The Edinburgh Festival 2006 - Fringe Picks

Thelma's guide and picks from the Theatre , Physical Theatre (with a few dance previews too) & Childrens Theatre Sections in the 2006 Fringe Programme.

The 2006 Fringe programme has productions listed under their titles with the company's name underneath and a short description in the main sections. There's a handy little bar of dates at the bottom of each entry so you can see which day it's on. In addition in the venue guide at the back this year they have returned to listing all that is on in that venue. So it will be much easier to plan to see several shows in the one place, hallelujah!

Don't confine yourself to one section because whilst some will appear under the section you would expect, some you may consider are musicals and physical theatre productions are listed in the main theatre section so check them all out. And there are an increasing number of comic plays in comedy.

I've mainly gone for international work premiering and for Scottish Productions at the Fringe and those with longer runs, check programme for times and days they're not on. It's a selection, there's lots more I could have recommended you go for.

This year there are several new venues E4 Udderbelly part of the Underbelly empire, Sweet gains a new space at the Edinburgh Art college to go with the one in the Grassmarket, the Traverse has another theatre space in their main venue and the Netherbow aka Scottish Storytelling Centre and the Churchill Theatre have opened after their redesigns. And as ever there are shows outdoors and one in an inside swimming pool. Here are just a few of the gems to come in August check out the programme for more. There are even pay what you can and free productions so all should be able to enjoy some festival fun.

The Picks Theatre , Physical Theatre & Children Theatre.
Also of interest Edinburgh International Festival Theatre Preview.
To Book fringe tickets go to The Fringe Web Site

Theatre from the main Theatre Section (dates include any preview dates)

The Traverse the only main venue that concentrates solely on drama is using several venues and in its year round base Trav One is being divided to provide a 60 seat theatre and one with audience on three sides, so 19 productions in total. Gregory Bruke's new play The Blackwatch produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, based on interviews from former soldiers of that famous regiment who served in Iraq, is at Traverse 4 at a disused Drill Hall, while at the Medical Faculty in Teviot Place Dr Leadbetter's Experiment by Irish The Performance Corporation bring their version of site-speific theatre to Edinburgh for the first time.

In Traverse's Cambridge St base are two World premiere Traverse Company plays one, Petrol Jesus Nightmare #5 (In The Time Of The Messiah), by Henry Adam (The People Next Door) and Strawberries in January, a Quebecquois play in a version by Rona Munro, a co-production with Paines Plough. While other visiting companies include, from Glasgow Scotland Tone Clusters, an Arches Theatre production directed strikingly by Neil Doherty and Scottish based ensemble theatre Nutshell with a English language version of the German play Stars. Other companies and work hail from England, Ireland - a return by Rough Magic with a musical play Improbable Frequency about spying Dublin in 1941-, also companies from the Americas, South Africa, and Denmark. All look like they will be hot and the different days different times approach for most shows in the main base is retained so if you're in shows or at work you should be able to get to see them. NB Township Stories by SA Paul Grootboom will run from 22 August to 2 Sept (not 28) so if you're only up for the third week of the EIF you will manage to catch this Fringe play).

Other picks from the main Theatre Section -

The Black Jew Dialogues - StageCoach Productions (page 149, 2 - 28 August) At C Chambers St.
Sketches, improv, theatre and video find out why hate the American way is so funny. World Premiere.

Budapest Kiseret - Firefly. (Page 152, 14 - 28 August not 22) At Roman Eagle Lodge, Johnston Terrace.
Journeying at night for an accidental traveller from an interesting company. World Premiere.

Crossed Wires - Breathe. (Page 157, 4 - 26 August not 15 or 22) At Dr Roberts' Magic Bus Middle Meadow Walk.
The Breathe girls entice you to pick up the phone in this live art event. World Premiere.

David Leddy's Reekie - David Leddy . (Page 159, 4 - 26 August ) At Dr Roberts' Magic Bus Middle Meadow Walk.
Walking tour with mp3 and map - see Edinburgh high and low. World Premiere.

