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THEATRE REVIEW
Target Practice
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Take a journey through the mind of the obsessive in Richard Hope's unsettling monologues, Dear Prudence and Traffic. Walk down memory lane with Micky, the coolest Beatle that never was, and the picture of rationality — or so he would have us believe. Then hurtle towards disaster in Traffic, the roller coaster ride of a pathologically disturbed estate agent who searches for release in the arms of a prostitute. Andy Stanton recreates the claustrophobic and mesmerising alternative reality of an obsessive. A chilling and polished performance that will pin you to your seat. (Robin James) a Target Practice (Fringe) Screaming Blue Murder, Cafe Royal (Venue 47) 556 2549, unti/3l Aug (not 18, 25) 2.45pm, £5.
THEATRE
Christie In Love
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Asylum's accomplished production of Howard Brenton’s account of the eponymous rationing-era serial killer looks very much as the writer’s notes seemed to intend. Two policemen dig in the garden of the murderer, telling each other jokes (earnestly, painfully, and in such a manner that they can't be funny) which expose their own capaoty for sexual violence. From a chicken wire-enclosed pen emerges Christie, who exposes his own disturbed version of 'love’, and is persecuted by the policemen, one of whom comments 'sometimes your own fancy is tickled.’ A strong performance by Tom Weatherhead as the killer and a dragged-out, disjunctive pace add to the final, grim effect of the piece. (Steve Cramer)
% Christie In Love (Fringe) Asylum Theatre Company Observer Assembly (Venue 3) 226 2428, until 29 Aug, 2.50pm, £7. 50/£8. 50 (£7. 50/£6. 50).
COMEDY REVIEW
Beaver Pitch
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Mel Hudson and Vicki Pepperdine’s creations, the Dirty Sloanes, were one of the few reasons for watching BBCZ’s recent Comedy Nation. Regrettably, the foul-mouthed Yas also represent one of the rare bright spots in this scattershot show. Some of their barbs about middle class guilt are well aimed, while other routines quickly degenerate into tedium.
The vast majority of the sketches outstay their welcome waaaay too long and a few should have been immediately consigned to the bin. There are just enough laughs in evidence to provide hope that, one day, they may be capable of putting on a good show. Unfortunately, this is not one. (Rory Ford)
a Beaver Pitch (Fringe) Hudson and Pepperdine, Observer Assembly (Venue 3) 226 2428, until3l Aug, 1.75pm, £9/£8 (£ 8/£ 7).
THEATRE REVIEW Transatlantic is 3k *3
This is collection of short stories about different peOple travelling to America using three different forms of transport: plane, cruise ship and yacht. The extremely talented cast of three play fourteen characters and slip between their varied personas with ease. Three distinct theatre styles are used: comedy on the flight, interior drama on the cruise and a more avant- garde approach for the troubled yacht. The company demonstrate a preference, and deft skill, for humour by allotting the majority of time to the array of air travellers. The production is never less than entertaining but remains an impressive collection of vignettes rather than a cohesive whole. (Rory Ford) a Transatlantic (Fringe) LookOut Theatre Company, Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550, until 23 Aug, 7.50pm, £7. 50/£6.50 (£6.50/£5.50). See also Freeloader ticket offers.
KIDS REVIEW A Midsummer Night's Dream
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With its thirteen musical numbers and contemporary comic references this feels like Midsummer Night’s Dream — The Panto. Ninety per cent of the language is contemporary, but Shakespeare 4 Kidz has kept all the twists and turns of the original plot, and thrown in the very best bits of Shakespearean verse. Bottom, 3 Frankie Howerd/Bill Oddie hybrid, was a star whose death as Pyramus got a spontanous round of applause.
The original musical numbers, though very good, seemed excessive, and occasionally got in the way of the story. However, plenty of action and humour, quality sets and costumes kept the children attentive.
And of course they all live happily ever after . . . (Gabe Stewart)
a A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Fringe) Shakespeare 4 Kidz, Calder's Gilded Balloon at the Palladium (Venue 26) 226 2151, until 22 Aug, 7.30pm, £6.50 (£5).
CYGNET THEATRE
Company
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CYGNE‘ PUER BROOK
We MORAY HOUSE 3,?) T H E A 1' R E 22l2
Aug 17. 18, 21, 23. 26, 27. 29, 30, 31 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Aug 19. 20. 22. 25, 28
LADY DEDLOCK’S SECRET
Taken from Dicken's BLEAK HOUSE All. A'I' I 2. l 5PM
TC 11%;)
361 K223
Comedy — Vaudeville - Circus
PLEASANCE 10-51 st August ’98
12.10 (13.l())
Box Office: 0 151/556 6550
GlYNlS HENDERSON PRESENTS
STEPHEN POWELL
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“Hilarious Hancock-like
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“A talented and original perturmer ...very tasty'l..l....
7-31 AUGUST 1.30m
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As seen at Biggar Puppet Theatre
PURVESQPUPPETS
International Purl/es Puppets present;
_ Their Pips and Panda in v ‘5 ‘CIRCUSLAND!’
Specially for young children up to 7 - It's a join in circus adventure - Lots of fun. magic and songs to sing!
Also the spectacular ‘N UTC RAC KER’
with large scale puppets which tell the complete story behind Tchaikoulty's I
wonderful ballet. See the brave Nutcracker fight the 3-headed mice! Meet the dancing cats and the acrobatic monkeys.
Cb! ofover 60 puppets. SOUTH LEITH PARISH CHURCH HALLS (VENUE 180). 121'” T0 30TH AUGUST (EXCEPT SUNDAYS)
TRESTLE THEATRE COMPAN
Pleasance, 60 The Pleasance, (Venue 33)
a collaboration with KHERSON THEATRE OF THE UKRAINE
Previews: 7&8 August (£4.50)?
Performances: 9 to 31 Au (not i l, 18, 25 Aug)
Time: 2.30pm
Tickets: £7 & £5 concs. £8 & £6 concs. (14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 3lAug)
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’lf is a completely a brilliant piece of " work, ...you’ll be driven ‘ deliciously mad: _
The Scotsman [jg
LEAsANCE 0131 556 46550
13—20 Aug 1998 THE usru