KIKI & HERB
Battle scars and cover versions
The cliche ‘camp as Christmas' is far too cosy a description for dipsomaniac chanteuse Kiki and her idiot mute pianist Herb. She’s been ‘gang-raped at Hogmanay’ after all. A cameo in the pantomime of the Scissor Sisters’ encore was the last time seventysomething Kiki (AKA fortysomething Justin Bond) set a tottering high heel in Edinburgh for one hell of a New York, New Year love-in. Blondie’s Debbie Harry has previously sung on Kiki & Herb’s albums, a catalogue of eclectic covers ranging from Kylie to the Wu-Tang Clan and Nirvana, and there was a time when the Sisters were opening shows for the screaming Kiki. She and her ‘gay retard Jew’ sidekick have sold out the prestigious Carnegie Hall and supported Rufus Wainwright, numbering Lou Reed, Pet Shop Boys, Radiohead and Stephen Sondheim amongst their admirers.
‘Jake Shears lives next door to me,’ explains Bond. ‘And Rufus I've known since his first record came out because I used to host this New York club called the Cock. They’ve both done so well in the UK and I’ve started going to college here. But they’ve got ambition and they’re playing pop stars. We’re playing losers.’ Studying a form of performance installation at St Martin’s College in London, Bond likens his alter ego to ‘body armour’.
‘She’s a battering ram who comes out and is very angry, talks about politics and social things, is very funny, gets drunk, abrasive and goes over the top. Which is nice for me because she’s got all the battle scars and when I come off stage I just put her in a suitcase and go and have a drink with my friends. It’s exhausting but Kiki & Herb always want to leave them wanting less. So our shows have a tendency to go on very long.’
(Jay Richardson) I P/easance COurtyard. 556 6550, 6—28 Aug (not 8, 9. 7:3, 16. 22. 23), 70pm, CI 7.50—f7250 (SIG—El 7). Previews until 5 Aug. 536.
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TOPPING 8: BUTCH
Satire, songs and showbiz smut
It the name Topping 8. Butch isn't Instantly familiar. chances are you'd recognise the cabaret duo by sight from their penchant for wandm'ing around the Pleasance Courtyard in scarlet bondage gear. sporting billiard ball baldness and extraorr’linarily expressive eyebrows. Topping is the mature one in the dress and Butch is younger and slimmer. With a voice for belting out a show tune. Over the past couple of years. the boys have won a huge following at the Fringe With their incomparable blend ot topical news stories. satirical songs and smutty innuendo.
Big stars of the gay comedy (ill(l.llI, IKB have consistently attracted a mixed crowd to their F<liiil>iirgli shows thanks to a warm. easy going rapport With their audience and a determination to confine all prickliness to their songs. This year. as ever. there will be an evening show. entitled A lot to Take In. ‘.’.'Ill(ZIl will cover the latest political hot topics. celebrity and royal little tattle. the undoubted highlight being the unvoiling ot the tollically challenged twosome's brand new theatrical opus C/iav: The Musical. The midweek bonus show Fi/th promises to do exactly what it says on the napper. being the lull tat utterly mucky version of their increasingly popular oeuvre. (Allan Radcliltel I P/easance (Ioi irtvai'd. (3:36 (5:350, /' 25) Aug mo! 5), 1(5), 9.20pm, l‘/()_:3() 5‘1160 (5‘5) 5‘1()). Previeiiys until (5 Aug, 5‘5); Underhe/lyc 0870 74:3 3083, 1/6218. 2.194253 Aug, l2.4:’)a/ii_ l‘ 10.50 il‘!).:3()i.
STEVE ORAM Redneck singers and homophobic tramps
What do you get when you subtract one half of comedy duo Grain and Meeten’? Denim According to solo debutant Steve ()l'éllll. it's a 'sort of soap opera musical about people who go to Hallords dressed in denim Doing a solo show is a lot more pressurised. but you can leel tree to indulge your most stupid ideas without getting nagged by the wife.‘
Those stupid ideas include character comedy from the l:kes o? redneck country singer Steve Woman, singing his love of prostitutes and eggs. or a charming individual knoxzin as the lramp giving the audience a gyow'~ ‘l'ib doing this tramp tiom Glasgox'x. lle‘s homosexual but also homophobic. Ike beard Scottish people saying my accent :s pretty good so tnat‘s a good sign. although I suppose I'll find out when I get there and people take me aside tor abuse'
Aided by Alex Kllh .l"(l Kerry Gilbert lappareel". the 'belt and braces o" the comedy worlil'i it's liable to be silly fun from» a comic starting to flex his wings. Alter slots on a range of ()hannei .1 shows and nutmeg ott ‘.‘.’|III Paul Kaye's wife 'll It's A// (‘ione Pete long this yeai. Oiam says he's keen to do more film work. 'l'm lust waiting tor Hollywood to call me. If they do that betwetm new and August then don't expect me to tuin iip_' iKaty McAulayi I P./e.'is.'irii.‘e (Sou/ti aid. :356 ($5550. /' (’5) Aug (no! l.">i. i'..’i‘:’wpiii.
.‘8.f>() 519.50 if‘r' .‘k‘w‘i. Previews until (5 Aug.
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