Category Archives: Rated: Outstanding

Work that aims high and hits every mark.

In His Own Write (The Voodoo Rooms, 8 – 30 Aug : 17.10 : 1hr)

Posted in 4*, EdFestivals 2015, Other, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre by

“A thoroughly enjoyable performance, accessible to adults of all ages”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

In His Own Write is a delightfully bonkers collection of short stories, written by none other than John Lennon. Last staged at at the National Theatre in 1968, it seems incredulous that it hasn’t been seen since. However, perhaps this version has been given the ok due to its very simple and honest approach to just telling the stories, without any of the pomp, prestige or impersonation that could be associated with adapting such a work.

The show opens with (and indeed each story is preceded by) a short pencil-sketch animation in the style of the illustrations in the original book. Immediately the tone is set as being playful and non-fussy – embodying the spirit of the book perfectly. The trio of performers set straight to it, capturing the innocence of each story with energy and clarity, but at no point going over the top into pantomime.

What makes this collection so enjoyable is the wordplay used by Lennon on selective phrases, often changing just one or two letters to make a new word with a completely different meaning. My favourite came quite early on, in Flies on Trash, where a character is described as “a former beauty queer”, and is portrayed by the actor accordingly. Another character later on is described as “dead and duff”, and another “wandered lonely as a sock”. The deadpan delivery of every line was the perfect accompaniment to the absurdity of the writing in letting it speak for itself.

Of course, for a piece written in 1964, there are bound to be some words and phrases used that today we find a little unsavoury, and use of them could probably get one sacked from the BBC. But given the honest style of the show’s delivery – presenting the work just as it was written without any comment or spin – such phrases ring home very naturally, and don’t seem out of place in the context. If anything, they give an added layer of hilarity.

As a performance it is very slick and professionally put together, and there’s also great variety used in the techniques to share each story. A couple are sung a capella, one or two are delivered solo, some contain a few outlandish props, but all delivered clearly, with great vitality and passion for the craft. It’s well rehearsed and the transitions are smooth, maintaining the level of interest and engagement throughout.

I think for what the company were trying to achieve in the faithful presentation of the book, they succeeded with aplomb. Whether this piece is everyone’s cup of tea, or could have had more dramatic structure or development is another question. Either way, it is a thoroughly enjoyable performance, accessible to adults of all ages.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin (Seen 24 August)

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THIS REVIEW HAS NOT BEEN SUBEDITED

Vertical Influences (Assembly @ Murrayfield Ice Rink, 8 – 29 Aug : various times : 1hr 30 mins)

Posted in 4*, Dance, EdFestivals 2015, Other, Rated: Outstanding by

“The skating is spectacular”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

Vertical Influences is an original contemporary dance piece on ice, developed and performed by five talented skaters who were probably kicked out of the Canadian Olympic team for being too cool. I’ll admit upfront: I’m not an ice-skating expert, so please forgive my ignorance of technical terms in describing this performance. I am, however, trained in contemporary dance, so this critique focuses purely on the “dance” aspect of the show.

What’s clear from the very beginning, and what is a real strength of this piece, is just how connected and in tune the dancers are to each other. From the opening sequence where the group “run” in big loops around the rink as though one body, to the smoother sections in the middle where they weave in and out of each other without even seeming to look at where the others are, it’s a very mesmerising performance.

The first half of the piece allows each dancer to show off their own personalities and style through solo sections. The dancers will do sequences around the rink in unison, and one will literally break away to do their own thing, before coming back to the group. The unison sections are very strong with every movement completely in synch, but some of the solo sections, although very physically impressive, did seem more improvised, and so form a stark contrast to to the clearly closely rehearsed group sections. There is a wonderful sense of playfulness between the dancers as they allow each other to go off and be different, safe in the knowledge that they will soon come back.

