{FRONT} Festival Facts & Figures

LAST CHANCE TO SEE WITH ONLY A FEW DAYS OF THE FRINGE LEFT, THESE ARE THE LIST’S PICKS OF THE FEST 2011 THE SHOWS YOU SHOULD GRAB A TICKET FOR WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

THEATRE HOTEL MEDEA ●●●●●

In the clinical spaces veterinary school-turned- venue Summerhall, this ‘unique experience of total immersion’ has the audience spend the night getting to know the murderess Medea of Greek mythology through audience participation and live video feeds. Summerhall, 226 0000, until 27 Aug, 11,45pm, £29.50 (£25).

COMEDY WITTANK ●●●●●

A ‘brilliantly beserk’ series of sketches from Fringe stalwarts ‘at the height of their writing and comedy powers’. See WitTank’s Festival trends at list.co.uk/festival Just the Tonic at the Caves, 556 5375, until 28 Aug, 6.15pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7.50–£8.50).

COMEDY LUKE WRIGHT’S CYNICAL BALLADS

●●●●● Powerful meditations on broken British society from this young stand-up poet, interspersed with fragments of a history lesson about the origins and development of balladry ‘truly mesmerising’. Underbelly, Cowgate, 0844 545 8252, until 28 Aug, 4.15pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7.50–£8.50).

ART 400 WOMEN ●●●●●

This ‘stunning artistic memorial’ is a collection of portraits of rape, abuse and murder victims in Mexico’s northern border territory. Gaining inspiration from postcards sent by these women’s families, artist Tamsyn Challenger gives each a voice. Canongate Venture, 07870 935442, until 4 Sep (not 22, 29), 11am–6pm, free.

KIDS BAGPUSS ●●●●●

Reinventing three of the original episodes of the 1970s show, Birmingham Stage Company bring our favourite pink cat to the stage with gusto with a perfectly designed production. Assembly George Square, 623 3000, until 28 Aug, times vary, £12–£14 (£8).

THEATRE CASABLANCA: THE GIN JOINT CUT

●●●●● With three people each playing several characters this is a ‘charmingly chaotic’ version of the classic film showing how ‘wonderful individual theatre shows can be done on a shoestring’. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 29 Aug, 4.30pm, £11–£15 (£9.50–£12).

COMEDY TIM KEY ●●●●●

The Fringe favourite this year presents a hugely original hour of surreal performance poetry interspersed with films and songs. A show that transforms expectations of what comedy can do. Pleasance Dome, 556 6550, until 29 Aug, times vary, £12–£14 (£11–£13).

DANCE SOY DE CUBA ●●●●●

Showcasing the spirit of contemporary Cuba with traditional rhythms and folkdance, this is a non-stop firecracker routine from a company with ‘enough charisma to come with a health warning’. Assembly Hall, 623 3000, until 29 Aug, 10.30pm, £15 (£12).

COMEDY THE PAJAMA MEN ●●●●●

With no props other than their sleepwear and a couple of chairs, this physical duo presents a multitude of hilarious characters over a series of bizarrely brilliant, interconnected sketches. Assembly Hall, 623 3000, until 29 Aug, 9pm, £15–£14 (£12–£13).

THEATRE ANTON’S UNCLES ●●●●●

Chekhov’s play Uncle Vanya ‘viewed through a kaleidoscope’ by an all-male LA-based cast who cavort, dance, and play out big daddy Chekhov’s themes with frivolity. Bedlam Theatre, until 27 Aug, 2pm, £7.

CABERET LE GATEAU CHOCOLAT ●●●●●

This charming, larger-than-life performer from La Clique goes solo with some excellent covers and a wardrobe’s worth of wigs. Assembly George Square, 623 3000, until 28 Aug, 9.15pm, £12–£14 (£11–£13).

THEATRE THE ADVENTURES OF ALVIN SPUTNIK: DEEP SEA EXPLORER

●●●●● A charming tale of unlikely heroism featuring live action, puppetry, animation, music and film combined to stunning effect in Tim Watts’ one- man show. Underbelly, Cowgate, 0844 545 8252, until 28 Aug, 6pm, £10–£12.50 (£9–£11.50).

IT DOESN'T STOP HERE! The List reviews shows right up until the end of the International Festival. Head to list.co.uk to see all our four and five-stars reviews from 2011.

18 THE LIST 25 Aug–22 Sep 2011

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