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Women standlng up tor themselves (left to rlght): Marian Pashley, llz Webb and Glna llyan
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STAND-UP WOMEN
Revolution is all about organisation and to put three women stand-up comics on the same bill announces that comedy’s future will be female. Stand-Up Women, at the Gilded Balloon’s ultra-cosy Wee lloom, illustrates the dodgier side of women’s comedy as well as its
potential.
Marian Pashley looks at her
(£5).
Yorkshire childhood, relationships and lslington with effective dead-pan wit. Gina liyan covers similar ground from the Essex point of view. But it is Liz Webb who really shines, with some inspired dippiness that hints at genuine talent. Elsewhere there is a tendency to fall back on tairly ordinary observational material. It is pleasant enough, but it won’t bring walls tumbling down. (Catriona Craig) Stand-Up Women (Fringe) Women Stand Up, Gilded Balloon ( Venue 38) 226 2151, until 31 Aug, 6.45pm, £6
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‘GET OFF’ WITH MARK MAIER
Tough gig. Twenty people. arms folded: impress us. This is hard. sweaty work for Mark Maier. but he‘s very pleasant company for an hour. His observation is sharp. with some poignantly funny stuff about relationships. but he‘s at his best when. realising the slight
ridiculousness of pursuing his prepared set with this crowd. hejust improvises and chats to us.
Maier is very much the Londoner-in-Edinburgh — Crouch End is a running gag — and a mean impersonator of regional accents. This is a solid. entertaining show. but I bet he longs to be back in a cosy pub in NW9. (Grant Gordon)
I ‘Get 011’ with Mark Maier (Fringe) Mark Maier. Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550. until 3| Aug (not 27). 7.05pm. 56/1,") (£5/£()).
Mark Maier: getting ott to a shaky start, but winning in the end
The Gospels
Fed up with whining and ranting from the pulpit? Chameleon Theatre Company promise a whole new approach to the New Testament story, with an adaptation ot the Gospels by Giles llavergal, which was first presented by the Citizens’ Theatre Company in 1992. This interpretation is directed by Margaret Tomlinson, who says she is enthused with a desire to ‘make the Bible sound relevant and alive’, and believes the language of the script makes the text truly accessible. Producer Barrie Wohlgemuth hacks this up. ‘What we have done is to tell it just as stories are told, not preached; just as we would take one 01 Shakespeare's plays
and interpret it,’ he says.
In line with Chameleon’s company policy ot taking ‘a fresh approach to the classics’ by simplifying and shortening tamiliar texts, The Gospels aims to be digestible and modern.
£5 (£3).
Making biblical sense: Chameleon Theatre Company
With this goal, the production will be stripped down to its bare essentials, with the actors in plain clothes narrating the story. Despite the shortage of stage action, the company are contident of drawing the audience into their world. (Tanya Stephan)
The Gospels (Fringe) Chameleon Theatre Company, Diverse Attractions (Venue 11) 225 8961, 19—24 Aug (signed performances 20, 22), 5.45pm,
fest'val almost threatening.
The lead actors exhibit a passionate intensity while managing to avoid the tendency to rant their more emotive speeches. Hecate makes a spectacular entrance and the three witches. who are certainly no ‘midnight hags'. feature prominently. (Alan C raw ford)
THEATRE REVIEW ‘A' ‘k * 'k MACBETH
Though in Polish. Teatr Ludowy's production of Shakespeare‘s tale of naked ambition and the ensuing inevitable tragedy is visually very powerful. The dim lighting and lack of a stage — the action shifts from one end of the venue to the other. between two seating banks — renders the performance remarkably intimate and. at times.
looklng daggers: Theatr ludowy’s Macbeth
vr w r tin it t t t v: llnmissable v: v: a v: Very good t it i Worth seeing it * Below average * You’ve been warned
I Macbeth (Fringe) Teatr Ludowy — Krakow -- Poland. Moray House Studios (Venue l69) 556 ()l()2. until 26 Aug. 6.30pm. £7 (£6).
FESTIVAL THEATRE USC - USA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Presents IN REPERTORY 0 3-31 AUGUST I996 * STAR WARS TRILOGY IN 30 MINUTES * RESEVOIR DOGS e * GIRL GONE * THE LISBON TRAVIATA e * SPIKE HEELS * MRS SORKEN / * MEDEA / TITANIC / BLOTS * 4 GUYS EATING OUT
THE ZOO STORY & THE AMERICAN DREAM MARVIN’S ROOM 0 THE GLASS MENAGERIE
(t DENOTES UK OR WORLD PREMIERE)
DRUMMOND COMMUNITY THEATRE COCHRANE TERRACE 0 (OI3I) 558 - 9695
GLYNlS HENDERSON presents TIME OUT COMEDY AWARD WINNER
nabel Giles
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SELL OUT IN '95
Previews 7 Et 8‘August
9 - 31 August 6.45pm
no shows 20, 22. 24 August
PLEASANCE .0131 55.6 6.5.5.0
so. 'lllE PLETEANCE. someones
The List I6-22 Aug l‘)‘)6 37 i A'