coneov Arj Barker ***
Timing saves Barker’s lack of observation
Oh, the life of a stand-up comic. Endless hours of waiting in airports. Of looking at other people on buses. Of observing, waiting, watching. And then they blow all the research on lame punchlines and re-heated anecdotes. Arj Barker skirts close to the edge at times. He threatens more than once to turn his act into yet another twentysomething rant about marijuana (it’s not dangerous, really), about factory outlet shops (hey! buy a shirt with two collars instead of one!), about the detritus of life. However, his timing, his perspicuity and his affable demeanour pull him through. If only stand-ups had editors . . .
(Leon McDermott)
I Arj Barker (Fringe) Arj Barker, Club P/easance (Venue 23) 556 6550, until 28 Aug (not 27) 70.20pm, £8/f9 (£7/f8).
THEATRE
Poona The Fuckdog ink This dog should be put down
They are called Rebel and they have a swear word in the title of their show, but relax folks, the fabric of our civilisation is not about to be rent in twain. For although you can marvel at the boundless enthusiasm of this gang of American undergraduates, you are not about to marvel at their stage craft. It is probably in the sheer joy of
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performance but they wander the stage too aimlessly and shout or swallow their lines too often. Granted, energy over ability suits the MTV sketch show feel of this very weak satire but, unfortunately, that isn't enough for us to get by on. (Tim Abrahams)
I Poona The Fuckdog (Fringe) Rebel Theater Company, Roman Eagle Lodge (Venue 27) 622 7207, until 27 Aug, 71.30pm, £6 (£4).
'A CLASSIC DOUBLE ACT'
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THEATRE
Self-Portrait Of My Generation ***
Conflict proves an emotional experience
In this powerful explanation of one woman’s experience of war, a mother mourns the loss of her son. Georgian actress, Keti Dolidze, performs with extraordinary naturalism, but it is the presence of her dead son dressed in white, reaching out to comfort her that gives Self-Portrait poignancy. Fusing classical text and video footage of human atrocities, we see how little we have evolved as conflict still rips through the world, and more particularly, the Caucasus region. At times, the plot is overshadowed by emotion, which can be confusing, but its impact is undeniable. (Viv Franzmann)
I Self-Portrait Of My Generation (Fringe) Demarco, Rocket @ Kirk O’Fie/d Parish Church (Venue 724) 667 9555, until 26 Aug (not 20) 10pm, f 7 (£5).
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2000 —--——
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5pm-3am I Free before 11pm I flrinlt Promo's 'til 10pm
MC FINDLAY & GUESTS >> Chart & party Friday Fun 1st Fri of month - DISCO DOCK with MC Otis (Disco Inferno)
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10pm-3am I Entry £5I£4 members I Drink Promo's 'til 10pm
MIXING SPECTRUMS OF MUSIC: RnB, Deep House, Drum & Bass, Hip Hop, Reggae, Future Soul
A0005 - MR T000 Higher Ground A0019 - UNKlE PAWAZ lizzard Lounue / Jazz Joint AUGJZ - DABYl G Futuristica / london / Worldwide A0026 - JOSEPH MAllK + EH? WUN! lizzard lounge / Futuristica
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6pm-late l Entry £3 DJS ALAN & MAGGIE (JOY) 0 3 PIECE SWEET
>> Join us for a wonderful evening of mellow, laidback music with some old faves plus a free glass of punch & Bufiet
yOLBOOTM wv~o
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CLU B .IAVA COMMERCIAL ST. LEITH
INFO: 0131-555-5622 www.0LUBJAVA.co.uk
Available for private hire and functions
EILDED Peppermint Lounge “ “” ‘
Terracotta Productions present
hflotheh*s
m Time Out
Mexican Grill
Celebrate the Festival Mexican-style at Mother’s. Open 6pm til late, and lunchtimes Tues-Sun.
Complimentary Margarita
with every meal served between
6pm — 7pm 1 student discount
107-109 St leonard's Street (just past Pleasancel Edinburgh
0131662 0772
Muenda Hart 8: Charity Tnmm
air 5
A little bit of French
an evening of intimate cabaret
at the Cafe Royal
MD / Keyboards; Nigel Jones Accordion / Flutes, Janet Beale Date 3 - 28th August 2000 (Previews 3rd 8. 4th) a Time 11.15pm Tickets £5.00 Address The Cafe Royal 17 West Register St. Venue 47 0131 556 2549 (11.00am-1230am) 0131 226 5138
Location Box Office No.
Fringe Box No.
THEATRE
Edinburgh festival
by James Card and Luke Redmond
20th — 27th August @ 10.45pm
Follow Adele in her journey through the afterlife to a hellish Heaven. or a heavenly Hell, in this modem comedy drama inspired by Sartres In Camera.
'An intriguing. absorbing c’xrx’ric’nc‘c’. . . affoniczssly slick and rnesmensing. '
TI IE STAGE
venu234
A DA M H o u s t CHAMBERS STREET
225 5105
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17—24 Aug 2000 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 55