THEATRE REVIEW So, I Killed A Few People . . . iii-k
It’s perhaps unfair to expect too much insight into the phenomenon of serial killing from the Fringe. But suggesting that overdosing on pop culture and dabbling in advertising can result in mass murder is tenuous to say the least. Nevertheless, David Summers gives an awesome performance as Archie Nunn - the deranged killer whose last wish is to stage a one-man show. He expertly plays on the fascination which compels the audience to turn up as he pokes and prods at their voyeurism. Some of the cultural references have not travelled too well across the Atlantic, but the acting is so strong that it transcends the limits of the script. (Davie Archibald)
[ $0, IKi/Ied A Few People. . . (Fringe) Martin Sutherland Productions, Komedia @ Southside (Venue 82) 667 2212, until 29 Aug, 8.50pm, £7.50 (£5.50).
COMEDY REVIEW Further Ted ****
Riding the meal ticket of being brief stars in TV's Father Ted for all it’s worth, and judging by the size of the audience it's quite alot, Joe Rooney and Patrick McDonnell are given the chance to truly shine in a comedy show all of their own.
Packed tight to bursting point, the show starts with each Irish charmer doing a stand-up routine, middles with audience participation in a mystery quiz and ends with a catchy, Germanic Europop song that will irritate you all the way home. Highlights include McDonnell's tolerant tirades against Protestants and Rooney singing songs about his girlfriend's big arse in a Buddy Holly style. (Catherine Bromley) I Further Ted (Fringe) Gilded Balloon (Venue 38) 226 2151, until 30 Aug, 9.15pm, £7.50 (£6.50).
Happy chopper:$o. I Killed A Few People . . .
THEATRE REVIEW Corpus Christi ****
At Pontius Pilate High School the girls look at the boys and some of the boys look at each other. Schoolboy loner Judas lscariot kisses Joshua in the toilets. He is sneered upon and taunted. Later Joshua goes on to do great things — raises a chap from the dead and makes a few loaves go a very long way — and is gay.
Terence McNally's Corpus Christi is a passion play which has fired up a wealth of controversy. The central figure of Joshua is clearly Christ and clearly gay. It is also a story of every day prejudice and its sometimes fatal consequences. (Susanna Beaumont) 3 Corpus Christi (Fringe) Theatre 28, Bed/am Theatre (Venue 49) until 28 Aug (not 22) 8pm, £10 (£7).
COMEDY REVIEW Arj Barker * * it
This reminds me very much of the old Kelly Monteith television show, both in style and because of the fact that Arj Barker’s new Edinburgh show plays like a TV programme that just happens to be live on stage. The only thing he lacks is some end credits, which he might think of adding so that the audience knows when it's all over - they didn't tonight.
Arj Barker does have a certain charm and presence but I wasn’t convinced by claims of his ’superior wit and sparkle'. His stoner Generation X insights were OK but fell short of inspiring. (Ross Holloway)
. Arj Barker (Fringe) Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550, until 30 Aug, 8.55pm, £ 9/£ 8 (£8/£ 7).
STAR RATINGS *‘kfiifi ll'Tfli unim'v **** Vi”) (Imm \VO'U‘ wt'tww; lit-IOU; (it"t'ulqv
iii ii it You up new. winner:
scoccish international
6th-29th August . g n I re s e n ts 9.30am-4.00am -- r 7f '
The best Scottish traditional and contemporary music, as well as the best from the international folk scene. Late license bar with free acoustic music sessions.
Sexual obsession, slapstick, showbiz kitsch and a tragic rock n' roll suicide, all from Dance Base, “the heart and soul of Fringe dance"
Lite, love, sex, death, Hollywood glamour, horror, and Burns resurrected in the biggest theatre programme ever hosted at The Famous Grouse House. Also fantastic Kid's shows.
“Be there or be a tourist”-TheHera.d
Venue 34, 5 Chambers Street Box Office: 0131-220-5606
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PARZlFAL AND THE STORY OF THE GRAIL 'W'w
Superb the audiencc" \wrc enthralled"
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Suitable l‘or Families 9nd ('hlhh’et: oven- Gym
19TH - 25TH AUGUST 1999
VENUE 35 EDINBURGH RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL 60/64 SPYLAW ROAD TEL: 07771-652180
19-26 Aug 1999 THE HST 55