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FRINGE FOR A FIVER The economy may be in the stink- hole, but we’ll help stretch your pennies with this round-up of Fringe theatre shows for a fiver
Anatomy of Fantasy Triple Fringe winners Do-Theatre explore human relationships through dance, movement drama and music. Assembly Rooms, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 5.25pm. The Ballad of Backbone Joe Dark comedy and rip-roaring music are to the fore in this gothic tale of murder and deceit in a small country town. Pleasance Courtyard, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 2.35pm.
Beautiful Burnout Physical theatre set in the world of boxing that aims to challenge preconceptions about the most controversial of sports. Pleasance Courtyard, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 7.30pm.
Bound The new physical theatre show from Bear Trap follows the Violet fishing trawler and her crew as they fight against the overwhelming power of the elements. Zoo Southside, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 3.15pm. Bright is the Ring of Words Sparks fly when a comedian is forced to care for an opera diva as part of a community order following a racist attack. Pleasance Courtyard, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 5.25pm.
Cabaret Chordelia Reworking of the live cabaret show that uses sensual dance and songs to portray light comedy as well as profound emotions. Pleasance @ Ghillie Dhu, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 4.15pm.
The Call of Cthulhu An exploration of the untold darkness and terror that resides in the human mind. Based on HP Lovecraft’s classic tale. Hill Street Theatre, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 1.30pm. The Caucasian Chalk Circle Brecht’s classic is modernised through music, puppetry and physical movement. The Zoo, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 6.30pm.
Cirque de Legume Carnage ensues when two imbeciles decide to stage ‘the greatest vegetable circus on Earth’. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4 & Thu 5 Aug, 2.30pm. The City and Iris The Lecoq-trained Glass-Eye theatre company tells the story of a woman who has her eyes opened to the city around her by a strange optician. Zoo Roxy, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 6.25pm.
Dead Award-winning playwright Mike Elliston has produced an erotic and comedic account of the demise of Irish artist Pauric Fermoy. The Spaces on the Mile, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 9.20pm.
Derelict The realities of suburban life are challenged in this tale of seven squatters setting up home in an abandoned house. The Zoo, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 4pm. Diary of a Sentimental Killer A murderer considers the dim prospects of his retirement and finds a brilliant way to revive his career. Pleasance Courtyard, Wed 4 & Thu 6 Aug, 2pm.
Do You Know Where Your Daughter Is? Cutting-edge drama about the ups and downs of mother- daughter relationships. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 1.45pm. The Door Two people in one room talk, argue and joke about politics, religion and trivia. But are they strangers or do they have a past? Gilded Balloon Teviot, Fri 6 Aug, 12.30pm.
Fringe For a Fiver Theatre
Like Little Girls in a Sweetshop
Dusk on the River Nile A physical theatre re-imagining of the Isis and Osiris myth in which a boatman takes you up the Nile and introduces you to the wrathful gods of Ancient Egypt. Zoo Roxy, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 2.45pm.
An Evening with Dementia Emotional and humorous keyhole view into the world of a dementia sufferer. The Spaces on the Mile, Fri 6–Sun 8 Aug, 4.05pm. Expectations Two couples struggle to deal with the knowledge that their child will be born disabled. Pleasance Dome, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 12.40pm.
The Fly in the Fridge A true story of a young girl’s journey into the hedonistic, rock’n’roll world of 70s New York. Sweet Grassmarket, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 6.20pm.
For Your Entertainment A black comedy about a terminally-ill man trying to make sense of his fate and forbidden desires. The Spaces on the Mile, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 11.10am.
Girl Constantly F***ing Interrupted An enthralling journey through the mind and many alter egos of the modern woman. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4–Sun 8 Aug, noon.
Gutted. A Revenger’s Musical A tale of revenge, murder, love and idiots from the Comedians Theatre Company. Assembly Rooms, Fri 6 Aug, 11.15pm. Hamlet, the End of Childhood Naxos Theatre and Les tréteaux de la pleine lune re-imagine the Dane as a teenager facing the absence of his father. The Zoo, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 3.10pm.
Hit Me: The Life and Rhymes of Ian Dury Revival of this revealing portrait of the life and career of the Blockheads’ lead singer, featuring classic songs such as ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythms Stick’. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 3pm. Homo ASBO The toughest guy on the estate has just come out and decided to go straight, taking down celebrity bad boys,
bigots and men who wax. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4–Thu 6 Aug, 5.15pm.
