After a year off, I am back to the Fringe, for three days this time. 16 shows in 57 hours, reviews below, and Awards to follow.
DAY ONE
Once Seen on Blue Peter – Ballroom, Assembly Rooms (Venue #20) Cahoots Theatre Company [60 mins]
Starring Mark Curry, Peter Duncan, Janet Ellis & Peter Purves (with brief appearances by Tim Vincent) 60 minutes of reminiscences from the classic children's TV programme, 'backstage at a TV awards show'. Lulu the elephant, Mark knocking the head off a Lego businessman, Noaksie, and Janet freefalling were all referenced. Very enjoyable, and I managed to get Janet, Mark and Peter D to sign one of my precious BP books.
A Joke – Ballroom, Assembly Rooms (Venue #20) Universal Arts and Scene Change Productions [60 mins]
Written by Dan 'Death Comes to Time' Freeman, and starring Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy and 'Star Trek: Voyager' star Robert Picardo, this play featured an Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman. Why had they been brought together, was it some sort of joke ? A very thought-provoking and funny 60 minutes, and Sylv played the spoons.
Colin Cloud: Psycho(Logical) - The Grand, Pleasance Courtyard (Venue #33) Gag Reflex [60 mins]
My usual festival must-see, the 'real life Sherlock Holmes' in an impressive and petrifying show. The show started with Cloud locked in a box slowly filling with smoke, and having to psychically indicate to an audience member which one of the 100 keys opened the padlock. The big finish was another coup de theatre, but I won't spoil it here. Highly recommended.
Improvised Panto ! – The Annexe, Paradise in the Vault (Venue #29) Very Serious People [45 mins]
The first of my impro shows, and for once not Sherlockian or Whovian. VSP in their fringe debut presented an entirely improvised pantomime, including songs. Having finally found the hidden venue, we were treated to the tale of Bob from Ottley (near Leeds) who had to find a black cab filled with cash in Monte Carlo, whilst defeating a prostitute from Hull. Very good.
Rachel Parris' Musical Comedy Club – King Dome, Pleasance Dome (Venue #23) Live Nation [80 mins]
Rachel Parris ('The Mash Report') presented her musical guests - Flo & Joan (amazing), Harry & Chris (proving that comedy rap-jazz is 'a thing') and Pippa Evans (exquisite). Rachel compered, also singing songs, including her tribute to one of the epic songs from 'The Greatest Showman'. The show ended with a singalong of 'Hold On' (Wilson Phillips), with all the performers, which continued as we filed out. An excellent end to the day !
No comments:
Post a Comment