In the second half the routine is slightly more traditional in terms of choreography, with more unison, canon, and recognisable structures. For this the audience sits in special seats at one end of the ice, and because we are that much closer to the action, it seems much more daring, as the skaters often skate directly towards the audience at terrifying speed, only to turn or stop at the absolute last second. The sense forward and back (a bit like a fashion runway) was very prominent, and the skaters use this to show the variety of ways they could travel towards (and away from) us, always in complete control. The weaving motif is used throughout to give congruence to the halves, but the second certainly feels more grown up, and, dare I say it, professional.

There’s no mistaking that this is very much a contemporary dance piece – there’s not a single sequin to be seen, no throwing of the girl into the air, and no jolly melodies to accompany forced smiles – anyone hoping for a Torvill and Dean bolero will be sadly disappointed. What music there is is quite harsh, mostly rhythm with little melody, and is quite hard to engage with. The piece overall is performed with little sense of spectacle or razzle-dazzle (although it is very tight) and doesn’t have much sense of narrative or development. Still, the skating is spectacular, even if the choreography might not be to everyone’s taste.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin (Seen 23 August)

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Mansplaining Masculinity (Cabaret Voltaire, 8 – 30 Aug : 12.05pm : 1hr)

Posted in 4*, EdFestivals 2015, Other, Rated: Outstanding, Spoken Word by

“An engaging and thought provoking discussion… honest, revealing and accessible”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

“This isn’t a comedy” Dave tells us, wearing a purple dress and a fedora, without a hint of irony. It is however, an incredibly engaging and thought provoking discussion into the notion of masculinity that’s honest, revealing and accessible. My words, not his.

The show is framed around a survey carried out by Pickering, which asked 1,000 men to share their opinions and experiences about patriarchy and masculinity (anonymously). It also includes a raw account of his own sexuality and identity, and during the performance he attempts to piece the two together.

Although researched to an almost painstaking degree, and written and structured with a lot of love, Pickering doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, or that his show will somehow cure the world of its ills. Instead it’s an exploration of an idea, and insight into a side of the human state that receives little attention. It was passionately and engagingly delivered, and he even gives references for further reading on the topic – a first for me at a Fringe show.

During the performance Pickering certainly doesn’t shy away from the big issues – there’s talk of rape, emotional abuse, bullying and more. But it’s not spouted in a preachy or melodramatic way – it’s a simple recount of some very personal experiences from his own life, mixed with responses from the survey, and weaved together with some very intelligent discussion and line of questioning.

As a discursive show, it was very effective when Pickering referred to results from the survey, but it was almost tantalising that he did so only rarely, as I would have loved to have glimpsed further into the world of what men really think. He did at times refer to other well known (but uncited) general facts which did give the piece some added clout – how men commit more crimes, carry out more successful suicide attempts, and earn more money.

The anecdotal parts of this show, where Pickering shared memories from his traumatic home and school life, and his first sexual experiences were very moving, and made me question my own coming of age and identity within the “patriarchy”. His openness is absolutely commendable, and it really enriches the piece by bringing in personal as well intellectual engagement.

I feel the content of carries great social importance for people of all sexes and ages, and this is a very entertaining and enlightening way to spend an hour. I urge you to see this show.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin (Seen 22 August)

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THIS REVIEW HAS NOT BEEN SUBEDITED

Unexpected Excesses (Edinburgh Drawing School Gallery : 9 -30 Aug : from 11am)

Posted in 5*, EdFestivals 2015, Exhibitions, Other, Rated: Outstanding by

Unexpected Excesses

“Prepare to be dazzled”

Editorial Rating: 5 Stars: Outstanding

Walking through the doorway into Unexpected Excesses (an exhibition of work from Jan Knibbs and Lizz Watts), my immediate impression was a riot of colour, texture and form. However, thankfully Watts was there to guide us through the collection and how it was created.

One of the most striking pieces, a framed collage called The Return, juxtaposes broken ceramic teapots with papier mache flowers, which appear to grow from the ground in which the pottery has fallen, representing the circle of life. It was full of vibrancy and energy, and a great example of the vivid style of the work on show.

