We have more Edinburgh Festival interviews for you in this week's TW Weekly bulletin, plus another set of Threes To See and our first batch of reviews. Look out for more interviews and reviews going live everyday on the ThreeWeeks website.
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We will also be back in your inbox with the bonus extra edition of the bulletin on Friday 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 this week's London Threes To See coming up below the Edinburgh coverage.
So, let's get going...
GRAHAM KAY: PETE AND ME
It's always of interest to me when clearly successful comedians from overseas arrive in Edinburgh to perform at the Fringe for the first time, when - generally speaking - first Festival appearances from UK comedians tend to be a pretty/very early step in their careers.
In any case, this one, Graham Kay, has been on 'The Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon, which is pretty impressive. And despite that, this month you can see him at a venue near you - assuming you are in the Scottish capital.
His show also has a really interesting theme, so I thought it would be good to find out more. I arranged a quick chat.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
Graham Kay's 'Pete and Me' is on at Gilded Balloon Patter House until 26 Aug. Find the edfringe listing here.
ANDY LO: NO DRAGON NO LION
'No Dragon No Lion' from TS Crew began as a community performance project in Hong Kong during the pandemic, and was then developed into a 30 minute show through a residency at Edinburgh's Dance Base in 2022.
It then further evolved into a 50 minute performance, which appeared at last year's Fringe, and returns this year at C aurora. It combines elements of traditional Chinese dance with contemporary artforms and beatboxing to create a diverse and compelling spectacle.
I wanted to find out more about the journey the show has been on. And about TS Crew, who are also a key part of the Hong Kong Soul platform that is presenting three shows and two street artists as part of this year's Festival. I spoke to Company Manager and Producer Andy Lo to find out more.
CLICK HERE to read this Chris Meets interview.
'No Dragon No Lion' is on at C aurora until 25 Aug. Find the edfringe listing here.
JON LAWRENCE: ONE SUGAR, STIRRED TO THE LEFT
'One Sugar, Stirred To The Left' is a play with music written by Jon Lawrence, telling the story of a palliative nurse and ex-singer-songwriter who is commissioned by a patient to turn some poems he has written for his late wife and son into songs.
It's a very interesting sounding piece, accompanied by an album of music that features in the production. I wanted to find out more about the inspiration for the play, so spoke to Jon about that, as well as his varied career in the arts and his first experience of the Edinburgh Fringe last summer.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'One Sugar, Stirred To The Left' is on at theSpace at Surgeons' Hall until 17 Aug. Find the edfringe listing here.
There are many reasons for performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, but for many people, one key objective is progressing their career - and their business - as a creator, producer and/or performer. We asked a team of experts for their advice on how performers can best use the Fringe to progress their careers. Read our top ten tips here.
TW Backstage is presenting a panel discussion at Fringe Central this month. How can comedians grow their audiences and businesses through online channels and the UK live comedy circuit? Come learn from a panel of comedy industry experts at Fringe Central on Thursday 15 Aug. Find out all the info and get tickets here.
PERFORMERS WHO SOUND COLD>>
Chilly Gonzales | Usher Hall | 11 Aug (pictured)
Who could ever have predicted that there'd be three people performing at the Festival this year that we wanted to recommend and who all just happened to sound cold? I guess it's the wonder of the huge sprawling thing that is the Edinburgh Festival. And we start by heading over to the International Festival to see a very long term TW fave in action, piano maverick Chilly Gonzales, returning to the Scottish capital with the UK premiere of his latest show 'GONZO'. Find the EIF listing here.
Maggie Winters: Marguerite | Pleasance Dome | until 25 Aug
Brr. Glad you're all in the lovely, warm, year round balminess of Edinburgh as you read this. Anyway, we're heading over to the Fringe for a comedy show from Chicagoan (is that a word?) Maggie Winters, who is going to "tackle difficult subjects like depression and body image, while also ranting about Subway meatballs and her four year abstinence from drinking water". Info and tickets here.
Andrew Frost: Cards On The Table | Pleasance Courtyard | 4-26 Aug
I really like that all the people we wanted to recommend that sounded cold came from different places in the programme, it's good to have a variety, isn't it? Speaking of which, here's one from the actual Cabaret & Variety section of the Fringe programme, for lo, it's highly acclaimed card magician Andrew Frost. He's going to tell you all about how he got into this, the mechanics of sleight of hand, and more. Info and tickets here.
