Edinburgh 2022: Review: RED RICHARDSON: SHOTS FIRED, Pleasance CourtyardAugust 11, 2022Red Richardson is one of Britain's best up-and-coming comedians. In 2017 he and pop sensation Ollie Murrs (amongst others) were caught in a major police incident. Red found himself cowering under a desk, questioning his life choices and point blank refusing to 'mark himself as safe'.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: GRANDMOTHER'S CLOSET, SummerhallAugust 11, 2022An autobiographical musical adventure that promises mischief and mash-ups, dresses and divas, and a whole lot of heart. Join Luke Hereford (he/they) as he stumbles along his journey of queer self-discovery through the glamorous spirit of his very own personal cheerleader – his Nan – capturing their brightest memories before they start to fade forever. Reflecting on his first tentative steps down the yellow brick road, Luke takes on Broadway, experiences his first Pride and finds the perfect shade of lipstick – all to the tune of Madonna, Kylie, Kate Bush and all of his favourite pop divas.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: LOTTIE PLATCHETT TOOK A HATCHET, Assembly RoxyAugust 11, 2022A camp play on the Lizzie Borden case, Lottie Plachett Took a Hatchet is a comedy about axe murder, sexual depravity, and the installation of a toilet. Lottie, an unsuspecting spinster, stands accused of brutally murdering her father and step-mother. But did Lottie Plachett actually take up a hatchet? That's for you and the jury to decide as this camp comedy unfolds
Edinburgh 2022: Review: JENNY BEDE: THE FIRST PREGNANT WOMAN IN THE WORLD, UnderbellyAugust 11, 2022You won't have had children yet, as Jenny is the first person to ever go through this particular ordeal, but you might be keen to learn a little something about this incredible new process called pregnancy from award-winning musical comedian and future nation's sweetheart, Jenny Bede. Jenny will navigate the entire gamut of human emotions, from despair all the way through to despair, as she jokes, sings and (at last, justifiably) Mum-dances her experience to life in this new hour.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: AUSTENTACIOUS, UnderbellyAugust 10, 2022After sell-out national tours, a West End run and Radio 4 special, Austentatious returns to the Fringe for its ninth glorious year! Every single day, an all-star cast improvise a brand new Jane Austen novel based entirely on a single suggestion from the audience. Performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, this is Austen as you've never seen her before: award-winning, riotous and unmissable.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: BREATHLESS, Pleasance CourtyardAugust 10, 2022What happens when the things we covet hide us from ourselves? Opening up to new experiences in her late 30s, Sophie is exploring long repressed sides of herself. When a secret she’s keeping from those she loves, and even from herself, threatens to unravel it all, she has to make a choice. Who or what will she decide to give up? Breathless is a funny, honest and stylish exploration of the knife-edge of hoarding, from the joy, to the addiction and suffocating shame.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: FANBOY, Pleasance DomeAugust 10, 2022Joe has always been a nerd. In his teens, he hid it. In his 20s, he owned it. Now, in his 30s, he's started to sense something: a great disturbance in the fandom... And when Joe finds himself alone, sorting through his old things, he finds an old video tape... and something incredible starts to happen!
Edinburgh 2022: Review: SKANK, Pleasance CourtyardAugust 11, 2022Skanks just wanna have a clean bill of health, the adoration of the public and some decent recycling facilities. Kate could be a successful writer, if she could just concentrate. Instead, she needs to recycle this bean can, shag sexy Gary and stop obsessing about her inevitable untimely death.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: SOOZ KEMPNER: PLAYSTATION, Banshee LabyrinthAugust 9, 2022Twitter sensation Sooz (BBC Radio 4, BT Sport, BBC Radio 5 Live) got a PlayStation, the first adult console, in 1998 and finally felt grown-up. But is she? A stand-up show for anyone who remembers the 90s and had big dreams as a kid. Suitable for gamers and non-gamers alike!
