Friday 5th August 2005

Big 3 Fringe Venues Show Us What They've Got

The three big name venues have held their press launches this week. Assorted hacks, attention-seekers and thespian-fanciers filled the three venues and cast a cynical but genuine eye over the assembled troops of layers. 

Max Blinkhorn was there for EdinburghGuide.com.   

First of the big three off the blocks was the Pleasance with a slightly surreal and lovely lunched session.

Christopher Richardson gave us a thorough and heartwarming welcome speech and used the opportunity to warn the fest organisers to afford such things as free bus travel to visitors otherwise others would do it better and Edinburgh would wane in the world festival firmament. Quite right.   

The assembled herd filtered down to one of the Dome theatres and 120 Gentlemen and Ladies of the press plus a few human beings were treated to a sample of some the Pleasance acts. As the audience gathered, the comedy string trio Pluck warmed up this toughest of audiences with their excellent antics. Known to be consummate performers from last years fest, we give them the thumbs up.    Andrew Maxwell, indisposed by a runaway brewery who brakes failed around 2.00 a.m. as he made his way up the mound while it was coming down was replaced by Robin Ince. Now I know modesty when I see it Robin but, well mate, you were made for the job - thought about making a living as an MC? Some great lines there and a strong personal style which the audience very quickly warmed too. 

First act on were Toulson and Harvey, a couple of good looking lads with a nice line in suits and news. Yes, news. The guy's characters are classic examples of newsbunnies, minor newsreaders and good with it. Great physical comedy with only two plastic chairs as scenery backed with good writing and timing - I give these guys top marks.     

Luke Wright of Aisle 16 and BBC3's "Slam Poets" which he shudda won, belted out his piece "The Future's Shite, the future's Orange" which is all true and fast becoming a modern classic. Following it up with his "Richard Madeley" meisterwerk resulted in a good mini-show from this new and forging lexical force. We give Aisle 16 posing this year as a BoyBand, the thumbs up for a poetic night out - don't wince - it's like stand-up comedy only it's good, refreshing and much more enjoyable.    

Following on with nimble fingers was a ukulele banjo player from the Lost Ones. This is a poignant but dark piece of theatre. Frankly, the press pack weren't comfortable with the intense song performed for their benefit so I'd judge it as worth a tenner. Good reviews from other sources indicate that this is a very watchable piece of drama too so we say "go see" and take your heart of its box.     

Rhod Gilbert proves that it's not just the Welsh Rugby team that has found out how to cast off the country's national "can't do" condition. Armed only with the handle of his lost luggage Rhod pots all those low cost airline truths into one sorry tale. He is on my list - to buy a ticket for that is. Those looking for a good comedian need look no further.   

David Strassman  has revived the ventriloquial art with his "little friends" Chuck Wood and Ted E. Bear. Chuck has several features you wouldn't traditionally find in a dummy - you REALLY wouldn't expect to find them. Strassman's material lifts his performance above the average and his professionalism shows. Well known on television both here and in "Antipodea", Strassman and his assistants well worth the ticket money but probably wouldn't suit most people for a first date.   

Venezuela is a country of mystery and distance to most but Viva Venezuela presented a sparkling and musical finale to proceedings in the Theatre. Flamenco can be a bit "Costa Brava" but the band, combined with a troop of stunningly beautiful women with fresher faces and feet than those older Castillian ladies one sees on holiday gave a different slant. I liked them - definitely worth the ticket price especially that gorgeous harp. If you're looking for a "quality night out" or something a bit different, they'll be for you.   

The press launch is just a taster of course - the Pleasance has a huge range of other acts on including MC Hot Pink in Busty Rhymes with Kiwi poetess Penny Ashton, old stagers Topping and Butch and the legendary and utterly marvellous Nicholas Parsons. So get hold of a programme and browse - as always there's something for everyone. And Dr. Bunhead? Cannon and Chips - too surreal for me, mate. Now I'm just going to take a toke on my electric herring before I tell you about....  

......The Gilded Balloon's opener. 

Once again, the dusty, fusty, student stained Gothic chambers of Teviot House resounded to the strains of a range of acts collected by Karen Koren over the last year from the four corners of dog-eared, planet earth. For many festival freaks, the Balloon launch marks the real start to the festival for many. Ms. Koren's empire is obviously back to strength after the disaster it suffered when the original Gilded Balloon (or Gelded Baboon as it is more commonly known) burned down in 2003.   

The Gilded Balloon is known for taking a chance with some acts who have turned out to be less than confident on the day. Thankfullly, this year, the acts on show were of a generally good standard although there was one casualty whom silence gobbled up. This year's crop of acts and events are the usual haul of comedy, music and theatre from across the world.   

First up was Tim Minchin who's antics resulted in him falling off the stage and I don't think it was an accident! He recovered well and went on to sing a song where he threatened those who would give him a bad review with "turds in their plant pots". This guy looks like a real showman and I liked him - this man is a possible Perrier award winner - he refreshing and has energy oozing out of his pores. Get a ticket immediately.   