STAND-UP COMEDY DEBUTS>>
Otter Lee: Princess Syndrome | Just the Tonic at Cabaret Voltaire | until 25 Aug (pictured)
You know we always love to see comedy acts presenting their debut hour at this here Edinburgh Festival Fringe, so why not have a whole section devoted to them? Let's start with Otter Lee, who, if you're wondering about that title, was "was so moved by Princess Diana's death that he wept outside the palace while his father took pictures and laughed". Expect stand-up, storytelling and Disney parody. Info and tickets here.
Hannah Platt: Defence Mechanism | Pleasance Courtyard | until 25 Aug
In her debut show 'Defence Mechanism', Hannah Platt talks about a recent diagnosis of body dysmorphia and takes a look at the defence mechanisms we develop because of bad experiences, asking what makes us keep people at arm's length, and why it's so uncomfortable to be sincere and vulnerable... which sounds serious, but of course she'll do it in a funny way, she's not a winner/finalist in lots of comedy competitions for nothing. Info and tickets here.
Dr Jo Prendergast: The Cool Mum | Gilded Balloon Patter House | 4-25 Aug
This is a "parody of a personal development seminar for Gen Z-ers to Boomers" and it's already had a lot of success in the southern hemisphere for Dr Jo Prendergast, psychiatrist and author of teen mental health book 'When Life Sucks'. So, parents can learn a lot, I'm sure, about how to be cool at parenting. Unless you're already a very cool mum, like me. Cough. Info and tickets here.
SHOWS WITH THEMES OF ADDICTION>>
Addiction: The Truth | Laughing Horse @ Bar 50 | 12-16 Aug
There are actually quite a few addiction-focused shows at the Festival this year, so it was quite hard to narrow it down to three. We're starting in the spoken word section with a short run from Laughing Horse co-founder Kevin McCarron - academic, writer, purveyor of stand-up, addict - who will "mock the most cherished beliefs which have so disastrously dominated Western attitudes to drug addiction and alcoholism for the last century". Info and tickets here.
The Outrun | Church Hill Theatre | until 24 Aug
"A young woman finds herself washed up back home on the Scottish archipelago of Orkney. She has no idea how or if she can rebuild her life after a decade of addiction". Over to the International Festival for this one, a show based on Amy Liptrot's bestselling memoir, written by Olivier Award winner Stef Smith, which looks at the impact of isolation and loneliness, and the resilience of people. Info and tickets here.
Sisyphean Quick Fix | Pleasance Courtyard | 4-26 Aug (pictured)
Another play based on real life experiences, Bettina Paris's 'Sisyphean Quick Fix' is a comedy drama, directed by Nicky Allpress, that explores family, migration and, of course, the topic of addiction. "Krista lives in London. Pip lives in Malta. As long as they can remember, their father has always enjoyed a drink. Finally reunited, they're beginning to see things as they are". Info and tickets here.
CABARET
Kevin Quantum: Anti-Gravity (KQ Productions)
Playfully mixing impressive illusion, plentiful patter and a side-serving of science, Kevin Quantum, with the help of a number of both younger and grown-up volunteers from the enthusiastic audience, delivers an entertaining and at times bewildering hour of fun. The underlying theme is gravity, and so much of the time is spent variously defying it. His affable presence persuades the audience to play along, both those onstage and those seated. Come to think of it, several of those who go onstage are quite memorably both seated and unseated at various stages in proceedings. Overall, a very nicely judged mix of pleasing the crowd and, at times, himself (in a good way). All quite elevating, really.
Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | Bruce Blacklaw
CHILDREN'S SHOWS
Ancient Coins Of Forgotten Kingdoms (Mark Saltveit/PBH's Free Fringe)
An hour in a basement watching an enthusiastic hobbyist's Powerpoint about ancient coins has many hallmarks of being a terrible Festival call. And yet, somehow, Mark Saltveit holds the attention, curiosity and relative enthusiasm of young audience members throughout a whistle-stop tour of early currency. The TED talk bit is followed by a little 'show and tell' of coins and, although it wasn't there for this performance, there's apparently a 'hands on' bit, where you can have a go at making your own. Some simplifications of swathes of history may grind some scholarly gears, and a bunch of jokes don't really land but, again, most of the children present were curious and engaged from start to finish. Which is saying something.
