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the boy with tape On his face

Bryony Kimmings

Edinburgh’s Eastenders: EastEnd Cabaret

THE MAGNETS

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Reaching out with a new identity: Just Festival Contents

Edinburgh International Centre For talks amongst its programme, the ThreeWeeks 2013 wk1 World Spiritualities and Creative Just Festival is like a mini-Fringe in Space, we now have over 70 different itself. With such an eclectic line-up, START POINT organisations involved across the Newbigging is predictably hesitant to project”. pick out highlights. But pushed she Caro writes… 04 Billed as “an annual celebration of says: “We’re definitely excited about Letter To Edinburgh 04 culture, faith, philosophy and ideas”, the play ‘Tejas Verdes’, marking 40 religion is obviously a theme running years since the Chilean coup d’etat, A poem from Luke 04 through this particular outpost of our series of award-winning European Edinburgh’s festival month, though it films showing at The Filmhouse, and INTERVIEWS has never been just for the religious. a concert of Japanese folk music near “Our focus is on diversity” says the start”. It’s Dark Outside Q&A 06 Newbigging, “and that, of course, “I must also mention Soweto The Grandees Q&A 06 includes all of the different faith Melodic Voices” she adds, “Africa’s groups, and non-faith people, and of national choir champions, personally Oh My Irma Q&A 06 all ages too. We want to see as many backed by Archbishop Desmond people as possible getting involved Tutu. This choir of 40 young people, with our events this year”. many of whom are orphaned or from COMEDY The new name is part of that severely disadvantaged backgrounds, The Dead Secrets 08 mission to reach out as widely as fundraises for children who are Column possible. “We wanted to take the abandoned, abused, disabled or HIV Edinburgh’s Festival Of Spirituality & Peace, which has been festival to a wider audience, including positive”. Comedy Reviews 08 slowly growing during the city’s festival month for over a decade those without a faith background who Soweto Melodic Voices, two The Boy With Tape On 10 now, has a new name for 2013. And organisers hope that, as the are interested in social justice issues of whom are pictured left, are His Face Q&A Just Festival, their eclectic programme of performances, talks, and world cultures. We also want to performing thrice daily until 23 workshops and film will reach an even wider audience. show that our festival is a modern, Aug, and they even provided a Ben Van Der Velde 11 vibrant one that combines thoughtful snippet of their performance to the Column “This is our thirteenth year” becoming a festival in our own right discussion with joyful celebration and ThreeWeeks podcast team, which you Director Katherine Newbigging told in 2007, to launching the new name is a space for people to have fun and can check out at www.threeweeks. ThreeWeeks, “and not at all unlucky earlier this year. And while originally a make friends”. co.uk/2013SMV. THEATRE for us! We’ve grown each year from partnership between St John’s Church, With theatre, music, dance, Theatre Reviews 12 our small beginnings in 2001, to Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association, spoken word, films, workshops and LINKS: www.justjust.org Bryony Kimmings 13 TW Column

MORE ONLINE> Book Festival kicks off three decade celebration PHYSICAL Check out performances The Edinburgh International the next thirty years, amongst other long time supporter of Edinburgh’s 2Faced Dance Q&A 14 and interviews galore with Book Festival kicks off this issues. Leading thinkers will be invited book festival, who died earlier this weekend, with a programme to consider all those areas, while summer. the ThreeWeeks podcasts, a panel of non-politicians will also Commenting on his programme MUSIC that makes much of the featuring this week: consider what lies ahead in Scotland’s this year, Book Festival Director Nick The Magnets Q&A 16 event’s thirtieth anniversary immediate future, and the key Barley told ThreeWeeks: “This is not French Kiss this year. Though the literary questions to be asked before the big just a birthday, but a celebration of Music Reviews 16 Graveyard Slot programme will spend as independence vote. an extraordinary generation of talent. much time looking ahead Elsewhere in the programme are The explosion of Scottish culture over MUSICALS Superhero Snail Boy strands programmed by Gavin Esler the last 30 years has reverberated at the next three decades to Musicals Reviews 17 John McNamara come, as looking back at its (on our loss of faith in institutions), around the world and our writers, Neil Gaiman (pictured left, on the artists and performers have influenced Künt And The Gang thirty years in business since reshaping of the modern fantasy all aspects of our lives. While we have Simply The Jest launching in 1983. story), Kate Nosse (on re-evaluating prematurely lost one of our greatest CABARET the role of women in the world today) authors just recently, we must also EastEnd Cabaret Q&A 18 Shirley Gnome On that theme, sessions will and Margert Atwood (pictured right, celebrate the next generation of Cabaret Reviews 18 Phone Whore consider what the world might face on genre boundaries, and why the writers who are distilling the world in terms of the environment, the + many more! best works ignore them). Meanwhile around us”. arts, defence and mental health in writer and illustrator Barroux will be LINKS: www.edbookfest.co.uk ART & WORDS www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/podcasts the festival’s illustrator in residence, and other celebrity bookings include Monkey Poet Q&A 20 Andrew Marr, Salmon Rushdie, Liz Art & Words Reviews 20 Lochhead and Roddy Doyle. The festival will also include a celebration of the late great Iain CHILDREN’S SHOWS Banks, one of Scotland and Britain’s Cerrie Burnell Q&A 22 finest writers of recent times, and a Children’s Shows 22 More festival news: www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/news Reviews

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WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 03 TW START POINT We’ll keep you up to date on all the latest Festival news online at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/news Letter to Edinburgh: from Tiernan Douieb

done you’ve cured all your patients, TW COLUMN that means you’ll now only lose your house and your car! Well done!” Regular faces from Festivals Why are the costs of performing at past, but who are not here this the Fringe so high? Well, venue hire CARO WRITES> has gone up to reflect the increased year, send a letter to the Fringe Whoa, are we at the Week One edition licence fees from Edinburgh Council already? It doesn’t seem that long community via the pages of and so you pay a lot to live in a cave since I was thinking about the whole ThreeWeeks. This time, Tiernan for a month with no air and a variety week I had to finish it off. And now Douieb, who enjoyed his year of Victorian diseases. Then take into that week is clearly up, the Festival is off so much last August, he’s consideration all the costs of the Fringe, in full swing, and our reviewers have doing it again this year. And from PR to flyering teams to the cost of been out there en masse for several living, and you realise it’s only people here he explains why… days, sampling all the delights that this with a lot of financial backing that can August in Edinburgh has to offer. feasibly do the Festival. You could do Yes, our hand-selected, crack I love the city of Edinburgh. Its cobbled without some of that I suppose, but team of young journalists have been streets, its seemingly impossible against 2000 shows a day will anyone through their ThreeWeeks training topography that means you’re nearly notice yours? and induction programme, they’ve always going uphill, and its endless There’s the Free Fringe option of come out unscathed the other side, supply of giant baked potatoes. But course, which removes some of the and are now seeing shows as we during August I’ve started to fall out of costs, but you still incur extortionate speak, while putting together the most love with it, and for the last two years accommodation fees from locals who informative and helpful reviews that I’ve actively avoided the Fringe. Last let out their flats knowing full well that they can. There are a great many of year was just a much-needed break; no-one is willing to pay four times the them, and they see an awful lots of after seven years of sketch shows, going London rent like impoverished shows between them. Those reviews, mixed bill shows, kids’ shows and three artists. So increasingly, without a big plus the interviews, columns and podcasts me and my fellow editors solo shows, I felt burnt out at the end agent or promoter, or a venue that put together, combine to provide the of Festival 2011, and knew I needed to operates an alternative system like The most comprehensive guide to this spend at least one year not spending. Stand, Edinburgh has priced out its vast cultural behemoth, all to help you Energy or money. But this year it’s more performers. No, the Fringe was never choose your shows wisely. intentional avoidance. about making money, but it really This edition features a helping of It has become quite clear to me that shouldn’t be about losing it all either. those reviews, and don’t forget we the Fringe really isn’t the be all and Aside from money, it bothers me add to the supply every day with the end all that it was once fabled to be. that Edinburgh is not really a Fringe daily reviews sheet, which you can For a start, being away last year meant any more. Shows have to be rehearsed pick up from more venues than ever my bank account stopped hating me. and previewed within an inch of their So why perform at the Fringe at very small pro against an essay of cons. this year. Though we see far too many It was pleased I wasn’t spending one lives, so they can compete against all? Well there are still some who say Like I said, I love the city of things to be able to publish them all in whole month not only earning nothing, all the others, hoping that a reviewer you could get ‘spotted’. But with acts Edinburgh from September to July. print; so, once you’ve finished reading but also spending thousands and they’ve never heard of before will now able to publish snippets of their But if it’s to lure me back for August all the ThreeWeeks reviews you can thousands to work harder than normal. review it, and give them a few stars to work online so easily, is it really the it needs to change a few things and find on paper, take a look at our huge My show deal in 2011 meant that stick on a flyer. A Fringe shouldn’t be a case? Is a whole month of stress and remember who its Fringe is meant to website at ThreeWeeks.co.uk, sign up even if I had sold all of my tickets, competition. It should be about seeing hard work, and all your savings, better be for. for our email updates and follow our which I didn’t, I’d still have walked away new, experimental, interesting things than using a fraction of that money to Oh and travelators up the hills would @TWittique show recommendations with nearly £5k of debt. It seems a you might not have heard of. Not telly make a well-made sketch on YouTube? be nice too. Just a thought. service on Twitter. Because I wouldn’t ridiculous system that a festival which stars whose tickets cost so much their Which means, for me, the only reason want you to miss a thing. Tiernan Douieb is not on in Edinburgh this relies on people to perform thanks said audiences can only afford to see one left for performing at the Fringe is the year. He is, however, on at the Pheonix Fringe Talking of the features, which I was, people by ensuring they tiptoe towards show. Or acts whose only stand-out thrill of making a one hour show, and in London on Friday (9 Aug). briefly, there’s loads of them in this bankruptcy. There are no other areas thing is whether or not their coiffured performing it for a month to interested edition. To begin with, we have some of work that reward you for dedication face takes up all of their show poster or LINKS: www.tiernandouieb.co.uk great guest columns from some of and intelligent audiences. And that’s and hard work in such a way. “Well not quite. something I really do miss. But that’s a our favourite Fringe performers. We TW hear from comedy newcomers The Dead Secrets about their Edinburgh, er, secrets; from comedian Ben Van Der Velde about his mission to extend A poem from Luke the life of the handwritten letter; and from Briony Kimmings, whose show this year documents her attempt Fringe favourite Luke Wright entertains They’ll dole you out a witty rubbishing: You have to go on courses, pay your dues! to be a ‘Credible Likeable Superstar you, the ThreeWeeks reader, with a Get back where you belong – self-publishing! You have to polish Sean O’Brien’s shoes! Rolemodel’. weekly poem for Festival 2013. Enjoy the I right the wrongs of writing gone arthritic Just like I did. You have to play the game by those who seem to lack an inner critic before the great and good will learn your name Elsewhere, in the land of Q&As, first one here, then catch Luke’s show we have spoken to Cbeebies star but always save the tersest of my scorn and if they never do - well, that’s just tough. Cerrie Burnell, spoken word supremo ‘Essex Lion’ at Assembly George Square. for harlequins who stand up in pubs and perform! It took those cliquey snobs quite long enough Monkey Poet, a cappella giants The to notice me, I’m still not in their club. Magnets, one of our favourite dance At 4.48am Sentinel_poet wrote: Those egotists! I tell my Twitterati, Each year a list is published and each year a snub! companies 2Faced Dance, ‘Oh My I type in fevered silence in the night, who said these half-wit boobies could be arty! Irma’ star Haley McGee, super comedy defending fragile poesy from this blight Can no-one see the subtle Esperanto troupe The Grandees, the folks behind of ballad rap and mawkish sentiment, contained within the twenty-thousand cantos past Fringe hit ‘Alvin Sputnik’ who are the brackish sludge and reeking sediment I’ve published (free of charge!) upon my blog? back with a new show, and, of course, of media-friendly, level-entry dross, Our noble art is headed for the dogs! our brilliant cover stars EastEnd stercoral whimsy, gauchely caked in gloss, A duel attack: by rhyming stand-up comics Cabaret. Oh, and we also have a rather accessible and clumsy rhyming faeces who wouldn’t know a haiku from a sonnet; special interview with The Boy With at this I aim my pixelated theses. and tasteless masons backed by fawning hoards The Tape On His Face. Beware blithe poetasters, for I slog who cook the books and fix all the awards. Also, don’t forget to read this week’s each night to slay your curdled claptrap on my blog. And I, bereft of laughter and of prizes, cartoon from Joe Bor, and, right on must fight them all each night, until the sun rises. this page here, the first of our Festival Indeed on any page where doggerel lingers ‘Luke Wright: Essex Lion’ is on at Assembly George Square poems from Luke Wright. no CAPCHA code is too nimble for my fingers. until 26 Aug (not 13) at 6.00pm. Goodness me, there’s so much to These noble pinkies wield enormous power: Photo: Rich Dyson read, isn’t there? Quick, get on with it! look on them bunkum bards and duly cower. LINKS: www.lukewright.co.uk

