redundant by a machine, can now be seen as an uncanny prediction of the current information age. Realised in a very time-bound style, namely in highly stylised and choreographed expreSSionism, the issues of man and machine, dreams and unfulfilled goals, are as valid today as they were
80 years ago.
Although the play represents a dark
1 Vision of society, its American director,
Peter Frisch, qualifies this saying, 'it's also very funny. A bleak view would have to be funny to be at all entertaining‘ (Catherine Bromley)
:3 The Adding Machine (Fringe) Carnegie Mellon University and Queen Margaret University College, Gateway Theatre (Venue 7) 377 3939, 75—79 Aug, 7.35pm, I9Aug, 2.35pm, £6/f4.
THEATRE Wolverine Dream **** Airline fractures in social satire One of two quite separate plays under the general banner of Americana Absurdum, this black comedy by Brian Parks seeks out a broad range of targets throughout the American social structure. The story of an avaricious airline owner seeking to evade responsibility for the crash of one of his planes, the piece explores the supreme dysfunctionality of each family and individual touched by the crash.
The breakneck pace of the playing adds to the audience's hysteria in this
frenetic piece, full of tricksy aphorism and surreal visual dislocation. A maudlin and very funny sermon on contemporary American life, this amounts to a memorable evening of theatre. (Steve Cramer)
I Wolverine Dreams (Fringe) The Present Company, Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) 226 2428, dates vary until 28 Aug, 7. 75pm, f9/f70 (£8/f9).
THEATRE Alone It Stands (Munster 12 - All Blacks 0) *‘k‘k‘k
Rucking good fun from Ireland
Rugby is an implausible subject for theatre on the face of it, but this piece, after a slow start, pulls you in to the atmosphere of the Irish county team’s famed victory over the mighty All Blacks in 1978. We are party to the everyday dramas of life in Limerick, as the unsophisticated locals upset a hard-eyed, fanatical bunch of Kiwi meatheads. Meanwhile, babies are born, bonfires are built and crossed cultures are bonded.
Some neat physical work, and clever narrative shifts between the match and its spectators make for plenty of light-hearted entertainment. Anyone can enjoy this piece, and Australian Rugger fans will love it. (Steve Cramer) Alone lt Stands (Fringe) Yew Tree Theatre, Traverse (Venue 75) 228 7404, until 26 Aug (not Mon) times vary, [9 (£6).
Tacky triumvirate: The Dirty Nans ,
6pM-6M IOIHVII
THEATRE Uncle Jacques’ Symphony ****
Characters are tunes in the symphony of life
Written, directed and performed by Dominic Hoffman, this jazz-infused one-man show aims to demonstrate that we are all tunes harmonising in the great symphony of life.
Hep cat Uncle Jacques introduces some of his favourite tunes — a basketball player taking lessons in love, a Puerto Rican girl experiencing racism in her family when she dates a black guy, a bitter English painter, a Cuban boxer, a Southern mother and a tough guy delivering a moving epitaph at his friend's funeral. All of these characters are flawlessly rendered by Hoffman's fluid verbal dexterity, communicating a warm and poignant understanding of the human condition. (Catherine Bromley)
l Uncle Jacques’ Symphony (Fringe) Frantic Redhead Productions, Randolph Studio (Venue 55) 225 5366, 70—26 Aug (not 13-14, 27) 7.35pm, £7/f6.
COMEDY
The Dirty Nans **
Physical humour from three grannies
Mrs Merton's routines are familiar enough to us, so if you think of this act as built along the same principles, but times three, and with the greater liberalities of live performance, you've got the rough idea. This trio of young women dressed as old run to a good deal of physical business, with old lady practice falling and a rather icky approach to gynaecology included.
A nice opening, in which the wrinklies are first confronted with The Prodigy, flattens out a little as things progress, with perhaps not quite enough material among the belly laughs to sustain an hour (Steve Cramer)
I The Dirty Nans (Fringe) Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550, until 28 Aug (not Mon) £ 7/f 8 (f 6/f 7).
COMEDY
Bob Doolally: A Life In Football ink
Comedy, from the second it left his foot
The absurd and obnoxious Bob Doolally kicks off the new season with his usual piss-take on all things associated with football, the ‘real theatre of the working class.’ All the usual targets are in the firing line as Doolally consumes four bottles of vodka whilst waxing drunkenly on the state of the beautiful game, divulging some of his most bizarre secrets on the way. On this bleak and rainy Edinburgh turf, Doolally suffered slightly and didn't look completely match-fit, but he’ll undoubtedly rise to the top of his form as the season develops. A must for football fans. (Davie Archibald)
a Bob Doolally: A Life In Football (Fringe) The Stand Comedy Club (Venue 5) 558 7272, until 73 Aug, 7.45pm, 76—27 Aug, 9.50pm, £6 (£5).
EAST OF EDEN
Paul Carter
and Kate Gray
Week 1 - East Lothian
Thursday 10 August Aubigny Sports Centre, Mill Wynd, Haddington
Friday 11 August Scottish Seabird Centre, The Harbour, North Berwick
Week 2 - Edinburgh
Monday 14 August Mercat Cross, Parliament Square
Tuesday 15 August Beside the National Gallery, The Mound
Wednesday 16 August City Art Centre, 2 Market Street
Thursday 17 August Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art,
Belford Road
Friday 18 August West Gate, Royal Botanic Gardens
Open 10am - 5pm ADMISSION FREE
For more information contact Grace Whowell, on 0131 529 3930
e-mail: travgalOcity-art- centre.demon.co.uk
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3—10 Aug 2000 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 53