Edfest Day 19 & 20 - Shifting Sands of Time

The Fringe official twitter says it's day 17. I understand why I'm ahead 2 days because I counted the previews but where has the extra day come from?

I'm combining these days because, other than volunteering, I'm not doing much else. I'm finding it harder and harder to get up early enough to see shows before my shifts. My body clock has shifted so I wake up at 10am and go to sleep around 2am. That'll have to change tomorrow as I've got the subjectively early shift of 10.30am at their filmhouse venue. The good thing about this is it's a short shift, I should be done by 12.30/1pm so should be able to pack in a good bunch of shows.

I had time for a brief visit to the International Book Festival yesterday and the West End Craft Fair today.

The book festival was a lot busier than I'd been led to believe.  I was told it was a haven of calm amongst the chaos.  This it wasn't.  The book festival has a lovely outdoor seating area and people were making the most of it on this rare warm, sunny day. I didn't manage to see any talks - the one I would've wanted to see was Moira Young, Young adult author of a book I read earlier this year called "Blood Red Road" - but this didn't finish until 15 minutes before my shift started and the Drill Hall is about a half hour walk from there. Never mind.

There were lots of lovely international books on sale with enticing covers, but at full retail price, it was too expensive for me. I did, however, find a lovely cheap book store much further down at the foot of Leith walk in St James Shopping centre with prices to rival The Works but with better stock.

The craft fair is near to the book festival, so those who have the leisure of time can do both in one go. There are about 50 stalls, all with original, handmade products, so worth checking out if you want a unique gift or memento. 

Walking down Princes Street, I'm always a little appalled to see people happy to take photos of the street performers - some of whom even pose for said pictures - but won't then put money in the hat.
If you're stopping to admire their art enough to take a picture, pay for the product.  It doesn't even have to be much,  just a small token of gratitude. Can you tell I've been reading Amanda Palmer's "The Art of Asking"?

Once again I'm occupying the same space as Lyn Gardner. Or she occupying the same space as me? Obviously a testament to our shared great taste. She's a big supporter of Forest Fringe generally and has reviewed many of their shows favourably. I smiled and said "Hi" earlier ...and she looked vaguely alarmed. To be fair, as front of house it's part of the role to meet and greet. Maybe I should stick with the scowling.

Yesterday, I attempted to start some kind of schedule of shows I want to see by time zone, so I don't end up wandering around looking at the app and just going to whatever is near. Don't get me wrong, that does make for a more spicy fringe experience, but I realised earlier that from tomorrow there is just a week left to pack it all in, so I'm looking for quality stuff that really appeals to me now.  

I think I should stop here and go to bed at this (subjectively) early hour so I can be bright eyed and bushy tailed for the filmhouse tomorrow and then, hopefully, a day of (quality) show watching.

Till then, G'Night 😴

Edfest Day 16: The World's Craziest Café

I was "ushering" for Volcano Theatre's  "Black Stuff" at the biscuit factory warehouse building today - and by ushering I mean sitting on a plastic chair by the entrance incase any late comers dropped by and needed directing... They didn't. It was cold and I needed to pee (much like now, on the bus - why is there no where to pee in Edinburgh after 11? It's gonna be an uncomfortable half hour folks) when the "chef" from Scottee's Social, in the main biscuit factory building across the road, came by to try and pillage some customers. I told him there were only 5 people in and they didn't seem the type.

Given that I was so desperate to pee and the toilet was in the main building,  I thought "hey why not drop in" - from out in the street there was much laughter and applause and it sounded like quite a hootenanny. Forest Fringe had the opening night party at this venue with these people so it wasn't unfamiliar territory.

I entered the café after my much needed pee (I really have to stop thinking about peeing) and the only people in there were the performers, a bar man with his tshirt pulled up behind his neck, the check in lady and the chef.....

But I'd committed; Sitting with the chef and check in lady because it would have been even more awkward sitting alone, I decided the only thing to do was go with it. I went to the half-shirted bar man and asked for beer (there was no way I was having a divorce cocktail again) and settled in for the soiree.

It felt a bit like we were mental patients in a day room pretending to be at a cabaret café. Even more weirdly.... I kinda liked it.

I guess awkward is the general vibe, but a deliberate awkward. It knows it's awkward. In fact,  the host Scottee has a show at forest fringe next week which will encourage audience members to step up with their party trick in a sort of "performance karaoke". In the description in the programme, it describes it as being a "socially awkward" hour.... So I think this vibe is intentional.

And yet, in all its outright awkwardness, I feel quite comfortable there. Like there's a general acceptance that you don't get in most bars. 

I feel like the whole set up is a mockery of the festival itself with its carousel of outrageous, over the top comics, clowns, cabaret acts, actORs and performance "artists". Like holding a big distorted circus mirror on the whole shebang..... or maybe it's not this at all. Maybe it's just a cabaret performance which, awkwardly, has no audience.

