MONDAY 7 AUGUST 2023 THISWEEKCULTURE.COM
The Edinburgh Festival is well and truly up and running! And ThreeWeeks is covering it all once again with interviews, reviews and Three To See recommendations.

We have more Edinburgh Festival interviews for you in this week's TW Weekly bulletin, plus the final sets of Threes To See and our first batch of reviews. Look out for more interviews and reviews going live everyday on the ThreeWeeks website.

And why not follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (or X if you prefer) for alerts on all the latest content as it goes live?

We will also be back in your inbox with the bonus extra edition of the bulletin on Thursday with lots more Edinburgh Festival coverage.

Meanwhile, here in the Monday edition of the bulletin we continue to cover great comedy, theatre and culture in London - with another interview for you and this week's London Threes To See coming up below the Edinburgh coverage.

So, let's get going...


ROBYN HUNTER: THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERNOVA DE LOUTHERBERGH
You know we love firsts here at TW Towers and there are lots to be found at the Fringe, and here's our latest find.

'The Adventures Of Supernova De Loutherbergh' is a new play, written and performed by Fringe first timer Robyn Hunter and directed by experienced actor-writer Bernice Leigh, who is making her directorial debut. 

The play tackles some serious subjects, but with a light comedic touch. I'm always keen to talk to promising newcomers - and Robyn certainly is that - so I spoke to her to find out more about the play and her hopes for the future. 

CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.

'The Adventures Of Supernova De Loutherbergh' is on at theSpace On The Mile until 12 Aug. See the edfringe listing here.


FAIZAL ABDULLAH: WHO TOOK MY MALAY AWAY?
'Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi? (Who Took My Malay Away?)' is a lecture-performance from actor Faizal Abdullah in which he explores his Muslim-Malay-Singaporean identity, seeking to address some misconceptions foreigners have about his home country and the people who live there.

Having won much acclaim when it was performed at the Vault Festival in London earlier this year, the show is being presented at Summerhall this Fringe. I spoke to Faizal to find out more.

CLICK HERE to read this Chris Meets interview.

'Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi? (Who Took My Malay Away?)' is being performed at Summerhall until 13 Aug. See the edfringe listing here.



CRIZARDS: THIS MEANS WAR
Will Rowland and Eddy Hare began performing sketch comedy together as Crizards in 2016 in order to enter the Leicester Square Theatre Sketch Off competition. Things progressed from there and - despite nearly calling it a day during the pandemic - they staged their first Edinburgh Crizards show last August with the rather well received 'Cowboys'.

They return this August with 'This Means War', a "wonky war epic" which, like 'Cowboys', is directed by Jordan Brookes. Keen to find out more about the duo and this year's show, I sent Will and Eddy a bunch of questions.

CLICK HERE to read this Chris Meets interview.

'Crizards: This Means War' is being performed at Pleasance Dome until 26 Aug. See the edfringe listing here.
ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses recommends shows to see at this year's Edinburgh Festival, in handy sets of three. Check out lots more tips on the website.


SCOTTISH WOMEN>>

Wonder Women: Dame Elizabeth Blackadder - A Celebration | The Scottish Gallery | until 26 Aug
Well, we are in Scotland and we love women, so why not have a full tips section that highlights the work of a native, female trio? The first of these women is sadly no longer with us, but her body of extraordinary work is, and that's what this exhibition in the Edinburgh Art Festival celebrates, highlighting work from seven decades of the artist's career. Click here for info.

In Conversation With Dame Evelyn Glennie OBE | Scottish Parliament | 9 Aug (pictured)
Coming up soon is the Edinburgh Festival Of Politics, which takes place at the Scottish Parliament and packs lots of events into a relatively short space of time. And the reason I am talking about this is because, yes, our next tipped event is on as part of the politics fest in partnership with the EIF. It's an in conversation with insanely talented percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. Click here for info and tickets.

Jenny Colgan: Flights Of Fancy | Baillie Gifford Sculpture Court | 13 Aug
All the different bits of the wider Edinburgh Festival will soon be up and running, won't they? We've just recommended something from the Art Festival and something from the Politics Festival, and now, by god, we're talking about a Book Festival event. It's a goodie, too: you get to spend time with the excellent Jenny Colgan who will be talking to Sally Magnusson about her new book. Click here for info and tickets. 


