FESTIVAL Top 20
20 bets for a good festival experience
THEATRE
Disco Pigs Fast-paced urban poetry served up by the slice. in Corcadorca's tale of two Cork teenagers on a birthday bender to remember. Fringe. 'l‘rat'erse Theatre. until 30 Aug (not Mon) 9.45pm. Fool House If. like us. you thought masks were something kids wore at Halloween. it's time to pay a visit to Trestle Theatre C ompany‘s show. The masters of mask and mime return with a grown-up tale of love and everyday disaster using their trademark eerie and expressive style. Fringe. Pleasant‘e. until 30 Aug (not [9, 26) 3.15pm.
Red Zone Think you've seen it all. Well you haven‘t. All the way from Russia. anti-clowns Derevo will terrify you with grotesque imagery. tantalise you with metaphysics and make your ears hurt with very loud noises. Prepare to be surprised. Fringe. I’leasani'e. until 27 Aug (not IN) //..i()p/n.
Hellcab Cab drivers — dontcha just love ‘em'.’ Well maybe not. But you will love this dark little comedy from Tamarind Theatre about a Chicago cabbie who drives the streets of the windy city picking up a fascinating array of fares. Fringe. 'Ii'at'erxe Theatre. until 30 Aug (not Mon) times vary.
The eyes have it: Tam Dean Burn in Seizer
Pop art: Courtney Love captured by French filmmaker
and photographer Stephane Sednaoui
The Coat An unexpected hit from Bulgaria's Credo Theatre who make the most of minimal props in an exquisite. dream-like version of Gogol's famous tale The Ol'err‘oat. Looks like another triumph for that self-styled Fringe impresario Ricky Demarco. Fringe. Demart‘o European Art Foundation. until 16 Aug. 10pm; 18—23 Aug. 7.45pm.
Anna Weiss Scottish writer Mike Cullen scores another hit with this bruising new psychodrama about a young woman who confronts her father with accusations of sexual abuse remembered from childhood. Fringe. 7rat'erse Theatre. until 30 Aug (not Mon) times vary.
Seizer Boilerhouse takes on TV in this new show starring notorious Scottish actor Tam Dean Burn as a rabid-Rikki Lake type holding court from a motorised chariot. No lrvine Welsh connection this time. but this lot are radge enough by themselves. Fringe. Scottish Internatiotutl. until 25 Aug (not [5. I6. 23) l0/nn.
COMEDY
Phil Kay Feels . . . Scotland‘s Phil Kay feels like appearing for one night only at the Fringe. and this time he‘s brought some pals to help him frolic and shake that hairy head. And what pals. Get the most for your crispy brown one with this mixed bill starring Kay. Bill Bailey. Phil (Juice Pig) Nichol and Rich Hall. Fringe. Edinburgh Playhouse. 20 Aug. I l .30ptn. Alibis For Life By Sean Hughes Forget those startled bunny impressions. The big-eyed boy of the stand-up circuit is back with his first novel tucked under his arm and a new and nastier streak to his bloke-next-door act. Fringe. George Square Theatre. 15—29 Aug. 8. I 5pm. Greg Proops What can we say? He‘s sarky. he's speccy. he‘s Yankee and he‘s back. And though it pains us to admit it. he's very. very funny indeed. Over to you Proops. Fringe. Pleasant'e. until 30 Aug (not I 8. 28) 7. 30pm (25 Aug. 9pm). Tiernan And Byrne One is lanky and manic. the other subdued and deeply funny. and together they‘ve cracked a double-bill double whammy that‘ll have your funny bone in casualty fora week. Fringe. Gilded Balloon. until 30 Aug
( not 28) 9. I 5pm.
DANCE
San Francisco Ballet Want proper ballet? You got it. Rarely seen in the UK. this acclaimed classical company lands on its feet with two programmes of sparkling works including two by the great George Balanchine. and one by Festival regular Mark Morris. International F estival, Edinburgh Playhouse. 19-24 Aug (not 2/ ) 7. 30pm: mats 23 & 24 Aug. 2pm.
MUSIC
Bryn Terfel The Welsh baritone with the giant reputation and voice to match. returns to the Festival to perform a programme of songs by Schumann and Finzi. International Festival, Usher Hall. 20 Aug, 8pm.
Loyko Wild. unfettered Russian gypsy types whose publicity shots don‘t do them any justice. but who play rousing tunes guaranteed to rock your pants in a manner cool European kinds could never muster. Fringe, Graffiti. 20 & 26—29Aug. [1.30pm.
ART
Surrealism And After The big cheeses of surrealism — Duchamp. Magritte. Dali and Ernst — are displayed in all their brightly-coloured glory with the first public showing of the Keiller Collection. National Gallery Oj'Modern Art. until 9 NOV, Mon—Sat I 0am—5pm. Sun ll—5pnt.
FILM
The Sweet Hereafter British actor Ian Holm gives a formidable performance in Atom Egoyan's portrait of a community left devastated by the loss if its children. F ilnt Festival. Cameo. 16 Aug. 5.30pm.
Stephane Sednaoui Retrospective of the French filmmaker and photographer behind some of the most brilliant music videos of all time. Want an example? BjOrk‘s ‘Big Time Sensuality‘ should do you for now. Part of the Mirrorball season. Film Festival. F ilmhouse, 18 Aug. 9.30pm. Exhibition: Edinburgh College OfA rt. 9 Aug, noon—3pm. Surprise Movie Film Festival director Lizzie Francke is keeping schtum. but our man on the inside tells us that this event. sponsored by The List. is guaranteed to thrill those parts that popcorn alone just can't reach. Film Festival. Odeon. I9Aug. 10.30pm.
BOOKS
Anne Frank Today If you‘ve got a copy of The Diary OfAnne Frank. you're not alone. The bestselling book after the Bible. this 50-year-old account of a Jewish girl in wartime is discussed here by Frank’s cousin Buddy Elias who also reads from the new definitive version that includes all the interesting bits her father cut out. Book Festival. Post Office Theatre. 16 Aug. 3pm.
CLUBS
Club Latino Peel yourselfaway from all those sweaty little comedy venues. and seize the opportunity to practise those perfect pelvic moves at the eternally popular Festival version of this year- round Latin club. Cuban act Sonora La Calle play live following a sensational set last year. Arrive early and ready to party. Assembly Rooms. I 5, l6 and 17 Aug. midnight—3.30am.
For full details of all shows listed here see Festival index on page 4.
Face value: Trestle Theatre Company in Fool House
15—21 Aug 1997 rueusrn