The Great Arctic Caper - Plesance Courtyard
Children's shows
Tim FitzHigham bounds into action on his arctic adventure. Along with his unwilling companion Tiernan Douieb they set out on a quest to the top the world. Lots of interaction and joining in for kids.
Unfortunately I saw a very quiet performance when only a handful of kids were there and only 1 was old enough to join in, and he didn't want to! So I'm not sure I got the full show experience, as they tried to carry on without much interaction from the audience, which was crucial to the story unfortunately. Tim does carry a show well and has great energy and enthusiasm , which he transmits well to an audience.
Suitable for rural touring? - Its hard to say, without seeing how a show goes with kids involved. As it stood, it was a bit lost and needed a stronger story to hold it together.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - C Venues
Not Cricket Productions present a version of the children's novel by Joan Aitken. Set in a Fictional Dickensian era where two cousins fight against devious villains and fight to take back what is rightfully theirs. The blurb for this promised puppetry, steam punk and music, all of which were surprisingly lacking in any effect. At first is seemed to be youth theatre or university production, but Not Cricket are selling themselves as a new young theatre company .They had a large cast and had built an fairly atmospheric set in a warehouse style venue. There were many basic errors such as seating some audience members right behind a pillar, speaking lines clearly and creating empathetic characters. One to avoid.
Suitable for rural touring? - No.
Squirrel Party - C Venues
Reptile House presented an episode of a fictional children's tv series in the 1990's 'Squirrel Party'. You watch as a live show goes out and we see the characters of presenters, squirrel puppets and guests to the show all battle among themselves, whist the powers that be upstairs threaten to cancel the show. Some funny moments and good performances, particularly by the lead presenter.
Suitable for rural touring? - A large cast for a small piece and though slickly done it did not really hit a level other than filling a nice distracting 50mins. Good for a university review type festival.
The Spaces Between - St Georges West
Cabaret
Australian duo the Jane Austen Argument, presented a cabaret act about relationships and the spaces that exist between people. Playing themselves as two best friends, both on destructive paths in their relationships. Musically their voices blend well and the original songs to tell their stories very well. Though it first I wasn't sure, by the end I had warmed to them. Good example of modern cabaret.
Suitable for rural touring? - If you had a younger 20's - 40's audience perhaps it would work. The themes of drinking and sex would exclude many typical rural audiences as would the swearing. Would work best in an arts centre venue perhaps.
The Prophecy - C Venues
Siamsoir Celtic Dance Company.
This is a new Celtic dance faerytale inspired by Yeats's The Changeling from a dance studio. Set around 1920's Edinburgh, the setting doesn't really matter or remain constant, as the music used is a mix of traditional Irish dance and folk tunes, along with contemporary and classical pieces. The dancing is very engaging (even to someone who's not a fan of Irish dance normally) as they the story of a girl whisked away to a land of shadows.Like with the music used, the dance does not stick to one style, and although rooted in Irish dance, it has a contemporary twist.
Suitable for rural touring? Possibly would fit in larger halls and venues, due to the space needed and with a reduced cast. It would also need another piece to tour with it. Im not sure if the company tour much out of Ireland, I will investigate this company more.
Penny Dreadfuls - Etherdrome - Assembly St Georges Square
This dark comedy/horror piece of theatre and music, tells the tale of 3 scientists in 1850's America as they attempt to find the cure for pain in dentistry and surgery. Based on true life scientists and inventors of the time, the story is Strong and rolls along at a good pace.
Very well performed by a cast of 3, with great energy and powerful voices. Musically very Strong original songs and excellently performed. Some slightly uncomfortable participation for some audience members takes place (one audience member is asked to be a test subject on an operating table), but that also helps to create an edgy atmosphere in this dark piece.
Suitable for rural touring? - Set would need to fit in a taller venue, but other than that it would travel well. Performances are good and the music very tight. The horror and dark comedy would only suit brave venues, who are not too squeamish!
The Ring of Stones - The Spaces
T-Chi productions.
This tells the ever engaging story of the villagers of Eyam in Derbyshire, who sealed of their village from the outside world during the plague of the 17th century to stop the spread of the disease. Told through a main narrator , the story winds out well. the musical numbers are originally written but do not deviate from on level. A large cast gave a good performance, but to an awful synthesised backing track. Unfortunately I fell into the fringe trap of not being able to tell when a production is by professionals from the brochure alone. It turned out to be a community group performance. Guess that's the joy of the open fringe though.
A good concept but not ready to perform professionally yet.
Suitable for rural touring - No
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