Festival TheatreDay Planner
Keen to see some great theatre but not sure where to start? We help you map out your Fringe-going day, from morning to midnight
11am
Heroin(e) for Breakfast If you need a pre-noon hit to get you going then try out this morning cocktail of sex, drugs, and Marilyn Monroe. Underbelly, 08445 458 252, 8–30 Aug (not 17), 11.40am, £6.50–£10 (£8–£9). Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £6. Tap and Chat with Lionel Blair Dancing, singing, and anecdotes from a 60-year career in the razzle-dazzle industries. Sweet Grassmarket, 0870 241 0136, 7–9, 13–16, 20–23, 27–30 Aug, 11.45am, £12 (£10).
Noon
Leatherface Story of a man obsessed with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – an interest with obvious drawbacks. Underbelly, 08445 458 252, 8–15 Aug, 12.15pm, £6.50–£10 (£8–£9). Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £6. Bob’s Date For the first time in two years, Bob has a date. Which, unfortunately for him, is taking place on stage. C soco, 0845 260 1234, 5–22 Aug, 12.30pm, £7.50–£9.50 (£6.50–£8.50).
Almost 10 Comic monologue for adults about a nine-year-old who is neither sweet, delicate, nor polite. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 8–31 Aug (not 18, 25), 12.55pm, £7–£8 (£5.50–£6.50). Previews until 7 Aug, £5.
1pm
George in the Dragon’s Den Panto meets Monty Python in a topical updating of the classic legend. Zoo Southside, 662
6892, 9–31 Aug, 1pm, £6.50–£8 (£5). Previews 7 & 8 Aug, £4. Fear and Misery of the Third Reich Series of short plays by Brecht about the build-up to World War II. Sweet ECA, 0870 241 0136, 7–16 Aug, 1.15pm, £7.50 (£6.50).
Facebook Fables It was only a question of time before Facebook went onstage. A topical tale for all you closet taggers, pokers, and cyber romantics. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, 8–31 Aug (not 15, 18), 1.45pm, £9–£10 (£7–£8). Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £5.
2pm
Me Too – A Sideshow Puppet show about the trials and tribulations of showbiz Siamese twins Daisy and Violet. New Town Theatre, 0844 477 1000, 7–30 Aug (not 17), 2pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10). Previews until 6 Aug, £7.50. Destination GB Farcical and deadly serious take on illegal immigration. Bring your passport! Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 8–31 Aug (not 17, 24), 2.05pm, £8–£9 (£6.50–£7.50). Previews until 7 Aug, £5.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Could you work australopithecus afarensis into a rap? Baba Brinkman can. Darwin for the 21st century. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, Aug 7–31, 2.45pm, £8–£9 (£7–£8). Previews until 6 Aug, £5.
3pm
The Puppet-Show Man Hans Christian Anderson’s fairytales brought to life. The Spaces on the Mile @ The Radisson, 0845 508 8316, 7–22 Aug (not 9, 16), 3.05pm, £6.50 (£5.50). Oscar Wilde’s Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime ‘The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast’. Imagine what
Dutch performer Ulrike Quade’s acclaimed work is an inspired blend of Me Too – a Sideshow performance, puppetry, music and dance, all brought together to tell the bizarre story of Siamese twins Daisy and Violet, who have performed as a revue act since childhood alongside assorted freaks, all the while existing on the borderline between reality and dreams. ■ New Town Theatre, 0844 477 1000, 7–30 Aug (not 17), 2pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10). Previews until 6 Aug, £7.50.
66 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 6–13 Aug 2009
fun Wilde would have had writing reviews of the Edinburgh Fringe. Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 667 7533, 7–19 Aug, 3.10pm, free. Preview 6 Aug. The Sound of My Voice Well- reviewed play about a suburban alcoholic who runs a biscuit factory, based on Ron Butlin’s beautiful novel.
Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, 8–30 Aug (not 17), 3.20pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10). Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £5.
4pm
The Gannet Surreal coming-of-age odyssey inspired by Hansel and Gretel. Pleasance Dome, 556 6550, 8–31 Aug (not 18), 4pm, £7–£8 (£5.50–£6.50). Previews until 7 Aug, £5. With Arms Outstretched Does Valentine’s Day brings you out in a cold sweat? This comedy promises love, fear, and annoying waiters. The Grape, 557 4522, 8–14 Aug, 4.30pm, free.
Words with AL Kennedy New show from the Costa award-winning writer. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, 9–31 Aug (not 17, 24), 4.50pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9). Previews 6–8 Aug, £5.
5pm
The Self-Murder Two young people make a suicide pact over the internet, then meet up to carry it out. C central, 0845 260 1234, 7–31 Aug (not 18), 5.25pm, £7.50–£9.50 (£6.50–£8.50). Playback Theatre Improvisational show – bring along a life story and see it acted out before your eyes. Diverse Attractions, 225 8962, 9–14 Aug, 5.30pm, £6 (£5).
