Theatre Ad Infinitum TRANSLUNAR PARADISE Pleasance Dome 8 August

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Dance/Mime is not usually my cup of tea but I surprised myself with my engagement with this piece in which two actors tell the story of love and bereavement using masks and a minimal set.  It was beautiful to watch and very poignant.  I particularly enjoyed the performance of the accordionist who played, sang and whistled gently and provided some fabulous understated sound effects including a ticking clock and the dying breath of the elderly wife.

Pity about the title which led me to believe this was going to be some kind of science fiction piece.  I later found out it’s a quote from a Yeats poem but I was non the wiser as I don’t know the poem and I wonder how many people actually are familiar with it? 

Don’t see why it wouldn’t work in a village hall but marketing would have to make it clear that it’s not necessarily a feel good show so that people would know what they are getting.

Caroline Horton MESS Traverse 8 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

I expected Mess to be the highlight of my first fringe and it was. 

People in my town are still talking about Caroline Horton’s show You’re Not Like The Other Girls Chrissy, the true life story of her eccentric French grandmother.  I was concerned about how she would manage to turn her own experiences of anorexia and recovery into an hour of entertainment but I needn’t have worried: it was a triumph.

You already know the show is going to be about anorexia but why does the set look like a gigantic sandcastle covered in beige bath mats?  From the musician/narrator we quickly learn that the sandcastle is a metaphor for how anorexics like to feel – high up and in control.  (Not sure what the bath mats represent!)  We are also informed that this is a true story and that the actors know we are watching a play.  It’s a clever device that made me feel I was being invited into Josephine’s anxious teenage world without being made to feel like a voyeur.

I loved Caroline’s calmness in portraying Josephine and the effective ways in which she communicated Josephine’s need for control, her lack of spontaneity, her confusion about whether she really wanted to recover and most graphically her absolute TERROR of being made to eat something she hadn’t planned to eat.  It was obvious that all those around her, including friends, doctors and therapists did not really understand Josephine's point of view.  Just like them, I found myself hoping for a happy ending instead of the question mark left hanging.

Sounds quite grim, doesn’t it?  But then I forgot to say, most of the time, it’s actually very funny.

It’s probably not a show for rural venues but handled very carefully, perhaps with Q & A sessions, workshops and support available afterwards, it could be a very rewarding experience in a secondary school environment.

Mace and Burton ROM COM CON Canons Gait Inn 8 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Well – I liked this a lot!  An unusual and amusing hour in the company of two engaging young women.  They share the true story of their recent experiment to attract a boyfriend by road-testing romantic comedy movie plotlines.  Using a deliberately amateur, quirky power-point presentation, they take us with them on their journey to enlightenment and perhaps love …

It’s fresh, funny, well-written and acted.  Its greatest asset is the charming personalities of the two actors and it’s all the more fascinating for being a true story.  The girls had me gripped until the very end. 

You’ll just have to watch it to find out what happens!

Would probably not go down particularly well in some village halls as it has greater resonance for a young audience of singletons or people who can genuinely remember what it’s like to be looking for “The One”.  Having said that, I’m not single and I’m certainly not young but I loved it!

Kipper Tie UGLY DUCKLING C Chambers 8 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Two actors tell the story of how the duckling becomes a beautiful swan, discovering along his journey, amongst other things, the importance of courage and not judging a book by its cover.  “It’s who you are, not what you look like” was the message to the mainly very young audience and their parents.

Lots of positive aspects to the show – well acted, some pleasant songs and the use of sign language for the key song.  However, in my opinion, the age range stated in the publicity needs to be more specific.  Most of the lyrics and the dialogue were too complex for very small children, there weren’t enough jokes for adults and there wasn’t much opportunity for meaningful audience participation.  The rapport with the audience did improve as the show progressed and I can imagine it would be a lot more fun to watch in small intimate venue, not up on a traditional stage setting. 

Might work well in a primary school setting for Nursery + Years 1 and 2.

Hartshorn Hook Productions SOME SMALL LOVE STORY C Nova 7 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker, ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Two stories of loving relationships ended by bereavement spoken and sung by four talented young actors facing the audience, accompanied by a pianist.  The company skilfully explores the points of view of those who have been left behind as well as those who have passed on. 

Gorgeous harmonies created a poignant atmosphere and I particularly admired the direct eye contact which made sure the audience was fully engaged.

A very sentimental and sad piece – perhaps too sad for an evening of entertainment in a village hall.

Joe Bone BANE 3 Pleasance Dome 7 August 2012 reviewed by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Actor, Joe Bone had the audience gripped from the very first moment.  A thrilling and unusual story based using every film noir cliché you’ve ever seen!  There’s no scenery but I swear I could see the slatted blinds and angle poise lamps in the background!  A hired killer, Bruce Bane, escapes from his boss, tries and fails to go straight after he meets a beautiful dame.  Accompanied by a guitarist whose gentle playing creates the tense atmosphere, Joe Bone dominates the stage with his extraordinary physical comedy and facial contortions.

As a promoter in a market town, it would be great to be offered this show.  It would be relatively easy to explain and market and our audiences would love it.  The show would work best in a small intimate venue with black-out.

Fol Espoir WINSTON ON THE RUN Pleasance Courtyard 7 Aug 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

This was my first ever fringe show – in a very hot and stuffy porta-cabin - so it wasn’t hard to imagine how Winston must have suffered, imprisoned at the bottom of a South African mine!  Show was an interesting take on the life of Winston Churchill, one that probably most people don’t even know. 

Highlights for me included the battle and the train ride and also the sound effects, which were impressive.  Perhaps the narrative was a little slow to get started and I found the ending rather flat. 

An energetic and convincing performance from the actor who has the USP of looking like Simon Ward playing Young Winston.

Would suit rural venues but probably best for older audiences who are familiar with Winston Churchill.