FESTIVAL COMEDY | Top Tips FESTIVAL MUSIC | xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx TOP TIPS: WEEK 1
entirely. Frankie knows that his only legacy is to have his books and DVDs form part of gasoline-soaked warning pyres lit to alert the Last Ones that their foes the Crabmen have begun Some of the best comedy in the their final sideways march out of the Fringe’s first week. Written by: sea. Oh, and if you’re one of those Brian Donaldson types who are easily offended by jokes, don’t buy a ticket, sit in the front row and then walk out making 10AM a huge big fuss. The bearded Mr Boyle has seen it happen before and probably doesn’t want to see it occur THE RED SHOES King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 6– again. Sat 10 Jun, edtheatres.com/kings Mathew Bourne’s highly acclaimed ELF LYONS: SWAN Underbelly Med Quad, 5–28 Aug new dance production, based on (not 15), 9.30pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9). the classic 1948 film. See our 5 star Previews 2–4 Aug, £6.50. The review, page ??. giraffe-limbed clown and raconteur is back with her most exciting stand-up MILONGA Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Tue show yet. Think big. Think weird. It’s 13 & Wed 14 Jun, edtheatres.com/ going to be fun. And sexy. Yeah, let’s festival Celebrated choreographer throw that word in there too. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui presents a piece inspired by the late-night milonga RED BASTARD: LIE WITH ME Pleasance Courtyard, 5–27 Aug scene in the intimate bars of Buenos (not 14), 9.30pm, £10 (£9). Previews Aires. See preview, page ??. 2–4 Aug, £6. How free is your love? You’re about to find out. Red Bastard SURGE Merchant City, Glasgow, Fri 28– returns to charm, disarm, shock and Sun 30 Jul, surge.scot A festival seduce in this new show. See feature, dedicated to physical performance, page 18. incorporating outdoor, site-specific events for all ages and indoor ZACH & VIGGO Underbelly Cowgate, 5–27 Aug showcases of performance art. (not 16), 9.30pm, £10–£11 (£9–£10). Workshops and masterclasses are Previews 3 & 4 Aug, £6.50. After a also provided for those wanting to develop their talents. sold-out run at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe, this Norwegian-American comedy duo return to the Fringe with BARD IN THE BOTANICS Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, Wed a brand-new hour of madness. 21–Sat 29 Jul, bardinthebotanics. co.uk Botanics’ fresh take on
TAPE FACE Pleasance Courtyard, 5–27 Aug (not 15), 9.40pm, £13–£17 (£12–£15.50). Previews 2–4 Aug, £10. The best of Tape Face and more. The multi award- winning show returns to the Fringe for Shakespeare featuring female potentially the last time. It’s still good performers. With performances of but now it’s bigger and better. Taming of the Shrew?, Timon of Athens and Queen Lear. GOODBEAR Pleasance Dome, 5–27 Aug, 9.40pm, FLAMENCO DEL FUEGO £9–£11 (£8–£10). Previews 2–4 Aug, La Bodega Tapas Bar, Sat 3 Jun, labodegaglasgow.com An evening of £6. The critically acclaimed sketch comedy duo are back. Join Joe Barnes Andalucian passion with performances from international flamenco guitarist and Henry Perryment as they confirm Andrew Robinson, singer Danielo your reservation at the Fringe’s most Olivera and the rhythmic footwork and mysterious hotel, inhabited above expressive choreography of El Fuego and below stairs by all manner of de la Noche. wonderfully eccentric characters.
THE INANE CHICANERY OF A 11AM CERTAIN ADAM GC RICHES Pleasance Dome, 5–27 Aug, 9.45pm, HE RED SHOES King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 6– £10–14 (£8–12). Previews 2–4 Aug, £6. Sat 10 Jun, edtheatres.com/kings The 2011 Edinburgh Comedy Award- Mathew Bourne’s highly acclaimed winner returns with another hour of silly, new dance production, based on interactive fun. He made his name as the classic 1948 film. See our 5 star one of the key proponents of audience review, page ??. participation comedy, so gird your loins if you’re near the front. MILONGA Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Tue ABIGAIL’S PARTY: COMEDY 13 & Wed 14 Jun, edtheatres.com/ CABARET festival Celebrated choreographer Underbelly Med Quad, 5–28 Aug (not 14), 9.50pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9). Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui presents a piece Previews 2–4 Aug, £6.50. A comedy inspired by the late-night milonga scene in the intimate bars of Buenos Cabaret hosted by the ‘supremely Aires. See preview, page ??. talented comic’ Abigail Burdess and her glamorous assistant, Dave! The pair invite you to a fabulous comedy shindig SURGE Merchant City, Glasgow, Fri 28– of songs, characters and competitions Sun 30 Jul, surge.scot A festival plus jokes! Games! Exclamation marks! dedicated to physical performance, incorporating outdoor, site-specific
Let your inner party animal off the leash! The show will feature special guest stars – off the telly – every single night!
