THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL | WEEK TWO ISSUE | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK ThreeWeeks EDINBURGH

ALSO INSIDE…

MOLLY TAYLOR

DAN NIGHTINGALE

Get yourself a better brand of nonsense, with Tony Law TRICITY VOGUE

PLUS Morgan & West | The Alchemist | The Ginge, The Geordie And The Geek | Unmythable | John Fleming The Flanagan Collective | Jackinabox Productions | Jonathan Prag | Alba Flamenca | and lots of new reviews

START POINT For all the latest festival news as it breaks www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/news

Remembering an Edinburgh Contents Festival champion ThreeWeeks 2012 wk2 You do know that if it wasn’t for pictured here with legendary Fringe S P a horse, there wouldn’t be an impresario Richard Demarco, who is Edinburgh Festival, don’t you? presenting events as part of this year’s Lynn’s Letter 04 Summerhall festival programme. Fleming’s Fringe 04 Well, we might be exaggerating A Summerhall spokesman told slightly, but way back in 1945, when ThreeWeeks: “Ocean Swell, whose the Edinburgh International Festival winnings at the 1944 Derby and I N was first being conceived, one of the Jockey Club Cup were used by Lady event’s earliest champions was Lady Rosebery to pay part of the costs of The Alchemist 06 Rosebery, who also provided funding the first Edinburgh Festival, bridges for the first festival programme in a link between what Summerhall is Molly Taylor 06 1947. And some of that money – the doing now and the site’s history. The The Ginge, The Geordie 06 history books tell us – came from the Summerhall Brewery used horse and winnings her husband Lord Rosebery cart to deliver its beer. And when the And The Geek had made when one of the horses he brewery closed, the site became the owned, Ocean Swell, won the Derby home of the Royal Dick Veterinary C O and the Jockey Club Cup in 1944. school, which was initially founded Recognising Ocean Swell’s role for the treatment of horses, cows and Dan Nightingale 08 in helping what is now the world’s pigs. The statue also pays homage greatest cultural party to first emerge to the founding of the Edinburgh Comedy Reviews 08 way back in the mid-1940s, one of Festivals, and the unique founding Tony Law 09 the Festival’s newest venues – and a principles employed to this day”. new year-round cultural space for the Quick Quiz 10 city – Summerhall, has just unveiled Read about Summerhall’s festival Morgan & West 11 a statue in honour of the horse, programme at www.summerhall.co.uk T H News Bites Are you sitting comfortably? Theatre Reviews 12 Unmythable 13 First Edinburgh Festival Politics Festival kicks off at Let the marathon begin awards presented for 2012 Parliament once again Mark Watson may have The proceedings will be overseen by P H The Edinburgh Festival’s many awards A certain Gordon Brown is among stopped marking each Fringe the True Tales Master Storyteller Peter Physical Reviews 14 have already started to be dished out, the people set to appear at this year’s with some crazy marathon Aguero, who told ThreeWeeks: “I’m with The Scotsman presenting Fringe Festival Of Politics, which kicks off this really excited about taking part in the Jackinabox 15 of a show, but other non-stop ‘Grant’s True Tales 24 Hour Storytelling First prizes to new play productions weekend at the Scottish Parliament in 24 hour extravaganzas have Productions ‘Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro!’ Holyrood, and which will continue the Marathon’, as not only is it a totally appeared to take their place. (Traverse), Ontroerend Goed’s ‘All following weekend (so 17-25 Aug). unique event at the Fringe but it’s also That Is Wrong’ (Traverse), Pepperdine Malcolm Rifkind and Jack McConnell And this year that includes something that’s never been tried C A University’s ‘Why Do You Stand There are among the other political what we are reliably informed before”. In The Rain?’ (C), Vicky Araico Casas’s heavyweights to appear, while is the first ever “24 hour story- He continues: “We’ll be working Tricity Vogue 16 ‘Juana In A Million’ (Pleasance Dome) Louise Welsh, Iain Banks and the Mull telling marathon”. alongside a host of different Cabaret Reviews 16 and The Group Theatre Of Helsinki’s Historical Society will represent the performers, some professional, many ‘Continuous Growth’ (Pleasance creative community in an eclectic The people behind the Grant’s True amateur, and we’ll also be involving Dome). programme under the header of Tales Festival Of Storytelling, the main the audience in open mic sessions. M U Meanwhile, broadsheet rival The ‘Politics. Culture. Creativity. A Force for show of which led our reviewer to The best thing about it is the fact that Herald has handed out some of its Positive Change’. Also look out for the say “it reminds us how intriguing the anyone and everyone can get involved Jonathan Prag 18 Angel Awards, to ‘Mies Julie’ (Assembly ThreeWeeks 3 To See recommended forgotten art of personal narrative – there’s no money in storytelling, Music Reviews 19 Hall), Rob Drummond’s ‘Bullet Catch’ Politics Festival events: ‘Libraries In can be”, are wrapping up their 2012 we’re just doing it because we love (Traverse), New Rope String Band The Digital Age’ at 1.30pm on 17 Aug, Fringe activities this week – pretty it and enjoy the connection that it (Famous Spiegeltent), Mike Oldfield’s ‘An Incredibly Brief History Of Political much as this issue of ThreeWeeks hits creates between us and the audience M O Tubular Bells For Two (Assembly Satire’ on at 10.30am on 18 Aug, and the streets – with 24 hours of back- – something that really fits with the George Square) and Assembly Roxy’s ‘NGOs Against Modern-Day Slavery’ at to-back storytelling, featuring tales ethos of what the Fringe is all about”. The Flanagan Collective 19 entire Russian season. Oh, and to Mark 3.30pm on 24 Aug. from the likes of Ophira Eisenberg, The marathon kicks off at midday Musical Reviews 19 Thomas for ‘Bravo Figaro!’, just in case Commenting on this year’s political Brad Lawrence, Martin Dockery, David on Wednesday 15 Aug at Riddles Court, the Fringe First was feeling lonely in his fest, the Presiding Officer of the Dinnell, David Dobbs, Rad Radcliff and and runs for 24 hours, obviously. More dressing room. The Herald also has an Scottish Parliament, Tricia Marwick Julie Kertesz. at www.facebook.com/grantswhisky C S outstanding achievement gong called MSP, remarked: “The Festival Of Politics the Archangel, which went last week shows the kind of innovation that sets Lucia and Scot 20 to ‘The People Show 121: The Detective the Scottish Parliament apart from Children’s Show Reviews 20 Story’ (at Assembly George Square). others in engaging both the head and As more awards start to be the heart. While debate and discussion unleashed, we’ll document them all at remain the bedrock, we have added P H www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/festivalawards. contemporary art, music and theatre And don’t forget our ThreeWeeks to our programme that continues to Photo Page 21 Editors’ Awards. These go to the ten push boundaries”. things that the ThreeWeeks editors She added: “This year’s Festival believe made this year’s Edinburgh Of Politics continues to offer an A E Festival extra special. Winners can be exciting and intelligent addition to Words & Events Reviews 22 people, plays, productions, companies, Edinburgh’s festivals season. We venues or even whole festivals. This are delighted to be part of these year’s Editors’ Awards will be presented internationally renowned cultural C L at theSpace @ Symposium Hall on events”. Saturday 25 Aug at 10.30am. More info The full programme is online at Shows Guide 23 at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/awards www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk. www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk

WEEK TWO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 03 S P START POINT WantFor all to the know latest about festival hot newsshows as first? it breaks Getwww.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/news mini-reviews via Twitter by following www.twitter.com/twittique

Lynn’s letter to Edinburgh: Now it’s time to enjoy yourself

stood before these people who so S P COLUMN wanted me to be amazing and did my routine. No one laughed. Oh, Lynn Ruth Miller had to there were smiles and a chuckle or sit this Fringe out with her two. Every now and again, I heard a CARO WRITES… hearty guffaw… but not one joke really foot in a cast. But that’s caught fire. The technician, who felt Gosh, those days just slip away not stopping her from my pain, told me, “They LOVED the once it’s all started, don’t they? sharing some thoughts with show, Lynn Ruth. They all listened to Like very slidey beads off a very slippy Edinburgh performers from every single word you said”. And I bit of string. I keep thinking I’m going to the other side of the Atlantic… replied, “I am a comedian. I want them have a day to catch up, but I never do. to laugh”. Once the work on one Weekly Edition I really love the second week of I trudged home in the rain that is finished, the next one is demanding the Festival. By that time, I am night and thought seriously of to be started. By the time I’ve finished comfortable with my show; I throwing the last seven years into the focus totally on my show. to get better at what I do. I love selecting reviews for a Daily Edition, I’m understand the limits of my venue nearest bin and taking up lap dancing. By the time I finished that first performing and if that love doesn’t busy sorting through more reviews and and I have an established routine to I was ashamed and distraught. week, all my variables were in place show, I am not doing my job. If I want features for the website… there really is bring in my audiences. I know where I However, instead of shopping around and I could give my full attention to my audience to have a great time, I not a moment to breathe. want to flyer and when the best times for some hemlock to drink, I cried the one thing I came to Edinburgh to have to have fun too. are. And I have figured out the times bitter tears to that wisest, most do: my show. I had my content under I am hoping all of you are But that’s my life. Not yours. At this when I can rest and the times when philosophical and kindest of men: control and I could see the tone and beginning to enjoy yourself too, now stage in the Festival, I am going to I am not too stressed to catch a few Sweet Venues founder Julian Caddy. the slant that was most comfortable that the first week has come to an recommend that you give yourself a other shows. The Festival all comes Julian thought for a moment, and for me. I established my networking end. That is when you figure out that little time off. Yes, I realise you may be together for me in this week. then he said: “You know what, Lynn and I’d scheduled all my late night this Festival isn’t about the reviewers a relentlessly busy actor or comedian Last year, I did my comedy Ruth. You’re not having FUN on that promotional appearances. For the first that haven’t got to your show, or the who is trying to pack in a full Festival of show at Sweet Grassmarket. The stage”. time in a lot more than seven days, I people who didn’t particularly care for show-seeing in addition to appearing performances blew hot and cold And then I understood why the had time to breathe. That is why it is what you do. It isn’t about the rain or in four shows a day. Or an addicted through the first week. Audiences first week is so difficult. Those first in the second week of the Fringe that the fatigue. It is about the marvellous theatre-goer with not a moment to were fair but not great, and not one seven performances, I was worried you can have a good time. friends you are making and the spare from immersing yourself in, reviewer managed to come see me. about my timing; I was adjusting to And that is just what I did. I started beautiful opportunity you have to er, immersive theatrical experiences On the last Saturday night of that incessant rain; I was trying to find having fun and so did my audience. do one show over and over and over (immersive’s very much where it’s at week, I had a full house and you know the places I could settle in for a meal; When you think about it, what else did until you get it right… not for the these days, right?). Or you are one of how unusual that can be. The room I was constantly distracted by all I want to happen? Do I want national audience… but for yourself. those tireless promoters, or publicists, was filled with people I not only knew the friends I was seeing for the first recognition? Well, maybe, eventually. Lynn has some more Week Two tips for or talent scouts, and you have to make but fans who had been following me time in a year. My performance was Do I want five star reviews? Well, of you in the full column at www.ThreeWeeks. sure you don’t waste a second. for the past six years. How could I fail? only one of hundreds of things on course I do. But that isn’t the real co.uk/2012LRM2 Filled with false confidence, I my mind. It was incredibly difficult to But honestly, if you are going to be reason I came to Edinburgh. I came Fringing until the death, it really is time to have a few hours away from it all. I promise you that when you return, it will all seem even better. So take yourself Fleming’s Fringe: Seeking some stunts most cunning off to the beach for the morning (it’s only half an hour on the train to North 2005) was much-loved in the comedy NOMINEE’. “I think Malcolm would Programme’s ridiculous censorship Berwick) or head off for a turn around S P COLUMN business and could spot talent at 200 have approved” she added. of his ‘PRICK’ show as ‘PR!CK’ into the Botanics, or, and this is my best yards in a thick mist. He nurtured “Yes,” I thought, “he would”. So we an effective piece of publicity. And I suggestion so far, spend an afternoon Malcolm Hardee Comedy more comedy talent in the 1980s, created a new Cunning Stunt Award rather admired Chris Dangerfield, who at the much more relaxed Edinburgh Awards organiser and prolific 1990s and 2000s than you could fit for best Fringe publicity stunt and we got his show Sex Tourist sponsored into many a TV comedian’s ego. He gave it to Gill before she could give by an Edinburgh escort agency - International Book Festival – it began at blogger John Fleming writes… the weekend – in the leafy gardens at helped many of today’s big TV names herself an award. Last year, Kunt & anyone who takes his flyer gets a Charlotte Square. – some of whom would not return his The Gang and their éminence bald 10% discount on the agency’s wares. I started the Malcolm Hardee Comedy phone calls after they bought their Bob Slayer got the award for their Dubious taste is no barrier to winning But before you do that, read this issue Awards because I felt the Fringe second Armani suit. ‘Cockgate’ stunt, in which paper an award. of ThreeWeeks, because yet again, in had become too responsible and So the main Malcolm Hardee penises were stuck on everyone else’s At the other end of the spectrum, addition to lots of reviews, we’ve got a respectable. It was / is now part of the Award For Comic Originality seeks to posters all over Edinburgh. Personally, Charmian Hughes had a ‘knitathon’ great line up of features for you. Guest career path of aspiring comedians. celebrate risk-taking. The more recent I did not like the stunt itself, but they in which punters were encourage to columnists John Fleming and Lynn Ruth The name Malcolm Hardee Act Most Likely to Make a Million Quid built up an extraordinarily effective knit throughout her ‘Charmageddon!’ Miller kick things off for us again, but we remains unknown to the woman in a Award seeks to find more mainstream publicity campaign on the slender show (about the end of the world). also hear from Paul O’Mahoney from 5/5 Leamington Spa bus queue. Modern acts. And then… And then… we back of it. She then used the half-knitted show ‘Unmythable’ and ace magicians Fringe performers almost see her as have the Cunning Stunt Award. This ‘Cockgate’ did not appear until garment(s) as part of an erotic ‘Dance Morgan & West. And then there are the their target audience. Malcolm did started in 2008 when comedian about halfway through last year’s Of The Seven Cardigans’ at the end of Q&As: we hear from the up and coming not come to the Fringe to get on TV. Gill Smith sent me an e-mail saying Fringe – roughly where we are this the show. playwright Molly Taylor; the folks behind He came because he could get drunk, she was nominating herself for the year – so I am praying for another But none of these truly excite the brilliant show ‘Sealand’; sketch make some money, get sex and had a Malcolm Hardee Award on the basis unexpected stunt. At the moment, me. There is no Malcolm Hardee comedy stars The Ginge, The Geordie licence, under the guise of the Fringe, she could then logically put on her contenders might include Stuart element of danger. No real authority- and The Geek; comedic multi-tasker Dan to be anarchic. posters ‘MALCOLM HARDEE AWARD Goldsmith, who turned the Fringe annoying anarchy. Where are the Nightingale; Fringe cabaret legend-in- He (and Arthur Smith) wrote a Naked Balloon Dance and Banger- the-making Tricity Vogue; the talented review of his own show, submitted it Up-The-Bum elements? PR man Mark team from Jackinabox Productions; to The Scotsman under the name of Borkowski twice – twice! – managed Fringe veteran and classical guitarist one of the paper’s critics – and they to get Edinburgh Council in a tizzy Jonathan Prag; Alexander Wright, the published it! He drove a tractor, naked, by claiming French troupe Archaos brain behind the brilliant ‘Beulah’; and through American performance were going to juggle chainsaws. They popular Flamenco-focused puppets artist Eric Bogosian’s show. Eric had were not. But it got acres of publicity. Lucia and Scot. Yes, that’s right. Puppets. annoyed him, so he annoyed Eric. Malcolm’s erstwhile comedy troupe Likewise, American ventriloquist The Greatest Show On Legs are in Oh, and I didn’t even mention our cover David Strassman annoyed Malcolm, town from 22nd August. Is their star Tony Law, one of our all time Fringe so he abducted David’s hi-tech anarchy-stewn inspiration forgotten? favourites. Don’t miss his Q&A on page dummy, held it to ransom and sent 8. Or I’ll be cross. it back to Strassman piece by piece, John Fleming writes a daily blog at demanding hard cash. blog.thejohnfleming.com Caro @ ThreeWeeks But Malcolm (who drowned in

