The Edinburgh festival: a ‘cultural hypermarket’ – from the archive
See how the Guardian and Observer have reviewed the festival since the very first one in August 194723 August 1947 Continue reading…
Continue ReadingTag: Theatre
‘The first time I did cocaine, I thought: That’s expensive’ – Keith Allen on his wild years
He blazed through the 90s, an explosive mix of hellraising laddishness and sheer comic talent. As the 68-year-old resurfaces in Rehab, a musical about a drug-addicted pop star, he hits the Groucho to relive his triumphs and ponder his regretsKeith Alle…
Continue ReadingThe best theatre to stream this month: Edinburgh fringe, Jane Eyre and more
Our roundup of drama to watch at home includes highlights from the world’s biggest arts jamboree and startling fresh takes on Charlotte Brontë and Henrik Ibsen“I was struck by her spirit and strong will, her peculiar and brilliant mind. She lashes out …
Continue Reading‘It’s a feeling I’ve been chasing ever since’: Edinburgh festival debuts
Alan Cumming did a gig for a cat, Tiff Stevenson was drowned out by samba and some performers even made a profit … fringe veterans discuss their first time and how the festival has changedIt was when I still had a fringe of my own: 1974 seems like yest…
Continue ReadingYummy: Iconic review – drag burlesque gets a bit too cheeky
Underbelly festival, LondonThe acrobatic feats of Jarred Dewey go some way to redeem a show that’s way too high on cliches and exposed buttocksEnough buttock already! It’s not a sentiment one is often moved to express, but there you go: well before Aus…
Continue ReadingEdinburgh festival 2022: 50 shows to see
Phil Wang makes a heroic return, Ian McKellen stars in a balletic Hamlet and Sophie Duker is gleefully carefree. Here are our picks of the festival’s comedy, theatre and dance 20 great Edinburgh fringe shows we’ve already seenSam Nicoresti: Cancel Anti…
Continue ReadingI didn’t talk to my father about my brother’s suicide for 30 years – then a hidden story emerged
When her family’s code of silence was broken, the writer and performer Helen Wood began a journey that led to a new play, Let’s Talk About PhilipIn the summer of 1985 Philip, my only sibling, died by suicide. He was 27 and I was 26. Very soon after the…
Continue ReadingBoris the Third: new play tells story of clown who became king
Adam Meggido’s comedy considers the PM’s blustering school performance as Richard III, drawing potent parallels to his current political positionIt is the tale of a leader’s ruthless ambition, cynical skullduggery and brash mendacity as his country is …
Continue ReadingEdinburgh fringe 2022: 20 theatre, comedy and dance shows you shouldn’t miss
In the first of our festival previews, we round up some of the best offerings we’ve already reviewed – including Tim Key, Liz Kingsman, La Clique and HungryThis searing, sweaty disco is a heady exploration of identity through dance. Ayden Brouwers and …
Continue Reading‘Our ears were bleeding!’ – Harry Hill on making his Tony Blair opera
Saddam gets a Groucho Marx makeover, Gordon Brown sings about macroeconomics – and Cherie is part Lily Savage, part Lili Marleen. The big-collared comic reveals all about Tony!It’s a Tuesday morning and Harry Hill and Steve Brown are discussing their u…
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