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ATHEATRE
ChagalChagal
More Eastern European magic from Demarco
It is hard to get much information about the Belarus State Theatre out of Professor Richard Demarco. The ringmaster of the Fringe's most varied theatrical circus this year celebrated his 70th birthday. It doesn't prevent him from bellowing out a few rhetorical flourishes on the state of the Festival. ‘Why would anyone go and watch theatre from Belarus, for God's sake?’ he repeats at length, without any apparent intention of answering his own question. After some encouragement, he responds by pointing out that the exceptional standard of this company has prompted him to extend invitations to them six times. He then adds, with an uncharacteristic lack of bombast, ‘l've not actually seen this production, but they are a particularly talented group of actors’.
This from the man who is an expert in unearthing Eastern European theatre and bringing them to Edinburgh. The Belarussian State Theatre this year offer us an exploration of the life of Russian avant-
A vital, vibrant slice of Belarusian culture comes to Edinburgh Professor even more to shout about. (Tim Abrahams) a Chagal Chaga/ (Fringe) Belarus State Theatre, Rocket@5t John’s Hall (Venue 724) 228 7555, 74—79 Aug, 70pm, £8
garde artist, Chagal. It looks set to give the Mad
MUSIC A Little Bit Of French *‘k‘k
Haw-hee-havv, lam outrageous/y Fronch
Recreating the golden era of French cabaret is Monique's mission at The Cafe Royal, and she very nearly succeeds. Drawing on half a century of popular song, the chanteuse guides her audience through tales of love and loss, mostly performed in French.
(f5).
Monique gives a studied performance, creating an atmosphere of real warmth with able backing from her three musicians, but classics like ’La Vie En Rose' never reach the dizzying emotional heights set by Edith Piaf. You can't help but feel that this show would be better served by a more informal set-up; replacing rows of seats with candle-lit tables to truly recreate the ‘cafe-conc’. (Louisa Pearson)
iii A Little Bit Of French (Fringe) Monique, The Cafe Royal (Venue 47) 556 2549, until 28 Aug, 77.75pm, £5.
COMEDY PREVIEW
Les Dawson's Creek Presents The
Internationall -Recognised Language Of lvis
High camp, celebrity obsession and chocolates
In a freakish coincidence, the week this play runs is International Elvis Tribute Week. '| only just found that out,’ says writer, producer and performer Jim Coulson. ’lt's fantastic!’ Although The King doesn't actually feature in the play, numerous other celebrities do, including Dale Winton, who Coulson readily admits he models himself on. With more than a hint of campness in evidence, the story revolves around four flatmates with conflicting neuroses who are brought together by a shared love of Jane Seymour, amid a pastiche of pop culture and synchronised Supermarket Sweep-ing. The soundtrack, which encompasses easy listening to contemporary indie classics, combined with the intimate performance space of C Venue, adds to the good-time vibe of the play. 'lt's like gorng round to your mate’s house, except you have to pay to get in,’ says Coulson. ’lt's worth it though, because you get entertained far more than you would at your mate’s.’ (Kirsty Knaggs) a Les Dawson ’5 Creek Presents The International/y-Recognised Language Of Elvis (Fringe) C, C (Venue 34) 225 5705, 73—19 Aug, lam, £5.50 (£4.50).
MUSIC PREVIEW Mystery Jurce
Juicy musical mystery at The Bongo
More than just a band, Edinburgh four-piece Mystery Juice promise to be a complete entertainment experience. ’We try not to just play gigs,’ says singer and violinist Tim Matthew. ’What we do is a party.’ Usually this involves them playing in a club-type environment, complete with DJs, but their upcoming gig at The Bongo Club offers something even more special. For three hours before the band take to the stage, there will be a cabaret, consisting of various acts who will be performing at the club over the Festival. For those who are not already familiar with their style of music, reading this isn’t going to help much. ’lt's kind of a blues/hip hop blend,’ says Matthew. ’But there's 1001 influences thrown into the melting pot as well.’ The best thing to do is get down to The Bongo Club and see for yourself what the Mystery is all about. (Kirsty Knaggs)
a Mystery Juice (Fringe) Out Of The Blue, The Bongo Club (Venue 743) 556 5204, 70Aug, 70.30pm, £7 (£5).
COMEDY PREVIEW
Mad Mack & Alfie Joey Look who’s stalking
In a frankly bizarre case of life mirroring art, Barrie Hall's celebrity- stalking, gun-obsessed cab driver, Mad Mack, is also — wait for it — an obsessive Freddy Mercury fan. ’lt's pretty weird,’ admits Hall, 'because we wrote this way before the whole Jill Dando thing. You know you’re onto something good when topical things start mirroring what you’ve written!’
Delving deep into Mad Mack’s star- spangled psyche, Barrie Hall and Alfie Joey take you on a whistle-stop tour of B-Iist celebrity obsession. Bringing literal meaning to game shows like Shooting Stars, Mack’s mission to become the ultimate celebrity accessory features Play Your Stars Right, Can’t Sta/k Won’t Sta/k, and a deeply moving justification for pistol- packing by Charlton Heston. Be afraid. Well, be slightly freaked out, anyway.
’He’s a bit of a psycho,’ concludes Hall, comfortingly, ’but he’s the kind of psycho you wouldn’t mind introducing to your granny.’
(Olly Lassman)
I Mad Mack & Alfie Joey (Fringe) Mad Mack & Alfie Joey, Ho/yrood Tavern (Venue 84) 557 4972, 74—27 Aug, 70.15pm, £6/f5 (£7.50/f5).
COMEDY
Brendon Burns *** Frenetic Aussie ’political’ fun
The spirit of Bill Hicks lives on in the burly antipodean shape of Brendon Burns. For one full hour, Burns rants, rails and roars about porn, masturbation, men, women, blacks, whites, vegans, dyslexics and nut allergics. His mission is to simultaneously attack and protect the
86 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 10—17 Aug 2000