform risk taking is an inherent driving force really efficient, because within week of the work that are meticulously timed ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’ into the children’s show during the day and behind the piece. If we create safety in one of the process we knew the with the dancers so the music stops these two new dance pieces? the adult version in the evening. our lives do we deny access to things exact structure of both pieces. So and starts at precise moments and NG: When reading my children certain that can really enrich us, despite the choreographically it was like filling in help tell the story. The evocative sound books, like ‘The Tiger Who Came To TW: So, the two pieces very much element of risk involved? It can be hard the gaps without the risk of going off score is a central part of the piece and Tea’, I began to reflect on how my adult follow the same path story wise? as parents to allow your children to on tangents, which was amazing. helps build the tension of the arrival eyes perceived things so differently, NG: Yes. What’s really interesting is that, take risks, but without any risk in their of the tiger, which at first only the looking for metaphors of a more in terms of material, there is a lot that lives how will they learn for themselves TW: And tell us about the music. Kim daughter can hear. cynical world. This really intrigued me, is the same between the two shows, and take responsibility for themselves? Moore has composed the music for and prompted the idea of doing two but what is totally different is the way As adults we can become stuck in a both pieces. Is it basically the same TW: Although ‘Tiger Tale’ is aimed at pieces around the same story, one it’s read by the different audiences. routine, and then change becomes score in both shows, or does it differ? children, would grown ups coming from the perspective of the child and Performing the piece in the same day frightening, even though we may not NG: Most of the musical score is the to ‘Tiger’ get a fuller experience by one from the view of the parents. I to the different audiences is really feel fulfilled with the routine situation. same, but as ‘Tiger’ has additional seeing both productions? know that you can create sophisticated bizarre because the atmosphere is The family in our story are stifled by the elements to ‘Tiger Tale’ that show NG: It’s not necessary to see both children’s work that adults can enjoy, so different. The performers are also rigidity of their lives. They have trapped details of the parents’ relationship shows, each one stands on their but I wanted us to be able to make an affected by this and there is a shift in themselves without planning to. That’s these need their own music score. own, but often we have parents adult version of the piece that dealt the way it is performed, with the loud what creates space for the catalyst. accompanying their children to ‘Tiger with things like the breakdown of the responses from the children. ‘Tiger’ and In the production there is very real TW: When you’re creating a brand Tale’ and they are excited and intrigued ‘Tiger Tale’ tell the story of a family. In physical risk taking place as performers new dance piece it always interests to then watch ‘Tiger’ so come again in the version created for children we look navigate themselves through an me how it works, what comes first, the evening. at the daughter as the key person that unpredictable changing landscape as the music or the movement? TW: You’ve directed at the Fringe young people identify with, and what the set reconfigures throughout the NG: Kim was in the studio with us right before. Is it a great forum for new the family life feels like for her. While piece. from the beginning of the process, dance works? ‘Tiger’ goes into more depth about which meant the music for the piece NG: The Fringe is a good opportunity issues such as the complications of the TW: How did the collaboration with was able to evolve organically. She to have your work seen by diverse parents’ sexual relationship, a subject Robert Alan Evans work? Did you would improvise using live music as audiences and theatre promoters from that would not be on a child’s radar. divide the work up - movement, we explored different creative tasks, across the UK and internationally who setting story - or did you both input creating the right atmosphere with may then book it for future touring. We TW: What are the key themes of the on every element? her music and inspiring the dancers. are so lucky to be a part of a showcase two pieces? NG: There wasn’t a separation of Then gradually, as these sections were called ‘Made In Scotland’ which is a NG: When the piece starts we meet creative input, a dividing line of where formed and became more solid, the curated showcase promoting high a family who have become trapped his or my input started and stopped music would also become more refined quality music, theatre and dance to in their everyday routine, they have exactly. We both gave ideas for initial responding to the exact choreography. international promoters and audiences ceased to communicate. They are improvisations that helped shape the As the music is played live there are at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. suffocated by the life they have created piece, and then we went onto construct elements that she responds to in the for themselves, a life that’s devoid of a storyboard based on the ingredients moment of each performance, which Both ‘Tiger Tale’ and ‘Tiger’ are on at Venue any risk taking. Then a tiger arrives and we had. For me as a choreographer keeps it really fresh and exciting. 150 @ EICC from 1 Aug until 19 Aug. everything changes. The subject of working with Rob made the process Having said that, there are some parts

TW PAGE 24 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ZERO CABARET The creators of TAYLOR’S DUMMIES, THE RACE, THE ARAB ANDGET THE THE LATEST JEW NEWS,and REVIEWSTHE OVERCOAT AND INTERVIEWS present IN YOUR INBOX DAILY sign up for the free ThreeWeeks Daily email now at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/signup Choices galore on the cabaret Fringe End Cabaret and Lady Carol, to much Award winner, she Christeene: Fascinating Aida: TW GUEST TIPS loved foreign imports Lady Rizo and deserves a mention. The Christeene Machine Charm Offensive Amy G. If you’re really stuck then there This inspiring 80 I will be honest with No Edinburgh hit list The cabaret strand of the are plenty of great variety nights too, year old, who took you: I have not seen would be complete Edinburgh Fringe has grown like ‘Vive Le Cabaret’, Lili La Scala’s up performing at Christeene on stage without these three ‘Another F*cking Variety Show’ and Ali the age of 71, leads yet, but I have seen funny, fabulous hugely in recent years, with McGregor’s ‘Late Nite Variety Night us through the ups and downs of a a plethora of exciting shows a lot online and of ladies. With thirty Nite’. But in the meantime, here’s five life well-lived and the meals which all the acts at the years experience of and acts taking to the stage of the best, in no particular order: kept her going in between. It’s a much Fringe this year, this is the show most writing and performing comic songs each year. One of our all- more personal story-telling show than people have told me to catch. So in the and sketches, their material is still time favourite performers In Vogue: Songs By Madonna last year’s hit which ran for two sold spirit of the Fringe to try something fresh and on the nose. Expect old in the cabaret Fringe – and Back after last out weeks at the Soho Theatre, but new, I am including this ‘gender- favourites and new hits…not for the year’s success, fans of the diaper throwing diva will bending, booty-pounding, queer faint hearted! someone who played a key not be disappointed: it still has her role in establishing a stand- Australian Michael perversion of punk dragged through Griffiths leads us on trademark wit and wisdom. a musical theatre gutter’. How can I be alone cabaret community at a journey through C nova, from 30 Jul until 25 Aug disappointed? Find out more about Sarah-Louise’s shows the Festival – is Sarah-Louise Madonna’s songs Underbelly Cowgate, from 31 Jul until 23 Aug at www.sarah-louise-young.com/ Young. Indeed so much is she and career. This isn’t