In talking to Watts about her pieces, she revealed that she likes her work to develop organically. She may start off with an idea but at some point it develops a life of its own, and many pieces tell a story. A favorite theme is nature and the changing seasons. A particularly impressive vase with a group of swans’ necks curving from the lip was always intended to be connected to swans thematically, but the final form they took in the piece was completely organic and unplanned. There are certainly no two pieces alike.

The clothes, hats, shoes and other gloriously opulent and embroidered textiles by Jan Knibbs were displayed on mannequins and elsewhere scattered through the exhibition, the effect combining gracefully with the ceramics.The philosophy behind both the textile and ceramic creations is concerned with practicality as well as being stunning to look at: the clothes and shoes are wearable, the bowls and vases usable.

What really makes this exhibition special is that it is both interactive and experiential. Not only are visitors able to talk to the artists but they are also positively encouraged to handle the pieces, feel them and examine them closely. In doing this it can be a pleasant surprise to find a continuation of the decorative motif on the inside or throughout pieces, as well just on the surface. On top of this, when I visited, a harpist (Bianca Watts) appeared and played for us to give an added layer of decadence, and I was lucky enough to be given a glass of Prosecco to enrich my Sunday afternoon with further “unexpected excess”. If that weren’t enough, visitors are invited to contribute a few lines to a daily poem, started by poet in residence Dawn Gorman, in order to really become part of the work.

Unexpected Excesses

As one might expect, this exhibition is an extravagant, beautiful and seemingly chaotic collection of work. Yet there was a real cohesion to it – the ceramics complemented the textiles, and all the added extras fit perfectly into the overall theme. On close examination there were many hidden treasures: ribbons at the back of dresses, decoration inside pots, and lots of small details that made me want to keep examining every piece further. The atmosphere in the room was intimate and relaxed without feeling stuffy or overpowering.

This exhibition is called Unexpected Excesses, and it’s easy to understand that some visitors may see the room, and indeed some of the pieces in it, as too much, too ornate, a gilded lily. But whether it’s your personal taste or not, it’s definitely worth experiencing. There is a varied programme of guest artists and things going on, from poetry to music, as well the incredible art on display. Check the programme before planning your visit, or just turn up and prepare to be dazzled.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin (Seen 16 August)

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THIS REVIEW HAS NOT BEEN SUBEDITED

Photo credits: Bill Johnston

To Kill A Machine (ZOO, 7 – 31 Aug : 20.55 : 1hr)

Posted in 4*, EdFestivals 2015, Other, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre, ZOO by

To Kill a Machine, a new full length play written by Welsh writer Catrin Fflur Huws about the life of Alan Turing. Director: Angharad Lee Scriptography Productions Dress Rehearsal May 5 2015 ©keith morris www.artswebwales.com keith@artx.co.uk 07710 285968 01970 611106

“One of the finest acting performances I have ever seen at the Fringe”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

In a year that has seen Alan Turing receive an official royal pardon and a blockbuster film about his achievements, it seems somewhat surprising that there aren’t more shows at this year’s Fringe about him. However, this work from Welsh company Scriptography Productions is absolutely sensational, and features on of the finest acting performances I have ever seen on the Fringe.

The play starts with Turing as a schoolboy, and goes on to show his first love, his work at Bletchley, and the relationship that would see him found guilty of gross indecency. It’s certainly not afraid to be bold, and at times brutal, focussing primarily on Turing’s sexual identity and personal life.

Turing himself is played by Gwydion Rhys, who brings so much emotional depth, softness and realism to this disturbed character that I genuinely wanted to jump on stage and stand in the way of him being chemically castrated in the play’s final scene. It’s a controlled and commanding performance without ever being over the top, and well worthy of a Fringe award. The supporting cast of Rick Yale, Francois Pandolfo and Robert Harper, who between them play 14 characters, also deliver highly commendable performances.

The production moves at quite a fast pace, but it’s the moments of stillness and sensitivity, which to me were the most powerful. In particular, watching Turing’s mind whir as he develops his theory for the first computer, and his damning confession and inability to lie while in the witness box are utterly compelling.

