LA-based actor, comedian and writer Woody Fu is a frequent presence on US TV screens - and has some experience of performing at the Fringe before in some of our favourite shows - so it's great to see him headed to Edinburgh with his own, very promising solo show.
It's an homage to both Keanu Reeves and his alter-ego John Wick, and I sense that it will be a very funny and unique experience.
To find out more about Woody, and the show, I arranged a pre-Fringe chat.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
Woody Fu performs 'One Man John Wick' at The Crate at Assembly George Square Gardens from 30 Jul-24 Aug. Find the edfringe listing here.
CANDACE BRYAN: MILF - MOM I’D LIKE TO FIND
Candace Bryan isn't a stranger to the Fringe and you may well have witnessed her first foray into the fray back in 2023.
But this year she presents her first one hour show and we are very much here for it, not least because of the real life experiences it draws on.
'MILF' sees Bryan exploring events that befell her in 2024, while also telling the story of growing up without her mother present, and what happened when she came back into her life.
I put some questions to her ahead of the Edinburgh run.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
Candace Bryan performs 'MILF - Mom I'd Like To Find' at Just The Tonic Nucleus, 31 Jul - 24 Aug. Find the edfringe listing here.
EDINBURGH ROUND-UP: BOOK FESTIVAL, BBC CUTS, FILMHOUSE
As the Edinburgh Festival gets ever closer once again, TW Backstage provides regular updates on key announcements and developments.
This time, the Edinburgh International Book Festival announces its 2025 programme, BBC cuts back coverage of Edinburgh's festivals, Edinburgh Filmhouse to re-open this month.
CLICK HERE to read this Edinburgh Round-Up.
KIDS' STUFF>>
The Great Big Dinosaur Show | Half Moon Theatre | 19-21 Jun
There's something about sunny weather that makes me think of both festivals and children's shows, and that may be why we have a section of each of those things this week. Let's start over at the Half Moon Theatre for something that surely any child aged four to eleven would find alluring, because it involves dinosaurs. Info here.
The Boy With Wings | Polka Theatre | 21 Jun-16 Aug
"When Tunde sprouts wings and learns that his father is a ferocious alien warrior, he's all that stands between the galaxy and total destruction. Luckily, his rag-tag group of pals have got his back". One for the older kids, this - guidance suggests a seven to twelve age range - adapted by Arvind Ethan David from Lenny Henry's book of the same name. Click here.
Three Little Vikings | The Albany | 22 Jun (pictured)
This one looks fun and will be suitable for a fairly wide demographic aged three to ten: "Once upon a time in a Viking village, everything seems to be going wrong. The silly Chieftain won't listen to the three littlest Vikings, but can they work together to figure out what's going on and save the day?" Find more info and book your tickets here.
FESTIVAL STUFF>>
Life Learnings Of A Nonsensical Human | Omnibus Theatre | 22 Jun
Right, time for that second sunshine-inspired category, and firstly we're headed to the Omnibus Theatre, where the venue is poised to host another 96 Festival, which, if you didn't know, is a celebration of queerness and performance. I reviewed the line-up and took a fancy to this, a debut spoken word theatre show from the excellent Jenny Foulds. More here.
Dan Lees: Vinyl Countdown Vol II | Soho Theatre | 19 Jun (pictured)
Woohoo, another returner, and this time it's the wonderful London Clown Festival, which takes place at Soho Theatre and Jacksons Lane. Dan Lees has won much acclaim at edfringe for his exemplary work recreating the covers of vinyl albums he finds in charity shops and, even if he hadn't, I'd tip him for having come up with that punny show name. Click here.
Beneath The Waves | St Mary's Church | 20 Jun
Yay, and look at that, this is double sunshine, for it is both a festival event and a children's show. For lo, this is a return to the previously tipped Wandsworth Fringe, where you can see and do so many good things at the moment, and this show is definitely one of those, an immersive experience that brings the wonder of the sea to life. Info here.
LGBT THEMES>>
Who Is Claude Cahun? | Southwark Playhouse Borough | 18 Jun-12 Jul
Now for a section on LGBT stuff, which is obviously deeply appropriate right now because it's Pride Month. This is about Claude Cahun, born Lucy Schwob, artist and writer of the surrealist movement in 1930s Paris, who used guerilla art to resist occupying forces in 1940s Jersey. Head to the venue website here for more info and to book.
Bi-Topia | Seven Dials Playhouse | 17-22 Jun (pictured)
Our reviewer who saw this in Edinburgh loved this show, so it's great to see it on in London meaning I can recommend it. It's a coming of age story, written and performed by Sam Danson - 'a self-confessed people-pleaser' - who "explores the highs and lows of the bisexual experience, whilst growing up in a military family". Details here.
This Bitter Earth | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 18 Jun-26 Jul
This is actually more about race, and class, and unconditional love, I think, than queer themes, but the protagonists are gay men so I think that counts: "Jesse, an introspective black playwright, finds his choices challenged when his boyfriend, Neil, a white Black Lives Matter activist, calls him out for his political apathy". More here.
MORE GREAT STUFF>>
Press | Jack Studio Theatre | 17 Jun-5 July
Yay, one last section, and as ever, they're all fab. This one's a critically acclaimed play from Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller that sees film producers David and Kate frantically trying to avoid a potentially career killing backlash after they accidentally cast a white man as a historical character who was actually black. Read more about it here.
One Way Out | Brixton House | 18 Jun-5 Jul
"Best friends Devonte, Paul, Tunde and Salim are about to finish college. As life pulls them in different directions, an earth-shattering event forces these friends to confront the harsh realities of the world around them". A powerful debut play by Montel Douglas that offers a touching coming-of-age story about identity, belonging and survival. More here.
Open Source Intelligence And Counterinsurgency For The Jobbing Hater | The Space | 19-21 Jun
It almost doesn't matter what this is about really, because they had me at that amusingly long and unwieldy title. But to be fair, this does look great, a comedy about a woman with anger issues who is stalking another woman in order to feel better about herself. Not on for long so make sure you don't miss it, head this way now and sort tickets.
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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. Published by and © UnLimited Media | unltd@unlimitedmedia.co.uk Send London press releases to caro@unlimitedmedia.co.uk Send Edinburgh press releases to TWedinburgh@unlimitedmedia.co.uk You can read our Privacy & Data Policy here |