S P PAGE 04 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO

INTERVIEWS Read all our interviews from the Festival so far Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/interviews

An isolated territory – Alchemists on Sealand TransportedI

were able to add another level to the to the Fringe: set, the basement. Molly Taylor TW: Tell us about your backgrounds, have you written/directed and produced before? Anthony: We have just graduated from As a long term users and the Contemporary Theatre Course at lovers of public transport, East 15 Acting School. During training the ThreeWeeks editors were Luke devised and performed in the immediately drawn to Molly National Theatre Studio’s production Taylor’s new play, ‘Love of ‘Doing The Idiots’ and the Georgian National Theatre’s production of Letters To The Public Transport ‘Touch Me’. He’s also directed at System’. And if our reviewer’s the Southwark Playhouse and The opinion is anything to go Nottingham Arts Theatre. Though by (hint: it is), the resulting ‘Sealand’ is his first full length play. piece of theatre is really This is my fourth year at the Edinburgh something special. Molly spoke Fringe, I composed and produced to ThreeWeeks about the ‘Facebook: The Musical’ in 2009, transferred to the Arts Theatre London inspiration for the show, and its with the Hartshorn-Hook production journey to the Fringe. of ‘A Tribute To The Blues Brothers live’ in 2010, and produced ‘Perffection’ by TW: Tell us about the concept behind Charlotte Josephine last year. ‘Sealand’ ‘Love Letters…’ is the first production for our new MT: ‘Love Letters’ was born out of a company The Alchemist. pretty heady love affair, and a time in my life when lots of exciting things TW: Do you think Edinburgh is a were happening. And I got a bit good place for premiering new obssessed with the idea of timings, work? how I’d been in the right place at the Anthony: Edinburgh is the perfect right time, and how other people had platform for a new piece of theatre, played their part in that process. And providing you can pay the escalating that included the bus and train drivers venue guarantee! It gives you the who got me about every day. So I set opportunity to take risks, be creative myself a task, to see if I could find the and get what might have started as just a simple plot idea to an international audience. New work is the heart of the Fringe. Standing TW: What are the biggest challenges about producing a brand new play? out from the Anthony: Getting the public interested enough in new writing that they’ll part with their well earned pounds. You crowd: The have to know how to sell your show Photo: Kat Gollock and be able to talk freely about it, word of mouth is God in Edinburgh and the Ginge, The TW: When did you first learn about strength of family and the divide ‘Sealand’ intrigued us from challenge is to get an audience that the real life Sealand story, and how between the youth of today and the the start. A ‘broken Britain’ will then go and talk about your show. Geordie and themed piece, inspired by the did it inspire the new play? older generation Luke: I found out about the real TW: What are the best bits? rather bizarre story of the Sealand while flicking through a news TW: It sounds like there are parallels Anthony: The best thing about The Geek real life sea fort principality, website. I was looking for the perfect with some other attempts-to-create- producing this show is the cast and it had a lot of promise. Then place to set the play, some where a-Utopia stories – Alex Garland’s ‘The team behind our new company. Fringe success story The isolated and cut off from the mainland. Beach’ comes to mind – did any other our reviewer saw the show They’re passionate and committed Ginge, The Geordie and The Sealand ticked every box. The real works inspire you? and was entranced, making to giving the public an hour of pure Geek have been appearing story is fascinating, but their reason for Luke: ‘The Beach’ certainly has some us determined to track down theatre. around Edinburgh in their Luke Clarke and Anthony creating Sealand seemed to stem from parallels, though I would say the film them wanting publicity. In my story I ‘Mosquito Coast’ was more of an underpants (on posters, TW: And finally, beyond the Fringe, Stephen Springall from The ask, if someone really wanted to start inspiration. I think like a lot of utopia obviously) for a number of what are your future plans for The Alchemist, the recently formed a new nation, would it be possible and stories, it’s never about the new place Alchemist? years now. They’ve proven company behind the show, to how would they go about achieving it? you’re creating, it’s about what’s wrong Anthony: We plan to tour ‘Sealand’ in popular with ThreeWeeks with the place you’ve come from, and ask some questions. 2013. And we both have a number of reviewers and Fringe punters TW: Recent economic woes also why you had to leave it. other productions in the pipeline. But influenced the play, didn’t they? alike, so we decided it was time TW: For the uninitiated, tell us about for next year’s Fringe Luke, Charlie Luke: Yes. As a recent graduate, I was TW: How have you gone about to find out about the secret to the real Sealand? and I, are planning a totally different struck one day (as most students are, recreating an isolated sea platform their success. Other than the Luke: The real Sealand was set up in theatre experience to this year. Live I think) by the realisation that I would on stage? 1967 by Roy Bates. After realising one music, giant puppets, acrobatics and pants. And also about the BBC soon be entering into a climate that Anthony: We enlisted the help of of the old World War II sea forts in the of course time travel. And that’s all I’ll pilot we’d heard about on the offered me little to no employment Charlie Robb, a graduate designer North Sea was outside British territorial say for now. grapevine. waters, he and his wife started to live opportunities. The play is my response from The Wimbledon School of Art. To on it and claimed it as an independent to the recession, the economic translate the feeling of claustrophobia TW: Let’s start at the start, how did sovereign state. He gave himself the down turn and the feelings that both and isolation onto the stage, she SEE LUKE & ANTHONY’S SHOW you guys come together in the name title of prince and his wife the title of students and working adults have designed a raised platform where the Sealand, Zoo, 9-27 Aug, 5.15pm of comedy? princess, and a legal battle ensued. His toward broken Britain at the moment. actors are forced to live on top of each LINKS: www.thealchemisttheatre.co.uk GGG: We trained together as actors at son still lives there today. However, the play also explores the other. Using a simple pulley system we the Royal Scottish Academy Of Music

I N PAGE 06 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO INTERVIEWS Don’t forget the legendary ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz mini-interviews Read them online at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/quickquiz

public transport workers who were remember all the bloody lines, so this responsible, to find out more about time I feel a bit more confident about them, and to thank them. how it should be performed.

TW: Once you’d decided to create a TW: How did you begin working with piece around public transport, you the National Theatre Of Scotland? started with some real life stories. MT: I first starting working with them in Where did those come from, and how 2006. I ran the education and outreach did they develop into the play we can project that went alongside ‘Wolves now see? In The Walls’, so I developed a really MT: I was really lucky that a few good relationship with their Learn brilliant stories from friends and department. In 2008 I spent a year as colleagues sought me out. So I did a an associate, and it’s then I first started couple of interviews with folk who had flinging ideas around about making had really significant and memorable my own work. experiences on public transport – journeys that had altered the course TW: How has your writing style of their life in some way – and I developed and advanced thanks to transcribed the interviews and then the NTS programme? re-wrote them in my own words, as MT: They’ve got an amazing team short stories essentially, and then tried in their Artistic Development Photo: Colin Hattersley to weave them into the piece. department, and I was really lucky to work with a series of great literary stare and stare at the same sentence so presenting a piece about public the hospital, going through red lights, TW: The play had an acclaimed work- managers who gave me enormous until it becomes a line I wouldn’t be transport seems apt, without those speeding all the way there, and this in-progress airing last year, how has feedback on my writing, and Caroline embarrassed to perform! So you networks very few of us would be able woman had to sit with the injured man the final piece developed from there? Newall who produced the show last go through quite a severe filtering to get here in the first place! and hold his hand through the whole MT: If anything, it’s simpler! It’s a year. She’s an absolute legend, and has process, trying to needle out the thing. The guy survived. And she very self-contained piece, and I had brilliant creative instincts. rubbish text from the good stuff. And TW: Were there any stories you claimed that without that bus driver, to accept that simplicity was the as the sole performer, if I wouldn’t be discovered in developing the piece then, well, who knows…? I’m sure key – of course I wanted puppets and TW: Does being a performer yourself happy to perform it it doesn’t go in! that don’t appear in the play, but there’s acts of heroism like this every pyrotechnics and a massive set – but I have an impact on your playwriting? which interested or amused you? day on public transport, but they are think that was because I was worried MT: Yes! When I was re-reading TW: Is the Edinburgh Fringe a great MT: Yes, there were lots, but they’re the stories we don’t always get to hear. the writing wouldn’t stand up to the script before I went back into place to present work like ‘Love probably not printable!? I did hear an scrutiny! This time round I’ve worked rehearsals I was thinking “who on Letters…’? amazing story from a woman who had Find out about Molly’s own thoughts with a director called Graeme Maley, earth wrote this, this is so bloody MT: Yes, I think so. What’s lovely about stopped a bus one night when she was about public transport in the full interview at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012MT who suggested staging ideas and WORDY!” As a performer I reckon I’m the Fringe is that it supports work on pished – she literally jumped out into helped finesse my performance. I was quite hard on myself as the writer, all scales and stages, and story-telling the road and stopped it because it was SEE MOLLY’S SHOW: thrilled that the work-in-progress was because I’ve got an instinct about is a massive part of that programme. her last bus and she’d have missed National Theatre of Scotland Presents Love so well received, but at that time I was what’s play-able, or how I want a Also there’s a huge transitory audience it. On the bus was a guy who’d been Letters To The Public Transport System, The just trying to get through the show and line to sound. Sometimes I will just who come here from all over the world, stabbed, and the driver was hurtling to Assembly Rooms, 1-26 Aug (not 9), 6.15pm.

