Fringe top 15: Our pick of the shows
LOOKING for a good Fringe show this weekend? With so many shows to choose from, where do you start? Well here are the shows the Evening News has awarded four and five stars. Check them out.
1 MUSIC: TUBULAR BELLS FOR TWO @ Assembly, George Square Rating: *****
Advertisement
Hide AdTwo virtuoso musicians, a stage full of instruments, and Mike Oldfield’s seminal work. A must see and hear.
2 THEATRE: KEMBLE’S RIOT @ Pleasance Dome, Bristo Square
Rating: *****
THE year is 1809 and the action unfolds over 66 days of rioting, centring on the figure of celebrated actor John Kemble, who has raised ticket prices at his theatre, but this is no dry history lesson. Lots of audience interaction.
3 MUSICAL: RE-ANIMATOR THE MUSICAL @ Assembly, George Square
Rating: *****
HORROR cinema meets musical camp in Re-Animator The Musical, the stage version of the cult movie starring George Wendt.
4 KIDS: THE SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE - CHUNKY WOOLLEN NITS @ Gilded Balloon, Teviot
Rating: *****
Songs, sketches, socks and violence for ages 7+
5 DRAMA: PIERREPOINT - THE HANGMAN’S TALE @ Sweet, Grassmarket
Rating: *****
Advertisement
Hide AdThere’s just a hint of macabre delight in Martin Oldfield’s brilliant portrayal of Albert Pierrepoint, Britain’s last hangman, at the Apex Hotel, on the Grassmarket.
6 COMEDY: Paul Foot @ Underbelly, Cowgate
Rating: *****
Meaningless comedy from a very funny man.
7 PERFORMANCE: Daniel Kitson - This Show Has No Title @ Traverse, Cambridge Street
Rating: ****
Advertisement
Hide AdExpect the unexpected as Kitson delivers three scripts in one.
8 THEATRE: JIGSY @ Assembly Rooms, George Street
Rating: ****
Les Dennis give a masterclass in comedy timing in this bitter sweet play about an old school comic.
9 CLASSIC: EDUCATING RITA @ Assembly, George Square
Rating: ****
WILLY Russell’s classic tale of learning starring Matthew Kelly and Claire Sweeney, pictured below.
10 MUSICAL: ACTIVE VIRGIN @ C Venues, Chambers Street
Rating: ****
New writing from the home-grown Kielty brothers.
11 THEATRE: HINGE PRESENTS DORIAN @ Hill Street Theatre, Hill Street
Rating: ****
OSCAR Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray sets the gold standard for chroniclers of decadence.
12 DRAMA: THE IDIOT AT THE WALL @ Bedlam Theatre
Rating: ****
YOU don’t have to like Gaelic, let alone understand it, to appreciate this heart-rending tale based on a harrowing Western Isles ballad.
Advertisement
Hide Ad13 COMEDY: CASABLANCA - THE GIN JOINT CUT @ Gilded Balloon, Teviot
Rating: ****
“ONCE more into the breeks dear friends,” declares Jimmy Chisholm, as the cast prepare to launch into their performance of highlight scenes from Casablanca.
14 KIDS: A LITTLE PRINCESS @ C Nova, Victoria Street
Rating: ****
Advertisement
Hide AdBe transported back in time to a Victorian school room, where the story begins.
15 I, TOMMY @ Gilded Balloon, Teviot
Rating: ****
All the world’s a stage... the Tommy Sheridan extravaganza brought to life on the stage.
Tickets and show details for all productions are in the Fringe Programme or by visiting edfringe.com.