TW PAGE 04 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE INTERVIEWS Want to know about hot shows first? Get mini-reviews via Twitter by following www.twitter.com/twittique

WEEK ONE WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK PAGE 5 INTERVIEWS For updates on the latest ThreeWeeks interviews as they go live online Follow ThreeWeeks on Twitter @threeweeks or on Facebook at facebook.com/threeweeks

together thematically and visually, so The Grandees entertained the we’re always asking ourselves – even ThreeWeeks team for three during each season – how we can consecutive Fringes, but change or add or subtract parts of the show to make all of the elements fit then they went away for a few better together. years. But they are back. So we spoke to one third of the TW: Your company first came to our group, Marny Godden, to find attention at the 2011 Fringe with out more… your award winning production ‘The Adventures Of Alvin Sputnik: TW: Let’s start at the start, how did Deep Sea Explorer’, which gained you guys come to form The Grandees a 5/5 score from our reviewer. originally? What happened to that show after MG: Tom [Turner] and I met at drama Edinburgh? school. We quickly became friends. Tim: We continued to tour extensively Though, actually, as I remember it, the around the UK and the world. So now first thing Tom said to me was “shut up we’ve done the show over 350 times, you little bint”. He thought he’d seen including shows in Edinburgh, Japan, Robert De Niro in the street and came New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, in boasting about it. I asked him if he South Korea, Denmark, Ireland, had a beard, because I knew De Niro across the USA and Australia. We’re was filming something which required continually surprised by the amount one, and Tom said no, so I said “well of success the show seems to keep it couldn’t have been him”, and so generating. I’m constantly pinching Tom responded thus. But, despite the myself when we’re walking around bad start, we shared the same love the streets of Ecuador or seeing the of the ridiculous, and quickly started posters down the Royal Mile. making each other laugh in between lessons. We used to pretend to fall It’s become so popular we’ve trained down the stairs, he’d stamp his feet up new performers so we can tour while I mimicked the noise of a dreadful ‘Alvin’ while we work on new shows, scream of someone falling to their and funnily enough this month will be death. Needless to say, we sometimes the first time ‘Alvin’ is on in two places got into trouble. After we left drama at once. I will be performing a number school we started to film stuff for fun Photo: Kat Gollock Kat Photo: of dates here in Edinburgh, but it and then, in 2008, I was jogging in also will be performed in Japan and Greenwich, where we both live, and I Melbourne during the month. We can’t suddenly thought Tom and I should wait to do it again in Edinburgh, it was write a show and take it to the Fringe. I From Alvin Sputnik to ‘It’s Dark Outside’ still one of my favourite seasons when ran into his bedroom and told him and we were here in 2011. he said yes. From the team that brought I wouldn’t say that we ‘tackle’ the moments that we like and then we TW: What made you decide to bring you the highly acclaimed 2011 themes as much as we visually string them together into a narrative; the new show to Edinburgh? Fringe venture that was ‘The explore the idea of an old man losing which usually involves hours of In a compelling programme parts of himself. tearing our hair out! Arielle: We love Edinburgh, especially of one-person plays showing Adventures Of Alvin Sputnik: Tim’s mum once made a comment at Fringe time. There is a great Deep Sea Explorer’ comes new about her father - who didn’t have TW: You use puppetry, masks, atmosphere, and it’s so inspiring being at the Hill Street Theatre show ‘It’s Dark Outside’. With dementia but was completely animation and live performance. able to see so many shows. It’s also this Festival, Haley McGee’s the new production already physically incapacitated - that How easy is it to meld all that great to be able to present our show self-penned, self-performed receiving yards of acclaim because he was bedridden, he had together into a successful whole? in front of a UK audience in such a piece ‘Oh My Irma’ is a stand wonderful environment. We are very absolutely nothing to do but retreat Chris: That’s a tough one. Sometimes out. “A woman, a man, a dog, and an award nomination, we grateful to Underbelly for bringing us spoke to the brains behind it: into his imagination and memories, it’s quite easy and other times it’s and a murder. Yes, I did it! and that was far more of an exciting really very hard. A great linking tool over again! Arielle Gray, Chris Isaacs and and stimulating life than reality. I has been the original score by Rachael But it wasn’t my fault” reads Tim Watts. would say that is how we are tackling Dease. It helped heaps in piecing TW: Other than performing, what the strapline. We spoke to the themes of dementia and ageing, together the many random scenes we else will you do whilst you are in the Haley about the piece, its TW: So, we’re hearing good things we are treating it as a grand visual had come up with initially. Scottish capital? development, and its arrival in about the new show ‘It’s Dark adventure into an old man’s mind, When we’re devising a piece we try Arielle: I am also performing in Edinburgh. Outside’. What’s it about? memories and experiences. I think - to be strict on ourselves in making another show (which I helped to Chris: It’s the story of an elderly man’s create) called ‘Minnie & Mona Play and hope - that being able to go on images and visual motifs which TW: ‘Oh My Irma’ sounds interestingly adventure into the wild. Running from Dead’ which is on at Underbelly Bristo that journey with the old man is a carry through the show, and in a way twisted – can you tell us a little about a dark figure which pursues him, he Square at 2pm every day, so I will be cathartic experience for the audience. these motifs help link those elements it? attempts to hold onto the things he pretty busy. I am hoping to get up to together. Other times we really like HM: Haha! I never set out to write a treasures most. It’s a story of loss and Arthur’s Seat at some point though, TW: How do you create your shows? something standalone and want it to play that would tread the absurd and gain, a modern western adventure, and of course to see as many shows Do you go through a devising go in, so we find a way to connect it to bloody terrain ‘Oh My Irma’ does; it just and one man’s struggle to keep his as possible! process, or do you sit down and the other stuff we’ve devised. happened. In the play, the protagonist world and his mind together. Tim: Yes, try and see lots and lots write? Because we devised this show in finds herself before an audience, she’s of shows. Same as Arielle, walk up Arielle: Our show is 100% devised, a few stages, there was a lot of time covered in bruises, scratches and TW: The show tackles ageing and Arthur’s Seat again if we have the we work completely collaboratively. in between to let ideas and images blood. She has just fled the scene of a dementia. Is it hard to deal with such chance, and I’m hoping to scout some To be honest we don’t have a written settle, to lose great scenes, to lose crime she committed but which she sensitive themes? What do you think venues for our future shows; we have record of the show - we have it on entire storylines and gain others. swears adamantly wasn’t her fault. The you can achieve by broaching them a very large scale interactive and film and in our minds though. It’s a It’s all a part of the trial and error play is her defence. Moving back and in this way? ambitious show we’d love to bring completely non-verbal show and is process we have. So sometimes great forwards in time, our protagonist Arielle: My grandma had dementia, here, but that will take lots of logistical quite visual so there isn’t really a need ideas get left behind because they cajoles the audience determined to and Tim’s grandparents as well. We organising and a really perfect venue. to sit down and write. When we devise physically or visually just don’t fit the get them onside, before she confesses have observed the way it affects we start with a central image - for palette of the show, and other times what exactly she’s done. people and their families. Performing ‘It’s Dark Outside’ it was an old man they’re so good, or we are so inspired She describes, explains and the show has made us realise just Read more answers from the ‘It’s Dark walking into the wild at sunset - then by them, they manipulate or expand embodies the wild, strange, absurd how many people have had a family Outside’ team at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2013IDO we put together a bunch of toys and the palette and force their way in. and harrowing events that lead her member or friend with dementia costumes and materials, and then It’s important to us that things in the ‘It’s Dark Outside’ is on at Underbelly Bristo to commit this crime. When her own in some form or another. Though we play. We create images, scenes, show exist in the same world and link Square until 26 Aug (not 13). words run out she bursts into beat poetry, tries to improvise a dance and TW

TW PAGE 06 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE INTERVIEWS Show recommendations throughout the Festival Hear about all the top rated shows via www.twitter.com/twittique It’s a Grandee Fringe return TW: You performed at three Fringes adventures and take you with us all in MG: This show is three short comedy in a run between 2008 and 2010 the name of love and fun. plays taking you on an adventure into – how did the shows develop from magical places and totally stupid and festival to festival? TW: What the devil have you been silly scenarios. It’s even bigger, crazier MG: In 2008 we came up for the first doing since we last saw you at and brighter than our last. We love this time as The Grandees with a comedy Festival 2010? show and we’re really proud of it so play called ‘The Box Of Cricks’. It was MG: [Third member] Andy [Mundie] far. The great thing about being here a magical, crazy journey following went off to train at drama school, for the month is that it will grow and a deaf kid called Nicodemous on Tom’s been doing various TV jobs, expand even more, using the warmth a quest he’d been sent on by his including an ITV sitcom coming out in of the audience as a guide. This show granny Juliana. The baddies were ‘The September called ‘Pat And Cabbage’. involves a one-eyed man called Grandees’, three inter-dimensional And I’ve been involved in various Clobber Guts, and a little boy who goons wearing orange robes and comedy collaborations, writing for looks like Super Mario, and a giant green belts. We got a great response, Short Cuts, which is a short play lizard, and that’s only a small part of so the following year we came up with festival based in London, and was it, so you get the idea. Full of surprises another narrative show called ‘The here in Edinburgh last year with Tom and playfulness. Grandee Way’. Then the year after Cottle’s ‘These Twisted Folk’. I also had we did a sketch show. But we found the great honor to do a bit of clown TW: Your blurb promises “hidden out that our strengths lie in narrative training with Phil Burgers (Dr Brown). dance talents”. What can we expect? character comedy, and so now we Will you be back with a full on dance- focus on that. TW: So what brings you back for based show next Festival? Fringe 2013? MG: No. But we do love to dance, in TW: What did you prefer about the MG: We all read the signs. It felt like a our own peculiar way that is. Andy comedy play format, rather than the great time to reform and get our stuff fully commits and wows the crowd more conventional sketch show? out there again, and so far it’s been like a pro. I like to pretend to be Kate MG: With a longer narrative, you can amazing. We now have a wonderful Bush. Tom can’t dance. He just does take the audience on a journey and agent, Hollie Ebdon, and we can’t stop shoulder movements. It’s strange. go anywhere. Their imaginations smiling. It sure is a pleasure to work Considering he’s an amazing stage explode around the characters and with each other again and performing actor. He’s kind of happy clappy, in a story we co-create with the audience, feels so good. We even have an way like a weirdo priest. which brings even more intense highs, amazing tech called Max Valentin and can sometimes be very moving. Wolf. Team Grandee hoooo! Read more answers from The Grandees at With sketch, we found we weren’t as ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2013TG passionate, because it’s not about that TW: Tell us about this year’s show magical journey so much, rather it’s ‘The Wrong Side Of The Door’, how The Grandees appear in ‘The Wrong Side Of more about clever ideas. We’re just does it compare from what we’ve The Door’ at Underbelly Cowgate until 25 Photo: Rich Dyson idiot big kids really, who want to go on seen before? Aug (not 24) at 10.30pm. TW Oh my, wild and absurd on the solo Fringe

performs a tiny puppet show — all relationship with Irma was born. I in her plays. I was overwhelmed. I in the name of absolving herself. wrote a monologue about a young decided I’d try to tell ONE story from It’s basically a play about someone woman obsessed with laundry who ONE point of view. So, in ‘Oh My Irma’ who does a very extreme thing in an discovers a clothesline with white there is only one character in the attempt to eradicate her loneliness. clothes stained pink with blood; the play. As the actor I never transform clothesline belonged to Irma. And completely into other beings. The TW: How did you come up with the then I just couldn’t stop writing until I character does impersonate all the idea for the show? knew the whole story. other people she mentions, and HM: I was part of a writing collective she uses these impersonations to in 2008 and we were given an TW: Why did you choose to make it a comment on them, but it’s very clearly assignment to write two pieces: monologue? her account of what happened and a truth and a lie. In one of those HM: I was a young playwright who it’s up to the audience to decide how pieces my central character and her kept ending up with nine characters accurate she’s being.