And Drama a decade ago. We all then having a self-promoted show – was it Connolly from Snow Patrol saw our of tickets. The image is striking and in TW: So, tell us about this BBC pilot. jobbed about as actors for a few years as easy as it looked? London previews and loved the show, amongst a sea of comedian’s faces, it GGG: The pilot was brilliant. We got but didn’t make our fortunes, so we GGG: It was insane!!! We moved out so we got quotes from them and that really sets us apart! In past shows we’ve to work with a fantastic new team of decided to make a sketch show of our London flats to afford to come probably helped ticket sales. As did the started in our pants before getting into people while managing to stay true to instead. It was blind faith. We up, so failure was never an option. We silly name (which industry people don’t the actual sketches wearing our usual our own style of comedy. We shot the approached it as a business and said probably worked fourteen hours a day like very much, but Joe Public do). And costume of black cargos and white whole thing in Glasgow and worked we wanted a TV pilot after three in the first year to make sure we got an the picture of us in our pants helped a polo shirts, but this year has been very with a brilliant director called Mandie Edinburghs. Looking back it seems audience. It’s not just about flyering, lot as well! hectic for us and we’ve all eaten a lot Fletcher who has previously directed mad, as we now know how hard it is for it’s the whole promoting package you of take aways, so it’s much kinder for shows like ‘Blackadder’, ‘Roger And Val’ sketch groups to get their own shows. need to get perfect, and we just learnt TW: Ah yes, that photo! It has all of our fans if we don’t subject them and ‘Absolutely Fabulous’. Mandie has So the fact that we got a BBC pilot at on the job. By the end of that first year certainly served you well. Do the to our semi naked chips and cheese so much experience of what works for the start of the year feels amazing. we’d sold 3000 tickets, which had us capes and pants ever feature in ridden bodies. Although the Geordie television and it was fascinating to see We’re very lucky. gobsmacked. Even with all the work, your shows? And are you planning does have to wear a skin tight morph how we could adapt comedy ideas and we were expecting to lose a packet! on using the same photo concept suit at one point! The photo concept make them work on the small screen. TW: You seemed to quickly build Again, there was an element of luck. forever? is our branding so yes, we will use it We did the live studio filming in front of a following at the Fringe despite Actor James McAvoy and Nathan GGG: The photo has helped sell a lot forever. It’s a bit of a metaphor for what 300 people which was terrifying, but we represent and who we are: three they seemed to love it which was a real blokes without pretension and always buzz. up for a laugh. It’s a striking image and, love it or hate it, it hopefully makes us TW: You obviously love doing the stand out from the crowd, just like our Fringe; what are the best bits and comedy. worst bits of doing a show here? GGG: The best bits are those audiences TW: For the uninitiated, tell us what that really get the show. The ones that we can expect from a GGG show. clap between sketches and generally GGG: It’s a feel-good populist sketch make the atmosphere amazing. The show with 32 sketches in 55 minutes. worst bit is the lack of sleep and alcohol Big punchlines, lots of jokes, silliness, poisoning! big characters, clean humour, no swearing and a brilliant 80s soundtrack. One of the things we’re Find out more about the pilot and doing two Fringe shows a day in the full interview at most proud of is the fact that you can www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012GGG bring your 12 year old kid and your gran and the whole family can enjoy it. SEE THE SHOW: It’s not easy to achieve, and the show is The Ginge, The Geordie And The Geek – All constantly evolving, but we’ve sold out New Show 2012, Just The Tonic at The Caves, every day so far with great audience 1-26 Aug (not 14), 4.45pm and 7.45pm. reactions so it’s definitely worth a punt LINKS: www.gingegeordiegeek.com Photo: Stuart Armitt if you haven’t seen us before.

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Dan Nightingale: Well conceived notions? C O REVIEWS Marek Larwood - Typecast C they may be, but were you not Nightingale’ for Fringe 2013? O INTERVIEW tempted to hold onto these DN: That’s a fucking great shout. Big Potato Productions We were impressed with for eleven and half years of Good thinking. Although I’ve The result of a disconcerting self- Festivals? not got round to seeing many the concept: take nearly- Google, Marek Larwood’s ‘Typecast’ DN: No, the next eleven and a shows yet. I’ll be going to see: is his attempt at definitively proving twelve ill conceived ideas half years of shows need to be Chris Stokes, Matt Forde, Danny just how versatile a performer he can and turn them into one much better conceived than Buckler, Carl Donnelly, Luisa be. What follows is an hour of truly off- winning show. Then this lot. Omelian, Danny Mcloughlin, the-wall, anarchic comedy. Exploring Harriet Dyer and Paul McCaffrey. the tropes of period drama, method our reviewer was TW: Or perhaps you could have I’ve also heard David Trent’s is acting and that most technical of impressed with results. sold them on to eleven and half a great show to see. So they’d disciplines, the panel show, Larwood’s A Q&A had to follow. other comedians desperately better all be prepared for me to performance is sharp and endearingly trying fill out their Fringe TW: I think we can guess the steal their concepts. irreverent. His satire of the recent trend Programme forms? premise of the show, but tell for inane observational comedy is a DN: That could be a good way to TW: What are the best and us the basics, and how the idea particular highlight, and there are more make some money earlier in the worst bits about doing came about. than a couple of gags which leave the year. Sell on the duffers and keep Edinburgh? DN: It’s obviously a show of all audience stunned into a state of “did the gems. DN: Best bit, being in Edinburgh the ideas I had for shows. The that actually just happen?”. Despite the for a month. What an amazing Fringe Programme deadline was TW: What persuaded you back odd moment of utter bemusement, place to live, even if it’s just for upon me and I didn’t like any of to Edinburgh this year? Marek’s hilarious quest to release his a month. Worst - the constant the ideas I’d had enough to do DN: I love the Festival and inner “shit swan” is a real joy to watch; a temptation of late night boozing. them for an hour, so I thought it this is my fourth full month of messy, crazy joy. I’ve done well with that so far. might be funny to do them all. being here. Last time I was here Pleasance Courtyard, 1-26 Aug (not 14), And I have. It’s an insight into the properly, in 2008, I did my first TW: Have you caught up with 6.20pm. creative comedic process of an full hour. It went pretty well, but Auntie Christine yet? (Yeah, it’s tw rating 4/5 | [Rebecca Low] indecisive stand-up. It’s ended I knew I needed a little longer possible we read your quick up being a really fun show to put out of the Fringe spotlight to quiz with The Skinny) together and perform. There’s develop my comedy. Last year I DN: She’s coming on the last TW RATINGS lot’s of variety in what I’m talking was at home during the Festival night. Good grief that’ll be about and it’s interesting to and I actually missed being here interesting, because she joins in! 1/5 Bad see people’s reactions to each and knew I’d be much more able Get a bit more Dan by reading section of the show. I’ve done to do a show to the standard I the full interview at 2 / 5 Mediocre a fake poster for each one and wanted. www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012DN good God do I look ridiculous in 3/5 Good some of them. TW: Have you seen any good SEE DAN’S SHOW: shows at this year’s Fringe The 11 and a ½ Ill-conceived Edinburgh 4/5 Very Good TW: Eleven and half ideas for yet? How about ‘The Eleven Shows of Dan Nightingale, Pleasance Fringe shows – ill conceived And Half Stolen Shows Of Dan Dome, 1-26 Aug, 6.50pm. Photo: Stuart Armitt 5/5 Brilliant

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Patterson and Ranganathan accessible for all, though Maths fans Patternathan are unlikely to be disappointed. The comedian did occasionally seem to Join James Patterson and Romesh lose concentration and skipped over Ranganathan for an extraordinarily certain sections too quickly, but this hilarious hour of witty anecdotes and may partially have been down to the social cynicism. Patterson doles out presence of some unhelpful hecklers. hysterical tales of the first woman he Overall though, it’s a well-structured brought to his mother’s house and his show that’s funny and informative in attempt to get out of being mugged equal measure. by poking fun at the mugger’s trouser The Canons’ Gait, 4-25 Aug (not 14), 4.55pm. choice, while Romesh harks back to tw rating 4/5 | [Holly Close] his not-so-careful use of sarcasm as a school teacher, and learning life Hennessey & Friends: lessons at the ‘Avengers Assemble’ film showing. Both Patterson and A History Of Violence Ranganathan complete excellent stand Miranda Hennessey up routines that are seamless and Miranda Hennessey is a force to be clever, and they definitely delivered reckoned with, a diminutive blonde more than I expected. Don’t miss these packing a powerful punch both two comedians, because it will most physically and comedically: hitting, likely be the last time one can see them kicking and leaping through sketches for free. about foxes, James Bond and some Laughing Horse @ The White Horse, 8-26 violently romantic dates. Brilliantly Aug, 3.30pm. tw rating 4/5 | [Ellie Willis] assisted by put-upon ‘friends’ David Seymour and Steve Chapman (both Yianni: Numb And of whom manage to play female Number - Free characters without turning them into Yianni/PBH’s Free Fringe fey caricatures), Hennessey is a bubbly, confident performer with a great Yianni Agisilaou manages to inject line in accents and physical comedy. heart and hilarity into the potentially Not every sketch is perfect, but they stark world of numbers. Diagnosed twist and turn with such skill that Photo: Stuart Armitt as mildly autistic in his early thirties, weaker segments are soon forgotten, Agisilaou describes the traits of particularly as many of the recurring autism with good humour and characters form a strongly funny sensitivity, integrating his own backbone at the core of the show. An Nonsense to the max: Tony Law personal narrative into a fascinating excellent Fringe debut for this talented chronological discussion about team. the numbers 0-10. References to Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1-27 Aug (not 13), points along the way without being those guys are decent folks with the Ashley Cole, toilet paper and the joy 2.50pm. tw rating 4/5 | [Holly Close] C O INTERVIEW the preachy, obvious twat that I can best intentions. Looking after the acts of passport stamps make the show sometimes be. and treating us all like adults. Weird Comedian Tony Law is a Fringe drinks sponsor this year though. What veteran, not to mention a TW: As a comedian, does Edinburgh the hell is it? Fringe favourite, and not just provide the impetus to create a new with us lot here at ThreeWeeks. show? TW: Would you like to do something If you haven’t heard of him TL: Abso-fricking-lootley. The yearly a little more theatrical again at panic begins around September 1st. a future Fringe? (We still fondly you a: must be pretty new to remember The Dinks). the Festival and b: need to get TW: There are very complimentary TL: Ahhh The Dinks. I think I am doing along to his show as soon as quotes from Stewart Lee, Adam that right now on my own. Maybe you can, no nonsense… Buxton and Sean Lock on your someday, with someone who lives website. Would you like to return the near me. Lots of amazing mental acts TW: Your Fringe blurb promises us favour? coming through doing great odd stuff. the ‘meaning of life’ in your new TL: Heroes. Each one of them. show. Well, sort of. Do you know the Completely different but funny bones TW: And we saw your brief cameo meaning of life? in all. Not craftsman but naturally in Tim FitzHigham and Tiernan TL: Try and not be a dick. I fail daily, funny wizards. Funny in life. Just funny. Douieb’s kids’ show last Festival – but I try. I attempt to be kind. And And smart. So not just funny. Funny have you ever considered doing a keep trying. Oh the meaning????? Ask funny smart. I lack a vocabu… show for children? Coldplay! TL: Nah. I swear too much. Plus, I do TW: Do you share Stewart’s well that with my own kids everyday and TW: What’s the plan with new show documented concerns about the it’s knackering. And I loathe kids. ‘Maximum Nonsense’, tell us more. continued growth of the more TL: It’s about identity and comedy, all commercial end of the Fringe, or TW: Your Fringe blurb also promises wrapped up in a nonsense blanket. do you prefer to stay out of such clichés. What are your worst Fringe People who have watched a lot of debate? clichés? comedy and know their onions tend TL: I have my head too far up my own TL: Posters. All the genius’s’s’s here. to love it, noticing stuff, whatever their arse to give a shit. I’m doing my own People who write “on at a time that age. People who are newer to comedy thing. I need things to bang up against. doesn’t conflict with shows you see a crazy jumpy moving man! I’m So put up as many giant posters as you actually want to see?” – not a cliché but happy about that. So the plan is up at like. I shan’t be. Got kids to feed and just rude. And a pointless thing to say. the top of this answer. clothe. And make sure they’re better Knob. Comics who act self deprecating educated than their silly father. but really actually think they’re ok. See TW: How does it compare to last above. Knob. year’s show (which was excellent by TW: As a Stand performer, it must the way)? be exciting being part of a Fringe SEE TONY’S SHOW: TL: It’s like a step forward. Moving enterprise with a big new sister Tony Law Maximum Nonsense, The Stand Comedy Club, 1-27 Aug, 12.30pm. a little onwards. Attempting to be venue next door? original (impossible) and funny for TL: It’s great. The more stuff on this LINKS: www.mrtonylaw.com an hour, and maybe making some side of town the better. Tommy and all

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Quick Quiz C O REVIEWS 5/5 Well Done You – Free Other than your own show, who else Trodd en Bratt / Laughing Horse Free Festival would you recommend we see? Less of a comedy performance and more an experiment in character Rob Beckett: “I think Catie Wilkins: “I’m acting, this duo’s foray into sketch show Chris McCausland (at looking forward to territory is, well, sketchy. The theatrical Pleasance Courtyard) seeing Nick Helm (at talent – particularly of Ruth Bratt – is is excellent and can’t Pleasance Dome), undeniable; with very few props or wait to see his show. I Grainne Maguire scenery, both transform themselves also want to see Batman (at Underbelly Bristo time and time again. The faultless The Dark Knight Rises in a cinema at Square) and Lou Sanders accents and surprisingly good singing some point!” (at Pleasance Courtyard) because are high points in the performance. Indeed, though the acting is not under Rob Beckett’s Summer Holiday, Pleasance they’re crazy in a good way, and also Courtyard, 1-26 Aug (not 14), 6.00pm. their shows don’t clash with mine!” question, the comedy perhaps is; whilst I marvel at the chameleon-like ability of robbeckettcomedy.com Catie Wilkins: Joy is my Middle Name, Underbelly Cowgate, 2-26 Aug (not 14), the two stars, there are few laughs to Danielle Ward: “Sarah 7.45pm. catiewilkins.com be had here – the jokes are well worn Kendall (at Pleasance and often overstretched to last an Courtyard). She’s been Up & Over It: “We’re entire sketch, and some just don’t make one of my favourite dying to see award- sense. “comics you’ve not winning cabaret Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, 2-26 Aug heard of” since I started duo Bourgeois & (not 13), 5.45pm. stand-up. She’s a proper master” Maurice (at Underbelly tw rating 3/5 | [Olivia Sleet] Danielle Ward - Speakeasy / Play Dead, Cowgate), their Pleasance Dome, 1-27 Aug (not 7), 8.20pm. twisted songs on life Luke And Harry’s Dot Dot Dot danielleward.co.uk are hilarious. Also, Jonny Woo (at Assembly George Square), Luke And Harry Matt Forde: “Danny performance artist and east London Luke Davies and Harry Carr appear to Buckler (at Just The legend. It just happens that we’ll all be think that blurting out a non sequitur Tonic at The Caves) sharing a flat too, so there’s a slight bit then slapping the floor and saying and Paul McCaffrey of favouritism there” ‘’touchdown!’’ is an adequate substitute (at Underbelly Bristo Up & Over It. Back On Our Feet. 2-26 Aug for humour. It isn’t. Sketch shows are Square). Two proper 18.05 Assembly George Square. always hit and miss, but ‘Luke And funny men who can recreate their upandoverit.com Harry’s Dot Dot Dot’ has few hits and personas onstage. No stagecraft, no a lot of misses. There are moments tricks, these men are the real deal. The Beta Males: “We of hope, like the menopausal mother Authentic comedy at its best” saw a preview of telling her son about ‘’the change’’ Matt Forde: Eyes To The Right, Nose To The McNeil & Pamphilon’s and there are chuckles to be found in Left, Underbelly Bristo Square, 1-26 Aug, show last month so some of the blacker sketches, but all 4.05pm. we can confidently too often Davies and Carr simply fling John Robertson - The Dark Room say that it’s low-fi sketch some random, theoretically funny, Sammy J: “Felicity comedy of the highest elements together – backscratcher, John Robertson / PIAS / It’s The Comedy You Deserve Ward in ‘The order. We’re certainly seeing it again (at piles, grandchildren - and hope that If you don’t like to get involved in your comedy, then this is not for you. Hedgehog Dilemma’ Pleasance Courtyard). Also – if there’s laughter will follow without bothering However, if you like it to be interactive, you’ll struggle to find better than (at Underbelly Bristo any justice in the world, everyone who with such niceties as punchlines John Robertson’s show - or perhaps game show - ‘The Dark Room’. The host’s Square), because her reads this will go and see Jonny & or point. I like to shag cabbages! infectious energy does not allow for dull moments, or indeed, quiet ones, with show was nominated for The Baptists comedy blues revue (at Touchdown! a premise based around the audience participating in a bleak, yet somehow an award at just about every Australian Underbelly Cowgate). Just The Tonic at The Caves, 2 – 26 Aug (not hilarious video game that is not won (at least not at my viewing, give it a try). comedy festival earlier this year. The Beta Males in... The Space Race, 14), 2.00pm. In someone else’s hands this idea could become tiresome, but Robertson’s own Sammy J and Randy – The Inheritance, Pleasance Courtyard, 1-27 Aug (not 14), tw rating 2/5 | [Andrew Bell] charisma and incredibly loud voice keep proceedings fresh, interesting and Underbelly Bristo Square, 1-27 Aug, 6.05pm. 5.45pm. thebetamales.com hilarious. And loud. Cruel, well thought out, and hilarious. more comedy: Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, August 4-26, 5.00pm. www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/quickquiz >ThreeWeeks.co.uk/comedy tw rating 5/5 | [David O’Connor]