a tribute show a favourite of ours, in 2010 or an impersonation: it’s clever and we gave her a ThreeWeeks funny and invites you to question Editors’ Award. your own relationship with the star, whilst delivering all the hits you would Although not performing her expect. If we ask him nicely, hopefully next year he will bring over his Annie famous ‘Cabaret Whore’ show Lennox cabaret. this year, there are plenty Assembly Checkpoint, from 31 Jul until 25 of chances to see Sarah- Aug Louise. She is in ‘Night Bus’ at the Pleasance Courtyard Tina T’urner Tea Lady each lunchtime starring Ms Tea Lady won opposite Linda Marlowe, Best Newcomer at and is also in ‘Showstopper! this year’s London The Improvised Musical’ at Cabaret Awards, and I am really looking Gilded Balloon. And not only forward to seeing that, but she’s directed ‘Lynn the full length show. Described as ‘Mrs Ruth Miller: Not Dead Yet’ and Overall meets Beyonce’, this is great ‘Nicky Gainer’s Empty Nest’. character comedy and songs, and is Yet, in amongst preparing for part of the La Favorita Freestival, so all of that, she took time out you can try before you buy. There are to help you guide this year’s now three different free show strands and they are all worth a look, with cabaret programme... some fantastic new and established acts choosing to bring their work The cabaret scene has really grown straight to the people without having over the past few years and since the to sell off body parts to afford it. addition of a specific section in the Fringe guide, it’s even easier to find Cowgatehead, from 1 Aug until 24 Aug what you are looking for. I’ve been coming to the Festival for eighteen Lynn Ruth Miller: Not Dead Yet years and am still excited to see what Okay, this is a bit cheeky of me as I is on offer. It’s really hard to pick my have directed this show and written top five with so many fantastic artists, original songs for it with Michael from homegrown talents like East Roulston, but as last year’s TO&ST

WEEK ZERO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 25 TW MUSICALS NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Guy Retallack: A musical retelling of the ‘thrill killers’ crime

TW: For those unfamiliar with the TW INTERVIEW Leopold and Loeb story, give us a little background to the crime. The true story of Leopold GR: It happened in 1924 in Chicago. and Loeb, the so called ‘thrill Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb were two bright, well-educated killers’ of 1920s Chicago, young men; they both came from has inspired several films very wealthy backgrounds and were and plays, perhaps most training to be lawyers. Over time both notably Alfred Hitchcock’s of them became obsessed with the film version of ‘Rope’, a play work of Friedrich Nietzsche and his ‘Superman Theory’. They believed written just a few years after that some superior people were the original crime. Though a above the law and started committing more recent stand-out work minor crimes, each one becoming based on the case is Stephen bigger and more daring than the last. Dolginoff’s musical ‘Thrill Me’, Eventually they set their sights on the which opened off-Broadway ultimate crime, murder. The following events were declared the “Crime in 2005. Of The Century” as there seemed to be no motive for the young men The show was then staged involved, other than the search for the in London in 2012 by CliMar ultimate thrill, which resulted in the Productions, with director pair going down notoriously in the Guy Retallack bringing history books as the “Thrill Killers”. the story alive for a British Those are the basics, to tell you any more would give the plot away. audience. And this August, CliMar and Retallack are TW: How is that story retold through bringing their production to ‘Thrill Me’? How accurate a re-telling the Fringe, the first time the is it of the real-life crime? and it became apparent that so much how they get to such an extreme and TW: Has the production developed musical has been performed GR: Many of the events covered is still unknown. Many vital questions awful place. or changed at all since the London at the Edinburgh Festival. We in the show are well documented, remain unanswered, for example who run? some stretched slightly for dramatic actually struck their victim? Answers TW: How did you go about During rehearsal I have consciously spoke to the director about license. Though when I was in Chicago both men took to their grave. But I transforming the piece from page to avoided referring to the original the story, the show and what recently, with one of the producers, would say the depiction of events in stage for this production? production as much as possible. we can expect from its Fringe we met up with one of the most the show is as accurate as any film has GR: Everything is about the Although I have our original stage run. knowledgeable experts on the crime ever been. relationship, not the horror, so the management script, I have tried to focus of our work is continually forget about it and rely on what the TW: What drew you to the piece? emphasising how the Leopold and two new actors - Jo Parsons as Loeb GR: The story and the music. The Loeb characters interact, what they and Danny Colligan as Leopold - bring fact that the piece is so lean, so feel about each other. I use a process to this story. I would say yes the piece economical, and yet somehow it called ‘actioning’, which I discovered has developed, partly because I have manages to capture a complete world. when working for Max Stafford another opportunity to look at the Clark as his assistant and associate script and how it works, and partly TW: You mentioned the films. Have director back in the mid 1990s. It because these two young actors you see any of the other cultural always fascinates me how appropriate bring a different dynamic to that of works based on the Leopold and this process of conscious analysis Jye Frasca and George Maguire (two Loeb story? How does ‘Thrill Me’ is for interpreting song in musicals. of my favourite actors in the world, I compare? At the beginning of rehearsals, it should add!). GR: Yes, I’ve seen at least three others, always starts with a table read, obviously including Hitchcock’s ‘Rope’. then discussing and deciding on a TW: Having already done a London I think what is so amazing about this series of actions that we collectively run, do you have any future piece is the use of music, which at believe serves the scene, and then I’ll ambitions or plans for ‘Thrill Me’ times is so intense yet despite that, normally try to get the project up on beyond this year’s Festival? you almost forget that there is music its feet, to see what the actors bring to GR: We’d love the show to win lots of there at all, and you just get sucked the scene, in a fairly raw way. awards, tour forever, and then have a into the vortex of the story. I believe major London run! the piece captures the process of real TW: You won a lot of acclaim for the corruption, and the emergence of an London run a couple of years back, ‘Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story’ is at C evil act. why did you decide to bring the from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. show to the Edinburgh Fringe this TW: Does it ever feel inappropriate year? transforming such a sinister crime GR: I was very keen that following the into musical theatre, even nearly a London run, ‘Thrill Me’ should tour. century on? I’ve done an enormous amount of GR: Of course you worry, from time to touring in my life and I believe it’s a time, about retelling such a story for great way for theatre to develop and entertainment, but I believe Stephen a wonderful way to reach audiences. Dolginoff’s interpretation, and take Edinburgh feels like a natural home on the two men’s relationship, is so for this show, people are very open- incisive, and heartfelt, that we cannot minded, and are always looking for help but engage with these two high-quality incisive powerful drama, young people. It’s as fascinating as it and this fits the bill perfectly. And I is horrifying, because you watch how hope that this co-production between two young men become more and Richard Williamson, CliMar and more corrupt, and what is even more Greenwich Theatre will be the launch- interesting is you feel you understand pad for a national tour next year.