Edinburgh 2022: Starship Improvise Guest BlogAugust 9, 2022Writer, director and performer Adam Meggido blogs for BroadwayWorld about Starship Improvise coming to the Fringe, in what ways a show is better for being improvised and why live performance is so exciting for the cast and the audience.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: LET'S TALK ABOUT PHILIP, Pleasance CourtyardAugust 10, 2022When 30 years of family silence is broken, Helen begins a quest to discover the hidden story behind her brother's suicide. As surprising details are uncovered, Helen grapples with loyalty, long-held beliefs and how much we ever really know about those we love.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: BUFFY: REVAMPED, EICCAugust 9, 2022Seven seasons. 70 minutes. One Spike. The entire 144 episodes of cult 90s TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as told through the eyes of the one person who knows it inside out: Spike. Satirical, funny and bursting with pop-culture references, it's the perfect parody for Buffy aficionados and those who never enrolled at Sunnydale High alike.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: OUT TO LUNCH, UnderbellyAugust 9, 2022Sitters has just come back from the Annual Food Writer's Awards. Coren didn't say hello. Rayner told him to piss off. Wallace thought he was staff. The final humiliation came when his face showed up in black and white on the in memoriam. In an attempt to save his failing career he strives to write the foulest review conceivable. A comedy play with songs from the writers of Boondocks, Goons, and Frog's Legs.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: MAKING A MURDERER THE MUSICAL, UnderbellyAugust 9, 2022A darkly comic, deeply engaging and emotive musical inspired by the case of Steven Avery. Created by and starring BAFTA award-winning Phil Mealey (The Royle Family, Early Doors) this captivating comedy-drama takes you on an eye-opening journey into the story of a man and his family's fight for freedom that has enthralled people all over the world and helped shine a light on the injustices and failings of a broken system. The shows passion and conviction has captured the hearts of all its supporters. Proud supporters of The Innocence Project.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: MY SON'S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO), UnderbellyAugust 8, 2022When Rob was 12, they attempted a full-blown Disney parade in their house for their grandma. As Rob donned wigs and played Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their dad doubled as stage manager, sound technician and Goofy. This is the joyous, chaotic, autobiographical story of actor, writer and social-media sensation Rob Madge as they set out to recreate that parade – and this time, nobody, no, nobody is gonna rain on it.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: THE ANNIVERSARY, Pleasance DomeAugust 9, 2022It's Mr Bean meets The Shining! Don't be fooled – Jim and Barb are no ordinary elderly couple. Leave your preconceptions at the door and expect the unexpected. The Anniversary is a physical comedy house party from hell! From the creators of the multi award-winning Otto and Astrid – Die Roten Punkte comes a brand-new murderously funny comedy farce. Hold onto your hats for the most absurd and hilarious tailspin of a party like you've never seen before.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: THE MANY VOICES OF DEBRA STEPHENSON, AssemblyAugust 7, 2022Take a trip with Debra (Dead Ringers, Spitting Image, The Imitation Game, Bad Girls) as she hurtles through time in a multiverse of musical icons from Billy Holliday to Billie Eilish, Shirley Bassey to Kate Bush, with live musical accompaniment from James Stead. And, with Debra's trademark comedic impressions of well-known politicians and celebrities, there's plenty of fun and laughter along the way.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: LOCKED IN, The SpaceAugust 7, 2022A ticking clock. A dodgy nursing home. Step in from the bustle of the Mile for a bundle of laughter with Locked In, a joyful comedy premiere. Also featured: Dave Shakespeare, a decidedly silly swipe at pseudointellectuals.
Edinburgh 2022: Review: BLOCK'D OFF, Pleasance CourtyardAugust 8, 2022Working-class means many things now. Everyone knows the stereotypes, but it's time to hear their voices. A father putting his hopes on his daughter's future. A couple of dealers attempting to flee the country. A tutor manipulating his way to normality. A florist always running from brutality. Another young boy, stabbed too close to home. This is a story about people trapped in the cycle of deprivation.