EARLY STARTS>>

When It Rains | Greenside @ Nicolson Square | until 12 Aug
Thinking about it, I'm not sure I've ever done an 'early starts' set of tips before and yet it seems like such an obvious thing to do, given how many avid Fringe-goers are looking for shows at atypical times in order to squeeze as many events into their day as possible. First up is 'When It Rains', a "thrilling and humorous exploration of 21st-century masculinity". Info and tickets here

Who Killed My Father | Summerhall | 22-27 Aug
And some more morning theatre for you now, this time 'Who Killed My Father' over at Summerhall, which is based on a book by Edouard Louis: "Growing up gay in a small town in France, Édouard endured the violence and homophobia of his alcoholic, right-wing father, a factory worker. Now, Édouard confronts his father, uncovering a startling connection between political decisions and his father's broken body". Info and tickets here.

PLEASE LEAVE (A Message) | Underbelly, Cowgate | until 24 Aug (pictured)
Now for something that sounds a little experimental, not least because it's got "devised, experimental" as its sub-genres in the Fringe Programme. And actually, it also sounds rather compelling, as the show attempts to "articulate a danger 10,000 years into the future", addressing the climate crisis through karaoke and personal memories. And the company behind this have a great name, check it out. Click here for info and tickets.


SHOWS WITH ANCIENT GREEK THEMES>>

Trojan Women | Festival Theatre | 9-11 Aug (pictured)
I am a big fan of ancient stuff and classical stuff, and myths and all that, so it didn't take much for me to find an Ancient Greek theme amongst all the events taking place at the Edinburgh Festival this summer. I mean, there were loads, actually, so I had to make tough decisions to get it down to three recommendations. But my first choice is the Edinburgh International Festival's 'Trojan Women', which looks amazing. Info and tickets here.

Athena | theSpace @ Surgeons Hall | 21-26 Aug
This one's a little different and you could argue that the connection to ancient Greek culture is maybe a bit more tenuous. It's an a cappella show, back by popular demand, that offers "a live experience that combines original music inspired by Greek mythology and fresh arrangements of modern hits". Which is interesting, right? Info and tickets here.

Maz Evans: Myths and Mayhem | Baillie Gifford West Court | 18 Aug
For this last one we're headed over to Edinburgh's beloved Book Festival and a date with Maz Evans, who is going to delight kids aged nine and over with a bit of a Greek adventure and an introduction to a "gang of misfit immortals". She's the author of internationally bestselling series 'Who Let the Gods Out?' and promises an anarchic hour of fun and games. Info and tickets here.
1/5 bad | 2/5 mediocre | 3/5 good | 4/5 recommended | 5/5 highly recommended


CABARET

The Extras Strike Back: A Musical Tribute To The Forgotten Heroes Of Star Wars (Glenn And Gehm)
They're only human, these Star Wars Extras. Well, not the Trash Worm or… ok, not human, but full of human passion and hope. The tone was set by the excited Trash Worm thrilled to be working on the Death Star. And who were the main characters before the glory days? Perhaps a hairdresser or someone in love with a different species who disturbingly loves them back. There's real chemistry between the three performers with clever, distinctly individual stage personalities that sweep the audience into their world. It's not for young children because of the inevitably dodgy light sabre references - an entire song - but you don't need to be a geek to enjoy this daft, excellently written and performed cabaret.
Greenside at Riddles Court, until 19 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Louise Rodgers]



CHILDREN'S SHOWS

The Alphabet Of Awesome Science (That Science Gang)

Professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge come onstage promising us 'big words and explosions'. And, to be fair, that's exactly what we get. Having frittered much of their opening eight minutes on a (somewhat underwhelming) song, they leave themselves 52 minutes to skip through the alphabet, one fancy word and one scientific experiment at a time, two minutes apiece. It's ambitious, breathless, and cleverly done, as Lexi's word explanation gives Noel a little time to set up the next experiment. It's all very tight, both in timing and delivery. If anything, a little too much so - the pace is relentless - but there is an impressive payload of information unloaded on young minds amongst a giddy array of visual spectacle.
Underbelly George Square, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | Bruce Blacklaw

Olaf Falafel's Super Stupid Show (20% More Stupider) (Impatient Productions)
There is a lot to be said for not talking down to children. Olaf Falafel embodies this fully, by being as silly as a six year old himself. Falafel's Super Stupid Show promises 120% stupid antics and he doesn't hold back: there are bumhole jokes coming out the wazoo. The varying energy levels (and fidget rate of the children) in the room do lend the show an inconsistency in tone. Falafel's pre-filmed segments feel flat after so much audience interaction, and at least one might have been more satisfying recreated live in the room. In comparison, kids will be giggling their heads off during the high-octane games and drawing tutorial.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Louise Jones]

