This was my first visit to Edinburgh’s world-renowned Fringe Festival. These are my favourites this year.
SMILE – The story of Charlie Chaplin
Actor and writer Marcel Cole, an Australian (believe it or
not) presents a multi layered telling of two of the most important periods of
Chaplin’s life. The first half is his enactment of The Gold Rush, Chaplin’s
biggest self-produced film in 1925 (coincidentally 100 years ago), in all its
silent glory.
The second half is centred round his advisors pleading with
him to make a talking picture. His response? “I can’t talk. I am a pantomimist”.
However he did relent and scored success with, amongst others, The Great
Dictator, a savage satire on Hitler.
Cole cleverly peoples his performance with many audience members,
often to get effect and much hilarity.
AN ADEQUATE ABRIDGMENT OF BOARDING SCHOOL LIFE AS A HOMO
Jonny is 18 years old at an all-boys boarding school. He is
ambling through his final year, very aware of being gay, adoring Britney and
not really fitting in. Then there is Harry. School rugby star, hunk and quite
happy to get his rocks off with Jonny. Both funny and telling, Abridgment is searingly
honest about that first love and what happens when your boyfriend says he isn’t
gay!
SIMON EVANS
Simon is a seasoned professional comedian whose face is
familiar from any number of TV shows. Coming up to his 60th Simon
ruminates of the downsides of older age, but also the benefits. Plenty of
laughs.
THE FIT PRINCE (WHO GETS SWITCHED ON THE SQUARE IN THE FROSTY CASTLE THE NIGHT BEFORE (INSERT PUBLIC HOLIDAY HERE))
Awkward Productions’ latest offering is Fit Prince.
Following on from Diana, The Untold and Untrue story and Gwyneth Goes Skiing,
this is just as bonkers and just as hilarious. Set in Swedonia, the Prince must
marry or lose his kingdom forever. As Swedonia is enlightened it doesn’t matter
who he marries. So when Aaron Butcher turns up they fall in love and save the
day. Along the way we get outrageous puppetry, lots of improbable laughs and lots
of help from the audience as additional cast members. Totally bonkers and
hilarious.
SAUNA BOY
This was my third visit to the ‘South Coast’s Premier Gay
Sauna’ and I still found it eye opening and raunchy. Dan Ireland-Reeves has had
world-wide success with this production and it shows no sign of slowing down.
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