While I wasn’t 100% convinced by snippets of the high energy quiz show scattered throughout, which posed questions to reflect theories developed by Turing, these sections did serve as a stark Brechtian contrast and awakening to his manipulation and ultimate downfall. I would have liked to have seen a closer integration between these sections and the genuine interrogation he received in the courtroom to really complete the circle of that idea.

It was also disappointing for me that this show was only an hour long, I could easily have stayed engaged for two, and would have welcomed more exploration into some of the other themes – gender identity, machines vs humans, and more cultural context of the period of his life. In saying that, for the length it was, I think it was written and structured excellently, with an engrossing narrative and compelling action. This show is a must-see.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin (Seen 17 August)

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Correction (ZOO Southside, 11- 19 Aug : 20.15 : 55mins)

Posted in 4*, Dance, EdFestivals 2015, Rated: Outstanding, ZOO by

“Very well developed and powerful, with bags of personality”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

There are times that I feel like I’ve seen everything there is to see in contemporary dance, but Czech company VerTeDance showed me that originality is still very much alive and well with new piece Correction. The show begins with seven dancers in a neat row on stage, arm’s length apart from each other. And that’s where they stay for the entire performance. Honestly.

Such a bold, simple approach reminded me of the founders of the Judson Church contemporary dance movement in the 1960s, pushing those very same boundaries and asking the question “what is dance?”. While there’s certainly movement and music, the seven performers are literally glued to the floor throughout the piece and don’t take a single step.

Despite the seemingly constraining concept, it’s actually a very well developed and powerful piece, with bags of personality, tension and progression from beginning to end. In the opening moments the dancers look around and become aware of their space and own being. It’s a slow and subtle start, and like many pieces I’ve seen before, but then the fun begins. One dancer turns to poke the next, who reacts by tipping slightly from side to side before coming back to standing. Then they poke the next, and so on. Before long there’s lots of poking, lots of tipping and chaos ensues.

After a brief musical interlude, the next iteration of movement involves the dancers falling over, while still having their feet stuck to the ground. It’s thoroughly enjoyable to watch them struggle back up to standing, with hilarious, unimpressed reactions from their fellow dancers. As this section developed, some of the body contortions and balances made were simply astonishing, and at times seemed to defy gravity.

The action soon moves onto a sort of fight scene, with dancers pushing and shoving and bending and falling in all directions. There are several repeated sequences in this section of the dance, which speed up and becomes more frantic, before a moment of stillness. This section is very impressive and controlled, showing great skill and dexterity to make all the shapes and supporting positions for each move. The final sequence is somewhat unexpected, but adds a new dimension and feeling to the work.

Throughout the piece music is provided by Clarinet Factory, a four-piece clarinet group who move forward and back creating incredible atmosphere with their instruments to support the action. It’s not something you see every day, but in a bizarre kind of way it really works.

This is one of those pieces you’ll be talking and thinking about well after you’ve left the auditorium, and really is worthy of being seen to be believed.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin (Seen 2 October)

THIS REVIEW HAS NOT BEEN SUBEDITED

Wings in my Heart (Big Sexy Circus City : 7-30 Aug : 14.30 & 20.00 : 2hrs 30 mins)

Posted in 4*, Circus, EdFestivals 2015, Rated: Outstanding by

“Visually and technically spectacular”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

On entering the Big Sexy Circus City compound one is greeted by acrobats just casually performing to the queue of punters, while a tightrope walker works his way backwards along a wire overhead, occasionally stopping to balance on one leg. You know, how a normal night starts. When you enter the big top, it only gets more impressive.

While the opening few minutes take a little adjusting to (there’s fire, there’s water and there are people parading around dressed as various fairground attractions for no particular reason), it soon turns into a circus spectacle with amazing acts, unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

We’re warmed into the spectacle with a wonderful solo tap routine, accompanied in part by a drummer. The dancer starts in a small circle of light, and makes fun of chasing the light as it moves to continue his routine. A few minutes later he’s filling the whole stage with energy and playing a very enjoyable call-and-response rhythmic game with the drummer. Straight after this, there’s a breathtaking counter-balance rope routine, with two performers supporting each other’s weight while performing daring swings and tumbles. Their artistry on the ropes was incredible, while how they supported and propelled each other seemed to defy all laws of science.

