Edinburgh Fringe
Edinburgh Festival 2018 reviews: Ulster American / Cold BloodMonday, 06 August 2018Ulster American ★★★★★ David Ireland’s brand new, brutally incendiary black comedy gleefully tosses a grenade into any lazy liberal sensibilities at the festival (and, let’s face it, there are plenty of those). Race, gender, rape, prejudice... Read more... |
Best of 2017: ComedyThursday, 28 December 2017The Edinburgh Fringe is usually the high point of the year for comedy, but in truth it wasn't a solid five-star year – although there were some stand-out performers. And if the test of good comedy is the shows that stay with you, and which you want... Read more... |
The League of Gentlemen, BBC2 review - an anniversary to celebrateThursday, 21 December 2017In 1994, a group of students at Bretton Hall drama school – Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith – began writing and performing together. They took as their name the title of a Jack Hawkins film, The League of Gentlemen,... Read more... |
Natalie Palamides, Soho Theatre review - delightful and disturbing show about motherhoodMonday, 13 November 2017It's not often the publicity material for a comedy show has a health advisory attached. If you are allergic to eggs you may have to give Natalie Palamides' show Laid – which won best newcomer at the lastminute.com Edinburgh Comedy Awards at the... Read more... |
Edinburgh Festival and Fringe 2017 reviews round-upMonday, 21 August 2017Wondering what on earth to choose between as you tramp the streets of the festival? These are our highlights so far.STANDUPAthenu Kugblenu, Underbelly Med Quad ★★★ Strong debut hour of political and identity comedyCally Beaton, The Caves ★★★★ Single... Read more... |
Edinburgh Fringe 2017 reviews: Ingrid Oliver / Darren Harriott / Jayde AdamsMonday, 21 August 2017Ingrid Oliver ★★★★ Ingrid Oliver is an old Edinburgh hand as one half of the sketch duo Watson and Oliver, but this is her debut solo show, and a very fine one it is. The set-up in Speech! is that she plays various characters giving speeches –... Read more... |
Edinburgh Festival 2017 reviews: Meet Me at Dawn / The Shape of the Pain / Wild BoreFriday, 18 August 2017Meet Me at Dawn ★★★★★ Edinburgh-based playwright Zinnie Harris is the subject of a particular focus at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, with three productions in collaborations with leading Scottish theatre companies. Her... Read more... |
Edinburgh Fringe 2017 reviews: Hannah Gadsby / Suzi Ruffell / Ivo Graham / Athena KugblenuThursday, 17 August 2017Hannah Gadsby ★★★★This is Hannah Gadsby's last show, she tells us. Not because she has stopped being funny (she most definitely hasn't, as the laugh count in this show attests), but because making comedy out of her life experience has become toxic... Read more... |
Edinburgh Fringe 2017 reviews: Pike St / Box Clever / Sugar BabyTuesday, 15 August 2017Pike St ★★★★ London-based theatre company Paines Plough’s pop-up touring venue Roundabout has been a regular Edinburgh Fringe fixture for the past four years, nestled in nicely among the redeveloped veterinary buildings of Summerhall. And it’s been... Read more... |
Edinburgh Fringe 2017 reviews: Tom Allen / Cally Beaton / Lauren Pattison / TrumpageddonTuesday, 15 August 2017Tom Allen ★★★★ Tom Allen is celebrating his 10th year at the Fringe, and he appears to be having a ball – and so do we. He bounds on stage full of energy and does a fantastically strong 10 minutes' interaction with the audience, and... Read more... |
Edinburgh Fringe 2017 reviews: Kiri Pritchard-McLean / Dad's Army Radio Hour / Elliot SteelMonday, 14 August 2017Kiri Pritchard-McLean ★★★★Appropriate Adult has an unlikely subject for comedy – Kiri Pritchard-McLean's work with vulnerable teenagers. But it proves rich territory as she recounts her relationship with one in particular, 15-year-old “Harriet... Read more... |
Edinburgh Fringe 2017 reviews: Tiff Stevenson / Jarlath Regan / Urzila CarlsonThursday, 10 August 2017Tiff Stevenson ★★★★“I identify as a 10!” Tiff Stevenson tells us in Bombshell. It’s a strong opener, particularly as she follows with: “And if you don’t agree you’re beauty-phobic.” It’s not to boast, though, more marking her territory in a show... Read more... |