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going to take a TW 3 TO SEE chance on this TW GUEST TIPS latest outing from Audacious 3 musical Productions. You People often forget adaptations all know the story. what a great musical Odysseus wants to get home, but the Here I’ve selected a trio of gods aren’t on his side, and a whole programme there productions that fall into the lot of distractions get thrown his category ‘adaptations’. Well, way. This production claims to be a is at the Edinburgh almost. comedic and frenetic take on Homer’s time honoured tale, so actually, it Festival, and of all Ernest, Or Much Ado About might be a good thing for all you folk genres too. A lot of it, Muffins (pictured right) who think that classics are boring. You know who you are. though, is stand alone I have a weakness for Wilde; it probably has something to do C, from 31 Jul until until 9 Aug. gigs rather than the with the fact that I played Lady Bracknell in a school production of The Girl Who residencies you find ‘The Importance Of Being Ernest’ Okay, not sure this at a very impressionable age. I am, qualifies strictly as in other genres. But furthermore, mildly obsessed by an adaptation, but some music people cucumber sandwiches (completely it is inspired by the a good use of your time. Security Prison and delicious with a nice cup of tea) and classic ‘Choose Your Assembly George Square Gardens, from 1 asked if she would come for the whole also things yesteryear (though I don’t Own Adventure’ Aug until 25 Aug. conduct a musical especially want to live there; imagine books. Remember those? The ones workshop as part shebang. To get you in life without the internet now. Imagine where you read a bit then it gives you of measures to the musical mood we it. Not pretty, is it?). Anyway, this, as the option of going to either page 17 3 new musicals help rehabilitate you may have gathered, is a songified or page 64…? So, it’s a bit like that, Next I perused the Fringe’s inmates. This led to a musical asked ThreeWeeks except that instead of a reader being theatre programme in which all version of Wilde’s arguably most musical theatre programme in famous work, that most witty comedy in control of where the story goes, Opera prisoners – even the lifers Editors’ Award search of brand new musicals of unlikely coincidences. Mmmm. it’s the entire audience at any given - participated as cast and crew. winner Daniel Cainer Cucumber sandwiches. performance; Anna is searching for for your delectation, and I’ve ‘Siddhartha’, inspired by the novel by C cubed, from 31 Jul to until 25 Aug. her parents, and you get to choose managed to narrow it down to Herman Hesse, is the fourth musical to pick out some how she finds them. This new musical just three top premiere picks. to be created from this programme, The Odyssey: has been created by an award winning and has transferred successfully to highlights. team – Scott Gilmour and Claire An Epic Musical Epic! Siddhartha, The Musical the ‘outside’, receiving critical acclaim McKenzie of Noisemaker Productions, Now, this show has had a very ahead of its UK premiere in Edinburgh. Along with the honour of receiving an Talking of quality school productions responsible for last year’s 5/5 ‘Freak (and it was, believe me), this next interesting genesis. The journey The Assembly Rooms, from 31 Jul until 24 Editors’ Award last year, for what I can Show’, again working with Royal Aug. show is a school production, but began back in 2006 when singer- only assume was an acknowledgment Conservatoire of Scotland, so you can songwriter Isabella Biffi was contacted of me having simply survived multiple it’s from a big school, with a lot of feel pretty sure that this is going to be talented young people in it, so I am by staff at Milan’s L’Opera Maximum O Is For Ofsted Fringes, comes this rather more I can’t confess challenging task of picking a few acts to having ever out of the bulging Fringe guide. Having witnessed anything looked through the music section I by this company, but have been stunned at my ignorance one of my reviewers and feel not unlike the judge of an has, and she seemed infamous Old Bailey trial in the early to like it. What I can confess is that 1960s who was unaware who the one of the things I do with my rare Beatles were. “Beetles? What are these moments of spare time is to serve as beetles?” snarled the judge. “They are a governor at the village primary my a beat combo m’lud” replied some daughter attends (control freak, me?) helpful young barrister, after which the and have witnessed first hand the, um, judge was probably none the wiser. stressful effects that an impending Music, of course, covers a wide area, Ofsted inspection can have on even and it would be unfair of me to pretend the most well prepared and capable of I’ve got it all covered. But what I have school staff. A musical about this kind done is picked for you some Fringe of thing? Go on then. institutions, every one of them a class theSpace on North Bridge, from 11 Aug until act. 16 Aug. Camille O’Sullivan. Laika: A Space Dogyssey A Fringe favourite Well, the company conspicuous by behind this show are her absence for the the usually pretty last couple of years reliable Double Edge returns with, I assume, Drama, but I have to her usual irreverent, be honest and say sultry, chaunteusy, schtick. Camille is that it wasn’t their reputation that led a charismatic, sexy, drama queen of a me to choose this particular show for singer with a terrific range and great inclusion in my ‘new musical’ themed band. Plus when she found out that 3 To See. Who could resist a show with I had written songs for the deceased a title like ‘A Space Dogyssy’? Well, not cult cabaret cult singer Agnes Bernelle me, evidently. And I am further sold by (for many years a co-resident of her the promise of singing dogs. Because native Dublin) I was suddenly shot from I’m like that. the basement to the penthouse on Gilded Balloon, from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. the elevator of her estimation. Thanks Camille, you will have forgotten me, but CHECK MUSICALS clearly I not you. COVERAGE ONLINE The Assembly Rooms, from 30 Jul until 24 Aug. ThreeWeeks.co.uk/musicals

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Dean Freidman sense of humour that permeates Folk Heroes A singer-songwriter through all his material. I hope that You can take your pick of some of from the 1970s he still does his party-piece which the great and mighty grandfathers who had huge is a dazzling, musical-comedy solo of the UK folk scene who are playing hits but who then guitar instrumental that will make selected dates throughout the month. disappeared your jaw drop, unless you happen to There’s been a bit of a revival of the off the radar. It be wearing a balaclava. I’m not sure if folk genre lately and every young turned out that the huge royalties knows about the Agnes Bernelle thing whipper-snapper of a band these days generated from said hits went though. has to be seen sporting a banjo or to pay for the mansions of some Assembly George Square Studios, from 8 perhaps two with which to duel. Why, rather unscrupulous music business Aug until 17 Aug. even my own promotional poster this management. This was, of course, not year features one... and, for the record, untypical of the time. How much more Fascinating Aida I can actually play it (just). So feast straightforward it is now that nobody I know Sarah-Louise your folky-ears on John Renbourne pays for music in the first place. Young tipped this (Acoustic Music Centre), Martin Carthy Dean is an extremely accomplished on the cabaret (Acoustic Music Centre) and the great songwriter and musician with a pages as well, but I Richard Thompson (Queens Hall) to unique voice in a register higher couldn’t not include name but a few. Which reminds me: than you might expect. Hearing and them here too. So have I mentioned Agnes Bernelle? watching his audience lovingly duet consider them doubly tipped. They’re Now there was one hell of a banjo with him on the extremely schmaltzy still at it: two grand dames and a bit player. ‘Lucky Stars’ is something that of slightly younger, posher totty. everyone should do at least once. Plus Alright, they can be a bit mannered, So there are my tips. Though this when he found out that I’d written a bit Home Counties, and the music exercise has exposed me to a long songs for Agnes Bernelle... is mostly pastiche, but Dillie and list of other interesting sounding acts Sweet Grassmarket, from 6 Aug until 24 Aug. Adelle are true mistresses (and I am of with which I’m not familiar, so I being gender specific here quite am determined this Festival to take Antonio Forcione deliberately) of the comedy song. my chances and see more things that I’ve not heard of... which is is Antonio is at his best Revitalised by the viral YouTube hit what the Fringe, in my not so very an eighth wonder of ‘Cheap Flights’, a fabulously imagined humble opinion, is about. So, I finally the world. Alright, Irish reel parody that encapsulates recommend, should you. joint eighth then. the budget airline experience more Come to think of accurately than actually flying on one, it, there is rather the girls go from strength to strength Daniel Cainer’s own show ‘Jewish Chronicles’ a big jump from just one item for simultaneously revitalising audiences is on at Underbelly Bristo Square from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. each of the first seven categories to of a certain age throughout the land. several billion in the eighth. But you Plus, they know all about the songs I get my drift: he is a fantastic, virtuoso wrote for Agnes Bernelle. CHECK MUSIC guitarist. Musical, technically brilliant, Underbelly, Bristo Square, from 31 Jul until COVERAGE ONLINE joyful and soulful with a wicked 25 Aug ThreeWeeks.co.uk/music