Perhaps my favourite sequence followed directly after this, which involved a lot of balls suspended from the ceiling which swung like pendulums across the stage, with an intricate contemporary dance routine performed in between swings. How the performers managed to dodge them with such apparent ease was again a cause for wonder.

Also worth noting is the performance’s closing act, which I won’t spoil but is absolutely worth holding out for. Control and patience are brought new meaning with one performer and her selection of sticks…

Throughout this show the costumes, sound and lighting are all stunning. Each adds more depth to an already very sensory performance, and go to show how much love, care and artistry have gone into developing it. I’ll admit I didn’t really understand everything that was going on (there wasn’t a clear narrative or sense of development), but with a show as visually and technically spectacular as this, you really don’t need to. You can just sit and be in awe of spectacle, scraping your jaw up off the floor at the end.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin  (Seen 12 August)

THIS REVIEW HAS NOT BEEN SUBEDITED

Ali Affleck’s Speakeasy Sessions, New Orleans Jazz and Blues, Moody Moonshine (The Outhouse, 10-12 Aug : 7pm : 1hr)

Posted in 4*, Music, Rated: Outstanding by

“A masterclass in real grassroots jazz”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

What I love about the Fringe is how often the most wonderful things can occur in the most bizarre places. In the upstairs room of a pub down a side street in the New Town I was treated to a real jazz feast by Ali Affleck and The Copper Cats Quintet.

The setup was nothing grand: six musicians squeezed onto a tiny stage and 50 or so seats for the sellout crowd. To open, the Copper Cats played a lively instrumental piece, giving us a glimpse into the talents of the individual band members, and then Ms Affleck took to the stage.

The setlist pleasingly contained precious few well-known numbers, so this was a masterclass in real grassroots jazz in every sense of the word. While it took a couple of songs for the group to really get going, something “clicked” in Affleck’s voice during the sultry A Good Man is Hard to Find, and the mood went up a notch. Her voice was deep and smooth and I wanted to just wrap myself up in it. It was a real privilege to witness a singer that channels Billie Holiday with so much charm and poise.

Later on, Affleck’s high notes sparkled in Electric Chair Blues, and this was the moment that I really felt like I had been transported to a basement jazz bar somewhere in old-school, downtown New Orleans. And that’s where I stayed for the rest of this gig.

The cheeky Diga Diga Doo showed off Affleck’s playful side, and He Likes it Slow was velvety, soulful and divinely decadent. Penultimate number Egyptian Ella – the band’s favourite – was a roaring romp of a tune that had all of us tapping our feet in time, and My Man was graceful, seductive and left us all wanting more.

While Affleck’s vocals were mesmerising, this was far from a solo show. Dick Lee on the clarinet was stunning in his riffs and runs, as was Colin Steele on the trumpet. Indeed, the band showed great togetherness and comradery (with a hint of friendly competition in trying to outdo each other in some of the improvised sections), so there was always something interesting happening visually as well as the stunning soundscape.

A real treat for all jazz lovers, catch them while (and where!) you can.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin  (Seen 11 August)

THIS REVIEW HAS NOT BEEN SUBEDITED

Doris, Dolly and the Dressing Room Divas (Assembly Hall: 6 – 30 Aug. 18.15 : 1hr 15 mins)

Posted in 5*, Assembly Hall, EdFestivals 2015, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre by

“This is the show I have been waiting for to blow me away. Wow, wow, WOW!”

Editorial Rating: 5 Stars: Outstanding

I’m sure I’ve heard it somewhere that while 13 is unlucky, 14 is incredibly lucky. And with this being my 14th review of this year’s Fringe I feel like I’ve stolen absolutely everyone’s luck and struck gold.

The queues outside and the desperate scramble for seats inside Assembly’s packed Rainy Hall should have been enough to convey that Doris and her friends are already becoming the runaway hit of this year’s Fringe.

