Reviews & features: Issue 664
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- Issue 664
0–9
10 Dates with Mad Mary
(9 Aug 2010)
A simple but brilliant study about readjusting to life out of prison- 120 Birds (16 Aug 2010)
Glamorous homage to dance gone by
10 Dates with Mad Mary
A
- A Corner Of The Ocean (8 Aug 2010)
Vibrant physical theatre that’s set to make waves - Adam Riches
(10 Aug 2010)
Riches’ latest show is supremely daft - Against the Odds (9 Aug 2010)
One-woman show lets audience sympathize but is sometimes baffling - Aidan Bishop (12 Aug 2010)
Sounds more like he’s 50 than 30 - Alex Horne (10 Aug 2010)
Clever maths, quantum mechanics and pleasingly lo-fi graphics - Alice in Wonderland (12 Aug 2010)
Fast-paced adaptation goes full throttle - Ali Cook (10 Aug 2010)
Cook’s magic is both slick and sick - Ali McGregor (12 Aug 2010)
A versatile diva, doing jazz this time - All the Queen’s Children (9 Aug 2010)
An impressive, unflinching piece of fluid theatre - Anatomy of Fantasy (8 Aug 2010)
Impressive if unfocused journey through the subconscious - Andrew Bird
(11 Aug 2010)
Like being beaten with a roll of toilet paper - Andrew Clover’s Almost Famous Story Show (12 Aug 2010)
Free range storytelling - Arj Barker (11 Aug 2010)
Disappointing gaggery from much-hyped actor
B
- Babbling Comedy: The Perfordian Show (9 Aug 2010)
Slapstick, magic, juggling all lend to adequate family entertainment - The Bacchae (9 Aug 2010)
A fast-paced production where some plot-twists may get lost amongst writhing - Bang Bang You’re Dead (13 Aug 2010)
Update to 1999 version lacks emotional force of original - Beautiful Burnout - knockout collaboration a success on all fronts (8 Aug 2010)
Raging bulls come to the Fringe - Bec Hill (12 Aug 2010)
An endearing quirkiness - Be-Dom (14 Aug 2010)
Joyous fun with Portuguese drums - Belt Up's Octavia (12 Aug 2010)
Confused quest in a war zone - Beta Males’ Picnic (11 Aug 2010)
Preoccupation with death and sexual deviance - Blackout delivers graceful and hard-hitting insight (8 Aug 2010)
Simple, brilliant, and in the second person - The Blue Lady Sings (11 Aug 2010)
A free cabaret-style show full of humour and skill - Bound (9 Aug 2010)
Brimming with comedic talent, weaker on emotion, generally lovely - The Boy With Tape On His Face
(12 Aug 2010)
A masterclass of mime - Brazil! Brazil! (8 Aug 2010)
Capeoira kicks, samba hips and footie tricks - Brendon Burns (10 Aug 2010)
Overly serious rants about killing paedophiles and getting religion - Bridget Christie (11 Aug 2010)
Dabbling around the unhinged fringes of stand-up
C
- The Cage (8 Aug 2010)
Gun play and fourth-wall rupturing - Call Mr Robeson (12 Aug 2010)
Inspirational story of legendary singer - Camille O’Sullivan – Chameleon (13 Aug 2010)
More of a purr than a growl - Caroline Rhea (13 Aug 2010)
Flirting with fame and audience patience - Celia Pacquola (10 Aug 2010)
A buoyant performance, surprising and cathartic - Children's show Twinkle Twonkle combines educational with entertaining (8 Aug 2010)
Adventure in the sky at night - Chris Corcoran (11 Aug 2010)
Corcoran makes his people sound rather lovely - Chris McCausland (10 Aug 2010)
McCausland meanders off on wildly varying tangents - Clint’s Reality (9 Aug 2010)
A spirited performance but somewhat lacking script - Comedy Bitch (10 Aug 2010)
Intelligent, surreal and original - Comedy in the Dark (10 Aug 2010)
Well-known comics pitched out of their comfort zones - Conor O’Toole (12 Aug 2010)
Some good joke-writing - Continent (8 Aug 2010)
Barton finks too much - Could it Be Forever? (12 Aug 2010)