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Axel Scheffler, possibly best known challenge to select just one from for his collaborations with Julia the fairly extensive programme of Donaldson, and now that she’s a bit visual treats. So don’t just go and see older she’s a big fan of Philip Ardagh this one, check out the other great because she’s lately been enjoying displays on offer too. his series of ‘Short Cuts’ books about Mythical Homeland, Summerhall, until 26 different historical figures. Anyway, Sep. our approbation is reason enough for you to make your way to one of the two events they are doing. And if our 3 workshops approbation isn’t enough, there’s this: Philip Ardagh has a lovely, long and Tap Into Health: luxurious beard. Yes. Movin With Melvin The Grunts With Philip Ardagh and Axel Scheffler, Charlotte Square Gardens, 11 Aug This sounds like it (for ages 6-9). would be a great Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats With introduction to Philip Ardagh and Axel Scheffler, Charlotte the lovely world of Square Gardens, 12 Aug (families and 7+). tap dancing and though I am not especially in need of introduction, 3 at the art festival it’s been longer than I am willing to tell you since I passed my tap exams TW GUEST TIPS Counterpoint (with distinction, obviously), and I could probably do with a refresher. Counterpoint is a The lovely Movin Melvin is a familiar series of events and face at the Edinburgh Fringe, and has exhibitions featuring many devoted fans. This might just be the work of eight the perfect complement to attending boundary-busting one of his two shows, ‘The Ray Charles contemporary Experience’ or ‘The Tap Dancing artists, put together with the aim of Preacher’, which can be seen on “expanding critical and conceptual alternating dates throughout August. thinking about visual art in relation There are only five workshops, to other subjects”. The creatives about, but if YOU are one of those networking and though, make sure you check which involved include Ross Birrell, who TW 3 TO SEE people, then I can’t help thinking that discussion forums dates. this might be your kind of Festival are responsible for shows a new chapter of ongoing C, from 9 Aug until 23 Aug event. And there’ll be more than just some pretty nasty project ‘Envoy’, and performance 3 talks and walks photos here. Learn from scientific behaviour, but that’s artists Alexa Hare, Ortonandon and journalist Henry Nicholls and Paolo not exactly what this Jeans & MacDonald. The project also Ukulele Workshop Mary Queen of Scots – Viscardi of the Horniman Museum is all about… Susan Greenfield is one of features works commissioned by the with Tricity Vogue The Edinburgh Story about the likes of Lonesome George the UK’s best known neuroscientists Edinburgh Art Festival and Talbot Fringe institution the bachelor tortoise. This is only on and the author of ‘Mind Change’, a Rice Gallery by Shona MacNaughton, Tricity Vogue has a It’s always a bit of once, but don’t despair if you miss it. book which looks at what the rising Michelle Hannah and Ellie Harrison. history of delighting a gamble doing I’m sure there’ll be other things in the use of technological devices may Fringe-goers with a walking tour in Talbot Rice Gallery, until 18 Oct. Hendricks’ Carnival Of Knowledge line be doing to our brains, asking the her ukulele cabaret Scotland. But the up to tempt the likes of you. question of whether we are making shows. This year weather’s actually John Byrne potentially damaging alterations she will mostly be performing ‘Songs been alright in Hendrick’s Carnival Of Knowledge, 8 Aug. If you’re a fan of that to the way we think. Has too much For Swinging Ukulele’ but will take Edinburgh so far this summer. Well, there John Byrne, screen time led to, for example, a time out to host two workshops except at the very moment I’m writing Poverty and Life Expectancy artist, playwright and decline in empathy? for beginners who have caught the this, when the haar has come down general all round at The Festival Of Politics ukulele bug. This introductory two and it’s all very damp indeed. But Charlotte Square Gardens, 20 Aug. cultural somebody, This event is hosted hour session will cover basic chords come rain or shine, this walk is worth that native of by Polly Toynbee, and strum patterns, and culminates doing, especially if you, like me, enjoy Melissa Benn – Paisley responsible for ‘The Slab and will tackle what in a fun jam session for everyone, hearing about historical figures in It’s Different For Girls Boys Trilogy’ and TV’s ‘Tutti Frutti’, is a very current regardless of skill level. I may just nick the settings where they once stood. then you’re in luck, because there are issue, given the Melissa Benn is my daughter’s ukulele and go along. Especially ones who lived in such presently rising doing two events, two exhibitions featuring his work Rae Macintosh Musicroom, 2, 9 Aug turbulent times as Mary Queen Of use of food banks in the UK, and but only one is sold available to view in Edinburgh this Scots. The famous monarch spent the fact that poor diet is obviously out at the time of summer. The National Portrait Gallery six years in the Scottish capital at a and inevitably linked to low life going to press, so offers up a collection of drawings, Baby Wants Candy Workshops pivotal time in the country’s history, expectancy. And it’s an especially fingers crossed paintings and multi-media pieces There’s a lot of and how better to hear about it than important topic for Scotland, as the there’ll still be tickets left by the from throughout his career, while comedy improv when treading through historic country’s population have a lower time you read this for ‘It’s Different Bourne Fine Art’s show of paintings to watch at the Edinburgh itself? life expectancy than elsewhere in For Girls’, in which the author of will be accompanied by a ‘cabinet of Edinburgh Fringe, Outside MacDonald Holyrood Hotel, from 1 Britain. It’s just one of the events ‘What Should We Tell Our Daughters’ curiosities’ also featuring his work. and I’m imagining Aug until 26 Aug. taking place at this year’s debate- presents a positive manifesto for John Byrne: Dead End, Bourne Fine Art, you all going along packed Festival Of Politics, so don’t mothers and daughters, at a time until 1 Sep. to it, laughing, applauding, but also, Carnival Of Curious Animals forget to take a look at what else is on, when young women are bombarded John Byrne: Sitting Ducks, Scottish National secretly thinking “I bet I could do that”. The fact is, we can’t all do that, Are you one of those especially in light of what’s coming up with airbrushed celebrities and casual Portrait Gallery, until 19 Oct. but we won’t know until we try, will people who struggle in September; I can’t help thinking that media misogyny, and live in a world we? So, here’s your chance, and who to resist clicking most of the events will have at least a where it’s fine to use the word ‘girl’ as Mythical Homeland better to have a go with than an on links to online tinge of referendum about them. an insult. (pictured above) internationally renowned troupe like filler articles about Scottish Parliament, 16 Aug. Charlotte Square Gardens, 17 Aug. Los Angeles artist Gary Baseman Baby Wants Candy? The group have weird creatures interprets the holocaust and its two shows in the comedy programme, they’ve found in the depths of the sea? Philip Ardagh and Axel Scheffler effects on culture and identity with ‘The Improv All Star Explosion’ and Or about the world’s longest-lived 3 book festival events drawings, paintings, photographs These two are very ‘The Completely Improvised Full Band animals? Or extraordinary animals and a short film, all installed in a popular at my house, Musical’, so maybe try and catch a that have done amazing things? You small birch tree forest; it looks very Susan Greenfield – because it’s home to performance before you head to one know, the online articles composed visually arresting and is bound to be Are Computers Bringing Out a small person who of the three workshops. of a long procession of large pictures loves to read. When moving. Summerhall have loads of The Worst In Us? Assembly Checkpoint, 9, 16, 23 Aug and not enough information? Of she was even smaller great exhibitions on over the summer, Well, I feel pretty sure that social course, this isn’t me we’re talking she delighted in the illustrations of and to be honest, I found it quite a TW

TW PAGE 30 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ZERO 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 Nadia Brooks: Speaking about the words

Nadia Brooks is a ‘lexophile’ with a passion for rhyming, alliteration and entertaining words; and she’s coming to Edinburgh as the Lexicon Lady, promising an hour of wordplay, with plenty of poetry, prose and puns, and some free Love Hearts along the way. A journalist by trade, Brooks arrived with her first spoken word show at the Free Festival last August, returning with a brand new show this year. We spoke to the lady of lovely letters about taking her words off the page, her dabblings with stand-up, and what we can expect from the new show.