TW: What is it like to perform solo? Do you enjoy it? Did you work with a director on the piece? HM: I love performing solo, because the contract with the audience is so clear. I never for an instant have to deny their presence (as I sometimes feel in other shows where the fourth wall is up) and their presence is essential to the performance, that is to say, it could not happen without them. I worked with director Alisa Palmer. She is a wonderful director, really intuitive and sensitive and always asking me questions.

Read more answers from Hayley at ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2013HM

‘Oh My Irma’ is on at the Hill Street Theatre until 25 Aug (not 13) at 6.45pm. Photo: Tom Bateman TW

WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 07 TW COMEDY For a whole host of great guest columns from Fringe performers… Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/columns

strongest when presenting TW REVIEWS fast-paced word play, which ensured a number of very The Lost Letters Of funny scenarios. Their take on Cathy G (Paul Harry a ‘sketch palindrome’ was a particular highlight, although it Allen/Free Festival) was balanced out by a number Letter writing is the old timey of rather mediocre slapstick way of sharing Facebook and mime sections. Conversely, statuses from over the some sketches which relied course of a week to ten on pop culture seemed a little days, comedian Paul Harry dated, although certainly still Allen explains, as he uses accessible. The ‘Frimston and letters to bring his audience Rowett’ partnership was well- on a trip through the 1960s crafted and likeable, however, in this charmingly funny and there was certainly show. By riffling through the enough material here to create correspondences of one Cathy an enjoyable 50 minutes. G during her formative years, Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, until 25 which he happened upon in Aug, 1.00pm. a junk shop, he entices the tw rating 3/5 | [Jonathan Mayo] audience to join him in his obsession with the lives of Austerity Pleasures strangers. Innocently sweet and very funny, Allen manages (Funny For No Money to enthrall his audience in the Presents… ‘85 ‘85 ‘85 summer loves of this girl and ‘85 ) the characters that she comes With a political pun as its title, Top five (maybe six) Edinburgh secrets across, to give a nostalgic and you get what you expect with engaging look at our histories. ‘Austerity Pleasures’. Ben 2. Secret History Of Edinburgh for us someone invented the internet. Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, Morgan, with his colloquial TW COLUMN How much do you know about the Just search for “I know this great little until 24 Aug (not 4, 11, 18), 2.30pm. patter and laid-back attitude history of this city then? The terrible place in Edinburgh” in Facebook and let tw rating 4/5 | [Alice Harrold] toward mistakes, quickly Comedy sketch troupe The myths and legends that surround Mary the knowledge set you free. And don’t had the audience on his side. Dead Secrets are in Edinburgh King’s Close, for example, or the bloody blame me if you can’t get a coffee in your Adam Hess And David Mixing highbrow political history of David’s Tower at the Castle, or favourite cafe any more because it’s full of right now performing their Elms (Pay What You issues with sillier topics the dreadful deeds of Burke and Hare? people who got there via Facebook - it’s Want) and clever wordplay made latest show ‘Bulletproof Jest’. That’s probably all a bit bloodthirsty and good for the economy! his material enjoyable and As a group they are new to this negative, isn’t it? So to balance it out The named comedians accessible for everyone Edinburgh Fringe lark, but at there’s always that legend of the loyal 5. Edinburgh Fringe Secrets took half an hour each to (except, perhaps, the least one of the team’s members and cute dog Greyfriars Bobby, if you like This isn’t strictly a secret either (I’m perform individual stand up Americans in the room). Alex (let’s call him Phillip for the sake that sort of thing. Plus there are about a doing my best here) but the good sets, and the difference in Chapman, meanwhile, offered style and quality of the two of argument) does have some million-and-one other wonderful facts, people of the Fringe Society work damn up his material with a deadpan figures and stories to seek out in this city. hard supporting the shows that come was striking. Kicking off the delivery and a more serious insider knowledge on both So if you can spare a few minutes from to Edinburgh and all the thousands of performance, David Elms take on political affairs; it was Edinburgh and the Festival. So your packed schedule, why not allow Fringe-goers buying tickets and asking seemed to lack material and such a contrast from Morgan’s here he is with The Dead Secrets’ yourself to be an Edinburgh tourist for an every conceivable question under the provided a rather lacklustre affable disposition and fast- Top Five Edinburgh Secrets. afternoon? sun, like “is the play really in Esperanto?”. performance. Short musical paced routine, that it mellowed And they coordinate the 2 for 1 offers accompaniments played on the performance’s energy. 3. Secret Places In Edinburgh and oversee the street performances the acoustic guitar were limp, Chapman’s dry humour was 1. Secret Fringe and the vaguely humorous (And Its Environs) and make great t-shirts you can buy. appealing but didn’t quite work The first major problem for any Fringe lyrics often fell flat. Saving the Again, this foolishly assumes that you’ll Plus there’s all those workshops and because of the antithetical performer with new material is “What the show somewhat, Adam Hess have an hour or two to spare (“Come suchlike at Fringe Central - if you have styles of the two stand- hell do we call our show?” So you tear took a different approach and on, Phil” I hear you say, “it’s the Fringe! already used up the ‘Seven Secrets Of ups. Despite this, ‘Austerity your hair out thinking of a brilliant name didn’t really attempt to engage I’ve only got five minutes to get to that The Working Actor’ check out the full Pleasures’ is definitely worth that no-one is likely to have come up with the audience much. Instead, Esperanto version of ‘Cat On A Hot programme of events for performers. You seeing. before. Then you Google it, swear, and he expended slightly more Tin Roof’* on the other side of town, knew about all them right? If not, well Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake, start to think of another one... energy recounting various dammit”) but it’s worth remembering that that’s another secret out of the bag. until 24 Aug (not 4, 11, 18), 1.15pm. Whatever name you have, there’ll be bizarre experiences, involving Edinburgh is really, really beautiful. tw rating 4/5 | [Victoria Beardwood] others using similar words. I must confess ex-girlfriends and scotch eggs. Yeah, that’s no secret really, but 6. Secrets of... The Dead Secrets... that I checked edfringe.com for groups Whilst it may be fair to say that when during the Fringe do you stop What do you mean I can’t have a Top and shows that have the word “secret” the quiet audience prevented Barry Castagnola: The for a few minutes to just stand still and Six? But I was going to tell you that my in them - purely out of curiosity, you the pair from really shining, Donny Donkins ‘As look around you? Take a sec to admire group The Dead Secrets is named after a understand - and discovered eight secret there was little here for them to (Hopefully Soon To Be) the architecture, check out the secret novel by Wilkie Collins, and that we have listings other than The Dead Secrets. My get animated about. Seen On TV’ Show (Barry top picks from this small but perfectly Royal Mile gardens, or if you’re feeling a rocket scientist among our ranks, and Heroes @ The Hive, until 25 Aug, formed group include theatre O & Young adventurous, wander down to the Waters that our sketch show ‘Bulletproof Jest’ is Castagnola) 6.00pm. Vic’s production of ‘The Secret Agent’ Of Leith for a pleasant river stroll, climb really funny because of the emergency Toeing the line of what’s in at the Traverse and Amnesty’s Secret Arthur’s Seat, or even leave the city for an vicars and the unpleasant bear and don’t tw rating 2/5 | [Jonathan Mayo] good taste, then dancing over

Comedy Podcast, with a different line-up afternoon and head out to Gullane beach even get me started on the terrifying it and vomiting on it, ‘The of top comedians for each show. for some sand and sea air. I could go on Space Geese... oh, well, if I can’t tell you Frimston and Rowett: Donny Donkins Show’ is an Plus there is the ‘Seven Secrets Of all day, but I need a coffee. about all that then you’ll have to come A Sketch Show anarchical spoof TV format and see the show, won’t you? The Working Actor’ workshop (7 Aug) Frimston and Rowett with myriad games and guests. given by members of the New York 4. Local Secrets presented a selection of smart Expect audience participation, *And yes, I did make that show up, but I’m Conservatory For Dramatic Arts. It’s just I haven’t lived in Edinburgh since my sketches that worked well slapstick at varying levels of sure someone will put it on next year... one of a diverse range of workshops run student days, which was *cough* years as a whole, and recurring ability and a whole host of Enjoy your Fringe! during the Fringe that are simultaneously ago, so I was a bit concerned that it themes ensured that the set welcome and unwelcome hugely popular, yet not widely known would take me a while to seek out a really was tight and well paced. A surprises. The format was about. It’s well worth delving into that decent cup of coffee, or a half decent bar, clever reinterpretation of all effective, well constructed and section of the Fringe programme and you know, those special kinds of places ‘Bulletproof Jest’ by The Dead Secrets is on at worked well, but would not theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall from 5-17 Aug (not 11) their sketches towards the end attending a workshop; who knows what that only local residents know about, worked especially well, while be everyone’s cup of tea. That secret knowledge you might learn? off the beaten path. But fortunately LINKS: www.thedeadsecrets.com the pair definitely seemed said, the show was not without its charm and the combination

TW PAGE 08 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE COMEDY For hundreds of comedy show reviews plus news and interviews from the comedy Fringe Point your browser at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/comedy of games, sketches, videos and comedian creates a confident, genuinely lives life that way. A Pile Of Wit (Antics Chris Stokes Tells It Christian O’Connell: This various absurd props gives the light-hearted lunchtime show. Just The Tonic at The Tron, until 25 Comedy Improv Troupe) Like It Possibly Could Is 13 (Bound & Gagged) show an unpredictable and If you’re hungry for a bit of Aug (not 13) 7.40pm. If it’s a pile of something, it’s Potentially Might Be (Lee From studio to stand-up: unruly atmosphere. Bawdy and Irishness, this will give you tw rating 3/5 [Patricia-Ann Young] certainly not wit. Whilst the Absolute Radio DJ Christian wild, Donny Donkins performs something to nibble on. Martin for Gag Reflex) show’s title clearly identified O’Connell tries his hand at with a good helping of cheesy When watching Chris Stokes’ Laughing Horse @ The Counting David Mills: The Gospel the key ingredient to a comedy. His show had potential, gimmicks, naff TV-style links and House, until 25 Aug, 1.15pm. latest show at the Fringe Truth (Pay What You successful improv performance, you could be excused for orientating around a wish list even a song or two. tw rating 3/5 | [Natasha Gartside] Want / David Mills) these energetic entertainers comparing the experience written when he was thirteen Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 25 Aug unfortunately lacked the of things to accomplish by the (not 12), 2.00pm. David Mills engages the to what it might be like to be Bobby Mair – Obviously sharpness necessary for a therapist. Throughout the age of forty. The jokes involved tw rating 3/5 | [Elizabeth Jewell] Adopted (Phil McIntyre audience from the off with his such a production. They were crude, and whilst inviting conversational yet energetic show the audience is subjected Entertainments by seemed to acknowledge their some laughter they often lacked style. At times you could be to constant and not-quite- Cookstown Sizzling Arrangement with shortcomings nonetheless, funny self-deprecation, which depth and a more experienced excused for thinking you considering the simplicity of delivery. Sadly the show felt Comedy Club Presents John Noel) were having drinks and a long creates a feeling of sympathy the themes that they chose rather than amusement. This exclusively aimed at an older The Irishtocrats Of Charming in his own special, overdue catch up with your to improvise with in the first is a great shame, as the set audience and Subbuteo, Kelly Comedy (Cookstown bizarre way, anyone who flamboyant best friend. His place. The show suffered from becomes enjoyable on the LeBrock and Razzle magazine Sizzling Comedy Club) identifies as self-deprecating American enthusiasm blends a flat start, as subjects were occasions when Stokes gets off were, to name a few, references has to see Mair’s show to perfectly with his dry London The Irishtocrats bring you an taken from the crowd in an the tiresome subject of himself, that were left unappreciated. see how it’s really done. With wit to create something a hour of, well, just what you administrative fashion and from and instead imparts some To his credit, connecting with material that would normally little bit different, while the might expect: Irish comedy. In a there on in a lack of structure anecdotes. Sadly, these stories members of the audience make your toes curl with second small and intimate nature of cosy attic atmosphere, a posse plagued their efforts. The group are rushed through and made who had grown up during the hand embarrassment, Mair’s the show allowed for Mills to of friends offer a taste of their of performers did give it their secondary to Stokes’ personal 1980’s seemed effortless, but flippant demeanour instead bounce off audience reactions own shows, chock-full of the all, maintaining good energy problems which do not seem to achieve stand-up success leaves the audience cheerfully and involve them without woes their lives have entailed. in the room, but this wasn’t to add much to the show. Buy O’Connell must surely broaden chuckling on his behalf. While being intimidating. At times the Comic musings on a variety enough to mask their frailties. a ticket fast if you would like to his material to bridge the Mair does certainly have some material was near-the-knuckle of topics such as relationship C Aquila, until 10 August, 5.45pm. see more drama in a stand up generational gap, or else risk solid jokes in his routine, there and maybe not the most troubles and defenestration comic’s routine. alienating the audience. is a serious need to cull some of comfortable experience; if you tw rating 2/5 | [Robert McGowan (don’t look it up, Jake Bourke’s Underbelly Bristo Square, until 20 have a penchant for political Stuart] Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug, a much better dictionary) are the weaker gags, which more Aug, 8.40pm. often than not flattened the correctness enter at your peril. 7.00pm. tw rating 2/5 | [Rory Morgan] delivered in that waggish, tw rating 2/5 | [Ankur Anil Shah] self-deprecating style. Steve momentum that he had built for However I am not as easily Bennett is a finale highlight with himself. Still, he managed to not offended, and jokes about inter- a couple of ‘autobiographical’ fall into the common comedic species relationships weren’t songs, made merry with bouncy trap of resting on shock completely lost on me! ukulele strumming. Some of comedy for shock comedy’s Heroes @ The Hive, until 25 Aug (not the cruder threads are fairly sake, pulling it off with aplomb 14), 5.30pm. bland but on the whole each because, frighteningly, I think he tw rating 3/5 | [Alix White]