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Max and Ivan Are... by the war and the English on Con Artists holiday, all of which are common to A magical mystery tour other German-in-Britain comedians. Phil McIntyre Entertainments However, Mittermeier is a real pro, majority of people couldn’t name you Unlike their criminal counterparts, carefully weaving stories together C O COLUMN three different magic acts, let alone Max and Ivan are staggeringly and pulling some of the best call- describe the differences between professional. The pair performed backs out of the bag at the end. There Time-travelling conjurors them. When someone says ‘magician’, this epic sketch narrative centred was too much lazy stereotyping for Morgan & West challenge it conjures up images of dicky bows and dinner suits, or mullets and giant on the final hustle of six con artists this to be excellent, but it’s brilliant some popular stereotypes, with nothing more than a couple of nevertheless. collars, of girls cut in half and rabbits and offer some magical well-chosen special effects and their Pleasance Courtyard, 6-27 Aug (not 13, 20), pulled from hats. They think of kids’ own sweat and blood (nearly all of it 9.30pm. tw rating 4/5 | [Claire Hoyda] recommendations at this parties and brightly coloured silk imaginary). Although it teetered on year’s Fringe. handkerchiefs, and often enough the verge of outright hilarity almost Susan Calman: they think it’s all a bit cheesy and all constantly, it was a bit too slick to “I don’t like magic”. When promoting a bit tired. Well, good news ladies actually fall over the edge, a fact This Lady’s Not for Turning a magic show, at some point someone and gentlemen! Magic has grown up. which was more than made up for by Either will say those four little words. After Much as comedians have forsaken the incredibly well-constructed plot Underbelly Productions four years doing magic at fringe mother-in-law gags and fezzes, so festivals, we are more than used to too has magic moved out from the and the creation of enough in-jokes For a small amount of time I feared hearing them and have come up with shadow of stereotype into the bright and reference points in the hour to for Susan Calman’s wife. But while any number of witty ripostes. Though light of originality. form a miniature comic universe. It Susan spends most of the hour trying we still find that very idea – well – Take a stroll around the Fringe’s was a pleasure to be a witness to this to convince us of the reasons why strange. comedy and cabaret strands and fitting suits with rabbits bulging from masterminded subterfuge. nobody should marry her, you can I strongly doubt a comedian flyering you will see magic acts of all shapes, our sleeves, why not go and see one Pleasance Courtyard, 1-27 Aug (not 14), see why somebody would (lucky on the Mile ever hears “No thanks, I sizes and styles. At the Pleasance, the of the 47 (or so) magic shows at the 3.30pm. tw rating 4/5 | [Rachel Aroesti] wife). She comes to the stage with don’t like comedy”. The reason? People world’s grumpiest Magic Dragon fires Fringe and see for yourself? You almost orchestrated pizzazz, receiving the are used to comedy. They see comedy his pet Chihuahua from a cannon for certainly won’t like them all, but that’s Michael Mittermeier: stadium welcome she truly deserves, everywhere: on the TV, in big theatres, the entertainment of his crowds, while the point: just as in comedy, theatre and carries it through the entire A German On Safari in tiny free fringe venues, on the street, Tom Binns’ comedy creation Ian D or any other broad genre represented performance with her chatty, I-am- in the pub. They are spoilt for choice, Montfort is contacting dead celebrities. at the Fringe, there’s something for Mick Perrin for Just For your-best-friend style. If nothing were and more importantly they know they Over at the Gilded Balloon you will everyone and a huge variety to choose Laughs Live and Eddie Izzard wrong in this world, her show would have a choice. Audiences know that find (as well as a pair of time-travelling from. And it’s well worth a try. Germany’s top comedian had a hard have an ending, but she leaves it up the irreverent style of Josie Long will Victorian conjurers) a crazed Swede journey to get to Edinburgh (he flew to us to support her in her quest (I be markedly different to the quick- in a jumpsuit whose chaotic style and Read more from Morgan & West on the Ryanair), but has settled into the hope this gets a theme tune too) to magic at this year’s Fringe in the full column fire puns of Tim Vine. They know that crazed manner are a million miles from Fringe well. Listening to the other marry her one true love. All I can say at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2011MW the ramshackle chaos of Pappy’s will the doves-and-dinner-jackets of twenty voices in the crowd, I’d say about is Calman for President! seem leagues away from the carefully years ago. Go elsewhere, and find Rob SEE THE SHOWS: seventy per cent were German, Underbelly Bristo Square, 1-27Aug (not 13), crafted comic stories of Humphrey Ker. James, Paul Wilson, Ian Kendal or Rob Morgan & West: Clockwork Miracles, Gilded seeing this show for a fraction of 6.00pm Everyone has comedy acts they like, Bailey, each with a very different take Balloon, 1-27 Aug (not 14), 4.30pm. the price they would back at home. tw rating 5/5 | [Claire Hoyda] and comedy acts they don’t. on the magic show. The obligatory I’m-the-only-German- Morgan & West: Lying Cheating Scoundrels, In contrast, most people have So if you were thinking to dismiss Gilded Balloon, Wed - Sun to 26 Aug, 12am. comedian jokes came first, followed never seen a magician in real life. The us as a cohort of strange men in ill-

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talking about the weather!” Best are thoroughly entertaining. A surreal T H REVIEWS friends, worst enemies, HIV positive. but undeniably cool fringe experience ‘Visiting Time’ portrays the struggles from a very exciting new company. 5/5 The Letter Of Last Resort and of two men with drastically different Institut français d’Ecosse, 4-24 Aug (not 11, 12, personalities who envy each other, and 18, 19), 4.00pm. Good With People hash out their problems with the aid tw rating 4/5 | [Stephanie Taylor] Traverse Theatre of a loaded gun. Touching on sensitive co-production with Tricycle issues such as assisted suicide, murder, Woza Albert! Theatre and Datum Point / adultery and the third world, this play offers a realistic portrayal of the Market Theatre and Assembly Paines Plough relationship of two friends who have From Sun City to Robben Island, ‘Woza What would you do if Radio 4 ceased some serious problems with each Albert!’ takes us across apartheid South to exist? Unless you are a particularly other. With yummy nurses, revelations Africa in pursuit of Morena, the second unhinged Archers fan, the answer about who gave who AIDS, and a coming of Jesus. This is a genuine probably wouldn’t be “destroy mildly amusing running gag, it’s worth Market Theatre revival brimming with twenty million people”. But this is one it just to find out what happened to the new life and embellishment by the two option the new PM must consider in rabbit that went into the butchers. actors; there’s barely a single moment ‘The Letter Of Last Resort’: a sharp Gilded Balloon 1-26 Aug 14.30pm. of silence as they blast through the Westminster play in which she tw rating 3/5 | [Charlotte Mortimer-Talman] play, soaking with sweat, working must leave instructions to a nuclear embarrassingly hard for the audience. Winston On The Run Fol Espoir submarine captain in case an unlikely Apartheid may be over, but what There are echoes of a rogue Lord Byron in this interpretation of the life of the nuclear attack wiped out the UK – and It’s So Nice the production conveys well is that young Winston Churchill. Born into the aristocracy, well-lettered, and off on wild its broadcasts. Darkly comic, this take Compagnie Oh My God apartheid was often as economic as it escapades abroad, this breed of inspirational thinkers provides rich material for on political destruction is reminiscent Barbara Sylvain and Lula Béry are polar was racial, and it’s here that the play’s theatre. In this production from Fol Espoir, a wiry Winston, war correspondent of Catch 22 in questioning rational and opposites: little and large, blonde and continued relevance comes through. during the Boer War, troops boldly around South Africa, finding himself in irrational action. ‘Good With People’ brunette, cautious and crazy. In fact, Though it’s occasionally hard to follow, increasingly dire straits and recounting his (mostly danger-filled) capers in then examines personal destruction they bear striking similarities to the the virtuosic performances are not, the semi-darkness to an elusive ‘Ratty’. Sharp, wild-eyed and – dare we say in Helensburgh, where two characters clashing 16th Century cousins (Mary and the whole production is a pleasure audacious – Freddie Machin’s performance is first-rate, and a simple stage set is face a dark past. Slower, more Stuart, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth and an education. put to excellent use. A stiff upper lip and an incurable sense of adventure turn menacing, this is a good foil for the I, Queen of England) that their show Assembly Hall, 5-27 Aug, 4.00pm. this gem of new writing into a terrific piece of theatre. ‘Letter’ – and together the plays form a is supposedly about. Part-lecture, tw rating 4/5 | [Thom May] Pleasance Courtyard, 1-27 Aug (not 8, 15, 22), 2.45pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Colette M Talbot] powerfully gripping programme. part-video screening and part-physical Traverse Theatre, 4–26 Aug (not 6, 13, 20), theatre, which could be classed as NOLA Look Left Look Right / times vary. either factual history or comedy, it with real skill, infusing them with story. Two years on from the spill, this tw rating 4/5 | [Sarah Richardson] shouldn’t be humanly possible to Escalator East To Edinburgh personality and emotional punch, play tells a bog standard tale of human merge all these genres into an hour ‘NOLA’ takes statements from eye- aided by the authenticity of the cost and corporate greed that could Visiting Time and ten minute performance. Therein witnesses to the Deep Water Horizon verbatim transcripts. However, this have applied to any disaster, which is lies the proof of Sylvain and Béry’s disaster and the ensuing oil slick verbatim nature of the play makes for a pity, as the performances deserved Unfit Productions UK Ltd weird brilliance, however, which has to and stitches them together into a a lack of narrative drive, resulting in better. “Oh god, it’s so bloody English! Here be seen to be appreciated! Deliciously documentary play. The talented a slightly dry tale of the disaster that Underbelly Cowgate, 2-26 (not 14), 3.30pm. you are with a loaded gun and we’re deadpan, even the costume changes cast bring multiple characters to life would have been improved by a central tw rating 3/5 | [Andrew Bell]

T H PAGE 12 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO THEATRE Show recommendations throughout the Festival Hear about all the top rated shows via www.twitter.com/twittique