TW: I do “absolutely adore please be gentle with me. First and alliteration, think rhyme is sublime foremost I consider myself a writer and like being foonsped spoolfuns and not a performer. For me the pen is of spoonerisms”, as your blurb puts mightier than the s(poken)word. I feel it. So basically your new show is just my written words speak better than I for people like me? do. Actually, I’d love to write things for NB: Brilliant! Shall we start a ‘Fight others to perform. Club’ style organisation for like- minded lexophiles? Although as we TW: Last Fringe you performed a wouldn’t be able to talk about it, we show telling stories of your travels might come a bit p-unstuck. Though in America. How did that go? TW: Presumably you enjoyed your TW: You’re back as part of the Free laughter, shared laughter is common I do reckon there are plenty more NB: Brilliantly. It was my debut Fringe Edinburgh Fringe stint last year? Festival. How did you find that ground and common ground is of the likes of you and I around here show so I didn’t know if anyone would What attracted you back? last year? Were the Free Festival grounds for peace. Which is why the than folks are letting on. I think a lot turn up. I seemed to be a hit with the NB: Indeed I did. Edinburgh is glorious. audience’s generous? spoonerism balked into a war. of citizens secretly enjoy a good pun. Countdown viewership, students It’s one of the best cities in the world, NB: The Free Festival is champion. Last Second: When the ape tried to climb Words are fun. They’re very popular and mature adults. It was an accident probably even the universe, although year the audience was very generous to the highest bed, but he misjudged it with the populace. Also, Swizzels that I did it. I’d written a book about I bet the capital of Tatooine is a - I donated all my bucket money to the and fell instead, his monkey business Matlow have sent me a crate full of the 6000-mile solo American road blast, especially that cantina. When Make-A-Wish Foundation and so we turned into bunky miss-ness. Love Hearts to give away at the show, trip I did two years ago and a friend I wasn’t watching the films of 007 were able to fulfil a few wishes. This And last but not least, Spam and June so if that doesn’t get people excited, who had performed at Edinburgh as a youngster I used to listen to my year any loose change the audience of course! well, I don’t know what will. suggested I do a show about it. I’m dad’s ‘Beyond The Fringe’ LP. So to be care to give will go to charity again. currently looking for a publisher for lucky enough to be immersed in the TW: You’ve undertaken an eclectic the book by the way, so if anyone ace-ness of the Edinburgh Festival TW: What are your top three ‘Lexicon Lady: A Woman of Lovely Letters’ range of creative projects, though fancies the idea of a book that I like to is about as exciting as being a Bond spoonerisms? is on at Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters you seem most prolific as a think blends Michael Palin, Professor girl. I’m also hoping someone might NB: First: A spoonerism evokes from 31 Jul until 9 Aug. journalist. So what attracted you to Brian Cox, Alan Bennett and Nelly Bly bring me a kaleidoscope which is spoken word? please get in touch! why I’ve referred to one in my blurb. NB: I suppose journalism is my ‘day Kaleidoscopes really are spectacular. job’ and a privileged day job it is too, TW: Back to ‘Lexicon Lady’, where A rainbow supernova in a twisty hand- as I get to interview a lot of interesting did the idea for the new show come held tube - how do they do it?! people and many personal heroes. from? Though so far not Professor Stephen NB: I love how words weave meaning TW: Our reviewer last year said Hawking, who I’d love to interview. thanks to the bountiful tapestry of your show “walks the line between From an early age I knew I wanted language. It’s better than the one in spoken word and very gentle to spend my life writing and so I Bayeux and not as moth-eaten. Also stand-up”. You’ve done some more would create humourous poetry. I’m hoping the show might come to straight up comedy as well, I think. My earliest gig was with a friend, the attention of Susie Dent, the word- Would you consider doing a show in we took to the steps of one of the loving woman’s word woman. It’s my the Fringe’s comedy programme? primary school mobile classrooms dream to be her apprentice or even NB: My first ever stand-up gig was at during dinner break and sang a just make her a cuppa really. the Comedy Store in LA a few years song I’d written. My teacher made us ago. It went quite well so I did open perform it again to our classmates. TW: The blurb promises poetry, mic nights in the States for a while It was called ‘Pocket Fluff’. It was all prose and puns. Is that the when I was over there doing script about that mysterious substance alliteration thing again, or do all supervising on feature films. Curiously that inexplicably appears inside three appear? How does it work? it led to me doing a French voiceover garments. It’s the dark matter inside Did you write the show in one go, for a Sarah Silverman sketch, which the black holes of haberdashery. I or does it bring together existing was sadly ditched because I sounded know that doesn’t exactly make sense poems and ponderings? too young. I did more stand-up again but I love the word haberdashery. NB: There will be pithy poems, this year at Riot LA, an alternative Everyone does don’t they? I also like poignant prose and perky puns as well comedy festival in Los Angeles, and mamihlapinatapai, saudade, fernweh as a litter of alliteration. was second runner-up in my heat of and jaunty. Like many writers I always have a Foster’s South Coast Comedian Of The notebook with me to note down Year competition in May, which I didn’t TW: Is delivering your words in musings. I must look so quaint as expect. The stand-up thing is more public easier or harder than writing I’m scribbling away with such old- just about having another avenue for an article and posting it into the fashioned implements. So the show is my words to wander down. Though ether? a melded mass of messy meditations I’m probably too ‘young Thora Hird NB: It’s definitely much harder, so to made magnificent. meets The Littlest Hobo’ to be allowed anyone who’s going to come along, in the Fringe’s comedy section.

WEEK ZERO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 31 TW SPOKEN WORD NEWS & UPDATES VIA TWITTER @ThreeWeeks REVIEW ALERTS VIA TWITTER @TWittique Let’s talk about the words TW 3 TO SEE 3 shows for The inclusion of a stand alone spoken word section in the I wish I could plug all 70+ shows I John Berkavitch – Shame. music loving kids and my PBH Free Fringe Spoken My 2012 almost-hit Fringe programme was very welcome indeed, providing a Here are my 3 To See music- Word Co-Director Fay Roberts show ‘Big Heart’ home for the brilliant acts of wordplay that don’t necessarily have programmed, but spoken fused spoken word tastic shows for your children. set out to make you laugh (always at least), but which don’t word isn’t restricted to the ‘spoken with projected really count as theatre. Of course quite a few ‘talks’ have now word’ section of the programme. animations. But It stretches its tentacles of misery Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco slipped into the chapter that aren’t really of the spoken word Berko’s show does city-wide.... that with even more projectors, a Dance Hall genre, and some spoken word shows still list themselves trendy hip-hop soundtrack and three I suppose you really elsewhere, so it can still be a little confusing to navigate what’s ‘Can’t Care, Won’t Care’ breakdancers. Bastard. I’ve heard need children who on offer. But who best to help you than Richard Tyrone Jones, A show about the great things about this from everyone like to dance as well role of carers in the who’s seen it and I’m looking forward as listen to music for both a champion and a star of the spoken word scene, and a UK might sound like to gazing on in both Shame and Envy. this one. But then, ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award winner in 2012? the most depressing Underbelly, Cowgate, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug that may as yet turn thing imaginable. out to be the real theme of this set of As well as programming the Free Fringe’s spoken word strand, Yes, it probably will Pornography and Heartbreak – 3s To See. So I should probably have called it ‘Shows For Music And Dance Richard has his own spoken word show ‘Crap Time Lord’ at the be, but it’s by Sophia Walker, BBC David Lee Morgan. Slam Champ and winner of PBH’s Loving Kids’, but it’s just too late for You won’t like Pilgrim Bar in Cowgate and a comedy show comprising just Best Spoken Word show (with 2013’s that now. Anyway, Monski Mouse has this show, an five words ‘What the f*ck is this?’ at the Banshee Labyrinth. Oh, ‘8 Mistakes Around The World’), been coming to the Fringe for a few intense mea culpa and directed by theatrical stalwart years now, and delighting the under- and he’s also hosting two charity ‘Utter!’ spoken word specials detailing the sordid Monkey Poet, so it will also be fives and their parents with her electic perversions of with Phill Jupitus, Mark Grist, Sophia Walker etc on 12 Aug at rhythmical, powerful, true, uplifting, disco mix of everything from nursery a (somewhat) Canons’ Gait and on 18 Aug at Banshee Labyrinth. But he still cutting and hilarious. rhymes and eighties classics to Latin, fictionalised fat old John facing up pop and swing. We loved it when we found time to put together a spoken word top five for you Banshee Labyrinth Banqueting Hall from 2 to the complicity of his sexuality Aug until 24 Aug saw it back in 2012. guys. Check out Richard online at rtjpoet.com in prostitution and sexism, all Assembly George Square Gardens, from 31 addressed to a rape victim. Even Jul until 17 Aug. worse, it rhymes. If you liked it there’d be something wrong; but if you’re Ali McGregor’s Jazzamatazz gobsmacked into silence like the preview audience I was in, that’s the Highly talented correct response. Reckless, powerful ThreeWeeks Award and awful – that’s a recommendation. winning cabaret star and general all round Banshee Labyrinth, from 2 Aug until 24 Aug Fringe favourite Ali McGregor is back Standby For Tape Back-up – this year with her acclaimed grown Ross Sutherland up show Late Night Variety Nite Night, If you do a show but more importantly for the purposes about your of this preview piece about children’s relationship with shows, she’s also doing another run your dad, it’s a of Jazzmatazz, her fab kids’ show, for hit. Well, here children aged 1+. Perhaps it’s being a Sutherland delivers parent herself that’s made her so good speedy synchronous stories to at knowing how to entertain children, looped VHS footage in a hi-tec ‘10 or perhaps she’s just totally ace. films with my dead Granddad’, so he Probably the latter. Enjoy. Oh, and more can’t lose. The only VHS my Granddad dancing here too. left me was a hardcore porno, which Assembly George Square Gardens, from 20 would make a troublingly different Aug until 24 Aug. show. The way Ross makes the experimental popular, and vice versa, Ready Steady Ceilidh! makes him my favourite member of And now to even Aisle 16 (except for Tim Clare and all more dancing, with the others). added music, and this Summerhall, from 1 Aug until 24 Aug time of the Scottish kind, as is highly Edinburgh Traditional appropriate, given Building Festival – Roof Slating that this Festival happens in Scotland. Demonstration ‘Ready Steady Ceilidh’ is the offspring Now this is what the Fringe’s spoken of the adult-orientated (on at 11pm) word section is all about! Because the ‘This Is Ceilidh’, and will be hosted by reason we campaigned so hard for comedian/CBBC star Iain Stirling, who a stand alone spoken word section will presumably add lots of humour in 2012 was never to provide a home to the dance and music compote. One for creatively re-imagined folk tales, for the highly energetic 6+ year old in exciting true-life storytelling, epic your life. literature or sonorous poetry. No, it Assembly George Square Gardens, from 31 was to promote roof slating, stone Jul until 25 Aug. masonry and painting and decorating demonstrations with ten separate cut-&-pasted descriptions! Yes, 3 theatre for slate can exhibit dynamic character older children development! No, they shouldn’t be in ‘Events’! Yes, metaphors will be We’re not necessarily talking TW GUEST TIPS layered thick as spackle, and... [okay, about older-older children you’ve made your point now Richard].

TW PAGE 32 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ZERO CHILDREN’S SHOWS 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 here. These shows are more theatrical productions (as opposed to clowny toddler Dan Clarkson: Another Potted events) for children who are in the top end of their first decade, and probably a bit Fringe show is elementary older too, because these are the kind of shows that parents TW: Where did the idea for ‘Potted tell us to stop being so silly! TW: Presumably a few things in the will also really enjoy. Well, TW INTERVIEW Potter’ originally come from? Were Sherlock stories aren’t appropriate that’s what I think, anyway. you influenced by the Reduced TW: Presumably with the Harry for a kids show? Beginning as a piece of street Shakespeare Company shows? Potter show you could you assume DC: This is definitely the most mature theatre in 2005, ‘Potted DC: ‘Potted Potter’s first incarnation your young audience knew the show we have ever done, that was was as a 20 minute sketch to basic stories already. Can you make heavily influenced by the source The Bee-Man Of Potter’, condensing all seven Orn (pictured) entertain the people in the queues at the same assumptions about the material, and we will always stand of the Harry Potter books into Borders bookstore who were waiting Sherlock Holmes stories? by the fact that rather than being a Always expect good just seventy minutes, arrived at midnight for the release of the DC: I think with Sherlock, the ‘kid’s show’ we are a ‘family show’ and things from Newbury sixth Potter book. It went down better familiarity comes from the characters try to present comedy that can be Youth Theatre, it’s a as a full show at the Fringe than either myself or Jeff could have themselves as opposed to the stories. enjoyed by every age group. However Fringe rule, and the in 2006, and soon became ever imagined, and so we decided to You put a deer stalker on anyone’s yes, some of Sherlock Holmes’ reason why we gave the company a a hit show for kids, adults expand the show and bring it up to head and see how long it takes them recreational activities had to be ThreeWeeks Editors’ Award back in and Potter fans everywhere. Edinburgh. Absolutely the Reduced to say ‘Elementary’! But people being politely removed! 2009. This year’s show is an adaptation Created and performed by Shakespeare shows were one of our less familiar with the stories really of nineteenth century author Frank Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner, many influences. I remember seeing gave us the freedom to have fun in TW: ‘Potted Potter’ became R Stockton’s ‘The Bee-Man Of Orn’ the Edinburgh run was quickly ‘Shakespeare Abridged’ when I was the way we told them. Our hound something of an Edinburgh (famously illustrated by Maurice fifteen back in the mid 90s and it from ‘The Hound Of The Baskervilles’ Fringe institution. Do you enjoy Sendak in a mid-sixties edition) and followed by a UK tour, with being one of my favourite pieces is worth the ticket price alone! performing your shows at the follows the central character on his the show later going global, of theatre. At the time it was truly Festival? journey to the deepest ocean, the court with a second cast required ground breaking and I remember TW: I guess half your young DC: Wow, really? I’m showing my mum of a cruel king and the cave of the Very as Dan and Jeff fitted the thinking “Wow, you can do shows like audience might assume Sherlock that – she will be so proud! Enjoy Imp. For children aged five and over. performances around their this for a living”. is set in modern times and he looks doesn’t begin to cover how we all feel Quaker Meeting House, from 4 Aug until 9 work for CBBC. rather like Benedict Cumberbatch. about performing at the Festival. It’s Aug. TW: Did you originally anticipate Presumably your show is set in like Disneyland for actors and is such Returning to the Edinburgh their being a series of Potted shows, Victorian times? a unique and exciting experience Human Child Festival in subsequent years, or was the Potter production DC: We’d be idiots not to acknowledge that nowhere else in the world really This show from ‘Potted Potter’ soon became intended as a one off? the genius that is the BBC ‘Sherlock’ comes close. We are so happy to be the interestingly something of a Fringe DC: It was never our intention series, andthe legendary Mr back. named Collapsing to have a series Cumberbatch. But yes, our show institution, ensuring that an Horse sounds of shows. To be is very much set in Victorian TW: Are there any other oeuvres equally interesting; eager audience awaited as honest, I don’t think times. It’s one of the greatest you’d quite like to make into a it’s described as a “blazing fantasy spin-off shows ‘Potted Pirates’ we ever thought times in British history and Potted show? adventure” inspired by changeling and ‘Potted Panto’ arrived. Potter would ever lends itself so well to parody. DC: Being the closet geek that I am, I myths and the poetry of WB Yeats, and And, we’re sure, for the go further than that Plus I look amazing in a top would love one day to play a certain is delivered via the media of theatre, latest new show too, ‘Potted original Edinburgh run hat. Again it’s really all about Time Lord, and seeing as the BBC music and puppetry. It’s already Sherlock’, which will condense back in 2006! Even the opportunity for me to play have yet to knock on my door received a lot of great reviews from now we are waiting for dress up! I think I might have to take other publications, who have praised all 60 of the famous detective people to realise that matters in to my own hands the talented cast and the aesthetically stories into one new Fringe we are just two friends and start Potting! pleasing and highly entertaining show. Ahead of that we spoke messing around nature of the production, as well as to Clarkson about the Potted and for them to TW: And finally, drawing attention to the well designed shows, condensing Sherlock, what’s the best yet minimal set. It sounds pretty and putting on hats. Sherlock story? And sophisticated, so I think