10PM events for all ages and indoor showcases of performance art. DESIREE BURCH: UNFUCKABLE Heroes @ Bob’s BlundaBus, 3–27 Workshops and masterclasses are Aug (not 15, 22), 10pm, £5. As seen also provided for those wanting to develop their talents. on Frankie Boyle’s American Autopsy and 8 Out of 10 Cats, the 2015 Funny Women Award-winner presents her BARD IN THE BOTANICS Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, Wed second comedy hour on sex, race and 21–Sat 29 Jul, bardinthebotanics. capitalism. co.uk Botanics’ fresh take on Shakespeare featuring female DOUG ANTHONY ALL STARS: performers. With performances of NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE Pleasance Courtyard, 5–27 Aug (not Taming of the Shrew?, Timon of Athens 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22), 10pm, £15 and Queen Lear. (£14). Previews 2–4 Aug, £10. The monster gods of comedy and 2016’s FLAMENCO DEL FUEGO La Bodega Tapas Bar, Sat 3 Jun, winners of Mervyn Stutter’s Spirit of labodegaglasgow.com An evening of the Fringe award return to Edinburgh. Andalucian passion with performances Paul McDermott, Tim Ferguson and Paul ‘Flacco’ Livingston drag their from international flamenco guitarist unsuspecting audience screaming Andrew Robinson, singer Danielo down memory lane. Their unique brand Olivera and the rhythmic footwork and of musical comedy is more wicked and expressive choreography of El Fuego dangerous than ever. Wracked by illness de la Noche. and age, this trio has no time to waste! THE LIONS OF LISBON Celtic Park, Tue 6 & Wed 7 Jun, FIN TAYLOR: LEFTY TIGHTY celticfc.net Ian Auld and Willy Maley’s RIGHTY LOOSEY Just the Tonic at The Tron, 3–27 play about a group of Celtic supporters Aug (not 14), 10.20pm, £6.50 or Pay who head to Lisbon in 1967 for the What You Want at the venue. The European Cup. most talked-about comedian from last year’s Fringe is back. He’s still white, MODERN BALLET GRADUATION and you’re still hippies. Something’s got PERFORMANCE Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, to give. It’s been a globe-trotting year Thu 8–Sat 10 Jun, rcs.ac.uk for Whitey as he’s been to America, Australia, Holland and the rest. All over, Showcase from final year students on he’s found people who say they’re too the Conservatoire’s BA Modern Ballet left wing to vote for centrists and he’s Programme, run in conjunction with decided to call bull. A man who is now politically homeless drags you dropouts down into his gutter.
REGINALD D HUNTER: SOME PEOPLE
VS REGINALD D HUNTER Assembly Hall, 5–27 Aug (not 9, 15, 21), 10.30pm, £15.50–£17 (£14.50– £16). Previews 3 & 4 Aug, £10. Reginald’s searingly honest material has garnered him a fan base spanning the generations. His TV appearances include Have I Got News For You?, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and BBC Two’s hugely popular series Reginald D Hunter’s Songs of the South, which documented Reg’s epic road trip through 150 years of American popular song.
DAVID TRENT: HERE’S YOUR
FUTURE Just The Tonic at the Caves, 3–26 Aug (not 14), 10.35pm, £5 or Pay What You Want at the venue. Join this former primary school teacher on a multimedia rampage as he stares NAME HERE down the world’s most disturbing kids SOFIE HAGEN Some of the best comedy in the Fringe’s first week. Written by: Brian Donaldson Some of the best comedy in the animation, smart forks and mattresses, Fringe’s first week. Written by: Brian Donaldson Some of the best comedy in the Fringe’s first week. Written by: The hugely popular Danish winner of the Best Newcomer Award a couple virtual bedtimes, robosex, gay cakes, of years back is here again with Dead Baby Frog, another personal tale Brian Donaldson Some of the best comedy in the Fringe’s first week. Written by: Brian Donaldson. Donaldson Some international hummus day and the about anger and a funeral. Bedlam Theatre, 2–28 Aug, 2pm, £10 (£8). European light bulb directive. That’s of the best comedy in the Fringe’s first week. Written by: Brian Donaldson a lot to contend with, you’d probably 76 THE LIST FESTIVAL 3–8 Aug 2017 76 THE LIST FESTIVAL 3–10 Aug 2017
ROB AUTON’S TOP HAIR TIP P Scottish Ballet. See preview, page ??. H O T O
: J CASABLANCA U L Òran Mór, Fri 7–Sun 23 Jul, oran- A N W mor.co.uk Gavin Mitchell stars in this A R D adaptation of the classic film.