Mog The Forgetful Cat (Old Vic, Royal & Derngate and The Wardrobe Ensemble)
Judith Kerr's original Mog book is over 50 years old, and The Wardrobe Ensemble's faithful adaptation for stage brings a warmth and familiarity that will make the show a brilliant introduction to theatre for little ones. The show focuses on several short stories centred on the Thomas family and a menagerie of larger than life animals, least of all a truly remarkable/bothersome cat. Mog is played by Georgina Goodchild, who prowls the stage with balletic physicality. Bookending the show is Tom England's charming pet shop owner-cum-storyteller Mr Bunce. England's audience interaction, and some excellent slapstick whilst Mog is escaping the V-E-T, make this a sure-fire hit for young children if their attention span can last an hour.
Underbelly George Square, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Louise Jones]



COMEDY

Myles And Dan Just Might Break A World Record Tonight (Myles and Dan)
Quick rapid sketches with a timer ticking down, who knew sketch comedy could be so intense? It massively surpassed my expectations. The eclectic and speedy nature of the sketches means you're still trying to process what's going on when the punchline hits, so it feels like there is barely enough time to absorb it before the next joke arrives. Dan and Myles are skilled entertainers and knew how to adjust when a joke didn't land, even humorously warning the audience about a potentially subpar sketch. It's a packed show, and I'm not even going to try and give examples, because I think it's wise to go into it with limited knowledge get the best experience. Who knows, maybe in your show, they will break that record?
Just The Tonic at The Caves, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Andrew Melrose]

Dominique Salerno: The Box Show (Alchemation)
The creative ideas for these sketches are certainly out of the box. While some skits are successful, others do fall short. This was partly due to the skits being too long, only eliciting a small chuckle, or having too many characters to keep track of. At times, I found myself wishing for the show to move on more quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed certain segments of the show, particularly those that delved into darker themes, prioritised the storytelling aspect, or when it tied back to a previous skit. Dominique Salerno's performance is incredible, as she seamlessly transitions between characters and costumes in the limited space whilst showcasing her singing and acting abilities. Smart concepts, fantastic performance, and a sprinkle of humour.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Andrew Melrose]

Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine (Rosalie Minnitt)
Lady of society Clementine is one day away from the dreaded fate of spinsterdom. She's going to do everything in her power to prevent it, no matter how deranged. This non-stop whirlwind through Clementine's quest for self-actualisation (via a man in possession of great fortune) is a fantastically camp affair that will appeal to fans of the 1997 Pride and Prejudice and absolute huns alike. Rosaline Minnitt does a fantastic job of making such a delusionally self-centred character riddled with internalised misogyny feel fleshed out and likeable. The humour is referential, delightfully anachronistic and a little absurd. The odd non-sequitur is sloppier than it's worth but overall it's a massively enjoyable romp into Regency-era womanhood.
Underbelly Cowgate, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Louise Jones]


DANCE + PHYSICAL

Schërzo (Slapstick)
Five musicians, a plethora of instruments and a wealth of silliness make for a fabulous hour's entertainment. Riffing off a wealth of classical staples while swapping seamlessly from violins and piano to the tuba and even alpine horns, the hugely talented ensemble keep up a steady stream of fantastic playing and visual amusement all the way through to a barnstorming tap finale (even if you hate tap, it's a doozy). This show isn't in the kids' section of the programme, but my two young co-reviewers were just as amused, impressed and entertained as I was. Both the musicality and the clowning are of the highest order, with impeccable comic and sonic timing. The ovation at the end was well-deserved. Joyous.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | Bruce Blacklaw


MUSIC

Celebrity Recitals 2023 - 1 (Matthew Owens)
The Scottish premier of new organ work 'Fifty Preludes and Fugues Book 2' by composer Howard Skempton was intriguing. Seated in medieval St Giles' Cathedral we watched a live stream from the organ loft of Owens introducing and playing this piece that he commissioned from Skempton through crowd funding. The 50 miniature organ pieces often lasted less than two minutes each and all stopped mid phrase - so how did they end? That was up to the individual listener's imagination. There are few new ideas in music but this came close, like listening to a teenager surfing a streaming service. The pieces themselves were varied and pretty; simply and wonderfully played. Owens chatted with us afterwards - a personal and friendly recital.
St Giles' Cathedral, run ended (Celebrity Recitals 2 and 3, with different organists, take place on 9 + 16 Aug).
tw rating 5/5 | [Louise Rodgers]

