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Hello there. Here we go again with the latest edition of the TW Weekly, introducing two more shows heading to this year's Edinburgh Fringe, alongside this week's cultural recommendations for London. In terms of interviews, this week I chat to Adam Lenson about the cult musical 'The Quentin Dentin Show' which opens in London this week and Chloe Mashiter about the great show she is presenting at the Edinburgh Fringe this August. And Chris talks to writer and performer Nicola Wren about her new one-woman show 'Replay' which will be playing at the Pleasance in Edinburgh. Add to that this week's Three To See tips, and that's lots of great things to check out, both this week in the capital, and if you are heading to the Fringe this August. Don't forget if you are performing at the Edinburgh Festival this year, you will find lots of useful information on the ThreeWeeks website - first on how to make sure your show is on our radar here and second on how you can build profile and sell more tickets by buying adverts here. Have a great week, Caro Moses Editor, ThreeWeeks Edinburgh and ThisWeek London |
The Edinburgh Fringe is well known as a testing ground for different and interesting stuff, and I'd say that 'Adventurers Wanted!' very much fits into that description.
The show - if 'show' is really the right word - is basically a marathon session of a table-top role-playing game, which Fringe-goers can observe as audience members, or get more involved with by becoming a player.
To get to the bottom of exactly what to expect from the production, and to find out what inspired it, I spoke to the creative force behind the project, Chloe Mashiter. Read the interview here.
'Adventurers Wanted: A 250-Hour Epic Tabletop Roleplaying Game' is on at Edinburgh Fringe 2017 at Sweet Holyrood from 2-28 Aug.
If you were up at the Fringe in 2015, you might have been fortunate enough to catch '501 Things I Do In My Bedroom', a one woman show which met with a very warm response.
Its creator, Nicola Wren, is returning to Edinburgh this year with another one person play, this one supported by one of our favourite companies: DugOut Theatre.
I decided to find out more about 'Replay', and Nicola's other projects, ahead of her Festival run. Read the interview here.
'Replay' is on at Edinburgh Fringe 2017 at Pleasance Courtyard from 2-28 Aug.
You might already have caught a performance of cultish musical 'The Quentin Dentin Show' in one of its previous outings at the Arts Theatre and up at the Edinburgh Festival, but if you haven't, you've missed a treat.
Fortunately, the show begins a new run at the Tristan Bates Theatre imminently, this time with director Adam Lenson at the helm. I spoke to Adam to find out more. Read the interview here.
'The Quentin Dentin Show' is on at Tristan Bates Theatre from 20 Jun-29 Jul, see the venue website here for info and to book.
FRIDAY 16 JUNE 2016 >>
Bad Girls - The Musical | Pleasance Theatre | 16-18 Jun
'Bad Girls', based on the TV show of the same name and set in the same fictional gaol, HMP Larkhall, tells the story of a new and idealistic governor who finds herself battling with a staff of prison officers who are stuck in their ways and resistant to change. As established up there in the title, it's a musical, so you can also expect colourful characters and a love story for good measure, in a show that promises to be fresh, funny and original. Click here for more info.
When We Were Birds | The Space | 16 -18 Jun
"An old Gypsy legend states that in times immemorial, Gypsy people were not human, but birds. And one day they had to shed their wings and were forced to wander the Earth. Why? What did they find and lose during their endless meanderings?" This sounds fab, a retelling of a traditional legend, told by the YAGORI Romany/Gypsy Dance Troupe via a blend of theatrical performance, dance and song. See this page here for detalis.
Rose Matafeo Is Finally Dead | Soho Theatre | 15-17 Jun
I have tipped this show before, but I am quite literally going to go ahead and tip it again, because I want to make sure as many people see it as possible because it is so excellent. And if you don't believe me, take it from one of my colleagues who saw it last summer in Edinburgh and thought it was fabulous. See the venue website here to book your tickets.
SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2016 >>
Rituals For Change | Battersea Arts Centre | 14-24 Jun
Award-winning UK theatre maker and performer Emma Frankland presents this semi-autobiographical show about change and transgender identity, created in collaboration with Eilidh MacAskill, and told via a blend of live performance, visual art and striking imagery. Emma is an associate artist with one of our favourite companies, Coney, and is a two time Fringe First award winner, so I think we can absolutely depend on this to be ace. See this page here for all the info.
The North! The North! | New Diorama | 17-18 Jun
"It begins with a phone call and some shocking news. A young man, seeking vengeance for the wrongs of the past, begins a quest that will lead him on an extraordinary, surreal journey from the lights of the City back to where it all began: the dark and bloody heart of the North. There monsters lurk and a reckoning waits". The very excellent Rhum and Clay present what's described as a "dark contemporary myth" about a giant divide between the north and the south of England. Click here for details.
Edgar Allan Poe Double Feature | Jack Studio | 6-24 Jun
If you're a fan of the dark and gothic works of Edgar Allan Poe, then hasten ye to this double bill of plays based on two of his tales, 'The Masque of the Red Death' and 'The Fall of the House of Usher'. Actually, even if you are not a fan you should consider going to see this anyway, because it will probably prove to be an atmospheric and helpful introduction. See the venue website here for more.
SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2016 >>
Golf Course War Machine | The Hope Theatre | 18-19 Jun
This may become a theme over the next few weeks, but, if you are the type that can't go to edfringe this year, but would like to know what you'll be missing, here's one for your to see list. The show is about Pippa, a political protestor staging her own personal protest on the Coldra roundabout in Newport, and explores questions of political identity, and what it means to fight for what you believe in. See the venue website here for info.
Police Cops In Space | New Diorama | 18 Jun
Well, looks like it's not just a theme for the next few weeks, I should have said "couple of tips", for lo, here's another show that's headed north to the Edinburgh Festival later this summer. You might remember the company behind this show - The Pretend Men - from their previous production 'Police Cops', and obviously, this is a sequel to that, and if it's anywhere near as good as the last one, it will be completely and absolutely super. Click here for details.
zaZu - Raisins To Stay Alive | Soho Theatre | 19-22 Jun (pictured)
"With 24 hours left to live, this is a tale of forbidden love, a reluctant hero and raisins. In fact, this is everything you might expect from a pre-apocalyptic day in a parallel universe". You must know by now how much we love these guys, so if you still haven't done what we keep telling you to do (go see one of their shows) then it really, really, really is about time you did. Hurry up, go and book, before it sells out.
MONDAY 19 JUNE 2016 >>
Jamie Saves The World | Old Red Lion Theatre | 19 Jun
This sounds fun: "An epic, one man Sci-Fi adventure, taking us on a "hero's journey" through wormholes, romance, hangovers, semantics, danger, Bruce Springsteen, comedy and the fate of the universe!" Especially as it promises to be unlike anything you have ever seen before, though admittedly heavily influenced by "everything you've seen before". See this page here for details.
Trinity | The Asylum | 19-22+26-27 Jun (pictured)
Brought to you by an acclaimed group of international artists - Brave New Worlds, a collective based in the South-East of England and Lithuania - 'Trinity' explores how women's bodies have been depicted through the ages, and offers a very visually striking treat accompanied by an immersive sound experience. This won praise up at the edfringe last summer, definitely expect something fabulous and affecting. Click here for all the info.
Swing Out | Underbelly Festival | 19 Jun
Hurrah for swing, and this invitation to step back in time to the early twentieth century for an evening of vintage dancing and live music. It all kicks off with a dance class so that you know what you are doing, before you spend the rest of your night getting down to the sounds of the jazz age. There are three more events like this over the summer, too, see the Underbelly website here for more.