Diane Spencer: Hurricane Diane (difunny.com) Frequently filthy, constantly hilarious. Diane invites the audience onto her roof (the only prop used, complete with chimney) for a whirlwind hour of anecdotal comedy. She is a highly skilled comic, with great stage presence and a naturalistic conversational style that draws you in to relive the highs and lows (mostly the lows) of her life so far. Several jokes, especially those describing her brush with feminine illnesses, drew gasps as well as groans. The structure is chronological, moving from childhood problems to the joys of a new relationship. This gives it an upbeat feel, providing hope to the clumsiest of singletons. Her wacky and irreverent storytelling will charm, shock and uplift you. Not for the fainthearted, but also not to be missed. Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 25 Aug (not 13), 5.45pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Isobel Steer] 5/5

WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 09 TW COMEDY Want to know about hot shows first? Get show recommendations throughout the day via Twitter @twittique

A photo interview with The Boy With Tape On His Face

Having wowed the crowds and picked up the Panel Prize from the Edinburgh Comedy Awards last August, The Boy With Tape On His Face brings back his show ‘More Tape’ to the Pleasance Courtyard this year, each night (except 12, 13 Aug) at 9.40pm. We took the opportunity to throw some questions in his general direction, each of which he answered with, well, tape on his face… Photos by Kat Gollock

You’re back for another year at the Fringe, It’s a twenty night run – how do you What was it like winning the Panel Prize at how does that make you feel? expect to feel at the end of that? last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards?

You’re back with the show that won that award – You’re known for the audience participation in your And after a particularly amusing moment? what’s your favourite moment of that show? shows. What expression would you prefer your audience members to adopt on arrival?

How do you feel about Edinburgh audiences? And what about Edinburgh’s legendarily What would you do if we tried to get erratic weather? that tape off your face?

TW PAGE 10 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE COMEDY Fill your iPhone with sketches and songs from the comedy Fringe Check out ThreeWeeks podcasts at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/podcasts

Why I’m saving the handwritten letter

the finest Basildon Bond writing paper a scout back with some basic runes TW COLUMN you can lay your hands on. carved into clay saying “weather Just as you reach the bottom, lovely, Mammoths terrifying, wish you Ben Van Der Velde (who signing your name in a manner were here”, we’ve felt the need to send completely unique to you, one of written messages to each other about was judged by one of our your grandchildren wanders into your everything from what we did on our reviewers last year to be office, only partially focussed on her holidays to letters of congratulation ‘flawless’, incidentally) is surroundings. and condolence or just a monthly concerned that the rise of “What are you doing granddad?” update on what’s happening in our email and social media means she asks. world. To my mind there is no more the end for more traditional “Writing a letter to a friend, eloquent way of expressing yourself means of communication. And sweetheart.” to another human being. “A letter?” she replies, as though Whilst the new generation of it’s that concern that his show you’ve just told her that you’re internet users (which I am part ‘Chain Letter’ is built on. In his fashioning a flint hand axe. “God, you of, despite sounding like an aged column for ThreeWeeks, Ben are soooo Twentieth Century. Why do Luddite here) can let the world tells of his fears, and explains you bother with those things? They’re know its thoughts and feelings in an why he thinks the process of so slow and boring. When you made instant, there is something intimate hand writing a letter still has me send one to Uncle Simon it made and meditative about writing a my hand cramp up. It’s such a waste letter, which digital communication value. of time!” will never be able to match. I have She wanders off, only faintly paying never received any email from It’s the year 2053. You enter your attention to the world around her as a friend or family member that office, and the inbuilt house computer she uses her retinal internet implant didn’t immediately seem like a cold immediately controls the temperature, to give her constant updates on the communique from an HR department. humidity and lighting conditions mood, location, body temperature, Taking time to write a letter shows to hand deliver that letter. By turning of emotionally connected creatures to your exact specifications. The digestion history and listening habits that you really care about a person myself into some sort of messenger sharing our lives with the people we sentient office chair morphs around of her current top twenty friends. as an individual and a companion I would spread the message of the care about in a way that won’t be the contours of your body and a cup This is the communication dystopia in life, rather than just an intriguing importance of keeping the art of letter consigned to a computer’s recycling of precisely made breakfast chai that I’m trying to save the world from algorithm to approve of during your writing alive. And it is an art. From bin within five minutes. Writing letters appears seamlessly from a slot in in my Edinburgh Fringe show this year, daily intake of web information. dashing off quick postcards to ten has served humans well for the past your priceless wooden writing desk ‘Ben Van der Velde’s Chain Letter’. I’m In my show I decided to try and page stream of consciousness epics ten thousand years, let’s make sure with the studded green leather inlay. deeply worried that as the way we spread the message of the importance complete with cartoons and doodles, there will be postmen delivering letters In total contrast to the automated connect with each other becomes of letter-writing by turning myself into handwriting to someone engages on Mars for us in another ten thousand. more of your brain and creativity than comfort of your surroundings you increasingly digital, transient and a human chain letter. I ‘posted’ myself ‘Ben Van Der Velde’s Chain Letter’ is on at pull a pristine Parker pen from its box, ephemeral, we’re losing something to four long lost friends and, when I anything a smartphone or laptop can Underbelly Bristo Square 31 Jul-26 Aug. offer. slowly draw ink into its chamber from deeply important and personal. appeared on their doorstep, asked LINKS: www.benvandervelde.com the glass bottle you’ve pulled out of a Ever since one bold caveman went them to write to someone they hadn’t I want to bring back the art of letter- drawer and begin to make marks on in search of new horizons and sent connected with in years, promising writing so that we can remain a nation TW

WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 11 TW THEATRE Hear Soundcloud clips of shows from the theatre Fringe With the ThreeWeeks podcasts at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/podcasts

life touched by terrible events and I (Honestly) Love You Collected Stories (Langland from his statue, not the renowned TW REVIEWS sustained by hope. (Lockwood Productions) Productions) wartime leader we are more familiar with. This sets up a humorous, Summerhall, until 25 Aug, 8.00pm, ‘Boy meets girl in a coffee shop’ A story about friendship, ambition, affectionate look at Churchill’s life, Out To Lunch (Jack Klaff) tw rating 4/5 | [Dave Fargnoli] just got a big massive kick up the betrayal and fiction as writing student interspersed with facts, anecdotes backside. Lockwood Productions take Lisa Morrison becomes the protégé This riveting one-man show is about and his famous witty remarks. When Soddin’ Flodden (IDEOMS) the tired format and inject a kooky of her hero, short story author as far from the ‘mainstream’ Fringe the moment comes for a more serious twist whereby neither boy nor girl Ruth Steiner. The play follows their of comedians off the telly as you can Storytelling may only be one part performance Utton delivers extremely can tell even the tiniest fib. Cue a changing relationship over a period of get. And I loved it for that. Klaff is a of history, but it’s certainly the most well, creating poignant moments, hilarious, fast-tracked romp through six years as Lisa becomes a successful mesmerising performer, effortlessly enjoyable. This maxim is embodied in particularly during the iconic ‘victory’ excruciating first dates, first sex with author. Despite being billed as an enthralling his audience for over an the latest work by history-buff John speech. The show deftly blends dry very honest feedback and parents award winning show, the script’s Nichol, ably supported by fiddler historical facts with personal details to hearing exactly what they don’t want ending left me feeling dissatisfied. I Lucy Cowan and guitarist Hilary Bell. show a well rounded character, who to hear. After an unstoppable first was unable to feel moved for either Through wit, general silliness and has a rich life that extends far beyond half, the gags slow up and you’re character, as their motivations aren’t acute concision, they relate the events the figure we see in photos or indeed left hankering for more panto-style developed enough and they lacked leading up to the Battle of Flodden statues. in 1513, a key moment in Scottish silliness, though this will probably step depth beyond surface level. This aside, up with bigger, rowdier audiences. A it is an honest, intimate and thought- The Assembly Rooms, until 25 Aug (not 12), historical identity. Adults might 12.00pm. benefit more from this experience playful but astute comment on who provoking piece. It questions how we tw rating 4/5 | [Elspeth Rudd] hour – the time flew by – exploring the than kids: the speedy (but amusingly we are and what we say (and yes, your deal with the success of others and issues around hunger and famine. He self-conscious) character swapping bum does look big in that). the morality of using someone else’s “borrowed” the voices of characters could be a bit too complex for a C Aquila, until 13 Aug, 5.05pm. life events as stimulus for a work of The Suicidal Tendencies from around the globe, and his own younger audience, who might also tw rating 4/5 | [Holly Sharp] fiction. Of Sheep And A Dog Called childhood in South Africa, effortlessly miss references to Sam Cooke, Lou New Town Theatre, until 25 Aug (not 05, 12, The Hoff (Just Like The flitting from persona to persona, all 19), 3.15pm. Rawls and ‘Cabaret’. Nonetheless, a Breaking News (VaVaVoom) Precipitation Theatre the while making tremendous use ripping good yarn that should have tw rating 3/5 | [Anita Magee] Company) of the cavernous space (a hall a few children amused, adults compelled, Could you cope without your daily In this very fine play, Declan and his minutes’ walk from Summerhall and both more knowledgeable. Oh, fix of world news? Through the use Sweater Curse: A Yarn About itself). There are no easy solutions and cake is provided. of multi-media and phenomenal three best friends arrive at the last puppetry, this imaginative piece Love (Elaine Liner) available hostel for the Edinburgh to global famine, and there’s no easy Scottish Storytelling Centre, until 17 Aug (not A very sweet show from Elaine festival. But when the door handle way to sum up this touching, funny, 12), 5.00pm. tw rating 4/5 | [Arjun Sajip] of visual theatre explores the stimulating show. It’s something really consequences of our obsession Liner, about knitting in mythology falls off, they can no longer evade special. with being constantly ‘plugged-in’. and the influence of the dreaded the things they usually avoid The Hat, The Cane, The “sweater curse” on her love life. If discussing. First Declan announces Summerhall, until 25 Aug (not 13, 20), 1.45pm. ‘Breaking News’ tackles questions Moustache (LivelyWood you like knitting and literature (which his engagement to Abby, but another tw rating 5/5 [Andrew Leask] Pictures) coincidentally put this play firmly on friend reveals news that is less cause Ultimately amounting to half walking my ‘must see’ list), this is a perfect for celebration. The combination of The Tin Ring (Human Remain) tour, half live documentary, ‘The Hat, combination. A show whose central humour and sincerity works very well, Sometimes the smallest gestures The Cane, The Moustache’ is simply conflict is the squabbling between as the actors never allow the comic to can be the most profound. Solo not quirky or charming enough to knitters and crocheters is only going trivialise or undermine the tragic. The performer Jane Arnfield lets the capture the spirit of Charlie Chaplin’s to have so much dramatic impact, but cast form a superb ensemble, making story speak for itself in this sparse life and work. This one-man show is it’s a nice way to spend an hour if the sure every silence and response but engaging production, based on almost redeeming in its earnestness, like whether being too overexposed festival is all getting a bit much. Liner is used to full effect. Their acting the memoirs of Holocaust survivor but nothing about it is enchanting to news is detrimental to our is a lovely performer, mothering her is highly convincing: the tensions, Zdenka Fantlova. Excellently and enough to stop the Chaplin quotes own identities. Perhaps at some audience, comforting us with smiles convincingly acted, the text is rich and semi-philosophical musings point it ceases to just inform and and nods and presents. You’ll come with tiny, poignant details which from coming across as platitude actually begins to consume us? out of the show with that feeling you reveal its subject as a warm, fierce after platitude, or the message of the The production does venture into get when you’ve just had a really good and extraordinary woman. Despite show from feeling incredibly cliché. the realm of eeriness at one point, cup of tea. the high emotional pitch, Arnfield’s The actor’s transformation into the but this only serves to make it even Sweet Grassmarket, until 26 Aug, 1.15pm. well-judged performance keeps the beloved 20th Century silent movie more captivating. Puppetry, music, tw rating 3/5 | [Immi Calderwood] play from ever becoming numbing. star’s most memorable and iconic dance, and intricate scenography are She deftly handles shifts in time character- the Little Tramp- is slow combined to brilliant effect, and the Pip Utton: Churchill (Pip Utton frustrations and fondness genuinely and tone and occasionally finds puppeteers’ seamless delivery makes feel like those of a close friendship. and tired. It’s an intimate production, / The Assembly Rooms) surprising humour in recollections but despite that, it ultimately falls a this a true visual treat. An absolute thespace on North Bridge, until Aug 24 (not of the beautiful scenery of Belsen, or bit flat. marvel! Pip Utton’s Churchill is for the most 4, 11,18), 4.05pm. part relaxed, informal and on friendly stolen moments with a lover amidst C too, until 26 Aug, 5.55pm. Summerhall, until 25 Aug (not 12, 19), tw rating 5/5 | [Michael Black] the horrors of a concentration camp. 3.00pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Jessica Cropper] terms with his audience. We see tw rating 2/5 | [Otamere Guobadia] A lucid, understated account of a Churchill first as an old man awakened