PBH's Free Fringe @ Burrito 'n' Shake, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | Bruce Blacklaw
COMEDY
Dylan Mulvaney: FAGHAG (Wessex Grove Shows Limited)
Dylan Mulvaney found fame documenting her life online, but her first love is theatre, and her performing talent shines in 'FAGHAG': a hilariously high-camp, assuredly self-aware autobiography. Mulvaney's neon-saturated portrait of her childhood shows her discovering her gender, at Costco, Catholic school, and the Lush cosmetics counter; dutifully filling the role of her mother's 'twink son' and her peers' 'gay best friend', before coming out as trans catapults her to TikTok celebrity-status. Directed by Tim Jackson, this production is as glossy as a Fringe solo-show could get: slick design, Broadway composers, and multiple costume-changes. Yet what makes 'FAGHAG' compelling is Mulvaney. Radiating warm wit, she's utterly at home in this smart show that leans into queerness and away from palatability.
Assembly George Square, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Bizz Holmes]
Alfie Packham: My Gift To You Review
When Alfie Packham appears on stage, it's clear he is comfortable, and the audience immediately know they're in safe hands as he interacts with us and delivers jokes from the get-go. He is a bit awkward and self-deprecating in true English fashion but he is very likeable too, and we are laughing with him throughout the show. What makes this stand-up show engaging and powerful is that it is a balanced blend of gags and well-executed anecdotes, with a moving and poignant heart. Packham reveals personal details about his life and explores grief honestly and effortlessly. The structure of the show could be tighter and some segues slicker but the hour goes quickly; it is a joy to sit through.
Underbelly Bristo Square, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Sara Basso de Marc]
DANCE + PHYSICAL
It's Not My Body Chapter 3.5 / This is (Wong Tan-ki and Dick Wong @ Hong Kong Soul 2024)
A compelling double bill performance by two Hong Kong performers. A rectangular 'carpet' is placed in the centre stage in 'It's Not My Body Chapter 3.5', creating an attention-grabbing performing space for Wong Tan-ki to express his energy, movement and rhythm of the body under the unique spotlight. His control and expression are breathtaking. A table is the only part of the set of the second dance piece 'This is', performed by Dick Wong. The piece focuses on monologue, lighting, spacing, imagination and a sense of the philosophical, making it feel like the very definition of minimalist contemporary dance.
Assembly@Dance Base, until 11 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Noel Leung]
EVENTS
Iain Dale: All Talk With Alex Salmond (Seabright Live)
From Scottish Independence and Reform UK, to discussing his bond with the late Queen over horse racing, this talk provided a captivating insight into the current thoughts and past dealings of one of Scotland's most pivotal First Ministers. Iain Dale has sadly had to withdraw from his Fringe lineup due to sudden illness, but his replacement - fellow political commentator Matthew Stadlen - manages to create a witty repartee with Salmond. Humour allowed the discourse to cover serious topics, whilst keeping the audience engaged. Salmond's account of a phone call he'd had with Donald Trump and his spot on impression would have been enough for me to recommend it to any political enthusiast.
Pleasance at EICC, one date only (though events with other guests through to 11 Aug).
tw rating 4/5 | [Abigail Tobias]
MUSICAL THEATRE
A Jaffa Cake Musical (Gigglemug Theatre)
For great musicals, you must know why they're singing. No doubt about that here, for what could arouse more passion - or more of a song and dance - than whether a Jaffa Cake is a cake or a biscuit? Based on an actual VAT tribunal, as the prosecuting barrister's case crumbles so the newbie defence lawyer rises to the occasion, ending with a splendid coup de théâtre (originally used in the original tribunal case). With a confected back-story, snappy lyrics and pithy recitative delivered by a zestful cast, this show is pure delight. It's funny and clever, reducing this critic to despair at every cake and biscuit pun in the tin already having being consumed by the show. A sure-fire success.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Alan Cranston]
THEATRE
Seconds To Midnight (Love Song Productions)
Who cares if the world is ending, I need them to make up! Jo and Eddie are close friends but with immediate doom in the offing they reflect and contemplate on their friendship: it's not the lightest subject matter yet the light production and direction sucks you into the trapped apartment they find themselves in. Jessica Tabraham has written wonderfully detailed, engaging characters as well as a moving yet unnerving story with an ongoing clock ticking. Cosimo Asvisio and Elise Busset's acting is subtle and helped create a sense of realism despite the far-fetched premise. The story is told between acting and audio, and the time jumping transitions worked, though the ending felt a tad abrupt. Overall, this show warmed my heart like a rocket hitting the ground.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Andrew Melrose]
Burning Down The Horse (Fishing4Chips)
The Trojan horse. We all know the story but, as if told by ancient social media, we shall never know the truth. Odysseus got to tell the tale, but his version is thoroughly debunked here. He soon shows himself not the heroic leader we thought he was, as his efforts to gee up his troops fall flat. From the start it's clear that it's him versus us; with engaging, unforced audience participation. As the show gallops along, the other characters take up the running so keep your ears pricked as clever word-play, wooden jokes and groan-worthy puns race along along nose to tail. If you missed this show last year, then make sure to catch it this time around.