this is one that why? you might want to go and see even if DC: There are so many you don’t have a child of 8+ to bring to choose from, and my along. TW: After Potter and Panto, why the favourites change daily. Underbelly, Cowgate, from 31 Jul until 24 Aug. condensed Sherlock show now? But currently I love DC: We are all huge fans of Sherlock ‘The Adventure Of The Comedy Of Holmes and found that the stories and The Sussex Vampire’, Errors characters really gave themselves an amazing tale where Shakespeare plays to comedy. Plus these productions a gentleman comes to are great, obviously, usually boil down to what I want Holmes but even the most to dress up as. First wizards. Then worried boisterous and princesses. Now, as I’m older and that his comical productions of them can be a wiser, the next logical step was a wife is bit long and dense for most children, Victorian detective! in fact a I suspect. So perhaps the best way vampire to start your kids on the path to TW: There are quite a lot more and secretly Shakespearean enlightenment is with Sherlock stories than there were feeding on something like this, an adaptation Harry Potter books. Did you have to their infant made specially with 7+ audiences in read them all? Were you Sherlock son. Trust me, mind, brought to you by Take Thou buffs before the project? ‘Twilight’ has That Theatre with Bristol Old Vic DC: My brother and I were big nothing on this tale! Theatre School. The blurb promises a Sherlock fans before and half the production that draws on Vaudevillian fun was being able to re-read all the ‘Potted Sherlock’ is on at traditions and sees a cast of seven books, watch all the films and relive all Pleasance Courtyward playing the two sets of identical twins; the stories. But yes 60 stories is a little from 30 Jul until 25 Aug. hilarious mix ups and a lot of running bit more than seven books. But we around will ensue. decided it was time to up the stakes and really challenge ourselves. Ask Assembly George Square Studios, from 31 Jul until 16 Aug. . me again in three weeks if that was a good idea or not! TW TW

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Around the venues Greenside The Edinburgh Fringe is based around a network of independently run venues, each Some have called the venue back on Royal Terrace. Greenside venue on the Royal “We never wanted to rush into with their own character and specialisms. The ThreeWeeks news team caught up Terrace behind Calton Hill finding a new space”, Greenside director Tara Kilbourne tells with the teams behind three of them to find out about their plans for the 2014 Festival. one of the secret gems of the ThreeWeeks, “we knew that any new Edinburgh Fringe, though it’s location had to be ‘right’. The list of not an especially well kept essentials when finding a new venue theSpace UK secret, given that the operation is never ending and we looked at has garnered a sizeable loyal countless spaces before finally coming across what was then a building site on The venue operation with one “where audiences and performers “The 100 year anniversary of WW1 following within the Festival community over the years. Nicolson Square, a methodist church of the biggest show counts alike can relax in a slightly more is also prominent” he says. “‘Forever that was undergoing a million pound sophisticated environment”. Young’, ‘Brotherhood’, ‘Soldier Box, at the Edinburgh Fringe But being situated away from both refurbishment. But even with the One of the reasons the Space ‘The Constant Soldier’ and ‘Rose of scaffolding, builders everywhere and celebrates two decades at the programme is so extensive is that Jericho’ all explore the conflict in the Bristo Square hub of the Fringe Festival this year, and with and the recently resurgent George a constant buzz of drills we knew we’d Pamment goes out of his way to different ways. Other shows include found the right space”. sixteen performance spaces accommodate shows which wish to ‘Darkle’ from the writer of the BBC’s Street festival zone, Greenside isn’t necessarily a place you’ll stumble “We are so excited to finally be able to its name, theSpace empire do shorter runs, while many of the ‘Paradise’, plus we welcome back to share with everyone this cracking has come a long way from other venue operations of similar size Mulberry School from Tower Hamlets across by mistake while rushing from one central venue to another. Until new venue” says Kilbourne’s co- the single church hall in the prefer acts to perform for the full three who bring ‘The Domino Effect’. They Director, Darren Neale, of the space weeks. But this flexibility is important, are the only school ever to win a now. Because the Greenside team depths of the Old Town where are about to open for business at a that will now be known during August the Space chief reckons, because it’s Fringe First award in the 70 year as Greenside @ Nicolson Square. it all began. Though Venue 45 not only the big established names history of the Fringe. And ‘Jim’ is second location for the first time, and remains a much loved part of it’s on Nicolson Square right next to all “Where to start. It’s in an amazing who need to be able to perform for already the winner of the 2014 Drama location, right in the heart of the the Space network. that Bristo Square busy-ness. Which just a segment of the Festival. UK Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award Festival just seconds away from BBC “We do have over 50 shows running telling the story of two sons preparing should introduce the set-up to a whole “Busy”, is how Space chief new audience, who may then also @ Potterow and Bristo Square. The for three weeks this year and many to say farewell to their terminally ill refurbishment has recently been Charles Pamment describes putting for two, but the one week show is just father”. be tempted to the original Greenside together a 270 show programme as important. In fact, most short- But what about that two decade each summer. And all the busier run shows really reflect the ethos landmark? How have things changed this year, we assume, as Pamment of the Festival as a platform for new in the twenty years that theSpace has has three new spaces to operate, work; many are young, developing been in business at the Edinburgh mainly to accommodate some site- companies new to the Festival who Fringe? “I think people always expect Northern Stage specific shows in his programme. can’t afford a longer run”. me to say it’s bigger, better and so “Production Company Fourth He goes on: “Experience tells us on”, Pamment muses. “I don’t know if After two years with a Fringe from the Greater North, that are part Monkey are using four floors of that these producers, directors and that’s especially true. From the outside base at St Stephen’s church in of the Northern Stage programme of theSpace on North Bridge for a late performers are quite probably the looking in it may seem so, because the New Town, Northern Stage work”. night immersive show”, he explains, future of the arts in the UK, so where the Fringe Society lists hundreds Northern Stage is a major “which is an adaption of ‘Alice In better to give them a platform to of venues in its programme these are this year setting up home presenting and producing house in Wonderland’. Meanwhile ‘Victorian begin that journey? We are proud we days. But on a closer look a large at King’s Hall on the Southside North East England, which also tours Vices’ at theSpace on Niddry St uses do that. It’s also worth mentioning percentage of these simply aren’t of the city, placing them just shows nationally and has its own a brand new space for a site specific that one week shows do win awards suitable performance environments”. around the corner from that artist development programmes. programme set in a devised Victorian too. Shame on those awards that don’t He goes on: “The evolution of the The company decided to take on environment, presenting ‘Sweeney cultural hub Summerhall and reflect that!” of TV-star stand-up programme has much nearer the Bristo Square the ambitious task of running its Todd’ and ‘The Picture Of Dorian No venue director likes to be increased the profile of the Festival epicentre of Edinburgh’s own venue at the Edinburgh Fringe Grey’”. forced to pick highlights from in some quarters where perhaps primarily in a bid to provide a platform “We also have a unique show in a their programme – “everything’s before there was less awareness. And festival month. for theatrical talent from across its caravan on the cobbles outside our a highlight” they’ll tell you – and certainly technology means media ‘Greater North’ region. “During our two summers at Niddry St venue”, he adds. “Barbara with 270 shows to choose from coverage has become stronger and “I think that when we had a look St Stephens we learnt a lot about and Yogashwara’s ‘Safe Space’ is a it’s a particularly big challenge more widespread. All these elements at what we were programming ourselves and the Fringe and ruthless adult comedy horror in a for Pamment. But, aside from the have made the Fringe a bigger at Northern Stage, alongside how it all works”, Northern Stage caravan exploring power, abuse and aforementioned site-specific shows, event, but you know, the Fringe was conversations that we were having Creative Associate Mark Calvert tells new age spirituality!” And also new which the Space boss is clearly excited