Stephen K. Amos, a comedian of consummate skill and timing, effortlessly reaching the standard required to be a true celebrity, conducted proceedings for the second year running. While teasing a group of somewhat subdued fireman hogging a table set aside for the press, Steven introduced the various acts with vim and vigour.  

Making a parody out of bad and unacceptable jokes is a good way of not having to put some elbow grease into your material. Slaughterhouse Live appear to have deliberately selected this format for their new show, however, in Yard of Battenberg they seem to transcend this "oldthink" comedy mode and add something. Previews are always limiting so I couldn't say whether they hold it together to produce a coherent hour's chuckling. Their take off of Canon and Ball was good, however, there's still a nag in the back of my mind that this particular show has not come about for the right reasons. Worse still, the audience laugh at the old jokes in their original format and don't see the satire and parody all the time. Plus ça change. To sum up, don't go if you are easily offended!   

Pete Monaghan came on bright faced and looked like he was going to do the do but didn't find his audience last night. I hope he'll be better on his own stage but I think he'll need to do some wishbone tugging first.   

French-Canadians Cabaret Decadanse work their puppets hard to produce a great show of great humour and obvious skill. Their characters are strong and have a very plausible feel to them. The group have performed to rave reviews around the world - go see.    

James Campbell's Onomatopoeia Society is the oddest drama I've seen for a while. James is becoming legendary for his unusual yet excellent productions and with the tag line "A play for children over 6 years old and silly people under the age of 96" you can see why that might be. Onomatopoeia is the word used to describe other words that sound like what they mean e.g. "Hiss", "Gobble" or "Slurp" and that means of course, that the dialogue features many such words with hilarious consequences. If your child is even remotely intellectual or loves silliness, this'll be for them.   

The Glorious, Bloodthirsty Billy the Kid looks interesting with a supercharged cast of young actors from Alberquerque in New Mexico. The press audience were a little bemused by their style which Burlesque meets Barnum and Bailey. With a huge sheriff on stilts and great costumes, this show could be one of the fringe surprises. Take a chance on this or wait to see full reviews but be sharp.  

B.A. Robertson has made his second trip to Edinburgh in two years bringing his mix of talent, nostalgia and linen suits to his rapt audience of fiftysomethings. If you like him or know his stuff, just go and see one of Edinburgh's most talented offspring. If you don't know him, you know his music so join the queue.    

"Twelfth night - a hippie delight!" and so it is, it would seem. Shakespeare meets the flower children in a now famous suburb of San Francisco, Haight-Ashbury. Actually the original was always a bit sedate and this fizzy, funky version featuring all the best music there ever was is just wonderful. For an Acid-Tudor-make-love-not-war experience man, get down to the Gilded debating hall and drop out, dudes! 

Finally, Shuffle Club rounded off a good evening's entertainment and hard work with a fizzing mix of Jazz swing and some great Jazz singers who are all appearing at Shaken and Stirred in the Teviot Wine Bar from midnight+30 till very late.   You can find out more on the Gilded Balloon's shows from their website www.gildedballoon.co.uk.   

Other Gilded Ballon potential hits are:   

Outliving the Hamster - remarkable story about a woman who after being diagnosed with cancer, lives her life knowing it might be shorter than that of the family pet.   

Aaaaaaaarggh! A tribute to Malcolm Hardee - bioshow of a lesser known but highly talented and seminal comedy artist who is best known for the madness that was the balloon dance but deserves greater recognition. Malcolm drowned earlier this year in an accident and the fact that a group of his friends and peers have put this show together in acknowledgement of his contribution to comedy indicates that this is a possible hit show.    

Beergut 100 - BIll Bailey and his mates form a band - has to be good!     

And now: The Assembly   

Twenty five years at the Fringe   

Despite the Assembly having plenty of floor space to go at, the press launch was held at the Church of Scotland Assembly on The Mound. Never has such hallowed ground witnessed a procession of oddballs and and weirdos - at least not since parly moved down to Holyrood. Assembly director, Bill Burdett-Coutts commented to Edinburghguide "We were a little concerned about spreading out across different venues but as soon as I saw the space I knew it would work fore us". The Assembly is a wonderful space, despite being filled by stage paraphernalia and the surrounding cloisters and tunnel with their beautiful panelling and woodwork trimmings gives the assembling audience the feel of really being in "Auld Reekie".   Bill has again beaten off all the heavy regulations and jobsworths, managing to put together another house full of quality acts and events for the twentyfifth time, no less. A marathon three hour press preview showed the strength and depth of this year's Assembly line up.

Kicking off with the enormous power of the Japanese drumming troop Tao the semi-circular stage worked well. While there's nothing much new in the drumming format, it's always an exciting event and this particular troop certainly hit the mark.   Bill Burdett-Coutts used the opportunity of his opening speech to stand on his soapbox and made a very cogent argument for unifying all the festivals. His comments were picked up by the television news and this reconciliation may yet take place.      

Craig Hill's grip on the job of M.C. has gradually tightened over the last two years and oh! He does it so well!   