Pleasance Dome, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Alan Cranston]
44 Sex Acts In One Week (Clubhouse Productions)
'Let us make mankind and let them have dominion over...', well, pretty much everything. This intelligent and layered show skilfully picks apart that deeply embedded trope of western 'civilization'. Sexy and very funny, it is also thoughtful and provocative. The language is explicit but the action less so, even if there are some fruity exchanges. Layered into the show are vignettes of exploitation, submission, and the abuse of power. There's a parallel plot about the true nature of freedom, be it for estate agents, wolves or frogs. It's all confidently and expertly done with excellent performances, good production values and mosquitoes. It is of course the latter who have the last laugh as hubris, as it must, asserts itself.
Pleasance Dome, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Alan Cranston]
Paper Swans (Vyte Garriga and Flabbergast Theatre)
Famously, 'Waiting for Godot' was described as a play in which nothing happens, twice. In 'Paper Swans', a classically formed piece of absurdist theatre which owes something to Beckett, 'nothing' happens half a dozen times - on the surface at least. But there's intense interaction between the two highly stylised characters, one apparently rational the other seemingly not, and our understanding constantly moves forwards as the play explores the contrasting ways they, and we, find meaning in our existence. Each character, the rational more than the spiritual, struggles with understanding the other's perspective but an acceptance is ultimately found. Balletic, intelligent, elusive and sometimes funny, with fine supporting music, this is great theatre for those who love the art form.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Alan Cranston]
Rebels And Patriots (Floating Shed)
As the world watches the Middle East conflicts in horror, this well constructed piece illuminates how Israeli Defence Force conscripts deal with their situation. We see four friends with different backgrounds and dispositions each struggling in their own way. Based on true stories, the strongly drawn characters switch between bickering, arguing, escapism and supporting each other. A piece such as this cannot be expected to offer new thinking on the conflict in the region but some of the complexities are made real via the personal experiences of conscripts opposed to the war. With an emphasis on the mental health of participants, it also has something wider to say about how those with a duty of care look after our young people.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Alan Cranston]
Masquerade Mask (Fraternal Compagnia)
Punch and Judy! Most of us know the seaside favourite is old and rooted in the Commedia dell'Arte. This funny, clever and engaging piece tells more about the Commedia's origins and pervasive influence, from Shakespeare to pantomime and on into a flourishing living form. Many principal characters appear but this is far from a parade or history lesson, it's a fully formed show. Seemingly effortless artistry all but conceals the performers brilliant clowning, vocal and mime skills. We're taken from the very beginnings of the form, in a sketch that will especially amuse children (this is very much a show for adults which children can also enjoy) through a hilarious Macbeth cauldron scene to a virtuoso Harlequin. Brilliant, informative, entertaining.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug,
tw rating 5/5 | [Alan Cranston]
Breathe (Half a String)
A song thrush sings above a delicately lit stage. As we settle, we enter a calmer world - albeit one with its own energy and complexity. Welcome to the forest; and to its myriad inhabitants, especially woodpeckers, mycelium, leaves, slaters and acorns. The early life of the last of these forms the story, as it learns and grows, eventually to become an emergent tree. The puppetry here is top notch, alongside vocalisation, music and the skilled use of technology to present the intricacies of nature. Though at times the varying forms compete for attention, this is a skilful, imaginative and engaging piece which finds a path between education and enthralment, anthropomorphism and mystery. The children in our audience were captivated.