TW PAGE 12 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE THEATRE Every August ThreeWeeks chats to numerous performers, directors and writers appearing at the Festival Read them all online at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/interviews

Meet your Fringe role models…

one - invented and managed by my the sexualisation of childhood that had COLUMN nine-year-old niece and played by me. been published in the past 20 years TW Thus far we have been on the BBC’s and raged, ploughed and cried my ‘Woman’s Hour’, invited to Parliament way through them all. Thank you Jean Performance artist Bryony and become friends with Yoko Ono. Kilbourne, Jennifer Seibel Newsom, Kimmings is no stranger to Pretty cool stuff. Jackson Katz and Peggy Orenstein, quirky life-projects to inform But why am I doing it? Well, about a among many. her theatre, though her latest year ago I chatted to some nine year I wrote lists upon lists of things venture is the most ambitious olds in the playground of a school. that I didn’t find fair about the way yet. After a mortifying “what I was asked to be there, I wasn’t childhood had changed over the trespassing. Teaching people of past two decades. The 40,000 do you want to be when tweeny age had become a fascination Disney princess products now on the you grow up” chat with of mine, and I had been asked to make market, the new types of narcissistic Photo: Rich Dyson some primary school kids, a show for kids at ‘Key Stage 2’ (some personality disorders found in young Kimmings recruited her own arts administrator’s bright idea that people, the correlation between museum working, dinosaur loving, The other day a little girl came up tuna pasta eating, bike-riding lady to me in the playground of that Sarf nine-year old niece Taylor probably started as a joke in a meeting violent video games and peer-to- somewhere). I leapt at the chance. peer violent crime, young people’s called Catherine Bennett. Alright, she London school I had worked in, she to help combat a ream of Why not? I thought… I like money… and relationship to sex and love and porn. is a pop star, but she sings songs about was the same age as the girls who wrongs she felt the worlds of I think kids are funny. Though then For example, did you know that when animals, friendship and why kids don’t wanted to be on ‘TOWIE’ when they music, media and marketing I realised that I hadn’t actually seen The Pussycat Dolls pop franchise was like to get out bed sometimes. She has grew up, and I asked her what she were committing against a child for about two years, despite launched, the target age group was 10- curly blonde hair, glasses and likes a wanted to be when she was older. She polo neck. childhood in the modern having five nieces and nephews. Bad 11 year olds. And WHACK I was hooked said she wanted to work in a museum aunty. on the subject. When something I promised my niece Taylor that I with dinosaurs like Catherine Bennett; world. Her Fringe show this So I started going to schools to do gets under my skin I get consumed, I would get Catherine Bennett more my heart nearly broke! Then we year is their story, and as sessions with them on performance get mad, I get even. I conduct social famous than Jessie J, to prove that pretended to be t-rex’s for a good five precursor, here Kimmings art (yes this exists!), and I couldn’t experiments for a living like Dave anything is possible, and that David minutes. If I only affect a handful of shares the beginnings. quite believe how ridiculous and Gorman, but bluer and with more CAN win over Goliath. Idiot. I roped kids with this project I feel like my job amazing they were. I couldn’t fathom dancing. So I knew an experiment was in the help of some pretty major pop has been done, the alternative has to how I had once been that age, how I on its way. people to help me do this, by tugging be offered and out there, hopefully at Hi, my name is Bryony Kimmings. had lost such serious touch with the I wanted to somehow make a show on their ethical heartstrings. Girls some point, the rest of the corporate Performance artist, sex idiot, unruly scattergun brains, constant about these horrible things, but I Alouds’ make up artist, an ‘X Factor’ world will follow suit and make humanoid and general citizen of the perpetual movement and high and didn’t want to run around bonking wig expert, ID magazine stylists and childhood a little fairer and a little less world. I make a living conducting mighty opinions they possessed. people on the nut with my newfound the PR Company that publicise Leona sexualised. But who knows… for that social experiments and making These nine year olds were chatting feminist rage, even if I did have plenty Lewis and Take That. I now spend half to happen we all have to challenge shows about them. Previous work about what they wanted to be when of facts and figures. I wanted to make my waking life as CB - I go to school what we are fed by them, and that is a has seen me retracing the receipt of they were older. One of them simply something that somehow challenged assemblies nearly every day, peddling tough call. an STI back a decade and teaming stated that she wanted to be in… wait what the capitalist world has become my Catherine Bennett’s wares, singing Taylor is up at the Fringe with me up with scientists to drink for a week, for it… ‘The Only Way Is Essex’, when for children by offering an alternative her funny (but extremely catchy and and we are doing our show together; to see if alcohol has any genuine she was older. BOOM. to kids. Not to slag off Rihanna or Katy incredibly pop-py) songs, talking to a silly, wily and creative response effect on creativity. But I am currently Now, I was in Sarf London at the Perry, but to make something very kids about politics, ethics, role models to the journey we have been on undergoing a rather large and time. So not only was this girl showing different, to see if kids would actually and about having fun. together. It has knights, princesses boisterous project with my nine year me that her aspirations were as dark go for it. Something less sexualised CB unlocks something in kids; and a tiny bit of CB, and it’s dark old niece Taylor, gawd bless her, and I as the underside of a toad, she was and commodified. I decided that my a silliness and childishness that I sometimes, but above all hopeful. It’s want to let you know about it. I hope also revealing that she was probably brain was too messed up, ranty and hadn’t seen in ages. She gives them not for kids I should add, though CB some of you might find it a little bit going to fail geography later in life. My importantly OLD to do this, so I asked permission to be kids; instead of is doing some live dates in Edinburgh interesting. heart nearly stopped. I was speechless, my nine-year-old niece Taylor to work demanding they grow up and jump this summer (keep an eye on www. It is called ‘Credible Likeable and that’s unusual for a woman who with me for a year, to create a role on the consumer train. I don’t know catherinebennett.so for those). Check Superstar Role Model’ and it is a chats shit for a living. All the little girls model that she and her friends would how it happens, that is something only out CB and spread her message if you social campaign, theatre show around me nodded and agreed, and like to see in popular media. A creation nine year olds know, I am merely the can. Vive La Fringe, hope to see you and education project, and will be one pretended she had a WAG bag on for nine year olds by a nine year old, conduit for my niece’s imagination, around! a neat documentary in 2014. The her arm and did a ‘sexy’ little walk with bypassing the boardrooms, money fears and dreams. All I know is that entire project seeks to offer an an imaginary dog on a lead. I vommed grabbers and messed-up marketers she seems to make them feel safe ‘Credible Likeable Superstar Rolemodel’ runs until 25 Aug (not 12, 19) at Pleasance alternative pop star for tweens - a into my mouth. Then I went home, completely. and good about themselves. And that Courtyard at 5.45pm. non-commodified, non-sexualised ordered every book in the world on She came up trumps… creating a makes me happy.

WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 13 TW PHYSICAL For loads of dance and physical theatre reviews and features Check out at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/physical

Two faces are better than one

understand each other better and form TW INTERVIEW stronger relationships. TW: How do you describe the type of 2Faced Dance are one of dance you perform? those companies that you TF: We perform a physical and athletic can really rely on to produce language of break and contemporary something a little bit special; dance fusion. Over the years I’ve and they’ve garnered a clutch developed this language so that you of four and five star reviews get a seamless mix of the two styles. from ThreeWeeks during their I especially love the physicality of movement. years at the Fringe to prove it. So we felt it was about time TW: Why does the company only we spoke to company founder include male dancers? Are one-gender Tamsin Fitzgerald about what dance companies a common thing? Photo: Natalia Equihua the company creates, how it TF: The company began as a youth all came together, and their dance group, and I started running more dare devil work for the dancers to TW: Has the Edinburgh Fringe become put you off! It’s all about the ride... it’s relationship with the Fringe. classes for boys in Herefordshire. And do. All in all, I think the show this year part of your calendar now? artistic and entertaining. And the six that basically set the format for the is very different narratively, though it TF: The Edinburgh Fringe is what made male dancers are amazing and very company when it turned professional. still contains six stunning and athletic us as a company and what drives us easy on the eye! Single gender dance companies are male dancers with some physical and forward. We love it here and have a TW: Let’s start at the start. When was not that common, and I can only think acrobatic break and contemporary strong Edinburgh following. It’s a place TW: Do you manage to see other 2Faced Dance set up, and how did you of a few that I have encountered over dance. where you can come and people are dance shows whilst you are at the come up with that name? the years. honest about your work. I respect that, Festival? Any recommendations? TF: I set the company up in 1999. The TW: How do you go about putting it’s important. We did use to come to TF: I like to go and see other shows, of name was to represent the two sides TW: Our reviewer loved the show you a show together – how does your help book tours for our work... but now course, though it’s not always that easy of work that the company deliver: the did at last year’s Fringe – how does the creative process work? we come just because we love doing when you are working. But last year we performances and the educational new show compare? TF: I have an initial idea and some the Fringe! And we try to come at least worked with Circa who are a fantastic work. TF: Last year, ‘In The Dust’ was a triple movement phrases, but I do work every other year. circus company, so I’d recommend their bill by three different choreographers, creatively with the dancers themselves show at Underbelly. And I would also TW: Are you an ensemble company, so only one third of the show was by to create the movement. So it’s a TW: How would you try to encourage commend Little Bulb and the Czech or do you cast dancers for each me. This summer, with ‘Out Of His shared creative experience. Intelligent someone who doesn’t think they are Dance Season at Zoo Venues. production? Skin’, we return to producing a full dancers are very important. I then put into dance to see a show like yours? TF: The dancers do change from time ‘Out Of His Skin’ is on at Zoo Southside until length work, choreographed solely by the movement we create together into TF: I would tell them that 2Faced’s work to time but we do tend to keep the 26 Aug (not 7, 14, 21) myself. We also have a set that we use a structure and edit the material until I is fast-paced, athletic, emotional and same people for long periods. I like it this time, and we’ve worked with Tom am happy. driven. That yes, it’s contemporary LINKS: www.2faceddance.co.uk this way, because it means you get to Cheshire, a stunt man, to create some dance, but it’s not so arty that it would TW

