Culture
Fringe Review: Reginald D Hunter, Fluffy Fluffy Beavers
Reginald D Hunter was not as polished as one might expect from a comedy veteran but in a good way, says Alister Tenneb. ★★★★ I was reading the news on my way up to the show and saw ‘Reginald D Hunter show cancelled’. Not an auspicious sign. However, it turns out it wasn’t his show…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Margaret McDonald: ‘Jackie Kay is my absolute idol’
Margaret McDonald on her love of The Hunger Games, her favourite books of the year so far, and falling in love with Jackie Kay. The first book I remember reading: Probably not the first books I ever read in my life, but it has to be Mates Dates by Cathy Hopkins. That entire series had me in…
Read MoreFringe Review: Arturo Brachetti
★★★★★ When I walked into this show with my two children, aged 11 and 13, I didn’t know what to expect. Then the lights went down, a little man walked on to the stage, and we listened to a story about a childhood house and how the many rooms held many memories. We were lured…
Read MoreFringe Review: You & It, The Musical
You & It is told with a lot of compassion and humanity despite the twist, says Megan Amato. ★★★★★ Korean EG Musical Company’s You & It: The Musical will pull at the heart strings and make you question just how much you would do to be with the one you love. Mina and Gyujin were…
Read MoreFringe Review: Legend of the White Snake
A phenomenal production of Legend of the White Snake, says Megan Amato. ★★★★★ Legend of the White Snake, based on an ancient Chinese legend about a man named Xu Xian who unknowingly falls in love with a snake spirit named Bai Suzhen, was one of my most anticipated performances at the Fringe. The legend originates…
Read MoreFringe Review: Dear Billy
A poignant, colourful and hilarious performance about Scotland’s national treasure, says Ellie Forbes. ★★★★★ My cousin, a long time Billy Connolly fan, recently bought a striking piece by artwork Scotland’s national treasure. After buying the work he was able to chat to the Big Yin about his process as part of a Q&A put on…
Read MoreReview: Taiwan Season, Palingenesis
The power and control in each of the dancers movements is something truly to be commended, says Megan Amato. ★★★★★ They came out as one, linked hands, masked faces and white briefs. When the three of them moved, it was also in relationship to each other. Around each other, through each other, on top and…
Read MoreFringe Review: no no no please no god no, nevermind i’m fine
Sarina is a dynamic storyteller with impeccable timing, says Megan Amato. ★★★★ A small room, a dark space. One woman dramatizing her ‘life-changing’ experience of trying LSD. We have all met that person. The one who tried a psychedelic and claimed it opened the fourth realm of the universe, and they’re sorry we will never…
Read MoreInternational Festival Review: Ustatshakirt Ensemble
Megan Amato’s first experience with Kyrgyz music doesn’t disappoint. ★★★★★ My first experience with Kyrgyz music did not disappoint. Ustatshakirt Ensemble, a group of musicians reviving traditional Kyrgyzstan music with the Ustatshakirt Centre and the support of the Aga Khan Music Programme. Not only does the centre inspire a new generation of musicians but it…
Read MoreFringe Review: Jazz Emu, Knight Fever
Alister Tenneb says Archie Henderson’s production is the most creatively original he’s seen this year. ★★★★ I’m usually not a big musical comedy fan but thought I’d randomly give this show a go. I’m glad I did. Archie Henderson is the man behind Jazz Emu and Jazz wants to become a knight, badly. Very slick,…
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