NOTES
ON THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2012 - Sue Williamson
Village Hall Promoter, ArtERY live, East Riding of Yorkshire
This was my first visit to the
Edinburgh Festival and was an immensely exciting and enjoyable experience. The
opportunity to see and compare so many different productions over a short
period of time was extraordinary. What a joy to be with so many people all
sharing a passion for the performing arts and exchanging their responses to all
the different shows they have seen - only going to prove that we are all
different, all have different tastes and preferences and all love to praise and
criticise! The general atmosphere is wonderful.
Maxwell
Gordon COUNTRY BOY'S STRUGGLE
Pleasance
Courtyard 2 23
August 2012
Whilst I enjoyed Maxwell's performance
and appreciated his obvious considerable talent, something about this didn't
quite work for me. I felt it improved as it progressed. Was it the Venue
(rather uncomfortable seats)? my expectations? or the rather unresponsive
audience? I think it would be great for an adolescent audience embarking
on a similar journey.
Some great sections and detail -
particularly enjoyed use of shadow to depict father and passage about London
flat and its occupants.
My village hall? possibly. 7/10
Luke
Wright YOUR NEW FAVOURITE POET
Underbelly 23 August
2012
Thought Luke was marvellous.
Consummate performer sharing wonderfully observed and very funny takes on
'Britishness'. The alliteration in the Essex poem, 'Barry Vs the Blob' was
unbelievable - totally brilliant display of dexterity with words!
In spite of the somewhat
claustrophobic, overheated venue, this was a memorable and inspirational
performance.
My village hall? Yes 9/10
Joe
Douglas/ Gareth Nicholls EDUCATING
RONNIE
Assembly
3 George Square 24 August 2012
One man show recounting the true story
of the friendship which developed between Joe Douglas and Ronnie, a Ugandan who
he met and who became a close friend whilst he was on his gap year, when they
were both teenagers.
Narrated by Joe Douglas, this
excellent production is a deeply moving and thought provoking exploration of
the development of the relationship between a perceived-to-be wealthy western
student and a poverty stricken Ugandan who asks for financial help to be
educated. Joe agrees to provide Ronnie
with relatively small funds willingly at the outset, believing that it is a
small sacrifice for him and the only opportunity Ronnie will have to get an
education and break out of the poverty that he appears destined to suffer.
The demands steadily increase and Joe
begins to struggle with the friendship, the benefit of charity and the burden
of Ronnie's demands even questioning Ronnie's sincerity and wondering if he is
being manipulated.
The accompanying soundtrack is great
and use of a screen on which their email communication is displayed is very
effective in retaining the tension as the story unfolds.
This is a powerful and compelling
performance.
My village hall? Maybe. 8.5/10
Chris
Goode MONKEY BARS
Traverse 24 August 2012
Whilst I acknowledge there was some
good acting and were some funny lines, I struggled to understand where this
piece about children's thoughts and words, relayed through adult behaviour and
delivery, was going and what the point was.
NN Village Hall? No! 4/10
Mai
oh Mai Productions HARRI-PARRIS, THE
LEAVING DO
Zoo 24 August 2012
Wonderful feel-good entertainment!
Four engaging characters, convincingly
and compellingly portrayed - great acting from all. This was very funny in
every way. I loved the audience role and its involvement and the music was
thoroughly enjoyable and well performed.
My village hall? Yes! 8.5/10
Dugout
Theatre INHERITANCE BLUES
Bedlam
Theatre 24 August 2012
This was outstanding in every way!
Superb jazz and gifted multi-talented musicians (loved the saxophonists!).
Great acting of an engaging story in spite of the dark subject matter. It was
very funny!
All the actors seemed particularly
gifted and charismatic and stood out as notable characters and personalities
with tremendous stage presence.
Best in Festival, so far!! - Very
special. Would love to see it and them again.
My village hall? Yes, were it
possible. 9.5/10
Shoona
Reepe THE CURIOUS SCRAPBOOK OF JOSEPHINE
BEAN
Traverse
at Scottish Book Trust 25 August 2012
Presented by a Dr of Scrapology, this
is a charming and whimsical story of the analysis of an old scrapbook in order
to learn about the lives of the characters within. It was delightful in its
detail and in the unfolding contents of the book and very well performed.
The Children in the audience were
totally engaged by this gifted young actress whose timing was spot on and
enthusiasm inspirational.
My village hall? Maybe.7/10
Catherine
Wheels THE BALLAD OF PONDLIFE MCGURK
Traverse
at Scottish Book Trust 25 August 2012
Another one man tour de force - very
successful and assured storytelling.
Poignant and touching tale of a
primary school friendship which ended in a fight and an attempt to make up and
meet up years later - the success of which was left in the balance for the
audience to ponder.
Brilliantly acted and gripping
performance which held the audience enthralled.
My village hall?? Probably 8/10
Joe
Bone BANE 2
Pleasance
Dome 25 August 2012
Oh dear! This just got off to a bad
start for me. Arrived a bit late, bad seat high up at the back, VERY hot,
struggled to hear properly and was worried about getting out in time for next
show...!! etc etc.
THEN - Take off of film noir, not
really my thing.
Having said all that, BANE is an
incredible one man show and I recognise that whilst it wasn't for me, it is
fast, brilliant acting and clearly very funny if you 'get it'! Would actually
like to try it again in better circumstances.
My village hall? Unlikely 5/10
Northern
Stage and Soho Theatre OH THE HUMANITY
Northern
Stage at St Stephens 25 August 2012
Very effective series of short
sketches; funny, poignant and at times thought provoking. The stage set was
particularly successful.
The acting was excellent and the whole
production very entertaining.
My village hall?? Maybe 7/10
Barbershopera THE 3 MUSKETEERS
Pleasance
Courtyard 25 August 2012
Didn't really enjoy this as much as I
hoped I would. The music and singing were very good but I didn't find the story
particularly engaging and struggle slightly with the slapstick romp.
My village hall? Unlikely 5/10
Mike
Daisey THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF STEVE
JOBS
Gilded
Balloon 26 August 2012
Probably something we should all see,
especially those of us who have signed up to the Apple ecstasy!
Very powerful, thought provoking
production adding to the general misgivings and guilt one has about consumerism,
the throw away society and general greed of western capitalism.
Steve Jobs was a remarkable and
undeniable genius with an enviable gift for and love of fine design, who left
an extraordinary legacy which thankfully this show also celebrates.
Good production, compellingly
delivered.
My village hall? does this show do
rural touring? 7.5/10