TW PAGE 14 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE

MUSIC Follow music happenings across the Edinburgh Festival Logon to www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/music Fringe a cappella all this time: The Magnets

show – I hear there’s a bit of audience commercial stations, that they will TW INTERVIEW participation involved this year. never playlist an a cappella group; so MW: Our mega-medleys have become maybe a cappella is actually the new Six man musical outfit such a feature of our Fringe shows punk! that it would be hard to imagine not The Magnets have been doing one. They generally survive TW: You’ve supported some big performing top class a more than one Fringe season, not names in recent years – the likes cappella at the Edinburgh least because in the first year of of Blondie, Tom Jones and Bryan Fringe for as long as we can each one we’re still learning how to Adams. So do you have any exciting remember. Well, go on then, sing it! It’s nice to be able to come rock and roll anecdotes to tell us? maybe not quite that long. But back and do them again when they MW: Bryan Adams made us sing for they are certainly veterans, are actually good. ‘History Of British Rita Ora when we ran into her in the Pop’ has evolved since last year, airport departure lounge, though he of both the Fringe and the a and now features a large number of had no idea who she was until we cappella scene, providing a audience members coming up on pointed it out. Debbie Harry gave us model of success that similar stage to choose the songs. It’s a lovely gardening tips, which was appropriate groups must surely aspire to. pantomime-style climax to the show given that we were supporting her at With all that in mind, we sent and it stays fresh because the reaction Kew. Though my favourite memory a few questions over to group of the participants is so different every is from the Tom Jones tour. We night. supported him at Edinburgh Castle on member Michael Welton. Photo: Natalia Equihua my 30th birthday; the boys had given TW: A cappella seems to have me a £100 bottle of whiskey, and I TW: You’ve been coming to the swiftly let us know when we’ve success presenting radically reworked become very popular in recent years, plucked up the courage to knock on Fringe for quite some time now – outstayed our welcome. cover versions, it’s kind of an easy certainly at the Festival. What do his dressing room door and share a what keeps you coming back? victory, and we know the audience you think accounts for this growth in dram with him. MW: Like most blokes we’re naturally TW: You’ve released a new album this want to see into our souls a little bit popularity? lazy, but the threat of coming to the year - what kind of material is on it? more - only original material can do MW: A cappella is perfect for the TW: Will you be checking out your Edinburgh Festival each August drives I heard you’ve been writing original that. Fringe. It’s immediate, accessible and rival a cappella groups at the Fringe? us to be creative. Nothing gets our material as well as doing covers. portable, and it’s so much easier for a Which ones? egos going more than the prospect MW: ‘All This Time’ was born out of our TW: What is your recording process vocal group to busk up an audience MW: A cappella is too small a of playing to hordes of returning 2012 Edinburgh show and features like? Does the fact that you only on the Royal Mile than a drama group. community to allow for serious punters and reviewers, as well as the songs by great British songwriters have to use your voices make things That’s how we built our audience rivalries, and most of our immediate extraordinary amount of competition from our lifetimes. With all that different? in our early years here, just like the contemporaries are based in the US we suddenly face from other acts. We delving into our roots it seemed only MW: You’d think that recording a popular Oxford University group Out and rarely make it over this way. We always want to be bigger and better. natural that we should add our own cappella would be really quick, just Of The Blue did. Now other groups do support lots of the student groups So far we feel like we’ve managed voice, in song-writing terms, which standing around the mic and singing are saying ‘we can do that’ and the at the Fringe though. That is where we it, but we know that the Fringe will has been silent for the best part of with no equipment to set up. Nothing a decade. Though we’ve had a lot of could be further from the truth. Fringe is suddenly the world’s biggest came from, and we’ll be trying to get Imagine recording a guitar part, one a cappella festival. In wider terms, a to as many of their shows as possible. string at a time, using six different cappella is becoming more popular, They are all so much better than we guitars, each tuned fractionally helped by the revival of live singing in were at the same stage and that keeps differently! general and everything from Gareth me amazed that we made it this far! Malone to ‘X-Factor’. It would help if ‘The Magnets: All This Time’ is on at TW: Tell us about the ‘History Of there was more media recognition Underbelly Bristo Square from 1-26 Aug British Pop’ medley you do in the though. We’ve been told by Radio (not 12). 2, along with several of the leading LINKS: www.themagnets.com TW

Worbey and Farrell: Deviations Kazakoshi (Mountain Wind) TW REVIEWS On The Piano (Corrie McGuire (Waidaiko Tokara) for Objective Talent and Music is made into martial art by For The Love Of Folk! Michael Vine Associates) Waidaiko Tokara, here all the way from (Raymond Considine) Piano duo Worbey and Farrell Japan. Sharp and swift as swordsmen, In spite of a broken finger, Raymond graduated from the Royal College this renowned, ethnically diverse Considine’s stream of flawless folk of Music, and unsurprisingly their group master breath-taking force and was performed to perfection. His standard of music reflects this. More graceful beauty. Moments of intense musical talents and delectable singing surprising is the personality they bring focus merge into outbursts of joy, voice were evident as he worked his to their show. They do more than just bringing an original beat to the ancient way through a large repertoire of play the piano; from the outset it is Japanese discipline of taiko drumming. old and newer folk songs, including clear that the instrument is their first With expert precision, and including a particularly captivating rendition love. Between a mix of classical and informative, friendly explanation, of Richard Thompson’s ‘Beeswing’. If contemporary performances the duo the famous performer Art Lee and this weren’t enough, Considine played engage with the audience, telling his fellows also seize the chance to with the idea of the formulaic nature terrible but endearing jokes. A camera have some fun. The imagination is of folk music, asking the audience for above the piano adds a personal note, transported away from the grey skies suggestions between songs, in order allowing the audience to view four of Edinburgh; the eyes are opened to to create an improvised bespoke folk hands weaving faster than the eye can the versatility of percussion. With your ditty. While an interesting concept, follow. They end on a triumphant note seat shaking, your heart reverberating, there were some awkward pauses in with the title piece, their most personal you’ll enjoy it just as much as the the set as he worked on the song in his composition. ‘24 Deviations on a artists themselves. Visually enthralling, head. There is no doubt, however, that Caprice’ takes even an inexperienced culturally enlightening, musically this will become slicker over time and is audience on an emotional journey invigorating. definitely worth waiting for. through the ages. C too, until Aug 26, 4.55pm. Laughing Horse @ Biddy Mulligans, until 23 The Assembly Rooms, until 15 Aug, 2.45pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Amber-Page Moss] Aug (not 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18), 3.00pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Stephanie Gray] tw rating 4/5 | [Victoria Beardwood] TW

TW PAGE 16 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE MUSICALS Follow the musical Fringe online… Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/musicals

cast maintained a thrilling energy, unique musical that really draws in its Adam and Eve: The Musical (Splendid Productions) TW REVIEWS particularly impressive was the audience. salmon-jacketted saxophonist who C, until 17 Aug, 7.50pm. Fresh and funny, this original musical turns the oldest story not only captivated the audience, but Lysistrata: The Disco tw rating 4/5 | [Sarah Virgo] in the book on its head. Set on the morning after the Fall of refreshingly dealt with his character’s Man, it follows Adam and Eve as they discover their new world, Vaudeville Rock’n’Roll Musical change in sexuality with charisma Confessions Of A Rabbi’s (Aurora / Western Connecticut and sensitivity. Disapproving father themselves, and each other—with a little help from friends. State University) of the bride - who for the majority of Daughter (Emily Rose / PBH’s The phenomenal cast of six do it all, glorying in simplicity How can women stop war? Take the show titillated the audience with Free Fringe) rather than relying on spectacle. Adapted cleverly from Aristophanes’ classic question, add a elastic facial expression - delivered The story of a Rabbi’s daughter who Scripture and pop culture, the folksy songs and witty script do a moving solo, adding further to the dash of electric guitar, some strobe falls in love with her female best not simply depend on irreverence for laughs, but raise interesting lights, and a large dose of penis production’s emotional spectrum. friend, this charming one-woman jokes, to get a noisy, fun battle of The interlude of K-Pop felt a little musical, written and performed by questions about knowledge, sin, and human nature. Toss in a the sexes. After a dramatic opening, irrelevant to the narrative, but its Emily Rose, gave an interesting insight caribou singing about potatoes and a sexy Lucifer, and it’s an the show takes time to get going, sheer irreverence became hilarious. A into a world that people might not uproarious charming, heart-fluttering marvel. and attempts at comedy using know a lot about. While the songs celebration American stereotypes fall flat. It gains C, until 26 Aug, 7.55pm. were lyrically strong, particularly the of life, momentum, however, largely due tw rating 5/5 [Kate Pasola] humorous ‘Nod And Smile’, Rose’s to the cast’s infectious enthusiasm. voice was too gentle to carry them, love, and The scenes between the warring old Rouse Ye Women and the balance between speech sex. The women and men are particularly and music was too weighted on the (And Then We Danced) makings memorable, with the women’s leader, latter, which slightly stunted the Tara Llewellyn, stealing the show. ‘Rouse Ye Women’ is an interesting, story’s progression. However, the of a real Though the original music is catchy historical story that delivers monologues we were presented with hit! and makes full use of the cast’s big convincing dramatic performances, were acted well and with sincerity, Gilded Balloon voices, it lacks subtlety, and many of enthusiasm and plenty of percussion! though there were several moments Teviot, until the songs blend together. Still, for an The original musical tells the simple in which Rose was clearly grasping 25 Aug (not 12), energetic romp, ‘Lysistrata’ does the story of a group of chain working at forgotten words. A show full of 12.15pm. job. women in the 1900s and their struggle touching and original ideas, which tw rating 5/5 | Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 11 Aug (not 8), for better working conditions. The struggled a little in the execution. [Elaine Teng] 11.30am. tw rating 3/5 | [Elaine Teng] all-female chorus gives a powerful Mood Nightclub, until 24 Aug (not 5, 12, 19), and theatrical performance whilst 1.20pm. tw rating 3/5 | [Victoria Beardwood] Music Show – Wedding! tackling challenging harmonies with success. The inventive use of props (PMC Productions) as instrumental percussion, the only 1/5 Bad This explosive non-verbal musical instruments used throughout, created 2/5 Mediocre from South Korea is ballistic catchy numbers; although at times masterpiece. A timely nod to the UK’s the singing was drowned out by the 3/5 Good burgeoning appreciation of K-Pop percussion. A stunning solo by Yasmin artists such as Psy, the performance Frampton from the chorus was the 4/5 Very Good dizzies audiences into multicultural, true highlight of the musical; it was 5/5 Excellent musical mayhem. Although the entire beautiful and effortlessly delivered. A 5/5 TW

WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 17 TW CABARET Want to know about hot shows first? Get review alerts via Twitter by following www.twitter.com/twittique