Oddlie 5/5 CalArts Festival Theater It’s all Greek to me – the myths demythtified Oddlie is a one-woman show which tells the tale of a silent girl living in a rubbish down. The upshot was the dump who just wants to be seen, and T H INTERVIEW Trojan War, when Helen’s follows her journey to empowerment face launched a thousand through poetry. Aleshea Harris is Temple Theatre’s ‘Unmythable’ ships. Her neck and arms charismatic and captivating, switching launched a further 300 between very different characters is “a whistle-stop tour through while her legs launched a impressively and taking possession the greatest Greek myths ever new range of fashionable of the stage with confidence. She also told” says our reviewer. Well, sportswear. sings the blues beautifully, and the we like the sound of that. And The Greeks and the show mixes song and spoken word to get you in the mood, the Trojans fought for ten to great effect. Oddlie believes she show’s Paul O’Mahony is on years with Hector leading has only one talent, which is digging, the Trojans, while Achilles hand to offer a little mythy but what will she uncover? Some of was the greatest Greek the ideas about art are a little solemn; enlightenment. fighter. After Achilles killed good art doesn’t always come from a Hector it seemed that place of pain. However, this is powerful, As we’ve been hearing a lot recently, nothing could stop him heartfelt and gracefully performed. the Greeks love having a good time from leading the Greeks Venue 13, 4-18 Aug (not 6, 13), 11.45am. and to hell with the cost. Perhaps we to victory: he seemed tw rating 4/5 | [Roz Tuplin] should blame the gods – after all, if indestructible, invincible, you had Zeus as a role model what immortal even. But Achilles would you do? He’s the ultimate instant Paul Dabek Presents had an Achilles’ heel. gratification, buy-now-pay-later kind Achilles’ Achilles’ heel was Thurston PBH’s Free Fringe of guy. This is the man (well, god, but his heel. Paris discovered Photo: Graeme Braidwood This is a show with an identity crisis. A definitely male, definitely a being with this by shooting Achilles one-man performance about forgotten a penis) who was so enraged that in the heel and killing him. cover of darkness to let in your army whether you are making a Herculean magician Howard Thurston, its mash- Danae’s father locked her up in a tower So with their best warrior dead, how which has returned from behind the effort or feeling a bit narcissistic up of styles is incredibly jarring to to protect her from his advances that could the Greeks possibly break into nearest island and then massacring the you’ll probably be able to find a watch. Is it a historical biography, a he visited her as a shower of gold – in Troy? Well how else but by building inhabitants in their sleep? Simple. (And classical allusion that will apply to you. magic show, a soap box for pseudo- the process inadvertently inventing a giant wooden horse, filling it with that’s ‘simple’ without an ‘s’ at the end Whatever you’re going through, the philosophical waffle? It tries to be all a whole sub-genre of pornography. your soldiers and then leaving it because ‘simple’ should never have an Greeks got there first so it’s well worth things, but never manages to be any, Patience was never one of his virtues whilst pretending to sail away but ‘s’ at the end.) revisiting their stories now to get a which is a shame, because Paul Dabek (come to think of it, I’m not sure he actually hiding your fleet behind the Greek mythology is about power, few tips on how not to deal with your is clearly a talented magician. The had any virtues) and to get his wicked nearest island, in the hope that the controlling women and war. By the problem. illusions are the only endearing thing way with any beautiful Greek girl he people you’ve been besieging for ten way, that sentence also works if you about the show, but Dabek wades fancied he disguised himself at various SEE THE SHOW: years will think it’s a leaving present replace ‘Greek mythology’ with ‘The through boring and chunky dialogue times as a bull, a swan, an ant, a goat, Unmythable, Zoo, 3-27 August, 1.45pm. and then bring it into their city thus US Republican Party’. All the strongest before we get to the impressive magic an eagle and a pigeon. Zeus was a allowing your men to exit under the human emotions are found there, and LINKS: www.templetheatre.co.uk tricks, which are always too fleeting to one-man petting zoo, just significantly save this mess of an act. Unfortunately more dangerous. for both Dabek and Thurston, this is a He was the man/god at the top, trick that has to disappear. and those beneath him tended to The Voodoo Rooms, 6-25 Aug, 4.15pm. follow his lead. Women seem to exist tw rating 2/5 | [Patricia-Ann Young] in Greek mythology only so that they can be wronged, and for every hero The Ugly Sisters sailing off merrily with a fluffy Golden Fleece, there tends to be a slighted RashDash with Not Now female abandoned somewhere lonely. Bernard Heracles was possibly the worst culprit Torches, drums, lights, costume – a serial offender who managed to changes, silly voices, dance, music: work his way through three wives. there is not a single gimmick that isn’t Whenever he got bored of one, he used to grab the audience’s attention would ‘go mad’ and ‘accidentally’ kill in this spectacle but our performers them. Or at least that was his story. He have just the right amount of talent to was also the ultimate strange-animal- pull it off. With the brilliant live band killing-machine who is responsible Not Now Bernard, beautiful voices and for exterminating more species than a great rapport between performers global warming, disease and hunting and audience, this is a thoroughly put together. Thanks to him, you’re enjoyable show. Both actresses show never going to see a multi-headed off their multitude of talents as they Hydra in the wild (or in a zoo for that dance, sing and even beatbox their way matter). through the tragic tale of Cinderella’s Women had a tough time, and it was less cosmetically endowed sisters. no easy ride for the female immortals Brilliantly funny also is the decision to either. Before we ever had Miss World cast members of the (male) band as there was Myth World, when Paris had Ruby and Cinderella. Ten times more to choose which goddess was the most fun than the Disney version! beautiful. His decision not to select Hera was almost as controversial as Northern Stage at St Stephen’s, 9-25 Aug (not Stuart Pearce’s omission of David 13, 21), 10.00pm Beckham although hopefully the tw rating 4/5 | [Charlotte Ryan] consequences won’t be quite so severe (ten years of war, a city destroyed, TW RATINGS lots of people dying) this time round. 1/5 Bad The prize for the winner of this beauty 2 / 5 Mediocre contest (Aphrodite, since you ask) was a golden apple (the Greeks took 3/5 Good fruit very seriously) but the losers 4/5 Very Good (Hera and Athene) didn’t take it lying 5/5 Brilliant

WEEK TWO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 13 T H PHYSICAL For more ThreeWeeks dance and physical theatre reviews, interviews and features Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/physical

title suggests, a game of hangman Leo Circle of Eleven CP H REVIEWS plays out before our very eyes and it’s Ever wondered what happens when 5/5 a gripping one at that. Dark humour we are restricted to a singular room in and a hauntingly beautiful score, from Time for Fun solitude? In the case of ‘Leo’ a gravity Thomas Newman and the Pan Quartet, defying spectacle occurs. Through Hand Made Theatre combine to make a piece of great the use of some clever camera work Hailing from St Petersburg, Russia, poetic depth and visual magnificence. and impressive acrobatic skills - all Hand Made Theatre light up the No words (well, almost), and a lot of complemented by an eye-catching dreariest of afternoons with their nonsense, they Do Theatre oh so well. set - ‘Leo’ takes the audience on a Fringe debut, ‘Time for Fun’. This Assembly Roxy, 2-27 Aug (excluding 13 & 20), surreal journey where nothing is as it hour-long choreography of the hands, 4.00pm appears. This performance features a ten pairs to be exact, is nothing short tw rating 4/5 | [Lucinda Al-Zoghbi] wonderfully played, extremely likeable of a creative marvel and you may well character whose comedic discovery wonder how it is possible to sustain Mephisto Waltz of changes in gravity is bound to raise a show like this for that long, but it Derevo / Russian Season 2012 many smiles. The piece never loses is. Hands aside (for now at least), the the sense of fun it sets out with, and to performers, alumni of Russia’s State Physical theatre phenomenon Derevo top it all off, ‘Leo’ has one of the most Theatre Arts Academy, show a great succeeded in creating an emotional simple yet most joyful endings I have command of the body, in execution performance in ‘Mephisto Waltz’. seen in a long time. This characterful and timing as well as a sensitivity to Lead Anton Adasinsky captured piece of physical theatre is a delight for themselves and each other. You’ve the audience’s attention as he all ages. dominated a show which stretched the got to hand it to them, this no thrills Assembly Roxy, 4-27 Aug (not 8, 15, 22), production is inventive, ingenious imaginations of both the spectators 1.00 pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Beth Dawson] and warms the heart of rain-soaked and performers. Showing moments of Edinburgh. pain and suffering portrayed almost Assembly Roxy, 5-27 Aug, 2.30pm too intensely to bear, the performance tw rating 4/5 | [Lucinda Al-Zoghbi] flowed with a powerful professional ease that effectively prevented the Flash Mob audience’s eyes from wandering from Hangman the dramatic images created in front Corrie McGuire for Do-Theatre of them. It perhaps felt a bit long - I Objective Talent by arrangement with World Dance Management An incessant tapping noise can be believe this style of performance Be it Irish, Latin or contemporary, ‘Flash Mob’ has it all; it is a show of diversity heard the minute you enter the Roxy suits a slightly shorter duration given which sees TV dance stars come into their own as they push the limits of their - a spectacular old chapel - so has its intensity – but if you like physical bodies, passionately complementing the innovative choreography and emotive the performance begun? It would theatre, then book your tickets, music with their talent. The result is a spectacular hour of awe-inspiring dance. seem so. The tapping is coming because this is physical theatre at its Standout performances come from Alleviate and Tommy Franzen, who makes it all from a typewriter as a pair of fingers best. look effortless. Rarely do you see such a variety of dance styles performed on one frantically hit its keys; meanwhile, three Assembly Roxy, 5-27 Aug, 8.00pm stage together, but this is what gives the ending of ‘Flash mob’ its power. For sheer figures in bowler hats and waistcoats tw rating 4/5 | [Bethanie Pochin] professionalism, inspiring talent and obviously some great dancing go and see it. are sprawled across a table. As the 5/5 Assembly Hall, 5-27 Aug (not 14), 6.00pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Bethanie Pochin]

P H PAGE 14 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO PHYSICAL For show recommendations all day every day Follow us on twitter at www.Twitter.com/twittique Playing with memories…

where people have no control over to some extent, aware of infamous P H INTERVIEW their fate. womaniser Don Juan. This Lothario’s tales of seduction have been TW: You have quite a unique process Jackinabox Productions immortalised by so many different for devising pieces like this, how writers in the past: Mozart, Moliere, are staging two shows does it work? Byron, Tirso de Molina. Each writer at this year’s Fringe, though Hayley: ‘99.9 Degrees’ has allowed captures a slightly a different side to the one that first caught us to work more freely than ever the character and tells very different our eye was ‘99.9 Degrees’, before, and be as playful as possible stories, and so we aimed to discover described by our reviewer in the rehearsal room. We started by who this rake really was, through as “wickedly stylish”, workshopping the cast and talking reading what had gone before and about times in their pasts which have our own character development and commended for its embodied that feeling of ‘quiet before workshops. Once we felt we knew “superbly cast set of fiercely the storm’. So their memories actually who Don Juan was we selected and individual characters”. make up the physical aspects of the adapted different examples of him We put some questions to show. We then did a session where we seducing girls. We allowed ourselves the company’s artistic placed the cast in the rehearsal studio creative freedom with the different directors, John Askew with no other instructions but to react scenarios but tried to keep as faithful and Hayley Thompson, and to the strangers in the room. We then as possible to the feel and message of gave different scenarios (one person the original pieces. guest director Beth Eustace. is missing, or there is a phone in the room, for example) and allowed the TW: How does adapting a classic story cast improvise around that. We found for the stage compare to working on TW: Tell us about the premise for it fascinating to watch how strangers a totally new piece? ‘99.9 Degrees’, and where the react with each other, and that, for an Beth: When adapting a classic tale you original idea came from. audience, is interesting to see develop. have to realise many people have a John: The idea originated from that This was the best way to bring out strong idea of what the piece should feeling of tension before something natural reactions, which juxtaposed be. The difficulty is striking a balance Photo: Stuart Armitt happens. It’s the feeling of being the physical aspects of the show, and between being faithful to the original trapped, and inevitably heading for the script was then formed around concept while allowing yourself total creative freedom can be exciting Find out more about the Jackinabox guys’ something. When something happens, that. enough room to give a new insight but terrifying, it’s essential you have approach and Fringe experiences in the full interview at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012JP you can respond; argue, hit someone into the piece. For ‘Don Juan’ we aimed a strong idea of the story before you back, deal with the situation, but until TW: Tell us about your other show, for the comic new tales of his exploits begin, and be strict with editing. You SEE THE SHOWS: then you just have to sit tight. That is ‘Don Juan’, how have you developed while asking if the morals espoused by need to keep in mind other work of 99.9 Degrees, C eca, 1-27 Aug (not 14), the basic feeling we worked from. We this story for your new piece? Moliere hold any relevance for today? a similar vein to ensure that you are 5.30pm. embodied that in a hostage situation Beth: I think most people now are, When developing a new piece the really doing something different. Don Juan, C eca, 1-27 Aug (not 14), 6.45pm

TW RATINGS

WEEK TWO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 15 P H CABARET For more ThreeWeeks cabaret reviews, interviews and features Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/cabaret