I
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES King’s Theatre, Tue 25–Sat 29 Jul, atgtickets.com/venues/kings- theatre Bill Kenwright’s production If a patch of dandruff appears in your hair (it can happen to anyone, sees Eastenders’ star John Partridge often when you are feeling over- take on the role of Albin alongside tired or have been eating badly or Broadway actor Adrian Zmed as feel run down), massage your scalp Georges in this witty musical number for i ve to ten minutes depending about drag artists and family values, on how busy you are, then comb in which the characters are forced to through your hair with a i ne comb. cover up their vibrant lifestyle. Before you start combing, place a
PAISLEY INTERNATIONAL
large A1 sheet of black paper onto PROJECT Y Platform, Sat 29 Jul, tramway.org the table. When you are pleased with the set-up, move your chin YDance, Scotland’s national youth down until it touches your chest and dance organisation, presents four start to comb your hair forward. You new contemporary dance works will be able to watch the dandruff from choreographers Alan Greig, fall and settle onto the paper. Do Hagi Yakira, Steven Martin and Theo not be disappointed with your head, Clinkard. this is what having a real head is all about. The dandruff will begin to look like a two-tone Poundshop TANGO FESTIVAL Thomas Coats Memorial Church, Galaxy but that’s not the point. Fri 25–Sun 27 Aug, coatsmemorial. You need to gather the dandruff org.uk Tango dance festival held and form it into letters that spell out the words: over three days, with workshops, I’M ALIVE. THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS performances and parties. LIKE TO BE A NON-FICTIONAL PERSON THAT IS PUTTING THEMSELVES THROUGH THEIR OWN LIFE WITH EVERYONE ELSE’S GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS A LOT TO TAKE IN. YES I’M OVER-TIRED BECAUSE I WAS WORKING LATE LAST NIGHT. I AM UNDER PRESSURE BECAUSE I Royal Lyceum Theatre, Thu 1–Sat DO NOT WANT TO FEEL LIKE IF 10 Jun, David Greig directs Linda THERE WAS ANOTHER ME HE Maclean’s story which re-imagines WOULD BE DOING A BETTER the historic meetings between Mary JOB OF IT. YES MY OUTSIDE Queen of Scots and John Knox. APPEARANCE HAS BEEN SUFFERING BUT INSIDE I FEEL LIKE I’M ACTUALLY LIVING. LA BOHEME Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Thu 1– Sat 10 Jun, eif.co.uk Puccini’s tale of young Bohemians in love.Also touring, see list.co.uk/theatre for details.
SHACKLETON Traverse Theatre, Wed 7–Sat 9 Jun, traverse.co.uk Blue Raincoat Theatre present the story of Shackleton and his voyage on the Endurance. Also Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 14–Sat 17 Jun, tron.co.uk Rob Auton: The Hair Show, Just the Tonic at The Caves, 3–26 Aug, 3.55pm, £5.
GLORY ON EARTH
Douglas Community & Library agree. He’s part of Nick Helm’s band Centre, Thu 1 Jun, dundeecity. and will also be included in his comedy gov.uk/communitycentres/ pal’s new food travelogue on the TV douglascentre Arturo Ui is a witty channel known as Dave. See interview at list.co.uk/festival. and savage parable of the rise of Hitler – recast by Brecht into a small-time Chicago gangster’s takeover of the LUKE MCQUEEN: THE BOY city’s greengrocery trade. WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE Heroes @ Monkey Barrel, 3–27 Aug (not 15), 10.40pm, £5 or Pay What You Want at the venue. Cheeky comedian Luke McQueen will attempt to perform stand-up without the use of his forehead. Whether the real Tape Face will show up is unclear. See interview at list.co.uk/festival.