TUESDAY 20 JUNE 2016 >>
Food | Finborough Theatre | 20 Jun-15 Jul
"On a stretch of Australian highway, sisters Elma and Nancy run their family takeaway joint - their days heavy with deep frying and memories. While they quietly wage war with their past and dream of a brighter future, a young life-loving Turkish traveller arrives, bringing a charm and sensuality that turns their world upside down". This sounds rather interesting, and is the work of an acclaimed playwright, directed by a great director, so it all seems a bit win-win. See the venue website here for info.
The English Heart | Etcetera Theatre | 13 Jun-2 Jul (pictured)
A new comedy from Matthew Campling, whose 'Abominations' won praise and an award nomination when it was on at the Etcetera last year. 'The English Heart' is set in in contemporary times in Boston, Lincolnshire, which, topically, is the area of the UK that polled the highest percentage of votes to leave Europe. It focuses on Andre, who, after a period in South Africa, has returned home to the UK and decides to buy his old family farmhouse from married couple Marie and Jake, who frustrate his desire for peace and solitude. See this page here for details.
The Quentin Dentin Show | Tristan Bates Theatre | 20 Jun-29 Jul
It's described as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the new Millennium", and during previous runs it's garnered the sort of attention and critical responses that have ensured a burgeoning cult status. Quentin Dentin's on a mission to make humanity happy via his music therapy, and I pretty much guarantee that musical-lovers will be hugely pleased by the show's original soundtrack, live rock band and fab choreography. Click this link for more.
WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2016 >>
Sisters And Goose | The Bill Murray | 21 Jun
I thought it was probably about time for another Edinburgh comedy preview, as there is no shortage of them just now, and I have chosen this one, a double bill from two different acts, one of which I absolutely know and love, the other which I am not yet overly familiar with but which I have high hopes for, so them's good odds. See this page here for all the info.
The Penelopiad | Jacksons Lane | 21-24 Jun
If you weren't previously highly aware of the work of the writer Margaret Atwood, you probably are now, given the high profile TV series currently airing based on her novel 'The Handmaid's Tale'. This is the theatrical version of her 2005 novella, a retelling of the myth of Odysseus expressed from a female perspective, and is staged as part of Mountview Academy's postgraduate season. Click here for more.
Sooz Kempner - Sooz on Film | Museum Of Comedy | 21 Jun (pictured)
And another taster of northerly treats to come. This one isn't actually advertised as an Edinburgh preview, but it is, because this show will be on up at the Fringe this summer, although I think it was already on at the Brighton Festival, so maybe it doesn't count as a preview after all. Anyway, the excellent and acclaimed Sooz Kempner presents this new set in which she shares her love of films, and the sentiment that great movies can change your life. See the venue website here for details.
THURSDAY 22 JUNE 2016 >>
Refugee Week Double Bill | Battersea Arts Centre | 22-24 Jun
A double bill of film and live performance marking Refugee Week, with box office proceeds going to Universal Language: I Speak Football, a local organisation that empowers young people who have English as their second language. The film, 'London Stories: Made By Migrants' tells the stories of people from all over the world who have made London their home, while the performance, 'Still Waiting' focuses on personal experiences in the Calais refugee camp. See this page here for more information.
Abigoliah Schamaun - Namaste, Bitches | Camden Comedy Club | 22 Jun (pictured)
"What's the point in pursuing enlightenment when you could just put your feet up & knock back a bourbon? And what passes for happiness these days? Abigoliah is a certified Bikram Yoga instructor; she's run marathons and Tough Mudders, participated in Crossfit competitions... why would she bother when you're just as likely to find those sweet endorphins at the bottom of a pint glass?" The very excellent Abigoliah Schamaun tackles our relationship with wellness and happiness with no-doubt hilarious results. Head this way for details.
Mad Man Sad Woman | The Space | 20 Jun-8 Jul
This powerful play from award-winning Chilean playwright Juan Radrigán gets a UK premiere, and it's quite timely, actually, given the themes: the focus of the play is on the plight of those forced to live on the margins of society, which seems highly pertinent, given the recent effects of austerity on our own country, and fact that it's starting to look like people have had enough. See the venue website here.
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