Who Walks This Path (Soul Circus)
Been a bit bashed? This gentle, therapeutic journey into the healing of grief with music may offer respite - especially if you fancy a song. There was more than a touch of the Brothers Grimm about the story; a childhood connection a diverse audience could have in common. We all learned to sing 'Who Walks This Path' in our capacity as the village choir and joined in at significant moments. Children were invited to suggest animals who might walk the path and the audience happily made the relevant sound effects. Unamplified folk singing with acoustic instruments and kindly artists provided an intimate show seeking connection between people in a simple, non-threatening way without shying away from the difficulties of life.
Greenside at Nicolson Square, until 12 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Louise Rodgers]

Tinderbox Orchestra (Tinderbox Collective)
Everyone back to the Reference Library for a really wild party! These energetic young musicians jumped out of their skins - in a well-rehearsed way - to entertain tonight. Like an electric chamber orchestra and band combined, instrumentalists stalked among the audience and alternately confronted and supported each other. The multicultural rock, folk and hip-hop inspired new writing featured wonderful singing, choreography and rapping. But this fun Made in Scotland Showcase event had a serious purpose inspiringly described in verse by community librarian Hannah who spoke compellingly about challenged local communities establishing musical instrument lending libraries. Her bardic performance was like an earlier Liz Lochhead. Good to be reminded music is something we actively do, not something that is done to us.
Edinburgh Central Library, various dates until 19 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Louise Rodgers]

Amazing Stories Of Blues And Soul: The Road Trip (Ken Wood And The Mixers)
Showmanship, humour and great songs for an enthusiastic audience revelling in unashamed nostalgia: this is a lively and informative romp through contemporary music history, using places in the USA as the reference points but starting magnificently and properly with UK's Canvey Island and Dr Feelgood. Lots of stories - some more shaggy dog than Snoop Dogg - and banter, eye watering suits and shoes, but the real star was the music. From John Lee Hooker's 'Boom Boom' to The Trammps' 'Disco Inferno' the band played a mixture of styles with aplomb. The trombone's slide seemed to be exploring the stage by itself as the horn section kept things jumping and I learned that Bobby Womack wrote The Rolling Stones' hit 'It's All Over Now'!
theSpace @ Niddry Street, until 12 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Louise Rodgers]



MUSICALS + OPERA

Tickle (LAMBCO Productions)
If you love shows like 'Rocky Horror' then this will definitely tickle your fancy. When two boys are stumbled upon by a tickling recruiter, they are introduced to this unique “wholesome sport”, and what follows is a completely extravagant and successful spectacle. The cast members are excellent in their roles and deliver truly accomplished performances, with stellar vocals. Sadly, there are too many musical numbers and the original songs are forgettable, and it feels like the show loses its momentum during the second half as though it is missing transitional moments from the narrative and thus constantly pushing the story too fast. That said, sometimes you need exactly this type of extravagance, and this certainly delivers as it had me tickled with laughter.
C cubed, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Andrew Melrose
]


THEATRE

Dough (Compagnie du Kaïros / Something for the Weekend)
In an ideal world, Dough's unnamed protagonist naively observes as a young child, nobody would need any money at all. That's just before being shipped off to a 'communist' summer camp that forcibly removes its youngsters' personal wonga for redistribution to the collective - followed by a helter-skelter, high-speed zip through a life in which every single relationship and interaction is founded on finance. There's plenty of knowing humour in writer/director David Lescot's birth-to-death three-hander, but far darker undercurrents, too. It's a brilliantly slick, pacey show, with Zach Lusk full of charm and energy in the central role, but perhaps so intent on hitting home with its thesis that it misses a few opportunities for surprise or contrast.
Pleasance Dome, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [David Kettle]

The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria (Out of the Forest Theatre)
With its tales of minorities demonised, incarcerated, shipped off abroad, the contemporary resonances of Out of the Forest Theatre's fast-moving ensemble show are clear. But this is far from a dry lecture: instead, the exuberantly entertaining 'The Brief Life…' crackles with pantomine-like energy, though it's ultimately a deeply moving examination of a barely known episode in World War II history, as the titular monarch vacillates between allegiance to the wartime powers and the inevitable consequences for his diverse population. There's an enjoyably Shakespearean richness to the machinations of his scheming politicians, as well as the sometimes misjudged decisions of Boris himself, captured charismatically by writer/actor Joseph Cullen in the title role. From pitch-black tragedy to scarcely believable farce, it's an all-singing, all-dancing joy.
Pleasance Dome, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [David Kettle]