Anyway. I think they deserve more people at their crazy little cabaret café. It is well off the beaten track but you can visit Forest Fringe (10 mins away) while you're there, go to Volcano's show at 8, then finish the evening across the road at the café.  See I've even planned it for you. You're welcome.

Edfest Day 14: Love, Evil and War

And we're back on the show horse. It started with a beautiful, moving one-on-one exploration of love at Forest Fringe, through a haunting, engrossing tale of evil at pleasance and then finished with a disappointingly mediocre but not terrible production of war at C venues.

The first is a show I've been chaperoning for at Forest Fringe. After a no-show, I was given the opportunity to experience it for myself, which I'm so glad I took. It's a fully immersive experience, taking advantage of all 5 senses. It recaptured that feeling I got at punchdrunk's 'sleep no more' in New York, it has a very similar essence but very different ingredients. The show is called "I Worried My Heart Wasn't Big Enough" and it moved me enough that I had to take a moment to gather myself before going back to work. All the people who are booking but not showing up. .. big mistake.  Make sure you catch this,  it's only 20 minutes but it's 20 minutes you will remember. Lyn Gardner has also been along experience it, here is her review http://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2015/aug/18/theatrical-encounters-i-worried-my-heart-wasnt-big-enough-forest-fringe 

When my shift ended I headed for Pleasance courtyard to see a show that keeps catching my eye and has had great reviews all round. It's a show called "Molly" and explores the theme of the development of evil - what is the pivotal moment where 'evil' seeps in? It's not a new concept but it's told in a new way and had me gripped from start to finish.  For a moment, I forgot I wasn't the only one in the room watching - the audience disappearing is a sign of a great show. ... unless they are actually physically disappearing because they're walking out.  That's not so great.  Needless to say, no walkouts here. In fact, we all seemed to be leaning forward on the edge of our seats, holding in one long collective breath.

That took me to 6pm which I consider a bit of a dead zone. Between 6 and 8, I always seem to wander unable to find a show that really grabs me. 

I've been avoiding C Venues this year, to be honest. Like I've found with TheSpace, the quality tends to be in direct relation to the cheap prices. However, it was the dead zone and a company were putting on the musical "Dogfight" which was in London recently - the end of last year I think. It's a musical about Marines on a last big blow-out before their deployment to Vietnam the next morning. I'd heard good things about the London version but didn't catch myself. So, I put aside my C Venue qualms and went for it.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible, but in comparison to the other shows I'd seen today it paled to the point of invisibility. The company had a lot of gusto, but the singing didn't blow me away, the score was unmemorable and the plot rather bland. There was laughter, but unfortunately for the wrong reasons - a couple of prop mishaps, which resulted in me flinching every time someone stood on a flimsy wooden box (which they did a lot).

Nevertheless, today has been a good show day - to see two top quality shows in one day is not to be sniffed at. I'm not working tomorrow, so hope to get into town early and catch a pre-midday shows... I have good intentions now, but I'm not a morning person. I have booked 2 shows already, both at Pleasance again - "Institute" and "Blam!", both of which have had excellent reviews and have been on my list since the start. 

Edfest Day 13: Divorce Cocktails

Forest Fringe - where even ordering a drink is a performance... no really.  I'm currently drinking a cocktail that represents divorce, served by a lady wearing a pineapple on her head. At the fringe this is normality.

Well, kind of. It's not an everyday at-the-bar occurance. It's their opening night party at the delicioisly delightfully titled "biscuit factory" ... because it used to be a biscuit factory,  I imagine. 

I've mostly been focusing on the volunteering again today, so only seen one show, which was at their venue. Tomorrow I plan to get back into it and will see a few shows after my shift.

I also have wednesday off so plan to make that a hefty show watching day, and hopefully have a broad enough range to pick from for my "what's hot" roundup... Right now it's looking more like "what's tepid to lukewarm".

Edfest Day 11: Breaking Free

Sometimes,  you just gotta take a break. There's no blog for Edfest day 10 because yesterday I seriously needed to take some time out...

As I said, I'd seen a spate of disappointing shows and was having a terrible morning. I woke up late and didn't feel too well, the milk for that essential morning coffee had turned sour, which I realised after I'd already put it in my cereal. Then I smashed the glass coffee cup all over the floor (to clarify - by accident, not in temper) ... It just all seemed to be going wrong.

My friend, Beth, had arrived in Glasgow the day before (give a whoop if you're out there) so I decided to give theatre and fringe madness a brief break for the sake of my sanity. Instead I had a lovely, much needed "merry" evening out and about in Glasgow.

Today I returned to the fringe, Beth in tow, with the mission of seeing some of the "freestival" (the free festival) Sometimes you do actually get what you pay for though. After seeing some cringe inducing stand up "comedy", I vetoed questionable stand up acts for the day - my face muscles couldn't take any more fake smiling (I know I don't have to fake smile, but I feel bad for them... and I don't want to be picked on for looking bored - which I saw happen at another free show 2 days ago) .

