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MUSICAL COMEDY
A Funn Thin Happened On The ay 0 The Forum ***
When in Rome . . .
With a plot comprised of gender bending, slavery and class, not to mention an Ancient Roman setting, Rodgers and Hammerstein's famous musical could well be a forum for just about anything. But as is fitting for a show that includes the classic ’Comedy Tonight’, fun is the order of the day. It’s all delivered in the finest Carry On spirit, although this has the knock-on effect of some performances lacking imagination. The set implies that Rome was rustled up in far less than a day, but the energy, confidence and punch betray a good deal more commitment. (Judith Ho)
% A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Fringe) Midat/antic Productions, Augustine’s (Venue 752) 225 6575, until 28 Aug, 2.35pm, £7.50 (£5).
THEATRE
Still Life *ir
Artists’ muse proves less than inspiring
Still Life is the story of Henrietta Moraes, muse and model to Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud, and a regular fixture on the boozy Soho scene of the 505. As such, Sue Long’s one-woman show should have been a breakneck race through the drink, drugs and bitchy remarks of the art world. Instead, Long wrecks a pretty decent script with a hammy performance. Her rendering of Moraes is wholly unconvincing, good jokes fall flat as pancakes and, inexcusably, she misquotes one of Bacon’s best quips. If you know Moraes’ story, this is an affront; if you don't, discover her elsewhere. (Jack Mottram)
a Still Life (Fringe) Komedia @ Southside (Venue 82) 667 22 72, until 27 Aug, 2.20pm, £6 (£4).
KIDS REVIEW
Masks, cooks, hangers, pipes and drums
Kid’s eye view of the Festival Wednesday 9: Arrived in Edinburgh, had supper and went to see Rhino Drum, a show about animals, to show people that animals have to be saved from hunters. The animals were giraffes, alligators, leopards, elephants, rhinos, ostriches and monkeys: they were giant masks and puppets and there was an African band.
Thursday 10: We first went to listen to African folktales. I heard how the lion got his roar and I learned to play African drums. Later on I saw Cookin’, a fantastic show. It is the story of four cooks in a kitchen and they need to prepare a meal in one hour, before six o,clock. Instead they make lots of n0ises With their kitchen tools, knives, pots, pans and so on. They were very funny. It was son of a concert, but also a food fight.
Friday 11: Today we went in the streets of Edinburgh watching lots of different shows (on the Royal Mile). One of my favourite ones was a
Japanese man who calls himself Hanger Man. He uses coat hangers in his act. He plays with diabolos and his hangers and juggles with samurai knives. He was so funny. Particularly when he stuck a sink plunger on his bald head. I pulled it off for him, and fell on my bottom. Then I saw an Australian man in his underpants on top of five folding chairs. He juggled with three samurai knives too. Saturday 12: At noon I went to see James Campbell. The programme said he was going to tell Highland Legends. Actually he talked about cows, his fat round cat, Jupiter (the planet) and said three poems about an eyeless lizard, a toothless lion and a legless tiger. The only thing that was a bit funny was his cat. The rest was stupid and not funny. His jokes were silly because they didn’t mean anything.
In the afternoon we went to see the Mugenkyo Japanese Drummers. Beware — there are two Japanese drum shows — one at the Citrus Club and the other round the corner at the Garage Theatre. We waited in the wrong place (should have been at the Garage) so we missed the first few minutes but it was a great show. Five drummers telling stories with their drums. The first song was saying they were fishermen, with their movements on the drums like pulling in nets. Two of the drums were really loud; if they hit the biggest one hard enough it will wake up the gods. Others were softer. They played fast and slowly: it depended on which part of the song they were doing.
We were lucky, we got the last three tickets for the Tattoo in the evening. I was surprised to see Zulus and Maoris in Edinburgh Castle. Good thing the Maoris came on before one of the Canadian Mounties’ horses did a poo in the middle of the courtyard — the Maoris didn't have shoes on. There were some Australian girl dancers wearing Australian hats and gold and white skirts. But I preferred the bagpipers. Their skirts were completely Scottish. Sunday 13: A super Book Festival because there are books for everyone — for children and for adults. I bought five books by Dick King Smith and five others (I live in Paris so that is why I bought so many books while I was in Edinburgh).
My favourite thing at the festival? For culture and history I liked the Tattoo best. For fun and comedy, Cookin'. So it was a tie. (Robin Ford, aged 9) Rhino Drum (Fringe) Scottish International at Dynamic Earth, run ended.
African Village (Fringe) Garage, run ended.
Cookin’ (Fringe) Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) 226 2428, until 28 Aug, 6.30pm, £70/£72.50 (£9/£70).
James Campbell Is Not Made Of Cheese (Fringe) Gilded Balloon (Venue 38) 226 2757, until 28 Aug, noon, £5 (£4). Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers (Fringe) Garage (Venue 87) 227 9009, until 28 Aug, 4. 75pm, £8 (£7).
Military Tattoo, Cast/e Esplanade, 225 7 788, until 26 Aug, sold out.
Book Festival, Charlotte Square Gardens, 624 5050, until 28 Aug.
. I v c: l. u at I l ara a . aca . The best atmosphere, the best music is here . . .
salsa african
dj’s zuppo inglese [el goce pogono. bogoto]. iottor (bistingo vibe. senegol)
£8/£6
@ the Bongo Club
(venue 143]. I4 New Street. [oft Royal Mile], Edinburgh
Friday 25th August
10.30pm til Sam
enquiries: OIBI 556 5204 email: Arakatocofiohotmoilcom
FOR THE
NATION’S LEADING ARTISTS
FOR DETAILS OF A £25,000
Aug 17-19 Aug 22 Aug 24-26 Aug 27-28
BOOK FESTIVAL
Charlotte Square box office (O131)-624 5050 www.edbookfest.co.uk
SCOTTISH ARTS COUNCIL
CREATIVE SCOTLAND AWARD
Contact our help desk on
0131 240 2443/2444
www.5ac.org.uk/csawards
EDINBURGH IN TERNA TIONA L
Shows moved from The Famous .S'piegeltent to the Book Festival All shows oil-stage 9:3(Ipmi‘: no support: all tickets £10.17!) (£8.°()l))
TA.\I WHITE CELTIC GROOVE CONNECTION ‘5‘ BERT .IANSCH (NB 9:00pm (in-stage)
TA.\I WHITE (‘ELTIC' GROOVE (TONNEC‘TION ERK‘ BUGLE BAND
Iatin caribe
DYNAMIC EARTH 18
Holyrood Road box office (0131)-530 3557 www.5cottishinternational.com
Aug 18-20
Aug 1‘) Aug 21
Aug 2l+24
Aug
22
(‘OLIN RE") The NICCALNIANS DICK GAEGHAN (Mi/U) NIK‘HAEI. NIARRA DEAF SHEPHERD
See venue brochure or Fringe programme for/u]! details
FRINGE BOX OFFICE (()131)-226 5138 credit card Izotline
24 Aug—2 Sep 2000 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 27
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