The Death of Arthur - Theatre Alba (page 159, 15 August - 2 Sept not 21 or 28 August ) At Scottish Storytelling Centre The Netherbow, The High St.
The power of a man, his betrayal and the myth. World Premiere.

The Family - Semianyki - (page 165, 4 - 28 August not 14) At Assembly at St George's West, Shandwick Pl.
A crazy family turns clowning on its head in a physical theatre piece for adults and children. European Premiere.

Fish Story - (page 167, 2 - 28 August not 8 or 15) At Pleasance Courtyard, The Pleasance.
A trueish story about life, deceit and boredom from a company who entertain and stimulate. World Premiere.

How To Explain The History of Communism to Mental Patients - Open Fist Theatre Company). (page 174, 7 - 27 August not 16, 22) At Zoo Southside.
Political satire conjures up a dark world in Visneic's absurdist farce. European Premiere.

Levelland - (page 182, 4 - 28 August not 14) At Assembly at George St.
Rich Hall in his own first full length play, in world short of oil a radio talk show host is interrupted by someone claiming to be the Messiah. European Premiere.

Metamorphoses - (page 187, 4 - 27 August not 8, 14, 21) At Sweet Grassmarket in Grassmarket.
The play set in a swimming pool is enacted in one in this witty version of Ovid's myths. European Premiere.

Pauline Goldsmith - Should Have Had the Fish - Assembly Theatre/ Marshall Cordell .(not in Fringe Prog 5 - 28 August not 14) At Assembly at George St.
From an accomplished actor who created Bright Colours Only, prepare to find theatre to treasure. World Premiere.

Sherlock Holmes: The Three Students - Frantic Redhead Productions. (Page 204, 14 - 26 August not 20) At St Patrick's Church.
A new promenade play written by Conan Doyle's biographer and performed in the alleys and courtyards of his university. World Premiere.

Shiver - Silver Tongue Theatre. (Page 204, 2 - 27 August not 15 or 22) At Pleasance Courtyard.
The man on the doorstep should be dead, and he claims he's an old friend - what's the truth. From a company who bring great new writing to life. World Premiere.

Tits And Blood - (Page 209, 7 - 20 August not 13 or 14 ) At Greyfriar's Kirk House then (22 - 28 August) at Augustine's.
Neil Labute dismantles the fourth wall and changes the role of the audience. European Premiere.

Tom Crean - Antarctic Explorer (page 209, 4 - 28 August) Assembly at George St.
Go to the chilly south with Ireland's Crean who went with Scott and Shackleton. A one man show. UK Premiere.

The Umbilical Project: Cut - Kandinsky (page 211, 2 - 28 August not 14) at Pleasance Courtyard also The Umbilical Project: UnCut - Kandinsky in assoc with EUTC (page 211, 14 - 26 August not 20) At Bedlam Theatre.
One play two productions and casts one directed uncut by author the other cut by an independent director.. World Premieres.

The Unattended - Suspect Package (page 211, 2 - 28 August not 15) Gilded Balloon Teviot.
Two security guards, a new colleague and a bag. From a comic writer who gets awards.

The Picks Theatre , Physical Theatre And Dance & Children Theatre.

Physical Theatre and Dance.

Firstly as ever I highly recommend all the shows at Aurora Nova @ St Stephens - during the Fringe it's the vibrant heart of International Physical Theatre and Dance. Prime international companies like COCOONDANCE, Coisceim Dance, Dervo, Inspector Sands and Stamping Ground Theatre, Cie Didier Theron, Jo Stromgren Kompani, Athletic Dance Company, Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, Farm In The Cave, Joao Garcia Miguel, Renegade and Darren Johnston. For lots of dance check out Dance Base's programme

Other physical theatre picks
Danceforms Presents 'The 33rd International Choreographers' Showcase.(Page 82, 6 - 11 August) At Rocket at Demarco Roxy Art House. European premiere.

The Factory - Arches Theatre Company/Al Seed (page 82, 3 - 27 August not 8, 15, 22) At Baby Belly, Niddry St.
Electrifying take on war, rulers and the world..