The idea is fairly simple – a dramatic and musical retelling of what the “stars” are like backstage, based on the experiences of their dressing rooms assistants. The dialogue is well written and delivered with great vitality by the three actors, while the harmonies in the group numbers are just exquisite. The plot is basic, but I don’t think anybody came for that.

For me, Gail Watson is absolutely the star of this show. To be able to pull off one impression with such style is hard enough, but she embodied Doris Day, Dolly Parton, and a wonderfully bitchy Julie Andrews. I honestly couldn’t tell you which was my favourite, but when Dolly sang I Will Always Love You at the end of the show I genuinely thought I was watching the real deal – it was superb. Watson is charismatic, emotive and a simply stunning singer, and I predict a very exciting future for her.

Perhaps the most surprisingly impressive turn of the night was Frances Thorburn as Joel Grey, as he appeared in Cabaret. Her (his) mannerisms were impeccably refined and she more than capably held her own in the duet, Money Makes the World Go Around. Her performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow was also mesmerising, capturing every nuance of the original.

We’ve all seen the divas’ on-screen and on-stage personas. This show delivered the rip-roaring numbers, tantrums and idiosyncrasies that we all love, but also very moving glimpses into their backstage lives, their families and insecurities. In what managed to be a fantastically glitzy, giggly and gritty affair, this is, without doubt, the show I have been waiting for to blow me away. Wow, wow, WOW!

I’m notoriously tight-fisted when it comes to my five stars, but I have no choice than to throw them all at this spectacular performance.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin  (Seen 10 August)

THIS REVIEW HAS NOT BEEN SUBEDITED

The Orchid and the Crow (Assembly Roxy, 6-30 Aug : 16.10 : 1hr 15 mins)

Posted in 4*, Assembly Roxy, EdFestivals 2015, Rated: Outstanding, Theatre by

“Utterly compelling”

Editorial Rating: 4 Stars: Outstanding

It’s becoming an alarming trend that there’s one show every year that I see in the opening weekend in Assembly Roxy Downstairs that leaves a bit of an emotional mess. Last year it was Mary Lou Quinlan’s The God Box, this year it is The Orchid and the Crow.

One of the great things about my job is that sometimes you turn up at a theatre and have no idea what to expect at all. And when Daniel Tobias slightly awkwardly walked on stage delivered a few questionable funny lines, picked up a guitar and started performing a rock song (not my personal taste), I thought it was going to be a hard slog. However, after a dodgy first few minutes it turned into the sort of show where one’s cup floweth over with emotion.

To put it bluntly – this is one man’s deeply honest cancer survival story, which also explores his identity as a non-Jewish Jew and the stories we tell each other “just because”. It’s frank, it’s personal, and it’s incredibly well-delivered.

Tobias starts the show, with a discussion of his atheist Jewish (yes, you read that correctly) identity, admitting how is family were “crispy fried bacon Jews”, before giving a potted Biblical history of Abraham. He then sang the hilarious Show Me You Love Me, which was about circumcision. Yes, you read that correctly too.

There were a few songs scattered throughout the performance, and while I wasn’t particularly mad on Tobias’s singing, the recitative in Italian describing the operation he had to remove his tumour was absolutely mind-blowing. Performed while wearing nothing but a surgical gown and with the English lyrics projected on screen, it was a hard-hitting yet beautifully delivered account of his toughest moment and was the absolute highlight of the performance.

Tobias’s storytelling is utterly captivating without being overly theatrical or self-indulgent. He knows how to deliver highs and lows, pace and pause. Being a cancer survivor he can also tell the story without getting caught up in the emotion, but deliver facts and anecdotes clearly and with conviction.

The show has some gloriously comic moments and these are perfectly balanced with the hard-hitting and emotive messages. It’s not just a story, it’s a well-developed and impressive full theatrical piece, well worth a watch. Bring tissues.

outstanding

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Reviewer: Steve Griffin  (Seen 9 August)

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