Miss Landmine Based on the life story of Miss Landmine 2008, Augusta Urica, winner of Angola’s beauty pageant with a difference. Underbelly, 08445 458 252, 8–30 Aug (not 17), 5.45pm, £6.50–£10 (£8–£9). Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £6.
6pm
Burn Three castaways fight each other and themselves in search of redemption. Adapted from Sartre’s No Exit. Underbelly, 08445 458 252, 8–30 Aug (not 19), 6.10pm, £6.50–£10.50 (£8–£9.50). Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £6.
Manband – They’re Not a Boyband Title seems pretty self- explanatory. Manbags at the ready. Sweet ECA, 0870 241 0136, 8–31 Aug, 6.35pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9). Previews 6 &7 Aug, £6. The Canterbury Tales Once again, Geoff Chaucer’s travellers set out on pilgrimage. Will they reach Canterbury this time? Answers on a postcard, please. C too, 0845 260 1234, 6–31 Aug (not 18), 6.45pm, £8.50–£10.50 (£5.50–£7.50).
7pm
Plagiarismo! Comedy about copying ideas in the creative industries. Go along and judge it for originality. New Town Theatre, 0844 477 1000, 7–30 Aug (not 16), 7pm, £10 (£8). Previews until 6 Aug, 7pm, £5. Does this Piano Make My Ass Look Big? Risqué cabaret songbird with a tale of addiction and sexual experimentation. The Bongo Club, 557 2827, 7–29 Aug (not 10, 17, 24), 7.20pm, £8 (£6).
list.co.uk/festival
Underword Prose and poetry, different every evening. Fingers Piano Bar, 8–29 Aug, 7.50pm, free.
8pm
Metamorphosis Gregor Samsa wakes up to find he’s turned into a beetle. Adapted from Kafka’s seminal story. C too, 0845 260 1234, 6–31 Aug (not 18), 8pm, £8.50–£10.50 (£5.50–£9.50). The Revenant Sombre one-man show about the impossibility of return to one’s past. Spotlights @ The Merchants Hall, 220 5911, 9–15 Aug, 8.45pm, £8 (£5).
Boy in darkness Multimedia adaptation of Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast novella. The Zoo, 662 6892, 9–22 Aug, 8.45pm, £8.50–£9 (£8–£8.50). Previews 7 & 8 Aug, £6.
9pm
Certain Dark Things Critically acclaimed storytelling company.
Underbelly, 08445 458 252, 8–30 Aug (not 17), 9.05pm, £6.50–£12.50 (£9–£11). Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £6.
And All The Children Cried Theatrical investigation into mothers killing their children. Sweet Grassmarket, 0870 241 0136, 6–30 Aug (not 17), 9.30pm, £9 (£8). Bedtime Stories Comfy pillows, Fairtrade cocoa. dark comedic shorts. C cubed, 0845 260 1234, 6–31 Aug (not 18), 9.45pm, £7.50–£9.50 (£6.50–£8.50).
10pm
A Clockwork Orange Anthony Burgess’s classic novel adapted for stage. Fresh from a sell-out Oxford run. C Chambers Street, 0845 260 1234, until 22 Aug, 10pm, £8.50–£10.50 (£7.50–£9.50). Doctor Faustus The Edinburgh International Festival is putting on an operatic Faust. If you prefer your depravity Elizabethan, try this ‘risqué adaptation’ of Marlowe’s classic. The Zoo, 662 6892, 9–22 Aug, 10.30pm, £7.50 (£6.50). Previews 7 & 8 Aug, £6.50.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Extremely well-reviewed show which keeps buzzing night after night. George Square Theatre, 226 0000, 8–30 Aug (not 18, 24), 10.50pm, £10.50–11.50 (£9.50–£10.50). Preview 7 Aug, £7.
11pm
Ballad of the Skull Fairy ‘Rolicking phantasmagoria’ from the creators of Bouncy Castle Hamlet. Underbelly, 08445 458 252, 8–15 Aug, 11pm, £6–£10 (£8–£9). Previews 6 &7 Aug, £5. Hooked (Musical) Young, charming PR goes off the rails under the pressures of work, drugs, and family. George Square Theatre, 651 1292, 9–30 Aug (not 11, 17, 24), 11.15pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£7.50–£8.50). Previews 7 & 8 Aug, £6.
Midnight Meesterlijk – showcasing the best of Dutch theatre A selection of theatre handpicked by the Dutch Cultural Attaché. All dykes and Edam? Head to the GRV at the witching hour and find out. The GRV, 226 0000, 8–15 Aug, 12.20pm, £5. Previews 6 & 7 Aug, £2.50.