It's a Motherf**king Pleasure (FlawBored)
Any review that rewards this show with fewer than four stars is ableist, according to disability-led FlawBored theatre's trio of performers. Nonetheless, that 4/5 below is unquestionably warranted by this savage, merciless (and screamingly funny) satire on identity marketing, disabled rights, cancel culture and more. What if disability were transformed into a global trend, and the privileged able-bodied made to feel like they were missing out by, let's say, being able to see? When blind influencer Ross gets sucked into the machinations of brand consultancy Rize, things ultimately plummet to a very dark place. For all its swaggering energy and righteous fury - and its endless metatheatrical asides - once FlawBored have taken their brutal conceit to its logical conclusion, the narrative nonetheless shudders to a shocked halt.
Underbelly Bristo Square, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [David Kettle]

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life (Quivering Dendrites)
I missed this show in 2022 and was keen to catch it early this year. Now an established international success, it's a fine piece of American storytelling, avowedly autobiographical with a modestly expressed view on how to live life. Keith Alessi's telling of his 'crooked journey' (summarised by the show's name) is both inspiring and brave, and he shares what he's learned unassumingly and without preachiness. I enjoyed discovering more about the banjo (including the jokes) and the Appalachian roots of authentic country music. There's a lovely moment when, brought up in an intellectual tradition, he finally 'feels the music'. Tomatoes only get a bit part but there's some engaging banjo playing. A good pick.
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Alan Cranston]

Anything That We Wanted To Be (Adam Lenson)
There is a me that could have thought of a clever opening sentence for my review of this brilliant show; for yes, the multiverse has made its way to the stage in this packed multimedia spectacular. Upon entering, you are immediately struck by the messy yet cool stage design, and Adam Lenson delivers a charismatic performance though I found myself wishing he had at least one breakout scene to fully showcase his potential. We embark on a music-filled, fast-paced multiverse timeline-jumping tale that centres a story of cancer at its heart. It is a lot, and it mostly delivers, though with the complex timeline it can be confusing. Make the right decision, however, and see this show before the other yous do.
Summerhall, until 27 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Andrew Melrose]

Vanya Is Alive (Cie OESAP, France)
Or Vanya is not alive. We share the distress of a Russian mother with conflicting news of the fate of her soldier son in Ukraine. We observe the compliance, or is it complicity, of neighbours and officials in a state where falsehood, fear, and contradiction rule. And then we watch her seemingly inevitable lonely and confused destruction. The performance is readily accessible to an audience familiar with, say, Orwell's '1984', though it's probably helpful quickly to tune into the meaning-reversed language of the piece. The script, rich with Slavonic irony, combines the concision of Chekhov, the absurdity of Kafka and the truth-telling of Havel. One actor performs many roles with understated virtuosity. Try to catch this engaging piece whilst it's here.
theSpace @ Symposium Hall, until 12 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Alan Cranston]

Home (Temper Theatre)
Someone must have told them: enough. The sheer onslaught of music and noise, plus incessant movement, restless lighting and prop changes, means it's tough to properly engage with this nonetheless slick five-hander from London-based Temper Theatre, which trades light and shade for the same sense of fraught intensity (and sensory overload) from start to finish. It's a huge shame, because of the clearly intense work that's gone into Temper's tale of a young girl, a climate tragedy, lots of trauma and ultimate reconciliation (though in truth, it's seldom entirely clear precisely what's happening). 'Home' is a deeply frustrating show, one that clearly brings together breathtaking skills and enthusiasm from its cast and crew, but doesn't seem to trust its audience to engage with simpler, clearer, stronger material.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [David Kettle]


ED NEWTON-REX: I STAND IN THE LIBRARY
Live From London is a digital festival originally created by the VOCES8 Foundation during the pandemic, and which returns once again this weekend, presenting nine concerts that together feature six centuries of music, filmed in locations around the world.

Among the performances going live on Saturday is the premiere of 'I Stand In The Library', a new piece by composer and entrepreneur Ed Newton-Rex which includes words generated by artificial intelligence. Ed has been working in the generative AI space for more than a decade, founding the company Jukedeck and now as VP Audio at Stability AI.

With generative AI becoming such a big talking point in the last year, I wanted to speak to Ed about what the technology is currently capable of, how he used it as part of the creative process for 'I Stand In The Library', and how the AI generated words impacting on the music he composed.

CLICK HERE to read this Chris Meets interview.