A bittersweet comedy will have you recall youthful emotion
D
- Damion Larkin (11 Aug 2010)
Cuddly Loser has the feel of being hurriedly chucked-together - Dan Antopolski (10 Aug 2010)
Confidently entertaining - Dance Doctor Dance (11 Aug 2010)
Joining in with the lord of the dance - Daniel Sloss - My Generation (8 Aug 2010)
Teen comic hits home with the personal - Dave Hill (11 Aug 2010)
Navigates a fine path between the crass and the classy - David Leddy’s Sub Rosa (9 Aug 2010)
Atmospheric, immersive Victorian promenade horror story - The Day the Sky Turned Black (9 Aug 2010)
One-man show tells the story of the 2009 Australian firestorms - Decky Does A Bronco (12 Aug 2010)
Winning revival of site-specific coming-of-age drama - Delete The Banjax (13 Aug 2010)
Hyped foursome not quite there yet - Derevo - Harlekin (9 Aug 2010)
Sinister, beautiful show from Fringe favourites - Des Bishop (13 Aug 2010)
My Dad Was Nearly James Bond - Dinner For One (8 Aug 2010)
Endearing skit pales in comparison to legendary film version - Dommett & Lapaert (13 Aug 2010)
Material tossed aside for engaging tomfoolery - Don't Run with Scissors (9 Aug 2010)
A Betrayal of Penguins can't quite regain of glory of 2009 - Doon MacKichan - Primadoona (8 Aug 2010)
Turning tragedy into comedy - The Door (11 Aug 2010)
An unexpected outcome to an ultimately un-engaging play
E
- Edward Aczel (10 Aug 2010)
Somehow incredibly funny without even trying - Edward Weston: Life Work and William Wegman: Family Combinations (12 Aug 2010)
A pair of fascinating photography exhibitions for the price of one - Elis James - Daytripper (8 Aug 2010)
Scruffy yet sharp show about obsessions - Emma Thompson Presents Fair Trade (11 Aug 2010)
Verbatim ad nauseam - Emo Philips (13 Aug 2010)
Over-familiar but still funny - Expectations (12 Aug 2010)
An earnest, intelligent, and honest piece - Extinguish (13 Aug 2010)
One man stares down several abysses
F
- Farm Boy (8 Aug 2010)
Country tale in need of a jump start - Felix Dexter (10 Aug 2010)
Observational stand-up and nicely realised characters - Flawless - Chase The Dream (8 Aug 2010)
Streetdance – and a whole lot more - The Fly in the Fridge (12 Aug 2010)
No flies on this - The Fragility Of X (12 Aug 2010)
Blurring the boundaries of behaviour
G
- Gary Delaney - Purist (8 Aug 2010)
The Basil Brush of stand-up - Gemma Goggin - Get Laid or Die Trying (8 Aug 2010)
Hilarious and graphic sex tales - Gemma Holt & Richard Healy: Shapes And Things (11 Aug 2010)
Making art from the everyday - George Ryegold (11 Aug 2010)
A gloriously bleak worldview - Geraldine Quinn (10 Aug 2010)
Flash your flesh, your cash and your camel toe - Giacinto Palmieri (10 Aug 2010)
This stilted performance was a pile of sweaty meatballs - Girl Constantly Fucking Interrupted (11 Aug 2010)
Unnerving descent into madness - The Girl in the Yellow Dress (8 Aug 2010)
Challenging, intelligent exploration of neurosis, guilt and obsession
H
- Hairy Maclary and Friends (12 Aug 2010)
Canine capers - Hamlet for Girls (10 Aug 2010)
A swift, nicely performed, play about juggling work and relationships - Henning Wehn (10 Aug 2010)
German humour remains a joke in itself - Hito Steyerl: In Free Fall (11 Aug 2010)
Sophisticated film captures the global economic crisis - Hot Mess (8 Aug 2010)
Believable take on the hazy suspended reality of a messy night out - Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (8 Aug 2010)
Chicago fusion of jazz, hip hop and funk
I
- Imperial Fizz (12 Aug 2010)
Fast-talking 1930s drawing room satire with a twist - Inside features live score from 65daysofstatic (9 Aug 2010)
Dance: not just for girls, okay?
