WEBF Founder James Edge’s FIVE FRINGE FAVOURITES
I was lucky enough to go up to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival and my goodness me, the Fringe is BACK and back with a victorious vengeance. The streets are bustling with keen theatre folk, the art works are on POINT and as always, the shows are a mixing pot of madness!
I was only there personally for a whirlwind five days but in that time, I saw a plethora of pieces and as I would have hoped from the Fringe, I saw the good, the bad and the downright absurd.
In this article, I thought I’d talk about my five favourites from the Fringe, as well as giving a few very well deserved special mentions. There are literally thousands of shows at the Fringe so I’m only choosing from the shows that I personally chose to see. What made me choose to see these shows? For each show, it was different. A catchy name, an artwork that caught my eye, a recommendation from one of my peers or in some cases, some stoic flyering!
Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England:
My first pick is Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England from RoxyDog Productions. I didn’t know what to expect going in and was absolutely blown away by the storytelling and nuanced performance from Alex Hill. The story follows die hard football fan Billy as his life gets swept up in drink, drugs and football violence, catapulting towards the show’s name sake where he (quite literally) sticks a flare up his arse! But glory isn’t always what it’s cut out to be. Is he a hero or a laughing stock? It’s a fine line. Hill is engaging from beginning to end, 1000% dedicated to the role physically and mentally, and conveyed intricate emotions, gliding between humour and heartbreak effortlessly. I can’t wait to see where this show goes next!
IMA - Recirquel Cirque Danse by Bence Vági:
I had one of the greatest artistic experiences of my life at the Murrayfield ice rink watching this show. You walk into a large, black dome with thousands of holes passed into the material with beams of light shining through. The atmosphere that is set through lighting and sound is astonishing. There is one single figure in the centre of the room as you walk in. As the audience, you sit on beanbags in a circle around the performer. Then, for the next 35 minutes, you sit there with your jaw on the floor as the performer effortlessly weaves between movement and aerial work with a grace unlike any I’ve ever seen before live. This show is about balance. Life and death. Light and dark. It is quite simply stunning, and I urge anyone at the Fringe to take the time to go and experience this wondrous show.
Baby Dinosaur:
Another show I loved was from comedy genius Dave Bibby - Baby Dinosaur. A comedy show that heavily includes the audience as he navigates talking about parenthood and at the same time, telling a one-man rendition of Jurassic Park. Bonkers, brilliant, witty and original. Another show destined for life beyond the Fringe.
The next show on my list is BUFF, written by Ben Fensome , performed by Pearse Egan and directed by Scott Lecrass. The story tells the tale of a plus sized, gay, primary school teacher who, after a long term breakup, decides to sublet his flat to super stud Instagram model Jamie. Egan is likeable and engaging throughout. His energy never drops as he navigates his way through the story which spans dozens and dozens of scenes. This could be a lot when watching a one-person show but the scene changes are simple and effective. As an audience, you really feel for the character as he is engulfed by his emotions and his own loneliness. Egan really draws you in. The direction from Lecrass is nuanced and naturalistic, and the writing from Fensome is the perfect balance of comedy and modern day drama.
One of the absolute standouts of the Fringe is Drag Queens Vs Vampires created by Haus Of Dench, starring the inimitable drag deities Kate Butch and Crudi Dench. We follow the two as they fly to Transylvania as the UK’s selection for the European song contest finals. The host at their accommodation is none other than the feared fanged villain, Dracula himself. What unfolds is an hour of comedy GOLD, with audience participation and storytelling genius. Perfect energy. Perfect humour. THE perfect show to see at the Fringe. Safe to say, whenever I see a show with Haus of Dench on the poster in future, I will be there.
******
So those are my five picks of the Fringe. Moving, side splittingly funny, or just plain good storytelling. I loved them all! But I saw so many weird and wonderful shows in my short stay in Edinburgh this year that I thought I’d give a few special mentions to some other shows that have stayed with me.
Created by Comedy Central-endorsed clown Riss Obolensky and director Eloïse Poulton, Healing King Herod follows famed maniacal madman King Herod who, after years of slaughtering children, is now on a path of self discovery and healing, and is in fact now running a self development pyramid scheme. You, the audience, are the flock who they are trying to bring “to the light”. This show is absolutely bonkers! Brilliant… but bonkers. With heaps of hilarious moments, audience participation, improved songs, and lots and lots of jam……. this show really is something that needs to be seen to be believed.
Unstitching
A show about a girl who is obsessed with Eurovision and through songs, dancing and balls upon balls of yarn, we watch a perfectly imperfect show where Shrimpton tries to find her voice, find the story and express herself in the way only she knows how. As a neurodiverse person, I found this show completely riveting and through Shrimpton’s constant jump out questions mid-sentence and constant self criticism, at times, it was like looking in a mirror. A mixing pot of Eurovision, finding one’s voice and a host of very well crocheted costumes, Unstitching is another must see for me. Keep doing what you are doing Ruby, you are brilliant!
Well, there you have it, Besties! Have you been to the Fringe this year? Let us know which shows you loved…