So we sat in Grassmarket and watched some street performers for a bit - technically still the freestival,  so it counts for the mission.

This evening went to the voodoo rooms, which is a great choice for "free" fringe entertainment....

....I've put "free" in speech marks because don't go along with the impression  that you won't be paying anything.  It's more a "pay what you want" scheme, and you will be severely judged if you don't offer up some cash... so if you don't want to give that crisp £20 note to the cause,  make damn sure you have change, because you're also gonna look like a douche asking for change from the donation bucket!!!

Also don't pay between you and a friend, as we learned earlier, cause it's awkward having to explain that at the door... Especially when they thank you for being so generous, and your friend has to explain it's from her too. Sorry Beth... I'm still laughing about it though. 

Tomorrow is the start of a new fringe adventure. I start work with Forest Fringe which will take me up to the end of the festival. They are an exciting venue offering an inventive,  creative programme - please check out their website www.forestfringe.co.uk and if you're coming up for the fringe, make sure you wander off the beaten track to catch some of these unique offerings.  

Edfest day 7 - All the People: The Never ending Story

On the bus this morning, I stared out the window at the sheer volume of people - all the people, so many people. Yes, I'm singing it... in my head,  not out loud because I'm on the bus again and that would be annoying for the other passengers. They wouldn't complain of course,  I have a lovely singing voice....

Yeah. Anyway,  back to topic. So I was looking at the many, many people and just thinking about how they are all stars in their own little plays. We're all here watching other people's stories, but there are so many stories going on around us all the time....

Which made me think of my comment the other evening about how there was theatre to be found just wandering around Edinburgh, amongst these people,  catching snippets of conversation. So this evening I've noted two instances which I illustrate this point:

Emma: I just want to be happy
Emmas friend: Emma you are happy, happiness doesn't mean everything is alright,  it just means ---

(I didn't hear the end of that exchange as I'd already rushed in and out of their world. I'm sure the ending was profound though.)

The second was an exchange between an older gentleman, 2 concerned young girls who had been passing by and the police.
It would seem the older gentleman had his bag stolen by a man who claimed the older gentleman had stolen it from him....
(Interesting tactic - but there's also an interesting story there)

I have also seen actual theatre today too.  In fact, I've had a busy day of 4 shows which, given my lazy late start,  I'm impressed with. It's actually the most I've seen in a day so far.

I was only reviewing one officially, so a shout out for two others I've seen today.

The first will do fine on its own, it's in the underbelly cow in George Square gardens. A A capella group called Gobsmacked... and I really was.  They're all great but the beat boxer was phenomenal... The effects her could do just with his vocal chords.... no words.

The second may need a little more help. He's a stand up comedian in assembly George st studio 4 called Chris Kent who made me laugh out loud lots. And not just polite laughter,  this was genuine involuntary laughter. I'm nervous about seeing stand up in small venues generally, in case it's not funny, which can be painfully awkward. I needn't have worried with this one, as I laughed from start to finish and he deserves more of an audience. 

On the cards for tomorrow is a nice, looooonng lie in with no alarm **cries with relief** then later in the day I'll be meeting up with another journo I met here to see a shit scary show. Will we make it to the end?... Find out in the next episode.

Edin-Bound

I've been a little blog-shy recently; A result of not seeing many shows this year and being busy with other projects (theatre related). I've thrown myself into learning to dance and recently started working with a lovely lady called Victoria who runs a bespoke prop making company here in Wales. She's self-taught, incredibly talented and I'm learning lots from her.

The reason I haven't seen many shows this year, though, is because I decided that this was the year I'd go to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (or Edinburgh Fringe Festival as it's more commonly known). I've talked about going for years and years but have never made the trek up there. 

I realised that I could end up saying "one day" forever and, as Jonathan Larson would attest, there really is "no day but today"...... so I'm going. I decided to go about 3 months ago and put myself on a bit of a show diet to save myself for this theatrical binge (I've been getting my fix from the tv show "Smash" in the interim, which is great - check it out!) 

I've got a couple of shows booked at the fringe but I didn't want to plan too much as I'm really excited to discover new things that I may not take a chance on normally, which comes from the spontaneity of the moment.

I'm most interested in new writing, musicals (obviously), immersive experiences and shows that use a mix of different storytelling forms (eg. puppetry, film, props). However, in the spirit of taking chances, I'm going with a completely open mind and don't want to tie myself into any particular kind of performance - I'm just going to go with the flow and hopefully discover some gems (even if I have to dig through some garbage to get them ;P) 

The shows I've already booked are Next to Normal at theSpace, Addams Family at Assembly Hall and Generation of Z at Assembly George Square Theatre. I'll also be reviewing 2 shows for thepublicreviews.com

I'll be leaving for the Fringe (very early) tomorrow morning and am there until (very early) Friday morning. As someone who's note a morning person those very early's should be interesting...