C A Sex ‘n’ Slugs ‘n’ Accordion REVIEWS Jet Black Pearl / PBH’s Free Fringe Ukulele It’s Not Easy Being Yellow If you thought the accordion was an Ria Lina instrument played solely by folksy One day, a man in a coffee shop buskers, then brace yourselves. Jet chat with asked Ria Lina where she was from. proves that anything goes by tackling Luckily for Festival-goers, the answer pop hits, ballads, rap and sexy songs resulted in a fully formed show. The about slugs in this charmingly insane Tricity Vogue half-German, half-Filipino, British- one-woman show, which will have your born musical comedienne with an feet tapping and your eyes watering. American accent explores what it’s She exhibits extraordinary musical like to be torn between so many mastery, layering flute, toy-piano, identities and whether this point in accordion and beat-boxing using a question is actually relevant to, well, loop-station, one moment producing anything. Refreshingly, unlike so many something haunting and beautiful, the comedians who base shows on their next pulling faces whilst putting her nationalities, Lina does not rely on own unique spin on Michael Jackson. stereotype jokes. Of course, there The strength of her voice may not are the odd references to German quite match her technical skill or comic efficiency and ping pong balls, but presence, but she’s a formidable force these are only presented in order to of music, and truly has to be seen to be believed. be deconstructed later. Her charming Photo: Paul Collins songs are wittily constructed, if not The Voodoo Rooms, 4-13,15-25 Aug, 6.20pm. entirely politically correct. But then tw rating 4/5 | [Jessamine McHugh] again, isn’t that the point? the song, and perform it for the first as you, and that it can be even more C A INTERVIEW time at the start of the following fun when you join in. The ukulele is a The Voodoo Rooms, 3-26 August (not 6, 13, Fascinating Aïda: Cheap night’s show. So far this year I’ve social instrument, and a democratic 20), 7.00pm. Fascinating Aïda tw rating 4/5 | [Anna McDonald] Flights Tricity Vogue, especially with written songs about bowler hats, instrument: experienced and talented Catch a ride on the cabaret train her ukulele hat on, cuts a goats, aubergines, mothballs, awards musicians enjoy it for its simplicity as Fascinating Aïda take you on a and pet deaths. and adaptability, and so do complete Piff The Magic Dragon In... striking figure, and has, in a utterly unpredictable musical journey. very short time, made herself beginners. Jurassic Bark From sacrilegiously praising Tesco, TW: Where do you find the people an essential part of the Fringe Piff The Magic Dragon to a Bulgarian song cycle including who play at your Cabaret show? TW: Really keen aspiring players a mention of Andy Murray’s recent cabaret scene: we here at TV: I invite cabaret performers I can come to one of your workshops, In the wrong hands, a man doing Olympic gold, this show overflows with ThreeWeeks already can’t already know and love to come on the what happens there? fairly standard magic tricks, whilst a rare rhyming talent. Dillie, Adele and imagine the Festival without show, whether they play ukulele or TV: Every Saturday afternoon I’m being vaguely intimidating towards Liza’s melodies will have you humming not – they don’t actually have to play running a free ukulele workshop at teenagers and telling you how much her. So we caught up with all the way home, and their deadpan uke for their five minute spot, as long Rae Macintosh Music on Queensferry his props cost, shouldn’t be funny. It’s the lady herself to talk about expressions make audiences dizzy as they do something with it. Leela Street. The shop are providing shouldn’t even really be particularly her shows, her workshops, with laughter. By its finale, you’ll be into Bunce has re-enacted famous film ukuleles for people to play during comfortable to watch. But in the shiny shadow banking, contemplating having why the ukulele is back with plots using a ukulele as a miniature the workshop – with no obligation to claws of Piff the Magic Dragon, a show an orang-utan surrogate for your next a vengeance, and of course, stage (‘The Great Escape’ and ‘The buy. It’s a very relaxed, informal affair, where things go wrong and adorable child, believing you really are down that hat. Sound Of Music’ so far this year), and where I go at the pace of the people chihuahuas are violently threatened with the kids...and you’ll be so carried Myra Dubois has incorporated the who turn up. All ages are welcome. just about works. You might well be away tapping your toes in agreement TW: I think you must now be ukulele into an interpretive physical I play a few tunes of my own as well able to work out how some of the that you’ll almost miss what you’re officially a Fringe institution! What theatre piece. I also put a call out on – I do have one or two child-friendly magic’s done, but Piff’s endearingly agreeing to. But beware, this show isn’t brings you back each year? the Fringe performance opportunities songs in my repertoire despite my shabby, deadpan style - offset by the for those of a sensitive disposition... TV: The Fringe and I are still in the page and email all shows on the usual late-night cabaret haunts. adorable canine presence of Mr Piffles honeymoon phase; this is only my Laughing Horse Free Festival, inviting - makes ‘Jurassic Bark’ an unusual, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 9-26 Aug (not 12, 21), third year doing my own show. My performers to come and do a spot. TW: Tell us about the hat! enjoyable way to spend an hour, 6.30pm. love affair with the Festival started as Word of mouth is important too; TV: The golden ukulele I wear on particularly if you’re finding the over- tw rating 4/5 | [Ciara Knowles] infatuation – a mix of fascination, fear people put their friends in touch with my head is not an attention-seeking enthusiasm of some segments of the and obsession. Now it’s blossomed me, and tell me about acts they’ve gimmick. Okay, it is an attention- Fringe a bit wearying. Good fun. Briefs Underbelly Productions/ into the sort of relationship where seen who would go down a storm. seeking gimmick, but it’s also more Pleasance Dome, 1-26 Aug, 7.10pm. Faanana Republic you know all your lover’s quirks and than that. It is the Uke Of Edinburgh. tw rating 3/5 | [Holly Close] Some drool, some go green-eyed, but foibles but decide that lover is worth TW: Ukeleles have become very At the end of every Ukulele Cabaret all clap and laugh as the Briefs boys staying with anyway. We’ve had our popular again in recent years, why the winner of that night’s Uke Of PianoDivalicious! storm the stage with astonishing rough patches – the rain-soaked do you think that is? Edinburgh Award is invited onto the Amy Abler joie de vivre. Fantastically athletic flyering treks, the woefully empty TV: Ukuleles are easy. They’re easy stage to strum my head. It’s a very choreography opens the show, which collection buckets, the looks of to carry, they’re easy to get hold of exciting moment for me and almost Recovering concert pianist Amy Abler then moves through various carnival bafflement on audience faces – but (because they’re cheap), and most as exciting for everyone else. The sings and shimmies her way through and burlesque acts, from traditional we’ve come through them all and importantly they’re easy to learn. I hat is a real ukulele, and was made her life story with a light-hearted and strong man antics to techno hula we’re still together. think they’re actually easier than a for me by costume designer Emma entertaining set. Pachelbel turns into hooping, all the while maintaining recorder and they certainly sound Threadneedle for my first Cyndi Lauper which morphs into an incredible level of camp energy. TW: What have you got planned for better in a beginner’s hands. The Edinburgh Ukulele Cabaret three the Beatles; Abler does for classical There are sparkly costume changes this year’s cabaret show? way a ukulele is tuned, it’s already a years ago. It acts as a beacon on the music what Axis of Awesome did for to accentuate the already impressive TV: I start and end every show with a chord when you strum it with open streets of Edinburgh – people who four chord pop songs. An adorable performances, as the boys’ desire to mass sing-along. Favourites are ‘You strings, so you’re halfway there even are into ukuleles come up to me and performer, she is pure broadway, and wear sequins seems to conflict with Are My Sunshine’, ‘Hit The Road Jack’ before you figure out where to put ask for a flyer. A couple of gentlemen her bubbly energy certainly infected their desire to wear nothing at all. and ‘Que Sera Sera’. I’ll be handing your fingers. But I don’t think it’s just have asked if they can pluck me. the crowd. The burlesque elements With surprises around every corner, or out some ukuleles to the audience, about convenience. There’s a bigger were the only moment she went should I say in every pouch, there are so they can have a go. Then each shift behind the rise of the ukulele; Read more Tricity with the full interview at offkey, although there was a comically few better ways to spend an evening night four acts will compete to win a return to live, shared, community www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012TV titillating moment as she attempted a than ogling this gorgeous troupe. So the unbelievably prestigious Uke music and entertainment. It’s the rock ‘n’ roll number with her breasts. An SEE TRICITY’S SHOWS: indulge yourself with this naughty Of Edinburgh Award every night, same shift that is behind the rise of all-round entertainer of the old-school Tricity Vogue’s Ukulele Cabaret – Free, treat, you won’t regret it. judged by a panel selected from the cabaret too. For years people have sat variety, great if you fancy an ABBA Laughing Horse @ The Counting House. Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1-27 Aug, 11.15pm. audience. This year I’ve set myself at home and watched the telly. Now sing-along. 1-26 Aug, 9.30pm. tw rating 5/5 | [Jessamine McHugh] a new challenge: every winner gets they’re starting to realise how much Sweet Grassmarket, 4-17 August , 3.45pm Free Paint and Play Ukulele Workshop with to choose a subject for me to write a more fun you can have when people Tricity Vogue, Rae Macintosh Musicroom, 11, tw rating 3/5 | [Joanna Gill] song about. I have one day to write are making music in the same room 18 25 Aug, 1.00pm.

C A PAGE 16 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO

MUSIC For more ThreeWeeks music reviews, interviews and features Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/music

Jonathan Prag and the secrets of classical guitar

TW: How do you select the pieces TW: I always think of music as the M U INTERVIEW you play each year? hidden secret of the Fringe – would JP: I go with my instincts and my you agree? Jonathan Prag has been interests. For the first few years I came, JP: When I first started playing here delighting Fringe crowds with I was afraid to depart from the classical I didn’t feel that, but now it might be repertoire but now I’m a bit bolder truer, what with the huge growth of the his classical guitar recitals so if I really like something I’ll find a comedy side of things. By comparison, for many years now, as well classical guitar arrangement and I’ll little is made of the music and yet there as earning wholehearted play it. I try to find unusual things that are some incredible musicians here. approval from a number of will kind of surprise me. I’ve always our reviewers. So we felt it was loved Baroque music, Bach particularly, TW: What would you say to someone high time we found out more then I started exploring folk music – I who has never been to a concert like about his work, his shows, and had a big Turlough O’Carolan phase a yours? while back – then South American, and JP: That’s a very good question – the what keeps him coming back these days I’ve got into things like Cole classical guitar has a great range of to the Fringe. Porter and Gershwin. sounds and colours and the effect TW: Welcome back for another year surprises people who hear it for at the Fringe! What keeps bringing TW: Our reviewers say that your the first time. Some people think you back to the Edinburgh Festival? music creates a really special that maybe there is a backing track JP: One thing is the city itself – the atmosphere, is your choice of venue playing, or a second guitarist hidden atmosphere and the audiences being important in helping make this behind a screen, because they don’t so varied and friendly. Then there is happen? see how one pair of hands could be the opportunity the Fringe gives you to JP: Yes it is. Acoustically I need to doing all the different things they perform an extended run. That’s pretty find a venue that allows the guitar can hear. If people think of classical unique to here and, for me, that has to be heard from the loud crashing guitar as very specialised or difficult helped me to develop as a performer bits of the flamenco down to the tiny or unapproachable I’d say just give it a because it gives you ‘match practice’ harmonics in ‘Spanish Dance No. 2’ by try. It’s an instrument that can render if you like – the real thing, and if the Granados. C too – the church – is great folk music, the Blues, Flamenco and audience don’t like it they won’t come for that. You can hear a pin drop. I think Cole Porter equally well. I’d say to them back. One-off performances don’t the audience appreciates that. I think just come along – it’s a very friendly give you that kind of experience. And when there are no noise distractions atmosphere. an element in this is the relationship the music sometimes just takes on a kind of life of its own as everyone in Read more in the full interview at you develop with audience members www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012JP who come back year after year. the room focuses on it, and I’ve had people come up afterwards and say They come and speak to me after SEE JONATHAN’S SHOW: the performances and it’s lovely to they had goose bumps. It’s all down to Classical Guitar - Jonathan Prag, C too, 9 – 27 recognise them. the acoustic quality of the room. Aug (not 14), 1.30pm. Photo: Kat Gollock

Abracadabarets are back! The Fabulous Chopin Boys

Jim Drife and Walter Nimmo Viktor Bijelovic is a young have been raising laughs on the London-based pianist who has fringe for four decades. Now they played for Prince Charles in cross the generational divide to Buckingham Palace and has been team up with virtuoso pianist a guest performer at the Chopin Viktor Bijelovic and gorgeous International Piano Competition singer Sophie Stoddart for a witty in Malaysia. He made a highly take on how Edinburgh went mad successful Edinburgh debut two for the visit of musical superstar years ago, with a standing ovation Frederick Chopin. at the Royal College of Surgeons.

New songs, musical jokes and shocking revelations about On Thursday lunchtime Viktor will perform a piano how much Chopin’s success on the 1848 Fringe was due to recital including Chopin, Liszt, Despic and Handel. his talented manservant, Daniel. On Friday he and violinist Magdalena Filipczak play Wieniawski and Brahms. August 20, 21, 23 & 24 at 6.30pm (- 7.30pm) August 23 & 24 at 1.30pm (- 2.30pm)

St Cecilia’s Hall, Cowgate (Fringe venue 31) - tickets www.edfringe.com or at door

M U PAGE 18 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO MUSICALS & OPERA For more ThreeWeeks musical and opera reviews, interviews and features Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/musicals

M U REVIEWS Somewhere between this world and the next Hot Tin Roof ‘Beulah’ – one of a number TW: You describe the songs as Two guys with two guitars, Edinburgh’s resembling “everything from folk Hot Tin Roof stay true to their title of shows The Flanagan Collective is presenting under ballads to Sigur Ros” – did you set with this bare bones set of originals out to be that eclectic, or did that and a few standards. It’s a formula the #littlefest banner at C emerge as the piece was written? which suits them. Even if their nova this year – was outed as AW: Ed and Jim [who wrote the songs crunchy, up tempo cover of ‘Nobody a “beautiful secret” by our and perform the show] both play a Knows You’ is the highlight, they’re reviewer. So we put some bunch of instruments, so it was nice to more comfortable on their own questions to the group’s have that variety to compose with. The compositions; heavier numbers which music seemed to come quite naturally, owe as much to Rock as they do to Alexander Wright, about the show, the ideas and music the narrative feels quite musical in a Blues, they allow guitarist Gavin Jack sense anyway. We all have different to take the lead, impressing with in it, the art of making new backgrounds in writing and listening to formidable slide skills and satisfying musicals, and the #littlefest music, but all share a pretty big love of solos. Bandmate Andy McKay-Challen venture at Fringe 2012. all things acoustic, soaring and fun. plays rhythm and sings with a faux Southern growl which suits the harder TW: What are the challenges of tunes but feels forced when they slow TW: “Part story, part conversation, creating a brand new musical? things down down. Confident and part musical” – tell us what we can AW: I don’t really think of myself as competent, they’re at their best when expect from ‘Beulah’. someone who writes musicals, so that the music heats up. AW: ‘Beulah’ is just that, it’s part way in probably makes it easier. The idea of The Jazz Bar, 6 – 8, 13 – 15, 20 – 22 Aug, between things. It’s got a whole bunch musical theatre comes with an amount 1.00pm. of beautiful original songs; it’s got one of baggage, mainly from Andrew tw rating 3/5 | [Dave Fargnoli] story about Lions, Kings and Queens Lloyd Webber, so it’s nice to be able to and another about a couple and an forget all that glitz and glam and just Malones Live Music island; it’s got suitcases and puppets; write songs that fit the story. A lot of (Todd Cook) Malones Irish Bar and it asks questions about the way we conventions in musical theatre are a bit measure our world. It’s singing, talking, / PBH’s Free Fringe odd, so we ignored most of them and playing and storytelling. just put two guys on stage with lots of Malones presents a mini-festival of instruments to play. The songs from live music for skint Fringe-goers, in TW: Where did the idea for the show Beulah would make a great album on association with PBH’s Free Fringe. come from? their own – I think that’s quite a good Monday’s lunchtime offering is from AW: Beulah is a world which the poet thing. Melbourne’s singer-songwriter Todd William Blake thought was somewhere Cook. An acoustic guitar/digeridoo between this world and the next, a TW: You are presenting ‘Beulah’ as combo opens the set in style, and Cook world of ‘mild and pleasant rest’. It is part of a thing called # LittleFest, soon introduces his vocals into the essentially a place where we go when what’s that? mix, revealing gorgeous pure tones, we sleep, with windows back into our AW: #LittleFest is place where some Photo: Kat Gollock finest in the top of his range. His songs world and on to the next. I have been of the usual Fringe rules don’t apply. are endearingly personal, like journal fascinated for a long time with the We have a number of regular shows will grow across the months with follow us on Twitter – we’re at entries of his homeland experience, idea of Beulah as a place. And also the which run at the same time each artists who want to try things out, www.twitter.com/FlanCol. including an almost fatal bush fire. absurd way in which we measure our day – lots of brilliant companies from test things, play with an idea and then Find out more about ‘Beulah’ and The Cook’s list of musical accomplishments world in minutes, seconds and hours around the country all in one space, chat with people about it. Hopefully increases throughout the set, as he Flanagan Collective in the full interview at when, actually, what we really measure which is superb – and then we have #LittleFest is a place where artists and www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012TFC adds a mouth organ to give a raw, our lives in is moments and memories a rolling and shifting programme of audience can spend time on an equal