atmosphere making it difficult to TW REVIEWS appreciate the workings of the talented lyricists and performer. EastEnd Cabaret: Slightly dirty talk Blues And Burlesque Underbelly Bristo Square, until 26 Aug, 7pm. Speakeasy Show tw rating 3/5 | [Rebecca Lunn] (Pete Saunders Blues and Burlesque Group) Lili la Scala: Another F*cking Variety Show (Lee Martin for When Pete Saunders (formerly of Dexy’s Midnight Runners) croons Gag Reflex) his sultry New Orleans ballad to the What Lili wants, Lili gets, and Lili ghosts of Saturday-night cabaret, you wanted a vibrant selection of Fringe might be mistaken in thinking that this cabaret. The seductive vintage show is an echo of the decadent 30’s, singer warms up the crowd before but its two lead performers strike a introducing her first act. Mat Ricardo’s keen balance between retro burlesque charming personality and classic and modern club performance. Vicious circus tricks get the assembly howling Delicious has a spontaneous, frenetic before Lili returns to deliver another delivery, a hybrid of the comedy and musical number. There’s never a hip-hop MC, switching freely between dull moment for the boisterous late voices and modes, mugging for night audience as other hysterical laughs one minute, the next sultry acts include ‘Lords of Strut’ a and vulnerable. Scarlette Belle is a Jedward-esque acrobatic routine counterpoint to the fast paced MC, and the amusing Boy With Tape On taking her time, pacing the reveal, His Face. Headliner Piff the Magic Photo: Rich Dyson with one number in particular making Dragon accompanied by his adorable explicit what burlesque is: a controlled chihuahua sidekick closed the show to TW: Is all your material a bit rude? just have to come back. So many withholding, the arousal of prurient enthusiastic applause. Each performer TW INTERVIEW Are people ever shocked by it? opportunities to take your work interest, not its gratification. also has their own show at the Fringe, VV: I think it depends on your on tour, so many people who can so these are fabulous tasters. Another Laughing Horse @ The Blind Poet until 25 One of our very favourite viewpoint. If you hear a slightly risqué influence your career in so many Aug, 1.30am. F*cking Variety Show’? Yes please, Lili. word, like ‘dangerwank’, without ways, you never know who is in the tw rating 4/5 | [Joe Abel] Pleasance Dome, until 24 Aug, 11pm. Ed Fringe acts, EastEnd listening to the rest of the song, then audience. tw rating 4/5 | [Rebecca Lunn] Cabaret, are back with a perhaps you will be shocked. But our VV: Plus, I have developed a strange Auden, Britten, Mitchell vengeance, as well as a audiences are generally more shocked addiction to the breakfasts at City by the fact that they always know Cafe. I don’t know what they put in the And Ravenhill: Tell Me The Ben Hart – The Outsider new show. Throughout (Corrie Mcguire for Objective exactly what we’re talking about! black pudding there, but I need it in Truth About Love (Jamie August, the delectable Talent) my life. McDermott/Aldeburgh duo of Bernadette Byrne TW: You’ve appeared on radio a Festival) To the backing track of some fittingly couple of times – do you think your TW: Other than performing your atmospheric music, Ben Hart skilfully and Victor Victoria will With a compelling blend of old and material lends itself well to the show, what are you looking forward intertwines his nimble handed magic new Jamie McDermott portrays be entertaining no-doubt format, or does live performance to in Edinburgh this year? with a series of illusive childhood the ‘truth’ about love. Through a enthralled audiences with work better? VV: Seeing our wonderful Fringe memories that spawned his passion set of quirky ballads Conor Mitchell BB: I think it definitely works on radio, family - there’s a bunch of performers for the art. Although there is an their trademark brand of and Mark Ravenhill interweave but live performance is always more that we see at festivals all over the essence of familiar tricks of the trade somewhat saucy musical the work of 20th century musician fun for me. I like to get up close and world, who will always have a sneaky to his act, Ben’s charismatic stage artists Benjamin Britten and W.H. cabaret; if that sounds like personal with my audiences. dressing room gin or a post-show presence keeps the audience engaged Auden with their own contributions. VV: Too close if you ask me. I do find pizza with you. throughout, and his interaction with your cup of tea (and surely, McDermott’s voice is powerful but it quite interesting hearing radio BB: And seeing the angry little owner the crowd opens up his mystical it’s almost everyone’s?) his stage presence lacks personality, announcers trying to describe my of the pizza place that is open until character to some lively and witty while the vintage style of the show then you’ll want to know half-man-half-woman appearance to 5am. He is so funny to watch, shouting banter. Although the show as a whole loses its magic with the separation of more about them. So read their audience without any visual aid! at all his customers until they buy at wasn’t overly bedazzling, Ben’s final performer and house. The intimate least three pizzas each. blowout involving some mysteriously on to be enlightened. theme and overall performance TW: Do you do other performance sinister hallucinogenic gas certainly work, or does being EastEnd Cabaret TW: Which other shows will you be deserves stage decor and more TW: How did you two meet and what ends the show on a high. take up all of your time now? going to see? interaction to give the audience the made you decide to work together Underbelly Cowgate, until 25 Aug, 5.05pm. BB: It is definitely a full time job – BB: Our good friend Doctor Brown is feel of a smaller venue. This separation on EastEnd Cabaret? writing new songs, organising gigs, doing an eight hour marathon of all of left the room with an uncomfortable tw rating 3/5 | [Kayleigh Head] BB: Victy and I have known each drinking gin - but sometimes I do pimp his shows in a row. We will be bringing other since we were children and she Victy and her musical saw out when bean bags, snacks and a whole lot of follows me everywhere. In fact I have Le Gateau Chocolat: I Heart Chocolat we are short of cash. gin. been trying to get rid of her for over (Strut & Fret Production House) VV: Yes, I have been known to lend a VV: And I can’t wait to see the insanely 20 years. saw or a violin to various people in talented Stuart Bowden’s new show, Free chocolate, what more could you want? Maybe accompanied by a feast VV: That’s not strictly true. She needs the cabaret scene. But only to pay for ‘She Was Probably Not A Robot’. His of musical variety, including a ‘Le Mis’ mega-mix, performed by a large man me - at least to play the instruments, Bernadette’s gherkin habit. storytelling will whisk you away to in drag sporting a lycra all-in-one? In a whirlwind of animal prints he has the as Bernadette can’t play any of them. strange and beautiful places, and his audience in stitches between songs and She just doesn’t like to admit it. We’re TW: You are bringing a brand new songs will tickle your ears and your dancing throughout. This is not simply a soul mates, really… cabaret masterpiece but a fabulously show to Edinburgh. What’s new, and heart! how does it compare to previous crude, sequined embellished evening TW: How do you come up with the shows? TW: And finally, where do you see of indulgence. This performer’s breath- content for a show? Do you work on BB: Victy and I are so excited about yourselves ten years hence? Will taking voice teamed with a garish outfit stuff separately, or always together? ‘Dirty Talk’. It is full of all new original EastEnd Cabaret still be going? or three was not only rewarded with a BB: We are always together, but our songs, darlings, and even saucier BB: Definitely darling. We could be standing ovation but every member of songs mostly come from my real secrets than our last show. anywhere, as long as they have gin. the audience going all out for the final life experiences. The places I have VV: It’s musical comedy. And it’s VV: And hopefully we will be living in a number. He has returned to the Fringe to travelled or the people I have known, definitely a lot more revealing than slightly larger bedsit by then. keep the other drag queens on their toes. intimately. our previous show... but I don’t get Underbelly, Bristo Square, until 26 Aug VV: Our song-writing sessions usually nude or anything! (not 7, 19), 8.30pm. involve me sitting at the piano or tw rating 5/5 | [Rebecca Lunn] pulling some chords out of the ‘EastEnd Cabaret: Dirty Talk’ is on at TW: What makes you want to return accordion, while Bernadette’s stream Underbelly Cowgate, until 25 Aug (not 13) to the Fringe each August? of consciousness takes whatever path BB: There are so many beautiful LINKS: www.eastendcabaret.com it decides. And there is always a lot of people in Edinburgh every year, we gin involved… 5/5 TW TW

TW PAGE 18 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE

ART & WORDS For Book, Politics and Art Festival coverage follow ThreeWeeks online Logon to www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk or follow us at @ThreeWeeks for Twitter updates

Monkey Poet: Spoken word, actually

makes each belong to the relevant beating the audience round the head are as busy as Manchester’s on a MP: They double as masturbatory aids category? with a big moral stick. Also, in the Saturday afternoon. You can see for the ego. Just joshing. They were MP: Well the theatre show is just that, main my punchlines rhyme. every performance style, talk shop, instrumental in my decision to jack in a solo-show in which I play multiple embrace the local cuisine of deep fried the day job, so yes, definitely. roles in a ‘dramedy’ (and if you need TW: Given your reputation for being haggis. And you meet some really a horrible descriptive term, that’s a hilarious, it would seem you are great people here. Last year I turned TW: You’ve recently published a belter). The spoken word show is a tiptoeing a fine line between spoken up with no accommodation and asked book; any plans for more? Can you mixture of stand-up and poetry, which word and comedy. Have you not the audience to help me out, as I did a see yourself taking on other literary I call ‘stand up poetry’. Pub quiz info - been tempted to list yourself in the couple of years previously. Aside from formats? apparently that phrase was coined in comedy section at the Festival? one night on Arthur’s Seat and another MP: Yes, I think so (quick plug: the San Francisco in the Sixties. MP: Crikey, thanks. That’s a nice on a park bench, I was really looked book is ‘Portrait Of The Artist As A reputation to have. With the listing I after by a variety of Angels (shout outs Young Simian’ and is available from TW: What’s the theatre show, ‘Love used to do exactly that, but back then to Aaron, Vicky, Dave and Emman!). Amazon, Waterstones or my website). Hurts Actually’, actually about? there wasn’t a spoken word section On a purely business footing, good I’ve been working on a film script and MP: It’s the unofficial sequel to the at the Fringe. Thanks to Superbard, reviews here help me get bookings a novel in my spare time, but who film ‘Love Actually’. I play Hugh Grant, and a few others, now there is, and it’s throughout the rest of the year. There knows what’ll happen with those. TW INTERVIEW Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Liam growing. The beauty of spoken word is a danger, though, that it’s a bit Neeson, Martine McCutcheon and, is that it can be every bit as funny hermetically sealed. Like you forget TW: What sort of things do you go to A regular feature of the weirdly, even the late Sir John Gielgud, as comedy but you’re also given the there’s a world outside. A couple of see when you are at the Fringe? Edinburgh Fringe since 2009, among others. It’s broad comedy but freedom to take a darker or more years ago I was telling audiences, “with MP: As much as I can. Regardless of it has a few points, and not just about serious turn than what a comedy this Government, there’ll be riots in a style, substance and subject - Edfringe Monkey Poet has received the nature of love. I mean, can you crowd would usually expect. You’re year, mark my words!” No one said to is full of everything. I try and avoid countless numbers (well, they name a sympathetic working class able to play with levels a bit more. me “have you seen the news...?” It was the big shows or acts as they’ll usually probably are countable, but character written by Richard Curtis? only when I was in a chippy with a telly tour anyway. It’s the things I know still, there are lots) of rave Not Baldrick in Blackadder or Rhys TW: I think (I might be wrong, though) in the corner that I saw England had I’ll only get to see in Edinburgh that reviews for his clever and Ifans in Notting Hill. He tends to write that you first came up to the Fringe in set itself on fire. excite me. funny spoken word shows. So the working class as dicks... he might around 2009? What’s the impetus for Monkey Poet’s spoken word show is on at it’s probably about time we even do it subconsciously. So the returning? TW: You’ve won a number of The Banshee Labyrinth until 24 Aug (not 6, show is a reaction to that. MP: You’re right. This is year five. awards. Obviously that must be 13, 20). ‘Monkey Poet – Love Hurts Actually’ had a chat with him, about There really is no place on Earth like very gratifying, but do those sorts of is on at the same venue until 26 Aug ( not the two shows he has on at TW: What can we expect from the Edinburgh during the Fringe. At 5 achievements have a tangible impact 6, 13, 20) Edinburgh this time, and lots spoken word show? o’clock in the morning the streets on your career? LINKS: www.monkeypoet.co.uk of other stuff besides. MP: I cover topics like nationalism, politics, sex and sexuality, racism, TW: You have two shows on at the religion, class and so on, and in an particular session I attended was the names of models and designers Fringe, one in the spoken word entertaining way. It’s got to be funny TW REVIEWS enigmatically titled ‘Embracing are entirely absent. Niche, overall, but section and one listed under theatre. though; there’s nothing worse than Death’, and featured four doctors, a worthwhile and well curated. How do these shows differ, and what seeing someone stand on a soapbox SPOKEN WORD REVIEWS filmmaker, and a comedian giving City Art Centre, until 8 September, 10.00am their views on society’s denial of to 7.00pm death. Each offered interesting tw rating 3/5 [James Hampson] Liz Lochhead: Apple Says anecdotes and insights in a relaxed, Aaah – and Other Poems, conversational atmosphere that Mostly West: Franz West and Pommes and People (Liz encouraged audience participation, Artist Collaborations Lochhead/The Assembly but an hour is simply too short to Absurdly yet ideally located in the delve into these broad issues at Rooms) refined calm of the Botanic Gardens, a satisfying depth. The audience, Leopard-print clad Liz Lochhead this show of Austrian mischief-maker many of whom also worked in the presented charming, witty and feisty Franz West’s collaborative works medical industry, seemed to enjoy readings of several poems, both from is divided into thematic rooms. It the discussion, indicating that this is her own collections and from those of opens with his collection Edelweiss, more of a special interest option than poets she admires. Beginning with a a series of whitewashed found a crowd-pleaser. reminiscing of school days, Lochhead objects and paintings surrounding uses the key ‘A is for Apple’ phrase to The Famous Speigeltent, until 25 Aug (not, a tiny room plastered with copies of 10, 11), times vary. explore the writer’s ability to give any the Edinburgh Evening News. The object an identity. Also explored were tw rating 3/5 | [Elaine Teng] contrast is startling. The exhibition themes of Scottish pride, feminism, moves on through kitsch furniture music and especially art. Being an art and minimalist poetry to Essenz, a school graduate, Lochhead explains VISUAL ART REVIEWS series of inviting chairs all pointing the importance of poetry as a visual at a whitewashed block on the wall. aid. Her charismatic anecdotes added Coming into Fashion: A West’s final joke is Talk Without Words to her readings, always presented with - two chairs with a giant green fuzzy impeccable comedic timing and an Century Of Photography At Condé Nast ball suspended between them, to be infectious laugh. The audience was headbutted back and forth between It was Vogue magazine, under the hooked throughout, and one hour silent participants. A refreshingly fun supervision of Condé Nast, which first didn’t seem long enough to soak up all escape from the madness of the city understood the revolution that the of Lochhead’s wickedly funny poetry. centre. The Assembly Rooms, until 25 Aug (not 12), new process of photography would Inverleith House, until 1 Sept (not 5, 12, 19, 26), 12.15pm. bring to the world of fashion. As this exhibition shows, they set themselves 10.00am – 5.30pm tw rating 5/5 | [Helena Wadia] up for being the pre-eminent fashion tw rating 3/5 [James Hampson] magazine by employing a boldly Verb Garden: The Cabaret of creative series of photographers from Dangerous Ideas (Fair Pley / the start. Their names dazzle you, 1/5 Bad The Famous Spiegeltent) from the ones you’d expect such as 2/5 Mediocre This series of panels, with a name David Bailey and Cecil Beaton, to ones much more mysterious and edgier you really didn’t, such as Diane Arbus 3/5 Good than its content, offers thoughtful, and Man Ray. The artistic vision of 4/5 Very Good learned perspectives on questions the shots never fails to entertain but ranging from mortality to the financial the exhibition focuses on this artistry 5/5 Excellent crisis to the fashion industry. The to the exclusion of fashion, however: TW

