Festival
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HITLIST BEOWULF New York’s Banana Bag & Bodice pits Beowulf the man against Beowulf the text in this clever and stylish take on the classic. See review, page 50. ■ Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 29 Aug, 4pm, £14 (£12).
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The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik This moving show creates an underwater world that’s fraught with danger. See review, page 55. Underbelly, 0844 545 8252, until 28 Aug, 6pm, £10–£12.50 (£9–£11.50).
I, Malvolio Tim Crouch explores our tastes for cruel theatre through the figure of Shakespeare’s tragicomic steward. See review, page 56. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, until 28 Aug, times vary, £15–£17 (£12–£13). 1001 Nights Tim Supple’s rich, compelling reclamation of these ancient folk grows richer as it goes on. See review, page 56. Royal Lyceum Theatre, 473 2000, various times and dates until 3 Sep, £10–£36.
Anton’s Uncles Theatre Movement Bazaar remix Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya to create an absorbing riddle, where the journey is as rewarding as its conclusions. Bedlam Theatre, 225 9893, until 27 Aug, 2pm, £7–£9 (£5–£7).
Hotel Medea Spend a night in the company of Euripides’ heroine as you witness and participate in bloody events. An ambitious piece of immersive theatre. Summerhall, 226 0000, 25, 26 & 27 Aug, 11.45pm, £29.50 (£25).
The Wheel The latest work by Edinburgh-based playwright Zinnie Harris looks at the impact of war on the youngest members of society. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, until 28 Aug, times vary, £17–£19 (£12–£13).
Alma Mater Interactive multimedia exploration of childhood innocence and loss for a solo audience member. St George’s West, 225 7001, until 29 Aug, every ten minutes from 11am–6.50pm, £5.
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Stage WHISPERS MARTHA WOLLNER talks about the community spirit she’s experienced at her first Fringe
‘First Fringe?’ That’s what old festival hands kept asking, followed by advice on how to build audiences: get sleep, see shows and, as one producer put it, ‘Generally gird your loins!’
But upon arrival, our ensemble began to experience something unexpected. Not general festival ‘buzz’, no glam ‘carpet’ quips nor ‘deal’ frenzy film fest hype. This ‘thing’ was unique, a ground swell of genuine interest in and support of the artist and the work.
Our show opened. Audiences didn’t exit with their heads in Fringe schedules. Instead they stayed to discuss the show. Soon we were ‘audience swapping’ with fellow performers whose work had inspired us. We buzzed from our growing Fringe community’s energy. Audience members even asked to leave comments for our playwright in the States.
We have come to call this the
‘Fringe Thing’, a non-competitive celebration of art, work, talent and community that is uniquely an Edinburgh Fringe commodity. Artists have to do what we do; we don’t have a choice. The Fringe is a massive celebration of that calling and of the depth and diversity of work it can create. It is a tonic our world has always needed, perhaps never more than now. We’ve been thrilled to be telling Jaclyn’s beautiful story for a brief hour each day, our work is growing, but so is our community, our vision and our inspiration. It’s that ‘Fringe Thing’. ■ Unanswered, We Ride, theSpaces on the Mile, 0845 508 8316, until 27 Aug, 1.30pm, £9 (£8). See review, page 58.
25 Aug–22 Sep 2011 THE LIST 49
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