Allie (Gilded Balloon, August 2015) *****

Ruaraidh Murray plays Bobby and Megan Shanley plays Allie in this beautifully written complex narrative played as a narrative. Bobby is frightening and threatening. Allie finds herself in an abusive relationship with him. What should have been a love story ends up as a story of violence and revenge.

It’s one of those productions that is hard to review because the twists and turns that build on each other to the finale. No line is a throwaway. You’ve got to listen carefully, because what you are being told will have consequences.

The performances were excellent. On the day I went the sound did not work, but it didn’t make any difference to my enjoyment of the drama.

Further Information

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/allie

Twitter @ruaraidhmurray1

My verdict: *****

Julie RabyLeave a comment

Late Show (Pleasance Courtyard, Saturday 8th August 2015) ****

  

I really enjoy these late shows where you have no idea who will be on the bill. As I usually do, I aimed for the front row, where there were several spaces. This was good luck, I thought, considering that the queue had been so long.

It soon became apparent that the compare was going to start narratives about, and start a conversation with people sitting in the front row and the row behind. There was a constant dialogue with a guy who admitted he was from Orpington and also a group of young people – ‘those young people’. Indeed, the compare was quick witted and smart and did an excellent job at giving an overall coherence to the show.

On the night I went there were four acts. Unfortunately,  I didn’t catch the names two of them. Not that they weren’t very good. The young woman did a great job, especially as she was first on (after the compare). The other guy presented himself as a rather weird guy that you wouldn’t want to be friends with. I found his deadpan style extremely entertaining.

Then came Milton Jones and Reginald D. Hunter. I think I recognised them both because I watch Have I Got News for You, rather than TV comedy shows.

I was impressed with both of Jones and Hunter. Jones’ humour is based on his quirky appearance and one-liners and so is quickly paced. Hunter’s comedy challenges our assumptions and our prejudices and is hard hitting.

..and yes Hunter did pick on me once. I could see him looking and thinking whether he should or not. He made reference to my size, but actually in a polite way. Maybe this was a warning that harsher comments may come in the future if I sit on the front row to watch a comedy show. I must admit though I did love being that close to the acts and to be able to enjoy the performances.

It was a great end to the second day.

My verdict: ****

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I Am Not Myself These Days (Pleasance Courtyard, Saturday 8th August 2015) *****

Tom Stuart is Josh Kilmer-Purcell and this is a love story. John performs as the drag queen Aqua. Josh meets Jack (who is a sex worker), and they move in together.

Stuart is sensational. He portrays both Aqua and Jack, and an array of other characters. However, he is dressed as Aqua and manages to capture her journey of performing, drinking, partying and coping with a crack addicted partner. Stuart is masterful at portraying a gamut of emotions as he tells this extraordinary story. As an audience, we are taken through lots of different moods and experiences, and we just don’t know what to expect next.

I was particularly impressed in the way Stuart brings the performance to a close. At the end I wished I could have walked back in and seen it all over again.

I Am Not Myself These Days was certainly in my top three shows that I saw on my visit to the Fringe this year.

Further Information

http://www.fueltheatre.com/projects/i-am-not-myself-these-days

My Verdict: *****

Julie RabyLeave a comment

Boris: World King (Pleasance Courtyard, Saturday 8th August 2015) ****

Tom Crawshaw is Boris Johnson, and we are taken on a very funny journey through Boris Johnson’s life. Boris is doing a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival because he wants to win the Foster’s Comedy Award. This conceit allows the production to be self-referential and highlight the elements which make great comedy. There is much to keep the audience entertained such as a wheel of fortune, a phone going off in the audience, and the usual comic convention of a mix up (in this case Boris’ data sticks). Supported by his assistant/agent/stage manager, Boris tells us about his life and why he is called Boris and not Alex.

As with all good political satire, the politician (Boris Johnson) is lampooned – his flaws and weaknesses are exposed. Nevertheless, I did leave the production wondering how Boris Johnson had been able to achieve what he had in his career. Do we need to send up Boris, because Boris is able to do that himself?

The room (upstairs) was very stuffy, and the two performers were clearly uncomfortable in the heat; nevertheless, they continued with professionalism and delivered extremely polished performances.

Further Information

Borisworldking.com

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/boris-world-king#overview

My verdict: ****

Julie Raby1 Comment