Festival film see page 71- Festival art see page 87
dementedly from beyond the grave and appearing as a witch in McKnight’s fantasy.
The piece would benefit from a more intimate spatial arrangement; characters are often too far away to give two hoots for. Non-committal performances and the fact that the action proceeds at the pace of a stoned tort0ise also contribute to making this a rather unengaging production. (Allan Radcliffe)
33‘ Suicide Watch (Fringe) Festival Theatre USC—USA, Drummond Community Theatre (Venue 25) 558 9695, 72, 76, 79, 23, 26 Aug, 9.30pm, £5.
DANCE
Jive Junkys ****
Smart moves from down under Any male dance show that doesn't rely on the whipping off of shirts deserves a round of applause. But there's more to the live Junkys than keeping their clothes on. These four Aussie blokes take the familiar scenario of 'we've only got 48 hours to pull together a show' to create a comic showcase for their vocal and dance skills.
As the deadline draws near, the performance builds speed, treating the audience to a mix of earthy humour, songs and energetic tap and jive routines. Bridging the gap between comedy and dance, Jive Junkys left the audience hollering for more. (Louisa Pearson) my live Junkys (Fringe) Edinburgh ’5 Garden Party (Venue 50) 226 2428/2757, until 28 Aug (not 74, 25) 8pm; 22—24, 26 Aug, 9.45pm, £70 (£9).
THEATRE
Soho Story tit
Musical drama in clubland Liverpool-based theatre company Kaboodle have had 22 years to get their act together and skills honed. No surprises then that the performances are of such a high standard, with soulful singing voices and split second comic timing running through the length of this musical play.
Arriving in 19505 Soho clubland from her Barbados home, Josie encounters racism and opportunity in equal measure. The mystery of her father's death forms the heart of the tale, but if the plot is fragmented and the narrative somewhat undeveloped, the pace, humour and excellent live band give this ensemble piece a real raw edge. (Kelly Apter)
'33 Soho Story (Fringe) Kaboodle Productions, Komedia @ Southside (Venue 82) 667 22 72, until 27 Aug, 9.05pm, £8 (£6).
COMEDY
Dara O'Briain ****
Cosy chat with Irish charmer There's something about Dara O’Briain that makes you want to take him home. It's not just that he’s cuddly, or that he seems to be a genuinely nice chap; he just has that undefinable quality that makes you instantly warm to him. Although that may have something to do with the room being
THEATRE PREVIEW The Tempest
Desert island drama tics
After a ten-year absence, AandBC Theatre returns to the Fringe with a performance that looks set to be among the most polished pieces of classical theatre on offer this summer. 'lt's been a long while,’ admits director and company founder, Greg Thompson. 'But we've learned a great deal in that time. I wanted to go to Edinburgh with a mature piece that’s strong enough to rub its shoulders with the very best.’
Shakespeare's last major work - often considered to be an allegory for the isolated fantasy world of the playwright - revolves around the rivalries and conflicts that blow up when Prospero, a magician in exile, uses sorcery to summon up a storm, dumping a variety of figures from his chequered past on his desert island doorstep. 'We've stumbled upon a rather interesting way of giving people the text fully,’ explains Thompson. ‘lt'll be as if the audience are on stage with us, immersed. creating the island with their concentration.’
The Tempest’s atmospheric innovations include a giant, glowing moon that bathes audiences in a pool of light, washed-up oil-drum seats and a haunting live score, evoking a dream-like, isolated ambience that Thompson hopes will, at the very least, prove to be an unforgettable experience. 'T his will be a performance that engages people physically, intellectually and emotionally. You can say all kinds of things about the
ODM-IODM “VUI
A physical, intellectual and emotional engagement
work, but if people experience the show and it has no effect on them whatsoever, then we’ll have provided mere entertainment. I think we have a larger responsibility to this remarkable play.’ (Olly Lassman)
I The Tempest (Fringe) AandBC Theatre Company, Scottish International At The Quad (Venue792) 530 3557, 76—28 Aug, 9.30pm, £72 (£9).
like a sauna.
His show is less of a set than a cosy chat; he talks to the audience without intimidation. O’Briain, or Da as I like to call him now, should just be considered a mate, and a damn funny one at that. (Kirsty Knaggs)
Dara O’Briain (Fringe) Gilded Balloon (Venue 38) 226 2 75 7, until 28 Aug (not27) 9pm, £8 (£7).
COMEDY
Marcus Brigstocke *** Therapy obsessed comic gets a life Marcus Brigstocke is a big fellow who specialises in acutely-drawn character studies a la Steve Coogan, but what startles about this immensely likeable comedian is the innocently subversive nature of his material. He comes on like the lovechild of Joyce Grenfell and Dick Emery conceived at a self-help variety show.
With far too many references to daytime TV celebrities, Brigstocke is limiting and a lot of the sketches are badly thought-out fillers, but some of his characters — Dr. Gregg Dupont, Giles The Gap Year Twit — are effortlessly spot on. Keep watching though, as the show also contains a breathtakingly funny ending.
(Paul Dale)
I Get A Life (Fringe) Marcus Brigstocke, Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) 226 2428, until 28 Aug (not 2 7) 9.25pm, £ 9/£ 70 (£8/£9).
COMEDY
Dan Antopolski H
Beardy weirdy misses the target
Dan Antopolski's delivery and seemingly random selection of subject matter conjures up thoughts of a mildly intoxicated pubescent Harry Hill. However, his gags are rarely as consistent or thematic as the big- shirted one’s. This is clearly a show without a real focus as sweet moral philosophising gives way to sweary arguments and audience-baiting.
There are some high points — the bickering dialogue between him and a cassette tape in particular — but this felt swamped by other, weaker material. Most people come to the Fringe with some kind of plan; Antopolski, it would appear, was only keen on getting a few laughs, but sadly got too few.
(Mark Robertson)
I Second Coming (Fringe) Dan Antopolski, Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550, until 28 Aug (not 22) 9.45pm, £8.50—£9.50 (£7.50—£8.50).
Dan's desperate stuff misses the target