Live From London begins on 12 Aug with a series of online concerts to pick from on-demand. Ed's piece is part of the concert called 'To Sing Of Love' from the Voces8 Foundation Choir & Orchestra. 
Shows to see in London in the week ahead - including performances from people and companies we first discovered at the Edinburgh Festival.


CAMDEN FRINGE>>

Phrases | Hen & Chickens Theatre | 11-13 Aug
So much Fringe, so little time. For yes, the old edfringe has begun and meanwhile the lovely Camden Fringe continues. We have three picks from the latter for you this week, starting with someone we first met up at the aforementioned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Creator Lewys Holt presents this one-man dance, multimedia and spoken word performance, and he spoke to us about it last August: read our Q&A here and book your tickets here.

Juliet Meyers: This Flipping Rescue Dog Has Ruined My Life | Camden Comedy Club | 10 Aug
Here's someone else I first heard about up in Edinburgh, probably when my reviewers said things like "Meyers' personal anecdotes were endowed with insightful twists that demonstrated her sharp mind" and "jumping from one anecdotal punchline to another, the comedian is easily distracted, but this only leads to more laughs". So, I think you can definitely expect an anecdotal style and a very entertaining show. Info here.

Brown Girl Noise | The Hope Theatre | 13-16 Aug (pictured)
"What if we could just be happy figuring out who we were so we could grow up with that person, instead of growing up and then figuring it out?" A coming of age story, a rebellion and celebration, told through dialogue and spoken word, and telling how "four brown girls find their feet on British streets". Promises to be both heartwarming and funny, see the Camden Fringe website here for details.


LONGER RUNS>>

The Garden Of Words | Park Theatre | 10 Aug-9 Sep (pictured)
Now for some longer runs to get your teeth into. Not sure quite how you can better get your teeth into a longer run than a shorter run, to be honest, but somehow the imagery works in my head. Anyway, here's a great show to see! It's about an unlikely connection between a grown woman and an "offbeat" teen, who meet by chance in a Japanese garden and bond over classical poetry, shoe-making and bad cooking. More here.

Makeshifts And Realities | Finborough Theatre | 8 Aug-2 Sep
You know that as well as being fans of new and innovative stuff here at TW Towers, we are also very big fans of seeing new work continuing to be developed, and not only that but also - which is the relevant thing here - when long neglected, older works are staged anew. And that's exactly what we have here: A triple bill, two plays by Gertrude Robins and one by HM Harwood. All sound fab, read more here.

Trouble In Tahiti/Loyola | Arcola Theatre | 9-12 Aug/11-12 Aug
No, you're right, this isn't really a long run, but it's two events tacked together by me, so it feels longer. They're both on at Arcola's Grimeborn fest and I decided that I couldn't choose between them so please can you go and see both of them? There's Leonard Bernstein's 'Trouble In Tahiti', and a UK premiere for long lost 1720 Latin American baroque opera 'Loyola' by Domenico Zipolo. See at least one, promise?


SHORT STOPS>>

Teacher Of The Year | The Space | 8-12 Aug (pictured)
And now for the short stops - and yes, these really are genuinely short ones. We start over at The Space with 'Teacher Of The Year', a gritty new play by Lauren Page. "Liverpool, 1989-90, a time of rising unemployment and pent-up anger against Margaret Thatcher and the Tories. Kayleigh runs away from home on a coach heading for the anti-poll tax demonstrations in London". What happens next? Click here.

Paved With Gold And Ashes | Old Red Lion Theatre | 9-10 Aug
I kinda maybe thought it was all over for Edinburgh previews, but no, here's another one, and it looks great. 'Paved With Gold And Ashes' is on at Edinburgh's Greenside @ Infirmary Street venue from 14 Aug, but if you can't see it there, maybe you can see it in London instead. It's set against the backdrop of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York, an incident in which many perished, and which inspired workplace reform. See the venue website here.

The S Is Silent - on demand | The Space | until 9 Aug
It's been a while since we recommended anything digital - and we used to do it loads during and even post the lockdowns. But venues like The Space and Orange Tree Theatre have continued to offer streaming shows, which I think is a great thing for those of us who can't make it to the theatre. And I really want to see this - a performance featuring spoken word visual poetry and flamenco dance that retells the most important events of the Spanish civil war from a woman's perspective. Details here.
At TW:CULTURE we champion the best in fringe theatre, comedy and culture.

Year round, we pick the best shows happening in London and online each week, providing handy Three To See recommendations and interviewing the people behind those productions.

Plus each summer we also cover the biggest cultural event in the world: The Edinburgh Festival.


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