IQIfiVQI IopM-Ldte theatre comedy dance music books
THEATRE PREVIEW Bevefley
Journey of self-discovery ’Beverley is a woman who wants to
find the thing that will make her feel alright,’ says writer Natasha Langridge. Ultimately a journey of self-discovery, the one-woman dynamo looks for satisfaction in men, drugs, clothes and even new kitchen units, only to find the answer within herself.
As Langridge explains: ’The world we live in is so capitalist, so consumer based, we’re made to think the answer to life is outside ourselves, but it’s not, it’s inside.’ Performed by Valerie Francis, Beverley is a mix of both the writer and the actresses’ experiences. Her brash and fiercely honest search for happiness was first premiered in London last year and so successful was its run that on the last night, a couple donated £1000 so that the show could come to the Fringe. Regarding last year's appearances at the Gilded Balloon as 'unofficial’ because of the company’s late arrival,
Bevefly searches for drugs, clothes and kitchen units
THEATRE PREVIEW Cocktales
Liberalism, understanding and tolerance have all come into question in Scotland in the last year with the ridiculously petty pro-Clause 28 campaign led by the brain drain that is Brian Souter. Though abolished last week, it will certainly have left its scorched mark on a marginalised gay Scotland.
The Northern Theatre Company’s ‘in your face' drama Cocktales may be the perfect antidote, brought to you by the same team that gave us the outrageous Love Kevin a few years ago (notably Richard P. Green - writer, director and performer. and his cast of five). A dark new play about gay sex and its excesses, Green in his own excitany posh way tries to surmise it : ’It's about a man trying to come to terms with things he doesn't
really want to do but does them anyway. It delves into strong forms of sado-masochism and humiliation and I want to question why we do it. There's an old saying “a stunting cock has no conscience", it is basically that
idea’.
Green and his company are no strangers to the Fringe and they seem to delight in bringing controversy to the table - with past productions Myra And Me (yes that would be Hindley), A Clockwork Orange and Unidentified Human Remains, you can hardly accuse
Langridge says: 'We thought we'd do it properly this year.’ (Catherine Bromley)
l Beverley (Fringe) Utopias Whores, Komedia©Southside (Venue 82) 667 2272, 4—27 Aug (not 74) 70.45pm, f 5/£ 7.
THEATRE PREVIEW Poona The Fuckdog Sweary, scary and will probably pee on your leg Las Vegas seems to be producing as much performance as gambling debts these days. In addition to Joe: A One Man Show, the desert city of sin also sends us this controversial little nugget. I say controversial, since its long New York run seems to have divided audiences right down the middle. Now, you've been warned, even by the title, but further to this are the various views expressed about the show by its reviewers. Running from stuff along the lines of puerile nonsense, with no redeeming value, to brilliant and insightful satire, the show would appear to present strong meat for acquired tastes. Billing itself as ’a bed-time story for adult children', the show apparently makes a virtue of its political incorrectness. The story is very topical, so there isn’t an absolutely defined narrative, since the show changes as the political and social events around it after. Don't expect to respond with neutrality. (Steve Cramer) fl Poona The Fuckdog (Fringe) Rebel Theatre, Roman Eagle Lodge (Venue 27) 622 7207, 7—27 Aug, 77.30pm, £6 (£4).
Standing firm against a wave of bigoted Scottish pettiness
them of cruising for an easy time. Green delights in the festival experience declaring the audiences ’much more intellectual and caring' than your average punter. With his playwright heroes being Joe Orton and Canadian
Brad Frazer, Green has a lot to live up to. but if
(Paul Dale)
THEATRE PREVIEW Lulu The femme fatale goes for a song
Femmes don’t come much more fatale than turn-of0the-century German playwright Frank Wedekind’s Lulu, the promiscuous innocent with the sexually charged attraction for knives. After starring in the 1928 silent adaptation 'Pandora's Box', American actress Louise Brooks ensured her immortality as a cinema icon. Now, decades later, Denmark's Odense International Musikteater brings us this cabaret version of the screenplay. 'Yes, the style is obviously decadent,’ says Nis Jarl Jesperson, company co- founder and the production’s designer.
Cocktales is half as good as it sounds it will be a blast.
I Cocktales (Fringe) Northern Theatre Company, Hill Street Theatre (Venue 4 7) 226 6522, 4-28 Aug (not 76) 71.40pm, £7.50 (£5.50).
The setting is a nightclub packed with temperamental talent, and run by an owner obsessively searching for the perfect, authentic Lulu. The show, entirely sung, features British composer Chris Jordan’s music and lyrics. His fine, eclectic score - think Kurt Weill meets Tom Waits — carries blues, pop and even tango inflections, with a sardonic hymn or two tucked in. ’Just take your seats and open your ears and eyes,’ Jesperson seductiver offers. ’We’ll lead you through!’ (Donald Hutera) I Lulu (Fringe) Odense International Musikteater, Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) 228 2428, 4-28 Aug (not 7, 14) 70.30pm, £9/f 10 (£8/f9).
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Another Lulu makes you want to shout
E LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE
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