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The
Edinburgh Fringe
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Fringe 2010 Blog - 18A Day off and Friends – Monday 23 August 2010Following the tragedy that was the supposed comedic performance I saw the other day, I needed a bit of a break from the Fringe. Good thing that my day off was due! I had planned to spend a lovely relaxing day strolling around Edinburgh, maybe climb Arthur’s Seat, perhaps watch a show, but generally steer clear of the manic atmosphere of the Fringe. Unfortunately, Monday morning dawned (or rather didn’t really dawn) all overcast and rainy. Climbing Arthur’s seat was definitely out of the question (although the question about what Arthur was doing sitting on it remains) and walking the streets of Edinburgh wouldn’t be much fun in the rain, not with the holes in my shoes (hey, I like them ok?). And one more thing (if I may) don’t you think I’m using too many brackets in this paragraph? (Maybe). Anyway, I re-planned my day and went to see a show that I’d heard was excellent but which I hadn’t been able to see yet because my show shares the same time slot. I put on my coat and braved the wind and rain to go and see the show, which turned out to be excellent. I think it’s a good idea at this point to mention the good shows I’ve been to see. That is to say, the shows I’ve enjoyed. I don’t usually talk about shows much because it’s very easy to fall into the role of a critic and I don’t consider myself to be a critic (heaven forbid). However, I think it’s worth mentioning a few shows that are worth looking out for in this last week of the festival, or if they tour afterwards. Let’s start with the show I saw today, a one-man telling of The Odyssey (a theatre ad infinitum production). Greek mythology isn’t really my thing and I wasn’t sure that one guy would be able to hold my attention for an hour. Not only did he succeed in doing so, but I was sorry when the hour was up and the show finished. Also great were Free Fringe act Ray Guns Look Real Enough, a rock duo that perform massive stadium rock anthem medleys on a tiny scale. Barbershopera Apocalyse No! was also very good. Also enjoyable was 19 year old comedian / prodigy Bo Burnham. Lovesong featuring Omar was an hour well spent, as was Beautiful Burnout at The Pleasance Courtyard. Memory Cells and Expectations, both at the Pleasance Dome, are two excellent dramas. Expectations in particular has got to be one of the best things I’ve seen in a while. Cargo, a site-specific piece, is worth a visit down to Leith (dress warmly). Sketch show Addicted To Danger is worth a ticket as is Jollie Roger, a personal fringe favourite. Plague! The Musical is worth watching if you like silly but feel-good musicals (Piramania is also pretty good). Pas Perdu is a great clown and physical theatre show at Zoo Southside. Comedian Jason Byrne is also great if you like his somewhat brash (but very endearing) style of comedy. Metamorphoses at the Pleasance Dome is absolutely awesome, but the Fringe winners in my opinion are Frisky and Mannish. If you get the chance to see these guys, don’t miss them (especially if you like 90s pop music). Of shows I haven’t yet seen but have bought a ticket to see, comedian Tim Vine is always incredibly funny and circus show Tabu is said to be breathtaking. Finally, our show, Emma Thompson presents Fair Trade is still showing and is still a very moving and powerful piece of theatre. Wow, that was quite a bit to get through. Apologies if that got a bit boring, but it’s worth mentioning the good stuff don’t you think? That’s not to say that’s the only good stuff at the Fringe, it’s just the good stuff that I’ve seen. Please feel free to agree or disagree with me and to send your comments and thoughts to whocares@notme.com. One of the nice things about doing a mid afternoon show is that when friends come to see the performance, there’s still time to go out to dinner and drinks afterwards. The Fringe festival is about socialising almost as much as it is about theatre. I’ve been lucky to have some good friends come to visit, not that I had the time to see much of them (actually, it was the other way round - they were the ones booked up with shows to see) but it was great seeing them nonetheless. My friends generally tend to be actors and most actors tend to... how shall I put this... appreciate a cheap but good meal. Impossible one might think in the land of the £4 pint, but there is one place that serves good, warm food for less than that. It’s Edinburgh’s worst kept secret and a good thing too, because it’s freaking awesome. It’s the Mosque Kitchen, where you can get a decent curry from £3. The menu isn’t very diverse - mostly variations on the curry theme - but the food is good and warm, the portions generous and at that price, who can complain? I’ve also discovered the Spiegel Tent. I’m ashamed to say I had never visited it until a couple of days ago. Someone had described it to me as ‘your grandma’s dining room in Victorian times’. Whilst I think that’s a little, well, inaccurate (I’m pretty sure my grandma wouldn’t have a fortune teller in the corner of her dining room, even in Victorian times) I can understand what they mean. It’s a cross between circus and fun-fair with a bit of freakshow thrown in. It’s difficult to describe the place, except to say I really like it and I think it’s worth a visit. The only thing that bothers me about the place is the incredibly unwelcoming posse of bouncers at the front entrance. They stand around dragging their knuckles along the ground, eyeing everyone that enters. It’s rather disconcerting. But all in all, it’s good times at the Fringe. Yes, my day off wasn’t what I’d hoped it would be, but hey that’s Edinburgh! |
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