J
- Jack Whitehall (11 Aug 2010)
Lacking real substance - Jacobite Country (10 Aug 2010)
Ramshackle action in the Pictish Free State - Jarred Christmas (11 Aug 2010)
Personal set from personable stand-up - Jason Cook (11 Aug 2010)
Well-crafted, life-affirming stuff - Jeremy Lion (9 Aug 2010)
Soused kids entertainer goes green - Jessica Ransom (9 Aug 2010)
What would you do with a million? - Jimeoin (10 Aug 2010)
Low-key observations about the little things - Jim Jefferies - Alcoholocaust (13 Aug 2010)
Vitriolic rants from the bottom of his LA-based heart - Joan Mitchell (11 Aug 2010)
Arresting display of abstract paintings - Jo Caulfield (11 Aug 2010)
Trademark snarky wit - Joe Rowntree: Peaceful Worrier (9 Aug 2010)
Paranoia revolves around this comic’s past - Jonny Sweet - Let's Just Have Some Fun (9 Aug 2010)
Derailing a show about a boat - Julien Cottereau - Imagine-toi (10 Aug 2010)
Former Cirque du Soleil performer conjures a spectacle from nothing - Julie Roberts: Child (11 Aug 2010)
Honest and compelling exploration of childhood - Jungle Book: The Next Chapter (9 Aug 2010)
Monkeying around with Kipling’s classic - Just Macbeth! (8 Aug 2010)
Slick, accessible and boisterous adaptation of classic tragedy
K
- Kafka and Son (8 Aug 2010)
Goodies and Daddies - Kai Humphries (10 Aug 2010)
Desperately needs an injection of sharper gags - Kate Fox - Kate Fox News (8 Aug 2010)
A slow news day - Keith Farnan: Sex Traffic (9 Aug 2010)
Facts to gasp at and jokes to die for - Kevin Bridges (9 Aug 2010)
Rising star effortlessly wins over the home crowd
L
- Lach’s Antihoot (12 Aug 2010)
Open stage night from NYC - Lady Garden - Top Secret Gig (8 Aug 2010)
Slightly too fast-paced sketch show - The Last Miner uses puppetry to profound effect (8 Aug 2010)
Moving, melancholic puppet show - Laura Solon: The Owl of Steven (9 Aug 2010)
A curious show about owls and oddballs - Lee Nelson (11 Aug 2010)
If his game is satire he keeps it well hidden - Lesbian Bathhouse (8 Aug 2010)
A feminist comic romp - Like You Were Before (13 Aug 2010)
Home movies and movies about home - Lockerbie: Unfinished Business (12 Aug 2010)
Capturing the human story behind the headlines - Lorca is Dead (13 Aug 2010)
A lament in the key of surrealism - Love Bites (9 Aug 2010)
A show about food, love, and sex blurs the lines between reality and fantasy - Lovelace: A Rock Musical (10 Aug 2010)
Respectful tribute to the Deep Throat porn star
M
- Maeve Higgins (12 Aug 2010)
She could talk all day and keep you smiling - Maff Brown (11 Aug 2010)
You probably had to be there - Magnus Betnér (9 Aug 2010)
Cult comic in the making - Mairi Gillies: Natura Sensus (11 Aug 2010)
Hortisculpturist explores the relationship between art and plants - Mark Nelson - Offending the Senses (13 Aug 2010)
A jolt to the comedy system - Martin Creed: Ballet Work No 1020 (8 Aug 2010)
Oh, do try harder, disgruntled of Sadler’s Wells - The Master and Margarita (12 Aug 2010)
Atmospheric and exciting, yet a difficult to follow and rough performance - Matthew Hardy: Willy Wonka Explained (13 Aug 2010)
Nostalgic trip back to a time of Veruca Salt and Everlasting Gobstoppers - Memory Cells (10 Aug 2010)
Exploring the machinations of power - Meow Meow - Feline Intimate (12 Aug 2010)
Cabaret will never be the same - Mike Keat (13 Aug 2010)
A massively talented and very entertaining tool - Mike Wozniak (11 Aug 2010)
