14/8/10: Comedy Manifesto, Otherwise
Aug. 16th, 2010 01:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cryptogirlSaturday is usually a quietish day for me during the Fringe, due to the fact that the entire universe appears in town and my elbows become extra-sharp to deal with it. Nevertheless, we squashed in two shows, and a wander round the bric-a-brac in the Grassmarket, before declaring defeat on the crowds and fleeing.
Mostly to seek shade from the oppressive sun (yes, Edinburgh is shiny and sunny, har har to you cloudy English!) we ducked into the Beehive Inn for Comedy Manifesto, billed as a topical panel show in the style of Have I Got News For You. I have to say I've never seen a free show filled to the rafters but this one was, with all floor space and door frames spoken for. The basic premise was that four standup comics, each with their own separate shows, would comment on news stories, chaired by compere Kate Smurthwaite, who I'd never heard of, but who appears to be some kind of feminist lady as well as a standup. But don't worry, she was funny and everything! *boom boom* Ahem. The show was split into three rounds, with general news trivia, challenges and inviting the panel to suggest new laws to be introduced, while the audience could vote with their shouting to give points away- even to other audience members. As a political satire, I felt it fell a little short of the mark. But the banter was good between the comics, with the American being particularly on the ball, followed by the cheeky Irish chap, and no jokes fell flat, which is always a massive plus in free shows. Plus the compere was acerbic and witty enough to hold it all together in a compelling ball of amusement. So, some top free laughs, well worth shacking up with a cool afternoon Deuchars for an hour of mirth.
Thence to my college niece's play, Otherwise, in a tiny room of a hotel where we were all of two feet from the stage. A tense, tightly-written piece, this follows Harry Holland, who wakes up in a police interrogation room with no memory of what he's done the night before. The play is told via flashbacks detailing meeting his girlfriend, his laddish best friend, their drunken night out and ultimately tragedy. The clever plot twist- that fantasy and reality did not quite match up in his love life- was apparently not picked up by one reviewer, Gytha was telling me, but I was gripped through to the violent conclusion when it all become clear. Superb acting all round, especially from the protagonist, and sadly they've already packed up and headed back to Cam, but I did hear mutterings it would go elsewhere, so please do see it if it does!
Fringe Refreshments of the Day- Fleeing home for steak pie and roast potatoes chez parents. Even I'm not mug enough to stay in the town to be trampled by fervent Manolos clattering to the next hummus stop.
And now I must sleep, despite being a day behind on my scribblings. Weekday quietness invites an earlyish start at the shows!
Mostly to seek shade from the oppressive sun (yes, Edinburgh is shiny and sunny, har har to you cloudy English!) we ducked into the Beehive Inn for Comedy Manifesto, billed as a topical panel show in the style of Have I Got News For You. I have to say I've never seen a free show filled to the rafters but this one was, with all floor space and door frames spoken for. The basic premise was that four standup comics, each with their own separate shows, would comment on news stories, chaired by compere Kate Smurthwaite, who I'd never heard of, but who appears to be some kind of feminist lady as well as a standup. But don't worry, she was funny and everything! *boom boom* Ahem. The show was split into three rounds, with general news trivia, challenges and inviting the panel to suggest new laws to be introduced, while the audience could vote with their shouting to give points away- even to other audience members. As a political satire, I felt it fell a little short of the mark. But the banter was good between the comics, with the American being particularly on the ball, followed by the cheeky Irish chap, and no jokes fell flat, which is always a massive plus in free shows. Plus the compere was acerbic and witty enough to hold it all together in a compelling ball of amusement. So, some top free laughs, well worth shacking up with a cool afternoon Deuchars for an hour of mirth.
Thence to my college niece's play, Otherwise, in a tiny room of a hotel where we were all of two feet from the stage. A tense, tightly-written piece, this follows Harry Holland, who wakes up in a police interrogation room with no memory of what he's done the night before. The play is told via flashbacks detailing meeting his girlfriend, his laddish best friend, their drunken night out and ultimately tragedy. The clever plot twist- that fantasy and reality did not quite match up in his love life- was apparently not picked up by one reviewer, Gytha was telling me, but I was gripped through to the violent conclusion when it all become clear. Superb acting all round, especially from the protagonist, and sadly they've already packed up and headed back to Cam, but I did hear mutterings it would go elsewhere, so please do see it if it does!
Fringe Refreshments of the Day- Fleeing home for steak pie and roast potatoes chez parents. Even I'm not mug enough to stay in the town to be trampled by fervent Manolos clattering to the next hummus stop.
And now I must sleep, despite being a day behind on my scribblings. Weekday quietness invites an earlyish start at the shows!