Springsteen-esque edge to his acoustic and the little bits of poetry that take us guest events, happenings, bars nights, footing, a nice place to be at the middle SEE THE SHOW: Beulah, C nova, 1-27 Aug, 5.15pm melodies. Tip for promoters: give Cook by surprise. Both these things inspired comedy, cabaret, music, scratches and of a frantic city in a busy month. To a late performance slot; his talent the show. whatever else works. This programme keep up to date with it all you can LINKS: www.theflanagancollective.co.uk warrants a packed-out bar of cheering spectators. Malones Irish Bar, 3-27 August, 12.00pm. Active Virgin Absolutely Agitated Dr Quimpugh’s Compendium tw rating 4/5 | [Christy Brown] M O REVIEWS One Academy Productions Acupuncturist Returns To Of Peculiar Afflictions Find It Diamond Wave Out of the Blue Towards The Moon Set in a futuristic 24/7GYM, ‘Active Petersham Playhouse Virgin’ explores the complexities Olivia Rhee has returned to the To sum up the awesomeness of Out of One Academy Productions A beautiful tale of an expert (retired the Blue’s performance: imagine a de- of physical self-perception, gym Edinburgh Fringe to tell of second and troubled) of rare maladies of cheesified ‘Glee’ ensemble, combined The title ‘Towards The Moon’ might culture, and what it means to be chances, following your dreams and the mind; follow Dr Quimpugh as he with the rock ability of Sting, topped imply space travel, sci-fi and astronauts, perfect. Featuring amazing singing how to fix your life when you suddenly recalls some of the most bizarre cases off with a musical expertise akin to but this couldn’t be further from the and active, exciting choreography, find yourself ‘going through the of his career as a world-renowned that of Beethoven. This male a cappella truth. The musical is set in Glasgow, the story explores gym culture in a motions’. This is a third show at the psychologist and enjoy this musical group is absolutely phenomenal, not uses typical Glasgow humour and humorous manner. The cast interacts Fringe for Rhee (otherwise known feast: a brilliant chamber opera only for their clear-cut harmonies stereotypes, and is based on the tale physically with the crowd; actors sit on as The Big O), and features audience addressing some quite morbid themes and perfectly choreographed dance of a boy finding his true purpose in audience members and run through participatory acupuncture techniques, as the doctor battles his feelings moves, but also for their genuine life after an out-of-body experience; rows of seats. Of special note is the songs both novel and classic, and of a life misused because of the humility and fun-loving attitudes theme-wise it has similarities to plays computer, MOTHER, around whom a full host of characters played by lack of treatments he has devised. on stage. These gentlemen are not like ‘The Steamie’. The show tripped the play revolves and who binds the one talented person. This great Fortunately, he is bolstered by his two afraid to cut loose with their comedic up a little by using East-coast words story together. It is a well-written story performance could be done anywhere “angels”, nurses who encourage him to choreography and at times their like ‘bairn’, instead of the West-coast with an excellent moral regarding the - there’s no set or props because she remember his celebrated discoveries performance is like watching fourteen ‘wayne’, and though the singing was imperfect definition of perfection, yet simply doesn’t need them – and creates and ease his troubled mind. The men sing to themselves in the shower. good, it demonstrated that an accent it leans towards a somewhat preaching a charming piece that manages to rise relatively small cast performs very well Fearless, they each go all out like this can sometimes be an excuse for tone. The dystopian ending is well- above the slightly off-key singing and together, changing characters as easily performance is their very last, and that missing notes. This had the potential suited to the story’s build-up, and this is bring the focus onto the themes of as putting on a hat. With wonderful is what makes this show absolutely to be excellent, but, lacking attention an exciting, physically active play worth longing, shifting personal goals and live music to complement the singing, sensational. to small details, it didn’t hit the dizzy seeing. self love. ‘Quimpugh’s Compendium’ is curiously Assembly George Square Theatre, 7-27 (not heights of the moon; it just came close. C enues, 9-27 Aug, (odd dates only, not 13), Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 2-26 Aug enthralling. (not 6, 13, 20), 1.00pm. 15), 2.00pm. C, 8-26 Aug (even days only), 12.00pm 12.00pm. Summerhall, 3-26 Aug (not 7, 14, 21) 5.00pm. tw rating 3/5 | [Charlotte Mortimer-Talman] tw rating 5/5 | [Ellie Willis] tw rating 3/5 | [Rachel Campbell] tw rating 4/5 | [Ana-Claudia Magaña] tw rating 4/5 | [Charlotte Mortimer-Talman]

WEEK TWO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 19 M O CHILDREN’S SHOWS For ThreeWeeks’ coverage of children’s shows and events at the Festival Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/childrens

Lucia and Scot on that flamenco bug

flamenco classes at Alba Flamenca my family come from Andalucia C S INTERVIEW with Pam, who is the storyteller in in Spain – did I mention that’s our show. Also, during the year we how I got my name – Lucia? Last year one of our reviewers sometimes visit schools with her, but Also my dad plays the flamenco saw Lucia and Scot (sitting August is our favourite time to meet guitar, although he’s not as at the front of the picture new people. good as Andrew who’s the guitarist in our show – he’s there) do their thing at Alba TW: Lucia, the ‘Big Flamenco ‘estupendo’ (that’s excellent!). Flamenca and came away Adventure’ sees you taking Scot on a Scot: I am still learning, but impressed. Which made us journey – why do you do that? each time children come to our think that, with the show back Lucia: Well, Scot loves flamenco, but show I get better and better. this year, we should speak he doesn’t really have very good It also helps having them to the folk at Alba Flamenca rhythm… in fact, if I am honest, he there because Lucia can get looks a wee bit silly when he is trying really bossy with me! Oh and about the show. But then to keep time with the music! did I mention I am called Scot we thought, well, hang on; Scot: At least I’m not covered in spots because I come from Scotland? puppets are an oppressed like you are, in your frilly flamenco minority. Isn’t it time we dress – you look like you’ve got the TW: What’s your favourite part you’ll be expected to join in – so no go to eat a good Spanish meal in allowed the stars of the show measles! of Flamenco? lazy bones allowed! And daddies, don’t Edinburgh? to speak for themselves? Lucia: I love the flamenco dancing! think just because you’re boys that Lucia: My dad says the bestest tapas TW: And where do you go? Marta and Aroa, who are dancers you don’t have to wear a flower in your in the whole of Edinburgh is in El Bar, TW: Hello Lucia, hello Scot – are you Scot: We go to Spain, silly! Even I know in our show. are really good and do hair! which luckily is next door to Alba all set for another Fringe? that’s where flamenco comes from! super-fast ‘taconeo’ – that’s when you Flamenca! He says it reminds him of Lucia: Hola! Yes, we are very excited! Although we have lots of flamenco in tap your feet in special flamenco shoes TW: If audience members young or being back home in Spain! When he We love having a blether with all the Edinburgh, Spain has soooooooooo to make a drumming sound! I love old catch the Flamenco bug during comes to collect me from my flamenco children who come to see us during much flamenco going on that I get their costumes as well. your show, is there anyway we can dance class, Raul and Ray from El Bar the Fringe and telling them all about really tired saying ‘Ole!’ all the time! Scot: I like the singing. When I grow learn more? always let the flamenco children sneak flamenco! Everyone else in our show is Lucia: When people come to our show up I want to be a flamenco singer like Lucia: Oh we love it when people catch a wee tortilla pincho when they come a real human and not puppets like us, we get them to practice saying ‘Ole!’ a Inma in our show… although I don’t the flamenco bug! It’s easy peasy to out of classes! Yum! Yum! so we have been bossing them around lot too! want to sound exactly the same – her get more flamenco – just come back to Scot : My mum comes to the flamenco for weeks to make sure they’re ready having a girl’s voice and all that! Alba Flamenca in September when our classes at Alba Flamenca and she for the Festival. TW: How did you learn Flamenco? classes start. We also have flamenco always tells me that when the class Scot: We sometimes visit children in Lucia: Well, I am quite good because TW: And what do your audiences shows all year at Alba Flamenca, finishes that she has to stay at El Bar seem to enjoy most? although Scot and I tend to have a rest for some rioja and gambas with Saliha Scot: Well, they seem then! her teacher… I’m not sure but I think it to enjoy watching Scot: Millions of dance students come must be new dance steps she needs me, but apart from to Alba Flamenca. Well maybe, not to learn?! that I think they like millions, but lots! Pam told me that the Find out about Lucia and Scot’s other coming up on stage youngest is 2 years old and the oldest Fringe plans in the full interview at and joining in all the is 72 years old! www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/2012LS flamenco fun! SEE THE SHOW: Lucia and Scot and the Big Lucia : When you TW: And what if it puts us in a Flamenco Adventure, Alba Flamenca, 1-22 come to our show Spanish mood – where do you

Hans Christian The Ballad Of Pondlife C S REVIEWS Andersen’s The Snow McGurk Catherine Queen Aireborne Theatre Wheels in association The Enormous Turnip Be prepared to be whisked with Brunton Theatre Spotlites Theatre away to a fairytale land in The important life lessons Productions Aireborne Theatre’s take on learned in childhood friendship Spotlites present ‘The Enormous children’s classic ‘The Snow are ones you will always Turnip’ as part of a varied Queen’. A masterclass in remember, and Catherine programme of interactive what can be achieved on a Wheel’s production of ‘The children’s theatre for tots to small budget, this pretty little Ballad of Pondlife McGurk’ is twelve, this show being one for bohemian interpretation of the another lesson you won’t want the littlest of luvvies. Showing famous fairytale is beautifully to forget. Martin shares the story at times suitable for the age put together. The script keeps of his friendship with Simon, and group (4.10pm for 45 minutes), the kids engaged, as well as the audience feel comfortably this is a delightful introduction having a few nudges and winks involved as he weaves in and to performance. Seeds of fun for older audience members. out of the unusual but creative planted here should blossom The energetic young cast put carpeted seating arrangement into an interest in drama. on a fantastic performance, of the venue. It is a joy as an Participation is not essential, seamlessly changing characters audience member to watch this however; my usually shy six- and expertly realising the tale unfold, but even more of a year-old clung to my leg at the choreography. The show is joy to see emotion written all start, but by the end edged his underlined by a lovely low-key over the engaged faces of the way to the stage, ooh-ing to warn musical performance which adds youngest audience members. the farmer of the seed-thief’s to its gypsy-chic feel. A sweet Make sure your children see this approach. Whatever I think understated children’s show; it beautifully crafted story which doesn’t matter; my son, staring doesn’t have to be big and bolshy moves in a profound way for at his turnip seeds on the way to capture the imagination of its adults and children alike. audience. home, said ‘’I loved that show’’. Traverse @ Scottish Book Trust, 8-26 Zoo Venues, The Monkey House, 7-27 Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall, 4 -18 Aug (not 13, 20), times vary. Aug (odd dates only) 2.15pm. Aug (even dates only), 4.10pm. tw rating 4/5 | [Ciara Knowles] tw rating 4/5 | [Patricia-Ann Young] tw rating 4/5 | [L Clarkson]

C S PAGE 20 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO PHOTO PAGE Look out for more photos from the Festival Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/photopage

From top left clockwise:

Eleanor Conway at Underbelly Bristo Square Photo Kat Gollock ‘Love In The Key Of Britpop’ at Fingers Piano Bar and ‘Rosie Wilby – How (Not) To Make It In Britpop’ at The Bongo Club Photo Kat Gollock ‘Festival Of The Spoken Nerd’ at Venue150 @ EICC Photo Kat Gollock ‘A Mass Of Life’ opens the Edinburgh International Festival Photo Paul Collins ‘Othello – The Remix’ at Pleasance Courtyard Photo Paul Collins