Imperial Fizz A martini-swilling 1930s couple cross-examine their elaborate marriage over the perfect cocktail – with surprising consequences. Assembly Rooms, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 5.25pm.
Jack Pratchard Jonathan Storey’s tale of a man’s journey on the weird side of life, told through the use of a spectacular model theatre. Zoo Roxy, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 3.55pm. Jack the Knife Jack Klaff launches an attack on theatre, culture, abuses of power and possibly his career in this latest work. Assembly Rooms, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 12.45pm.
Joe Power – The Man Who Sees Dead People The Liverpudlian clairvoyant uses his unique gift to prove that there is life after death. Assembly Hall, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 4pm.
Jordan Anna Reynolds’ touching true story of a woman on trial for the murder of her baby. Assembly Rooms, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 1pm. Julien Cottereau: Imagine-toi The Cirque du Soleil clown dazzles with his acclaimed acrobatic mime and amazing sound effects. Assembly @ Princes St Gardens, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 4.15pm.
Lipstick A laugh-out-loud comedy about a dysfunctional married couple receiving counselling from a puppet. Hill Street Theatre, Thu 5–Sat 7 Aug, 5.45pm.
Like Little Girls in a Sweet Shop. Verbatim theatre that follows 50 years of firsts in the lives of four mothers, performed by their daughters. The Spaces on the Mile, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 2.10pm. Little Black Bastard The incredible story of a man who is transfigured through the power of art, told by distinguished performer Noel Tovey. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, noon.
Lockerbie: Unfinished Business After Britain’s worst terrorist atrocity victim’s father Jim Swire’s faith in his
country’s legal system has been devastated. Swire’s battle for justice is retold here by an award-winning team, including performer Dave Benson. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 2.30pm. The Lonesome Foxtrot A couple struggles to find the balance between a shared love and a life less travelled in this drama. New Town Theatre, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 8.30pm.
Love Bites Brand new relationship drama from the director of last year’s sell- out Ophelia (Drowning). The Spaces on the Mile, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 8.05pm.
Mary and William Biographical show written and performed by Mary MacDonald Hamill in which Shakespeare’s words are made relevant to each member of the audience. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4 & Thu Aug, 2.45pm.
Memory Cells Chilling new play from Louise Welsh, award-winning author of The Cutting Room. Pleasance Dome, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 5.20pm. Mussolini – A One-Man Political Farce Violent comedy based around the life of the Italian dictator, by playwright Ross Gurney-Randall. Hill Street Theatre, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 3.15pm.
Now is the Winter Loyal Bess’s world unravels as her beloved Richard’s ambition threatens their relationship. The Vault, Sat 7 & Sun 8 Aug, 6.45pm.
Otherwise When Harry Holland wakes up in a police cell with no recollection of why he is there, the events that follow lead to a murderous revelation. Sweet Grassmarket, Thu 5 Aug, 5.15pm.
The Piano Project
A mix of music and physical theatre tells the story of Andreas Grassl, dubbed ‘the piano man’ by the British Press. The Bongo Club, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Aug, 4pm. Real Babies Don’t Cry A strange friendship blossoms when Sally buys a ‘newborn baby’, a life-like doll, from artist Jeanette. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 5.15pm.
Sometimes I Laugh Like My Sister Rebecca Peyton explores death and everything we fear and cannot say in her one-woman show. Pleasance Courtyard, Wed 4–Fri 6 Aug, 1pm.
Stripped Take a step into Hannah’s world in this achingly funny performance, which lifts the lid on the liberating, scheming and shocking world of the strip club. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wed 4 & Thu 5 Aug, 4.15pm. Wolf A sensory exploration of the mythical and psychological wolf/human relationship. Just the Tonic at the Caves, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 12.15pm.
Wonderland The revealing story of the love affair between Lewis Carroll and Isa Bowman who played Carroll’s greatest creation, Alice, on stage. Assembly Rooms, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 13.45pm.
Why Men Cheat Over 250 men and women were interviewed to find the answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries for this comedy hit from Ireland. Assembly Rooms, Thu 5 & Fri 6 Aug, 5.15pm. Zambezi Express The tale of a football-mad boy from Zimbabwe told through euphoric African dance and dynamic drum beats. Assembly Rooms, Fri 6 Aug, noon.