A frustrated and edgy figure - The Mole Who Knew It Was None Of His Business (8 Aug 2010)
Making a song and dance about poo - More Light Please (9 Aug 2010)
In search of further illumination - Movin' Melvin Brown (12 Aug 2010)
Tap dance and song homage to African American music - Mussolini: A One Man Political Farce (9 Aug 2010)
Fascinatingly detailed piece about the man to keep audience intrigued - My Hamlet with Linda Marlowe (13 Aug 2010)
That’s the way to be or not to be - My Romantic History (8 Aug 2010)
Inventive, funny observations of contemporary relationships - Mysterious Skin boils Heim's novel (8 Aug 2010)
Bleakly powerful adaptation of bestselling novel
N
- Nathan Caton (11 Aug 2010)
Tackles issues of race with refreshing ease and sensitivity - New Art Club (11 Aug 2010)
Original, charming and very funny - Nick Mohammed (11 Aug 2010)
Fantastically irritating and inappropriate - Noise Next Door (10 Aug 2010)
It’s very rare to see improv comedy so consistently hit the mark - No Son of Mine (9 Aug 2010)
Family secrets uncovered amid a heap of gags - The Not So Fatal Death Of Grandpa Fredo (9 Aug 2010)
Frenetically-paced Vox Motus show lets fly with the satirical dartboards
O
- Of People and Not Things (11 Aug 2010)
An examination of break-up as apocalypse - Operation Greenfield (10 Aug 2010)
Teenagers getting Christ, no kicks - Our Share of Tomorrow (11 Aug 2010)
Strong performances illuminate study of love and loss
P
- Pappy's (13 Aug 2010)
Bringing you sketch sunshine - Paul Chowdhry - Not PC (13 Aug 2010)
Self-censorship blunts some impact - Paul Foot - Ash in the Attic (9 Aug 2010)
"Comedy connoisseurs" only for divisive yet invigorating hour - Paul Sinha - Extreme Anti-White Vitriol (9 Aug 2010)
Handling some hot political spuds - Paul Zenon - Lounge Wizard (8 Aug 2010)
Old tricks with some new twists - Pedal Pusher is a journey inside riders’ heads (8 Aug 2010)
Physical theatre show takes on the Tour de France - Pedestrian (12 Aug 2010)
Fishy tale from an engaging performer - Penelope (9 Aug 2010)
Enda in the ascendant - Penguin (12 Aug 2010)
Puppetry and song for young ‘uns - Pete Johannson's - Pete's On Earth (9 Aug 2010)
Solid stand-up as it was meant to be - Plague! The Musical (12 Aug 2010)
Vibrant musical with sassy humour about a quest for fame and fortune - Poem Without A Hero (8 Aug 2010)
The first stage production of a Russian masterpiece - Poland 3 Iran 2 (9 Aug 2010)
Merhdad and Chris share the political football - Pros from Dover (9 Aug 2010)
Sketch comedy from accomplished trio inject form with inovation
R
- The Railway Children (12 Aug 2010)
A classic revisited - Ray Bradbury’s 2116 (12 Aug 2010)
A dreamy fairytale about the perils of creating perfection - Ray Green (9 Aug 2010)
The 3D adventures of a two-bit character - The Real MacGuffins (8 Aug 2010)
Deliciously daft sketches - Red Cello Electrified (8 Aug 2010)
South African cellist plugs in - Reginald D Hunter - Trophy Nigga (9 Aug 2010)
Funny but familiar material - Rhythm Of The Drums: Song Of The Cicada (11 Aug 2010)
Show but no tell - Rhythms With Soul (8 Aug 2010)
Foot-stomping romp through flamenco history - Richard Herring - Christ on a Bike (9 Aug 2010)
A disappointing retread of past glories - Roam (8 Aug 2010)
Fast-flowing contemporary dance laced with breakdance and martial arts - Roaring Boys (11 Aug 2010)