TW PAGE 20 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE PHOTO PAGE Check out more photos from the Festival By logging onto www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/photopage

1. ‘Slightly Fat Features’ at Pleasance 1 4 Courtyard. Photo: Rich Dyson

2. Fine Chisel at Zoo Southside. Photo: Tom Bateman

3. Nick Helm at Pleasance Courtyard. Photo: Rich Dyson

4. ‘Missing’ at Pleasance Courtyard. Photo: Rich Dyson

5. ‘35MM’ at Bedlam Theatre. Photo: Kat Gollock

6. Michael Che at Assembly. Photo: Rich Dyson

7. ‘Airnadette’ at Underbelly Bristo Square. Photo: Natalia Equihua

8. ‘Tell Me The Truth About Love’ at Underbelly Bristo Square. Photo: Natalia Equihua

3 6 8

WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 21 TW CHILDREN’S SHOWS For plenty of reviews of children’s shows at the Fringe Check out www.threeweeks.co.uk/childrens

Playing with magic at the Fringe: Cerrie Burnell

TW: I hear the story is inspired by TW INTERVIEW your own childhood a little. How close is Libby to yourself as a child? Cbeebies presenter CB: Although Libby shares my disability and the battle I had not to Cerrie Burnell is surely wear a prosthetic arm, beyond that well known to toddlers, we’re quite different. She is much younger children, and their wilder and more defiant than I was, parents all over the UK. and her character is much closer to that of my daughter. So I’m willing to bet that when locals and Fringe- TW: This kind of live performance goers alike find out that must feel quite different from she’s doing a Fringe show working as a Cbeebies presenter. Which do you prefer? this year, they’ll be thrilled. CB: I was an actor for seven years ThreeWeeks’ youngest before becoming a presenter, so I’m reviewer (aged 6) is very much used to both. Stage and certainly planning to take screen are very different, but I enjoy them both and feel grateful to be it in, and on her insistence, working in either! we spoke to Cerrie ahead of Photo: Rich Dyson the Edinburgh run. TW: What’s it like working on Cbeebies, what have you learned TW: When you appeared on CB: My picture book is called harbours some of our most exciting from the experience? ‘Celebrity Mastermind’, your ‘Snowflakes’. I love writing, so it was literature and characters, and I intend CB: Working for CBeebies is like being TW: Let’s start with the basics, what is specialist subject was Brazilian an obvious choice for me to write a to continue to write children’s fiction part of an amazing ultra creative ‘The Magical Playroom’ all about? theatre director Augusto Boal. children’s book. It’s about a little girl and plays. team. Everyone has a role to play, CB: ‘The Magical Playroom’ is the Why did you choose him - is he an called Mia who goes to live with her from the runners who tirelessly story of Libby, a spirited little girl with inspiration? Grandmother, and feels very lost, until TW: Will you see other shows while open the birthday cards to the floor a vast imagination, who dreams of CB: I did an internship in Brazil with the snow begins to fall and she sees you are at the Festival? Anything on managers who make sure our set becoming a ballerina like her mum. CTO Rio, Augusto Boal’s theatre that every snowflake is different and your must-see list? But when Libby is told that, to achieve looks lovely, and the directors who company, hence the reason I chose every snowflake is perfect, and she CB: ‘The Only Way is Downton’, whichTW her dream, she must learn to use a also write the content, it’s a group him for my specialist subject when realises she’s perfect too. is at Pleasance Courtyard like my prosthetic arm, she rebels and hides effort. So really I’ve learnt that to make I appeared on that show. I think the show, so I won’t have to walk far! It’s something artistic and authentic, you in her favourite playroom, where the work he’s done and the way he used TW: Why have you focused on a one-man show by Luke Kempner need a great team. toys have magically come to life... forum theatre as tool for fighting children’s media? Was it a who does something like 30 different oppression is immensely inspiring, conscious decision or did it impressions in the space of 60 and he’s definitely one of my heroes. happen by accident? Do you minutes... I’ve got to go just to see see yourself staying in this area how he does it! TW: As well as everything else, you professionally? have a children’s book coming out CB: It’s not been a deliberate choice ‘The Magical Playroom with Cbeebies’ Cerrie soon. What made you decide to write to focus on children’s media; having Burnell’ is on at Pleasance Courtyard from it, and what is it about? said that, I think the children’s genre 31 Jul-26 Aug. TW

Zigzag Zit-faced Zombies The Princess And The Pea TW REVIEWS And The Giant Geriatric (Red Dragonfly Productions / Generator (Stuart Reid – Grist To The Mill) Handmade Tales Award-Winning Author) In this somewhat lumpish production, (Tap Tap Theatre) Asking children to throw foam teeth the cast take a Hans Christian This is a first class children’s show. It at him, pulling out dog poos from his Andersen fairytale and make it manages to brilliantly appeal to both box and discussing bogies; all-in-all it into something a little silly. Vaguely grown-ups and little ones in a laugh was 50 minutes of pure silliness, but enjoyable at times, it comes across along celebration of joy. Performed children’s author, Stuart Reid, knows as an attempted replica of those with a fantastic and captivating exactly how to entertain children. classic Disney movies both adults and enthusiasm by the cast, the play Indeed, most seemed to enjoy children love, but with none of the is fast-paced and fun. It consists shouting out daft answers to his many timeless charm. Some of the acting is of five stories, each of which is an ridiculous questions and laughing slightly forced and the singing ranges original little masterpiece, combining at his jokes. His likeable persona, from average to melodious. The live bucket-loads of humour, some fun props (including a set of false piano and flute do manage to create a dragons and bundles of imagination, teeth and a whoopee cushion) and bubbly feel and the vibrant costumes all accompanied by a charming a colourful PowerPoint presentation add a touch of endearment. But and fitting score. Hats off to Tash resulted in a fun show that served otherwise this is your conventional Dummelow and Miriam Battye for to educate as well as entertain; Reid prince and princess story made pretty their amazing script, it is superb, and relayed the joys of reading and of the forgettable, with barely a giggle from on occasion, very well rhymed. One of importance of being eco-friendly. So, if the kids and sadly no smiles from the happiest lunchtimes I have spent you have a child who needs amusing, those of us over ten. in a long while. It made me smile, don’t look any further than this show. theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, until 24 Aug, laugh, and sincerely wish that I was a Laughing Horse@ The Free Sisters, until 25 12.10pm. child again. Aug, 1.15pm. tw rating 2/5 | [Natasha Gartside] Zoo Southbank, until 26 Aug (not 14), tw rating 4/5 | [Jessica Cropper] 11.50am. tw rating 5/5 | [Samuel Evan Graydon]

TW PAGE 22 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK ONE INFORMATION Stand out from the crowds and promote your show Check out our great advertising offers at www.threeweeks.co.uk/advertising SHOWS BUT FIRST A MESSAGE… Simon Feilder Wishes He Could Be There SO DISAPPOINTED I can’t be there this year but just wanted to wish you all a GREAT EDINBURGH FRINGE 2013. Remember: pace yourselves, stay hydrated and MAKE A MEMORY! If you need me I’m only a tweet away @simonfeilder. GO FOR IT! Venue: In Your Hearts & Minds

MUSIC The Adventures of John Paul Jones Hold on tight as terrific tales and toe-tappin’ tunes whisk you off on an epic journey! Live traditional music and storytelling weave together the extraordinary tale of this 18th Century Scots mariner in this radio-theatre piece. Sit back and enjoy! Acoustic Music Centre at St Bride’s | fpp 198

MUSIC Anything Goes - A Tribute to Cole Porter Join Pam and her band (Tom Finlay; Ed Kelly; Phil O’Malley & Jordie Gilmour) in a tribute to Cole Porter. With so many wonderful songs, there will be an opportunity each night for the audience to select a songs for the set. It’ll be “Too Darn Hot”. CREDITS & INFO> The Outhouse | fpp 200

ThreeWeeks is the complete guide Sub-Editors: Caro Moses, Gemma Scott, All ThreeWeeks content is DANCE & PHYSICAL THEATRE to the Edinburgh Festival. Kirsten Waller © UnLimited Publishing 2013. CAMBUYÓN is packed with rhythm! From tap Printed by Mortons Print Limited to hip-hop, drumming to body percussion and News, reviews and features from Reviewers: Alice Harrold, Alix White, singing, 7 performers deliver a vision on how the world’s biggest cultural event. Amber-Page Moss, Andrew Pollard, Anita Distribution by Door To Door Delivery rhythm has been evolving thru the different cultures that surround us. An outstanding Free weekly magazine, daily Magee, Ankur Anil Shah, Arjun Sajip, Christie Rolley, Christopher Spring, Clare Published by ThreeWeeks Publishing, show you cannot miss! reviews sheet and website: Dolan, Eddie Nisbet, Eilidh Johnstone, a division of UnLimited Media Assembly Roxy | fpp 171 www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk Elaine Teng, Eleanor Lang, Elizabeth www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk Journalism training programme Jewell, Elizabeth Milton, Frances UnLimited Ventures Ltd delivers vibrant review team. Greenfield, Grace Brennan, Helena Floor 2 Unicorn House, 221-222 CABARET Wadia, Holly Sharp, Ian Freeman, Immi Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6PJ Chansons Françaises Led by editors who have covered Calderwood, Iris Ordean, Isobel Steer, Tel: 0131 516 8842 Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Mireille Mathieu the Festival every year since 1996. Ivan Kroupin, Jasmine Faller, Jemima and other great names of La Chanson Wilson, Jessica Cropper, Joe Abel, Check www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk for Francaise will be interpreted by Dr2 (AKA For regular updates on ThreeWeeks Jonathan Mayo, Julian Joseph, Kate details of our creative, training and Zahida). You will not regret having attended coverage, sign up for our free email: Pasola, Katharine Wootton, Kayleigh consulting services. the show as it closes with the all time classic: Non, je ne regrette rien...! www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/subscribe Head, Kyung Oh, Lauren Stephen, Mairi ThreeWeeks is a member of the Laughing Horse @ The Counting House | fpp09 McNicol, Melissa Steel, Michael Black, For festival news and chat follow: Festival Media Network Natalia Equihua, Natasha Gartside, Peter www.festivalmedianetwork.com www.twitter.com/ThreeWeeks Dorman, Polly Davidson, Priyanka Raval, THEATRE For recommended shows follow: Rebecca Lunn, Robert McGowan Stuart, HUMANS INC. www.twitter.com/TWittique Roberta Thomson, Rory Morgan, Sam GET IN TOUCH! The year is 2440 AD. Humans can now give Turner, Samantha Strachan, Samuel their bodies the latest system upgrades. Isaac Editorial contact: Editors: Chris Cooke and Caro Moses Evan Graydon, Sarah Virgo, Shiv Das, has three days left to pay for his upgrade. Sci-fi Sophie Baggott, Sophie Nicoll, Stephanie [email protected] epic with physical storytelling and live music. Picture Editor: Kat Gollock Gray, Stephen Maughan, Tom Bateman Advertising contact: Features flying cars. and Victoria Beardwood. C venues, 8-26 Aug, 18:10 | fpp 290 Website & Podcast Manager: Tom Bragg [email protected] News desk: Admin Manager: Matt Tester Founders: Chris Cooke, Geraint Preston, Alex Thomson [email protected] Advertising Manager: Sam Taylor STAND OUT FROM THE CROWDS www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk Advertise with ThreeWeeks - with spots here from £30 Design: Chris Cooke, Edward Stone Publishers: Chris Cooke and Caro Moses www.facebook.com/ThreeWeeks plus great prices to advertise in our weekly and daily editions and online – all the info at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/advertising this week Edinburgh | next week London?

if you are heading back South, get daily cultural recommendations and regular Q&As from the TW team at www.ThisWeekLondon.com TW WEEK ONE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 23 TW