Balagan provide a mixture of energetic music, theatre and circus and are big on audience invovlement - you might well find a trombone up your nose if you're not too quick.   Many oriental martial arts acts take themselves rather seriously. 

Not so Jump who have a great sense of humour which combined with amazing comedy timing, produce a very entertaining show. Of all the far eastern acts, I'd say this is the one to spend your money on.      

Eddie Perfect struts his songs expertly. They have a hard edge with a strong social and political message. Not what yo might call "sing-a-long" stuff but right on a top backing band for a guy with a strong set of voice pipes.   

Dave Fulton is the guilty conscience of the U.S. made fun. He's no apologist and he's very funny e.g. "We (the U.S.) don't want Canada. If we wanted Canada we'd just take it. Canada just there to keep the cold weather away". Dave's an outstanding comedian with a style all his own and brilliant timing. Looking or a good comedian for your office night out? Look no further.

  Fiona O'Loughlin, Alice Springs' only female comedian (yeah, right!) actually made us laugh but she almost didn't make it! Tuning in to big venue audiences is tough but she's well up the learning curve. Worth a try!

The Ashton Brothers one of those able acts that pop up at the festival and perhaps would have once graced a variety show stage or circus with their madcap acrobat antics. The festival seems to breathe new life into acts like this and they almost become high brow art with their form challenging dress and physical abilities. These guys must work on this everyday and deserve your ticket money.

Twelfth Night - the Musical. Giles Brandreth in the flesh is a frightening experience and when he is ad-libbing and explaining the plot of his show, he is scarier still! Definitely a show for you "middle of the roaders", you'll get what you expect when you mix Shakespeare and light opera. Frankly, it's all a bit Guildford rather than Edinburgh but you have to admire Giles for his energy and sheer balls.    

The Ennio Morricone Experience are a truly quirky and fascinating act. Using a range of improbable, makeshift instruments, they reproduce the music and sound effects from various Spaghetti Westerns made by the master of real wild west portrayals Ennio Morricone, most famous for his composition The Good, the Bad and the Ugly theme tune. Using corn flake packets and tis of gravel, you can hear the gunfighters stalking each other until they reach the final showdown and enjoy a good gun fight. Great stuff for those who like the unusual.   

The Caesar Twins are as visually amazing to look at as they are physically powerful. I couldn't help thinking Freddie Starr when I first saw but these guys are so Zen in their concentration, the impression soon evaporates. I usually hate this kind of faded circus act but there colours, the outfits, the lighting and above all the statuesque artistry of the physical appearance are amazing. Add to this their own symmetry as twins and their poses and the result is an act that is almost high art - these two men are, in their own way, utterly beautiful. Back in Edinburgh without their friends from last year's hit show La Clique these two will sell a good few tickets. Try them out.   

The Magnets are what the X-Factor's G4 should have been - good entertainers. Five guys with five great voices doing tight fitting standards without the inappropriate classically overlay and therefore, very enjoyable. Definitely a good girls night out as they're a bunch of good looking guys with talent. You go girls!   

Go Go Burlesque! Eeek! What a fantastic act for the lads night out. Skimpy costumes, keeping a dozen of more hula-hoops going at one time, physically trim bodies - woh, hold me back, vicar! This is closer to burlesque than I think I've ever seen. Even so there is a modern surreal element to them - I mean, breasts clad only in those glasses and moustache masks you get in lucky bags - it is weird! Physically, this is a fascinating and skilful act. If you're looking for something different and little risque, these are the girls!   

Monty Python's Flying Circus ... in French. Oh. la. la. Actually, I got the sketches but I admit to being lost even though my French isn't bad. It's a bit odd and I will reserve judgement until I see it myself.... but it is odd.   

Chris Addison is the best comedian I have seen in a long while. The best. With a refreshing style and original material, Chris grips the audience as soon as he opens his mouth and doesn't let go until he finishes. If he doesn't win the Perrier's this year, I'll show my arse ....somewhere public ...for three seconds.  Annexe Poland for a ticket.   

Antonio Forcione & Quartet stunned the tired audience and soothed them with what to me was balm for the ears and soul. He has melded modern acoustic guitar with electronic effects to produce the most beautiful and ethereal sound I have heard in many years. I will be paying to see this man. Make sure you do too otherwise YOU WILL MISS OUT.   

Sing Zimbabwe/Tumbuka prove yet again that European mainstream life is missing something vital and fiery. The power and energy of this combined group fill the theatre space, lifting the audience while at the same time, reminding what couch potatoes they really are. Groups like this appeal to a wide audience ranging from those looking for something light and uplifting to those with Africa in their hearts. Join the queue for tickets today as there won't be any tomorrow. The venue is the Queen's Hall.   That wraps up our whistle stop tour of the three big venues. Other venues will have equally talented acts on but in the 24 hours we have to absorb the shows and write about the acts in them, we just can't do more! Look out for the full reviews which will start arriving any day now and enjoy your time at the Edinburgh Festivals 2005.   

© Max Blinkhorn, August 2005 on EdinburghGuide.com