Enjoyable, surreal character comedians - Rob Rouse (11 Aug 2010)
Spinning the mundane into the finest yarn - Ross Sutherland - The Three Stigmata of Pacman (9 Aug 2010)
Life’s daftness exposed via poetry and music - Running on Air (12 Aug 2010)
Charming road show in a camper van
S
- Sam Simmons (11 Aug 2010)
Somewhat lacklustre - Scott Agnew proves himself as storyteller with eye for absurd (8 Aug 2010)
Devilish entertainer with broad appeal - Seann Walsh (16 Aug 2010)
Making the humdrum hilarious - Sex Idiot (9 Aug 2010)
Enjoyably loopy journey through Bryony Kimmings’ past loves - Shakespeare the Man From Stratford (12 Aug 2010)
Spellbinding mix of thundering speeches and historical storytelling - Sharp-suited sextet The Magnets a solid night out (8 Aug 2010)
Acappella group cover pop hits - Shirley and Shirley (12 Aug 2010)
Dark twists on familiar sketch topics - The Silver Darlings (9 Aug 2010)
Strong, unflashy retelling of classic Scottish novel - Smith and Smith (11 Aug 2010)
Dry self-deprecation and an irreverent take on immortality - Soap! The Show (10 Aug 2010)
Water-logged circus show leaves the crowd open-mouthed - Sound and Fury - Private Dick (8 Aug 2010)
Playful postmodern romp with knob gags - Stephen Carlin - The Podium of Unconditional Surrender (10 Aug 2010)
Airdrie wag refuses to get tough - Stick Man brings Julia Donaldson's children's book to life (8 Aug 2010)
Lively adaptation hits the spot - Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones (12 Aug 2010)
Your plastic friends - Storm Large - Crazy Enough (9 Aug 2010)
A musical memoir with bawdy tales - Stuart Goldsmith (11 Aug 2010)
On the road to proper glory - The Sum of it All (11 Aug 2010)
Ghostly tale of grief - Suspicious Package (11 Aug 2010)
Immersive fun on the streets of Edinburgh
T
- Tap Ole (8 Aug 2010)
Tap dance meets flamenco guitar with a sprinkling of razzle dazzle - That Moment (11 Aug 2010)
Endearing and comic one-woman performance - Tiffany Stevenson - Dictators (8 Aug 2010)
Top Trumps of despots - The Tiger Lillies
(8 Aug 2010)
Sideshow inspired death-gypsy tunes - Tom Craine (10 Aug 2010)
Achingly upper middle-class meanderings - Tony Law (10 Aug 2010)
Some laugh-worthy material - Tony Tanner’s Charlatan (8 Aug 2010)
Russian Ballet’s controversial founding father brought to life - Touching the Blue (9 Aug 2010)
A wonderfully constructed character story leaves you hanging - Two (12 Aug 2010)
Uneven play about a succession of couples packs a powerful punch - Two Episodes of MASH (10 Aug 2010)
Offbeat charm and wit
U
- The Ukulele Project (8 Aug 2010)
Charming folk take on modern classics - Unshakeable (11 Aug 2010)
Paul Betney jokingly describes his life with Parkinson's - Up 'n' Under (12 Aug 2010)
Enjoyable revival of John Godber’s lively romp
V
- The Vanishing Horizon (11 Aug 2010)
Idle Motion stick to their winning formula - The Virtuous Burglar (11 Aug 2010)
A clever and lively performance and beautiful design: a winner
W
- Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You (8 Aug 2010)
Rich, lyrical personal account of the 7/7 bombings - While You Lie (12 Aug 2010)
Brave exploration of identity, the body and sexuality - The White Dalmatian (12 Aug 2010)
Fairytale musical with a twist - Wolf is a innovative and well-imagined piece of theatre (9 Aug 2010)
Engaging exploration of human/wolf relations