Nova Reflections - On The Runn (Scotland) (page 84, 7 - 20 August not 14) At Greyfrairs Kirk House, Candlemaker Row.
Jazz, contemporary dance and physical theatre from new Scottish talent.

Scottish Dance Theatre - (page 86, 15 - 20 August not 22) At Zoo Southside, Nicholson St.
This international renowned company will perform Jan De Schynkel's No Stronger Than A Flower.

Strange Games - Soccorso Clown (Italy) (page 86, 2 - 28 August ) At C at Chambers Street.
A metaphysical comedy by an artist clown who has toured with Cirque du Soleil and founded Italy's clown doctors.

When We Were Gods - NavaRasa. (page 87, 4 - 28 August NB even dates only) At Hill Street Theatre.
An international cast, musical improvisation in a physical interpretation of when gods decide to become ordinary beings. World Premiere.

Also check out the "straight" Theatre Section there's more physical theatre there.

The Picks Theatre , Physical Theatre And Dance & Children Theatre .

Children's Theatre.
I've picked shows that are premiering here.

The Acrobat - Concrete Temple Theatre.(Page 8, 2 - 28 August not 14 ) At Pleasance Courtyard.
A postie lost in dreams struggles to leave home and then he goes on a magical journey. For 8+. European Premiere.

Cutlery Wars - Fat Cat Productions. (Page 9, 3 - 27 August not 14) At The Underbelly.
A black satire for all over sevens who go or went to school. What if you had to pass exams to leave? 7+. World Premiere.

Hansel And Gretel - C Theatre. (Page 10, 2 - 29 August) At C Chambers St.
Left in a wood will these two children get home? There's a house over there that looks good enough to eat.... For 4+. World Premiere

James Campbell's Onomatopoeia Society II (The Etymological Conference) - Fat Cat Productions. (Page 10, 2 - 27 August not 14) At Gilded Balloon Teviot.
A another new play plays with words from the master of clean comedy for kids and those who like 'em. Prepare to laugh and giggle. 6+. World Premiere.

Jim Henson's Puppets Improv - For Kids! - Assembly Theatre, The Jim Henson Company and Marshall Cordell .(Page 10, 4 - 20 August) At Assembly Rooms, George St.
Lots of fun puppets from the renowned company in a show for all. European premiere.

The Magical Jello - (Page 11, 6 - 20 August) At Sweet Grassmarket.
A magical show from a very special 15 year old with participation and free lollies. For 4+. World Premiere.

The Man who Planted Trees - Puppet State Theatre Company. (Page 11, 5 - 27August not 14 or 21) At Scottish Storytelling Center at The Netherbow, The High St.
One man and his dog set out to restore a bleak land. With Richard Medrington, Rick Conte and puppets in show that makes you love and think for all over 7. World Premiere.

Potted Potter - The unofficial Harry Experience - Dan and Jeff. (Page 13, 4 - 19 August) At Zoo Southside, Nicholson St.
In sixty minutes you get six books that's the challenge told in a hilarious Blue Peter style. World Premiere. For all 6+.

The Quest For Arthur - Theatre Alba. (Page 13, 30 July - 13 August) At Duddingston Kirk Manse Garden, Old Church Lane.
Seek Arthur's sword and solve the clue in a garden setting. World Premiere.For 7+.

The Rainbow Fish - Blunderbus Theatre Company. (Page 13, 3 - 26 August) At Venue 45 Old St Paul's, Jeffery St.
Will the most amazing fish give away her scales? With music and puppetry. World Premiere.For 3 -7.

Volcano Head - Dr Bunhead's (Page 14, 4 - 13 August not 8) At George Square Theatre.
A new show from the most explosive TV scientist - great fun and you'll find out some amazing things. 5+.World Premiere.

There are lots more goodies in the programme - be adventurous!

The Picks Theatre , Physical Theatre And Dance & Childrens Theatre .

To Book tickets and check times go to The Fringe Web Site
© Thelma Good June 2006 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com