Pleasance Dome, until 18 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Alan Cranston]
CAMDEN FRINGE>>
Save The Princess | Hen & Chickens Theatre | 11-14 Aug (pictured)
Do you know what I think? I think it might be tricky for me to find enough London stuff I wanted to tip in August were it not for the fabulous Camden Fringe, so bless it for keeping those of you in the capital entertained in the summer months. Here's a first pick for this week, an interactive show where audiences influence the direction of the performance from their smartphone, which won friends at last year's edfringe. Info here.
Open Call | The Courtyard Theatre | 7-10 Aug
And would you believe it? Here is another interactive show for you. It's almost like there is a theme here or something. Except that there isn't, because the third show isn't interactive. Anyway, for this musical theatre cabaret, you're in an audition room deciding the fate of aspiring performers, deciding who gets the leading role, amongst other things. We're promised a "night of high stakes, dazzling performances and unexpected twists". Click here.
I Believe In One Bach | Etcetera Theatre | 7-11 Aug
"Ageing violinist Alan Gottlieb is content to sit at the back desk of the seconds, coasting his way to retirement. Shunned by colleagues, management and friends, and facing his own feeling of inadequacy, he reaches for inspiration from Bach". This run of a new and intriguing play from award winning screenwriter and performer Chris Brannick is our final Camden Fringe tip. Or is it? Anyway, see the festival site here to find out more.
MORE CAMDEN FRINGE>>
Doomscrolling | Camden Comedy Club | 8-9 Aug
Aha! More Camden Fringe for you, we weren't done after all. This section is slightly different in character though because the last set of tips was for more theatrical stuff, this set of recommendations is for things labelled comedy. First up, former journalist and ex-professional doomscroller Suchandrika Chakrabarti "tries to explain the news to her niece (aged five) and speculates about the future (because no one can say she's wrong)". Details here.
Nick Elleray: Sassy Unit | Camden Comedy Club | 10, 11 +25 Aug
"Hey guys, it's another show from Nick Elleray, which means jokes and talking and oh god why am I pretending you're not just going to look at some clips online and base your decision on that? That's what I'd do. You go do that and I'll crack on with writing a funny show". Or, you could take it from us, having seen and enjoyed Nick Elleray's sterling work up at edfringe, that this is definitely a show worth seeing? Info and booking right about here.
Thao Thanh Cao: Marmalade / Confessions Of A Comedian | multiple venues | until 9 / 15 Aug (pictured)
Australian comedian Thao Thanh Cao is doing two shows at the Camden Fringe, on a variety of dates and at a number of venues, and I think it's definitely worth tracking her down for at least one of them. 'Confessions Of A Comedian' sees her talking about topics such as tattoos, TikTok, travel, toilets and true crimes, while 'Marmalade' does not feature any jokes about oranges. Find out more about both shows here.
MORE FAB STUFF>>
Boxville | Little Angel Theatre | 9-11 Aug (pictured)
There is some life outside of Camden Fringe this week and I am now going to tell you about some of it. As it's the school holidays, I like to tip the odd young-person show over the summer, so here's the latest. On as part of Little Angel Theatre's ongoing Children's Puppet Festival, 'Boxville' offers a "STEM skilled, hands on, interactive, cardboard adventure" in which you will meet paper dragons, corrugated crabs and cardboard space robots. Aimed at five to elevens, info here.
Infernal: A Bronte Story | White Bear Theatre | 6-10 Aug
I thought as soon as I saw the title 'Infernal' that this was going to be about Branwell Bronte (it's because I read 'The Infernal World Of Branwell Bronte' by Daphne du Maurier) and it is: it focuses on the ill-fated young man's relationship with his far more famous and successful sisters, in particular his complicated relationship with Emily and his rivalry with Charlotte. Poor Branwell. See this page here for more information.
Scriptspace Week | The Space | 6-10 Aug
Finally for this week, a tip for a whole week of events, a series of original script readings from a variety of writers covering lots of very interesting different themes, and you can see them all in person or via a livestream. There's 'Ivy Day' by Arianna Muñoz, 'Creation Myth' by Elin Caracoglia, 'HAG' by Anna Marsland, 'GLITCH' by Sophie Huggins, 'Happy Endings' by Grant Corr and 'Half Truths And Hleów-Feðer' by Imogen Bole. See all the listings here.
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