Sex, social commentary and Ian McKellan in a dance Hamlet: where else but the first full fringe since 2019, with standouts including Sheeps, Bilal Zafar and ‘a show without actors’Day five of the festival. My friend Ani is stretched out, comatose, on a…
Continue ReadingStand-up comic Red Richardson on his pedigree comedy childhoodDriving Rik Mayall around would be entertaining work for anyone, but for the young Red Richardson, the job he had in his 20s was the continuation of a childhood bond.Mayall, who died suddenl…
Continue ReadingPleasance theatre cancels Scottish comic, saying his material ‘does not align with our values’The Scottish comedian Jerry Sadowitz has had his Edinburgh fringe show cancelled by the venue after complaints from staff and audience members.Sadowitz played…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghMischief Theatre are up to their old tricks as silly slapstick meets telepathy in a send-up of stage mentalismStage mentalism – the world of Derren Brown and David Blaine, with its puffed-up mystique and pretence to danger…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghVictoria Melody uses theatre to unpick the mechanics of the comedy world – with some fascinating discoveries about neurodivergence along the wayVictoria Melody likes to throw herself into things. For previous shows, the pe…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghVictoria Melody uses theatre to unpick the mechanics of the comedy world – with some fascinating discoveries about neurodivergence along the wayVictoria Melody likes to throw herself into things. For previous shows, the pe…
Continue ReadingMonkey Barrel @ The Hive, EdinburghThe endearing comic’s Edinburgh debut is a riotously inventive show that blurs notions of race, gender and disability You could call Lara Ricote’s Edinburgh debut GRL/LATNX/DEF formulaic. Its title heralds a statement…
Continue ReadingUnderbelly, George Square, EdinburghIn her show All Change Please it’s marriage, not politics, that’s at the heart of the Mash Report satirist’s finest jokesRachel Parris always knew this might be a show with an identity crisis. Having plied her trade …
Continue ReadingBreak-dancing illusionist Magical Bones and comedian Eme Essien are at the festival with new shows. He teaches her one of his tricks – and gets an acting masterclass in returnOne is a rising comedy star and actor whose solo hour Flat Shoes in the Club …
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghAdam Meggido’s play finds the teenage Johnson starring in Shakespeare’s tragedy and gives a taste of his future leadershipOut of his depth as a tragedy unfolds around him: say what you like about Eton College’s 1982 produc…
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