WEEK TWO | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | PAGE 21 P H ART, WORDS & EVENTS For ThreeWeeks’ coverage of spoken word, talks and other events Check out www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/events

about them. Obscure 80s video-game A E Harry Baker: Proper Pop-Up REVIEWS Purple Paper People references sat uncomfortably next to Credits & Info outdated, clichéd “geek” gurning and Other Voices: Alternative Harry Baker / PBH’s Free Fringe socially awkward stereotypes. Though Editors: Chris Cooke and Caro Moses Nathaniel Meyers, Charlotte Mortimer- Harry Baker is the World Poetry Slam billed as spoken word, there was Picture Editor: Kat Gollock Talman, Joe Mountford-Smith, David Spoken Word and Cabaret O’Connor, Emma Obank, Pallavi Patel, champ and it’s plain to see why; this is not enough of Cohen’s impressively Admin Manager: Nick Parry Other Voices / PBH’s Free not poetry as you know it. In an hour rhythmic monologues, and these were Alexandra Payne, Bethanie Pochin, Emily Advertising Manager: Sam Taylor Pulsford, Sarah Richardson, Conor Riordan, Fringe of theatrical stage play, hip-hop hands punctuated with overly long songs and Podcast & Web Manager: Josh Richards Isobel Rogers, Christopher Rumbles, With pint in one hand and (free!) and seamless costume changes, he misjudged asides, which all served to Charlotte Ryan, Lia Sanders, Lauren Design: Chris Cooke, James Abbott sweets in the other, alternative bar- specialises in ‘’forcing poetry where disrupt Cohen’s rhythm. Simpson, Olivia Sleet, Hannah Sweetnam, style entertainment is what’s on offer it shouldn’t be’’. His poems, inspired theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, 10-25 Aug (not 12, Colette M Talbot, Alice Taylor, Stephanie in this festival event at ‘The Banshee by autobiographical events from pole 19), 3.05pm. Admin Team: Alexandra Kavanagh, Christy Taylor, Simon Thornton, Joseph Trotter, Labyrinth’. Feel the beat as prosaic dancing to German rap, are primed for tw rating 2/5 | [Andrew Leask] Brown, Catherine Bryer, Khristine Gallagher, Roz Tuplin, James Valentine, Lewis Wade, pop-poetry meanders through the comic value, littered with blistering Grace Hardy, Lauren Houghton, Sarah Kirsten Waller, Alexandra Wilks, Ellie Willis, depths of this claustrophobic cavern; word play and rife with inventive puns. Macartney, Joe Mountford-Smith, Olivia Paige Wilson, Patricia-Ann Young. 7x7th Street Sleet, Alexandra Wilks. offering alternative perspectives on But they are also poignant narrative Founders: Chris Cooke, Geraint Preston, everything from feminism to fairy pieces full of reflection and ideas of Jean Pierre Muller Photography Team: Paul Collins, Ting Guo, Alex Thomson Ana-Claudia Magaña, Charlotte Mortimer- tales, it’s not quite classic, but you self-discovery, glued together in this This exhibition is a wonderfully Publishers: Chris Cooke and Caro Moses won’t be disappointed with the quirky show with charismatic interludes and ambitious artistic collaboration Talman and varied smorgasbord of sounds charming quips. Harry’s contemporary between neo-pop artist Jean Pierre Podcast Team: Holly Close, Ian R Close, Eve Concept and content © UnLimited brand of poetry is quirky, inventive, Lacey, Thom May, Sarah Richardson, Isobel and styles. Furthermore, with this Muller and musicians Robert Wyatt, Publishing 2012. show’s performers plugging their solo accessible and above-all very funny; Archie Shepp, Sean O’Hagan, Mulatu Rogers, Samantha Sacco, Stephanie Taylor, Published by ThreeWeeks Publishing, performances, it’s a prime place to get this stand-out show is definitely worth Astatke, Kassin, Nile Rodgers and Terry Chief Books Correspondent: a division of UnLimited Media, Floor 2 an idea of what’s on offer elsewhere. seeing. Riley, who work to entwine a colour, Tracey S Rosenberg Unicorn House, 221-222 Shoreditch High a musical note, a chakra, a day and a Don’t expect this to be the most slickly The Royal Oak, 6-24 Aug (not 12, 19), 12.00pm Book correspondents: Pallavi Patel, Street, London, E1 6PJ. 0131 516 8842 rehearsed show in town, but if the line- tw rating 5/5 | [Nathaniel Meyers] location based on the numbers one to Charlotte Ryan, Lia Sanders, up remains at this standard, then it’s seven. The result of this outstandingly Editorial: [email protected] worth a visit to make your ears itch. complicated brief, housed in a row of Art correspondents: Age of the Geek Rebecca Low, Roz Tuplin The Banshee Labyrinth, 4-25 Aug (not 8, 15, seven sheds, is as baffling as it sounds. Advertising: tw.advertising@ 22), 2.50pm. tw rating 3/5 | [Ciara Knowles] Hayden Cohen The music and lush, busy screen- Review Team: Lucinda Al-Zoghbi, Rachel unlimitedmedia.co.uk Aroesti, Joanna Barrow, Andrew Bell, As a self-confessed geek, and fan prints are beautiful and interesting, News desk: Adam Bloodworth, Christy Brown, Rachel of spoken-word shows, I ought to but the vast amount of references [email protected] Campbell, Miranda Cannibal, L Clarkson, Muller attempts to cover - foreign TW RATINGS have been Hayden Cohen’s ideal Holly Close, Katherine Cunningham, Beth Printed by Mortons Print Limited demographic. Indeed, by his scale, I cities, explorations of colour, popular Dawson, Mara Docherty, India Doyle, Distribution by Door To Door Delivery 1/5 Bad am at least a level 15 geek. However iconography, poetry – means each Dave Fargnoli, Joseph Fleming, Susan much I wanted to enjoy it – and I message gets muddled. Muller may Ford, Ella Fryer-Smith, Khristine Gallagher, ThreeWeeks is a member of the 2 / 5 Mediocre did – I was left cold by the majority of just be trying to be a bit too clever for Joanna Gill, Ting Guo, Grace Hardy, Lauren Festival Media Network 3/5 Good this inconsistent show. The biggest his own and his viewers’ good. Houghton, Claire Hoyda, Nicholas Jones, www.festivalmedianetwork.com problem was one of focus; it wasn’t Summerhall, 3-26 Aug (not 17,18,19), 11.00am Veronika Kallus, Ciara Knowles, Eloise 4/5 Very Good For more information about ThreeWeeks clear whether this was for geeks, or – 7.00pm. tw rating 3/5 | [Sarah Macartney] Kohler, Eve Lacey, Andrew Leask, Rebecca 5/5 Brilliant Low, Olivia Lyth, Sarah Macartney, Ana- and the ThreeWeeks media-skills Claudia Magaña, Iain Martin, Thom May, programme check out Anna McDonald, Jessamine McHugh, www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk/aboutthreeweeks

A E PAGE 22 | WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK | WEEK TWO CLASSIFIEDS Advertise your shows in the ThreeWeeks classifieds section Go to www.threeweeks.co.uk/classifiedbookings for details SHOWS GUIDE THEATRE THEATRE THEATRE SUPERHEROES Comic and Physical Theatre. The ALL TURN! - FREE Birmingham bred Actor RHINOCEROS Nice Lecoq-trained Paris-based link between CHILDHOOD emotional TRAUMA Emily Summers brings her Grandfather and Theatraverse present a bilingual (FR/EN) tragic and ADULT LOVE life explored by means of his memories to life in an original One Woman farce: An epidemic has struck. “Rhinoceritis” a comic analysis of superheroes’ lives. (With Show. Wit,warmth and remarkable optimism: Mr has afflicted the inhabitants of an entire the support of the Italian Institute of Culture Albert North,born 1926, Oldham. ‘The Stardust of town, gradually transforming them all into Edinburgh). www.superheroes.org.uk Yesterday’ rhinoceroses. All except Bérenger... theSpaceUK @ North Bridge (V36) Laughing Horse @ Free Sisters fpp255 Venue 13

MUSIC THEATRE COMEDY COLOURS OF TANGO Travel back to the Buenos DRACULA SEX SUCKING & STARDOM Last EAT A QUEER FETUS 4 JESUS - FREE Some Aires of a century ago! Experience the passion of Chance Saloon stage an irresistible revamp of people are born again...Richard Coughlan was tango, its music and dance, with Oscar Ovejero Stoker’s classic with liberal interpretations of pop miscarried TWICE! “Lord of Filth 5 STARS” 3 and an international group of artistes honoured songs, outrageous humour & a Lloyd Webber Weeks “The man is a killer” Reg D Hunter 1 of by the Argentinian National Academy of Tango. loving Count. ‘Positively drips in knowing Stewart Lee’s EDINBLUR tips 21:45pm - 22:45pm www.facebook.com/coloursoftango humour’ (WhatsOnStage.com) 6th-27th Aug 2-26 August The Counting House (Lounge) 38 The Royal Scots Club fpp209 8.40pm Paradise In The Vault fpp273 West Nicolson Street fpp72

THEATRE MUSIC MUSIC HOUSE OF SHADOWS is a new interpretation of JANE BOM-BANE - FREE Jane returns to JOHN MCNAMARA SOUL & BLUES SINGER Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Shadow.” Edinburgh with original songs and poems to the Australian Soul singer – Taking cues from soul The Man, a storyteller, longs to join the accompaniment of harmonium & a mechanical greats such as Otis Redding & Sam cooke mixed mysterious Cult of Beauty, but when his Shadow hat or two, joined on harmony by honey-voiced with fiery blues & slick guitar playing. breaks free it sparks a rivalry that threatens to Rosi Lalor. “Utterly refreshing - unlike anything Daily intimate Acoustic shows at noon. Don’t destroy them both. I’ve ever seen or heard before!”DaveGorman. miss this powerful & emotive voice Live! theSpace @ Surgeons Hall fpp285 Laughing Horse @ Finnegan’s Wake fpp215 www.johnmcnamarablues.com fpp215

COMEDY THEATRE THEATRE MEN OF CHARACTER - FREE The Confused MR CARMEN 2-27 Aug. Cult vangard group from THE HARMONETTES GO INTO ORBIT This fun Moose bring their pan-American accents and St.-Petersburg ENGINEERING THEATRE AKHE is comedy musical, full of fantastic, live, close- broken dreams from Chicago to Edinburgh with back to Fringe with powerful new version of their harmony1950’s songs, plunges you into the their new two-man solo-sketch show. It’s free famous show “Mr.Carmen”. “The extraordinary post-war, end-of-rationing world of winkle- and it’s in a bar. So... it’s got that going for it. 112 becomes believable” LA REPUBBLICA picker shoes and bootlace ties;bobby socks and Hanover St. Daily @ 15:05 theconfusedmoose. Tickets: 01316233047, assemblyfestival.com sticky-out skirts;beautiful ballads, and rock n’ roll. com Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde fpp125 Assembly Roxy fpp302 Gryphon Venues at the Point Hotel fpp283

MUSIC THEATRE THEATRE OUT OF ABINGDON From Brisbane, Australia, PHOTOGRAPHING THE DEAD A city in ruins. A YOU OBVIOUSLY KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING Out of Abingdon travel 10,000 miles to make man in mourning. A woman, waiting for a train. ABOUT A joyous theatrical experience about their much anticipated return to Edinburgh. A haunting and evocative journey through those days when if anything can go wrong it will ‘soft vocals, laid-back bass and cool grooves’ memory, set in a world recovering from tragedy. and inevitably at the worst possible moment. D. Fargnoli - ED2011 August 10th-19th at The This is a poetic storytelling, a reminder of what it Funny. Poignant. Visually stunning. ‘Highlights JazzBar’ booking details on www.edfringe.com, is to hope, to care and to be truly alive. the frustations of modern life wonderfully’ (View The Jazz Bar fpp224 Paradise In The Vault fpp308 From The Gods) Underbelly Cowgate fpp337

COMEDY COMEDY THEATRE THE INTIMATE STRANGERS Silly and surreal PHIL MANN’S FULL MIND Phil Mann honed his Captain Ferguson’s School for sketch comedy. Featuring Anne Frank, a tiger ability as an instant expert. Attend - get answers. Balloon Warfare Enlist with the Captain! and a musical that’s definitely not about ‘A brilliantly comedic creation’ (Scotsman) Inspired by true events surrounding WWI, this Scientology. There will be dancing. 3.15pm (1hr) ‘Delight & scruffy charm’ (ThreeWeeks) solo performance chronicles the dauntless **** ‘Stark comic quality’ (RemoteGoat) **** ‘You ‘Untamed mischief, rampantly chaotic’ (Culture patriotism and misguided genius of US Army simply have to see it’ (OffScript) Wars) ‘Hilarious - quite endearing’ (The Stage) Capt. Thomas Ferguson. Funny, heartwarming: Just The Tonic at The Caves fpp98 Laughing Horse @ The Counting House “at once triumphant and tragic” New York Post. Assembly Roxy

MUSIC COMEDY THREEWEEKS Chansons Françaises The Phoenix/ The SomeNews Live Show - Free A cost effective and simple way to get your Basement Bar. Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Charles Captain Taylor’s Coffee House. Would you shoot show in the ThreeWeeks Weekly Edition for just Aznavour, Mireille Mathieu… and many other a burglar? Which of Jedward would you eat first £30. Get your show listed in this section in our great names of La Chanson Française will be in a celebrity version of the film Alive? Find out Week 3 issue, complete with photo and blurb. An interpreted by Dr2 (AKA Zahida). the answers at the SomeNews Live Show. The entry in this section costs just £30 per edition August 20 to 25, 2012 at the Phoenix/Basement lighter side of news addiction. See it for FREE. (including VAT). Book at www.threeweeks.co.uk/ Bar, 12:00pm to 12:55pm FREE! ***** (LoveFringe) 5:30pm, Aug 4-26. classifiedbookings/

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