already a really strong platform with a number of regional artists, Erica ThreeWeeks. “And it has given the within the Space domain this year is about, he also notes: “Our new writing for new, emerging and developing Whyman, our Artistic Director at the team a lot of vital experience ahead of the ‘Festival Garden’ in Hill Square, programme is again very strong and performance back in the 1990s. time, decided to combine a ‘love affair’ the move into King’s Hall, with a much outside theSpace @ Symposium includes new takes on topical issues And I think more important than the she’d had with Edinburgh with the more ambitious programme and a Hall venue, a stone’s throw from the like equality, race, terminal illness and programme being thicker, is that the fierce regional ambition for work that definite sense of collaboration with Fringe’s Bristo Square hub. “This will technology; we even have a show Festival has become an even stronger was being made across the Greater other key venues in Edinburgh”. be designed as ‘step in’ bar”, he says, about Michael Gove!” platform for new talent”. North. We wanted to find a showcase “Kings Hall’s key difference to for the work from our part of the world St Stephen’s is its location” Calvert at the biggest theatre festival in the admits. But that’s important, he world”. reckons. “This year we’re right in To that end the Northern Stage the heart of the beast, nearer Bristo venue seeks to support and help the Square, so we have much more companies it brings to the Fringe. “We competition for audience but also wanted to change the model of how much more chance of people finding artists could get to Edinburgh, when us. You were never going to find St money is such an obstacle”, Calvert Stephen’s by accident, you had to says. “So as part of our offer we cover make a choice to go there”. accommodation, there’s no recharging The biggest of the collaborations and we try to offer enough technical Calvert mentions is with Paines Plough support for the shows to be presented at the now nearby Summerhall. as the artists and companies Says Calvert: “We are collaborating intended”. with Paines Plough to present their You feel that the shift to King’s portable Roundabout auditorium Hall, and the tie ups with Paines in Summerhall’s courtyard. Paines Plough and Summerhall, are all signs Plough are showing four new pieces Northern Stage is now here to stay as of their own work and they’re hosting a key player in the Edinburgh Fringe’s some pretty incredible companies, theatre strand. And – with comedy and

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completed so the space is quite literally gleaming. Glass fronted elevators, All about ThreeWeeks the beautiful Well Cafe, outdoor seating areas LONGEST ESTABLISHED: and producers, commissioning THREEWEEKS DAILY EDITION: and two outstanding ThreeWeeks is the longest guest columns, and reporting on key The ThreeWeeks Daily Edition performances spaces that, established magazine at the events in the Festival City. lands in the inbox of thousands we think, makes this one Edinburgh Festival, the world’s and thousands of Fringe fans every of the most exciting new venues at the Festival”. biggest cultural event, and has VIBRANT REVIEW TEAM: This day, in the run up to and during the Kilbourne and Neale been discovering and championing experience is complemented each Festival. It provides all the latest have adopted the same new and exciting comedy, cabaret, year by a vibrant young review team news, interviews, columns and programming approach dance, musical, theatre and spoken who take in hundreds of shows reviews in one place. To sign up for to their new building as word talent every summer since first hand, sharing their opinions in free go to ThreeWeeks.co.uk/signup with the old, though with three stages now at their 1996. ThreeWeeks, and helping us spot disposal they were able to and champion the best new talent. THREEWEEKS ONLINE: include significantly more HALF A MILLION READERS: Each In addition to the weekly magazine shows in the schedule. Neither director wanted to August half a million festival-goers MEDIA-SKILLS PROGRAMME: Since and daily email, there is ThreeWeeks “We are proud to be an ‘open be drawn into the messy task of rely on the ThreeWeeks free weekly 1996 ThreeWeeks has also run an Online. All our features and reviews programming’ venue”, Kilbourne picking out one or two shows says. “We think that’s the way the from their 2014 programme magazine, daily email, website acclaimed media-skills training appear here, plus you can search Fringe was intended, so you will for special tipping, with Neale and podcast for a comprehensive programme each summer, providing content by genre and venue. And it’s find everything at our venues instead insisting that the guide to all of the festivals that take formal and on-the-ground arts here you will find the ever popular from Fringe Virgins to Fringe Greenside programme “covers place in Edinburgh during August, journalism training to hundreds of ThreeWeeks Podcast for audio Veterans, professionals, students every area”. He concluded: “We including the International, Book, talented young writers, giving future coverage of the Festival. Get online groups and acts from all over really think we have the sort of the globe. We think our open programme which means you Art and Politics festivals and the awe arts and media talent guidance, at ThreeWeeks.co.uk programming philosophy helps can start with us at 9am and inspiring Edinburgh Fringe. feedback and unique access to the create a diverse, eclectic and leave at midnight seeing the best world’s most exciting festival. An THISWEEK LONDON: vibrant Fringe Programme”. of Fringe talent under one roof”. ALL OVER EDINBURGH: The all-new ThreeWeeks media-skills ThisWeek London is a new sister ThreeWeeks weekly magazine is programme will launch in Spring media to ThreeWeeks, providing available to pick up for free at sites 2015. This year we welcome back a year round coverage of cultural all over Edinburgh during August, number of alumni from media-skills events in London, including with pick-up points in bars, cafes programmes past to review the daily recommendations from the and box offices at all the key festival Festival. ThisWeek team, and the Caro venues. This preview edition is also Meets interviews with some of our delivered direct to homes all over THREEWEEKS WEEKLY EDITION: favourite performers, producers and central Edinburgh. The ThreeWeeks Weekly Edition is directors. ThisWeek London also our flagship publication, published benefits from ThreeWeeks’ eighteen EIGHTEEN YEARS EXPERIENCE: weekly during August and packed years covering the Edinburgh The ThreeWeeks editors have been with reviews, interviews and Festival, tipping Fringe favourites covering the Edinburgh Festival for exclusive columns. You can pick up old and new (and brand new) as over eighteen years, and provide your free copy of ThreeWeeks from they appear in London. Check us their expertise and continued all the key venues at the Edinburgh out at ThisWeekLondon.com, or passion for the world’s greatest Festival and numerous other places sign up for the weekly bulletin at cultural extravaganza each August, across the city as well. ThisWeekLondon.com/signup. interviewing performers, directors

CREDITS & INFO> more commercial productions wants to be part of that debate now so dominant within the – in a society that increasingly Edward Stone Tel: 0131 516 8842 Festival at large – Calvert hopes sees value in being a customer Editors & Publishers: Design Support: Chris Cooke and Caro Moses that his company’s expansion rather than a provider or an Founders: Chris Cooke, Geraint Preston, ThreeWeeks is a member of here is part of a revitalisation of enabler”. Commissioning Editor: Caro Moses Alex Thomson the Festival Media Network a special element of Edinburgh’s He concludes: “I’m not saying www.festivalmedianetwork.com Fringe. that we’re waving some magical Production & News Editor: Chris Cooke All ThreeWeeks content is “I think you could say that the cultural wand and the world © UnLimited Publishing 2014. GET IN TOUCH! Fringe is moving away from its will become changed by our Picture Editor: Kat Gollock Editorial contact: [email protected] cultural roots and that needs ‘artistic interventions’, I say that Printed by Mortons Print Limited Podcast Editor: Tom Bragg Advertising contact: [email protected] to be readdressed”, he says. with irony, but offering people News desk: [email protected] “Venues such as Summerhall, the opportunity to engage or Distribution by Door To Door Delivery Sub Editor: Gemma Scott Complaints: [email protected] Forest Fringe and ourselves are see the world in a different way Published by TW Publishing, www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk putting together programmes and be entertained during that Commercial Manager: Sam Taylor www.facebook.com/ThreeWeeks of work that are driven by the experience is a valid and much a division of UnLimited Media www.twitter.com/ThreeWeeks exploration of culture and art, needed counterpoint to the Accounts & Admin Manager: Jason Rust www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk www.twitter.com/twittique for an audience that needs and other offers across the Fringe”. 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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