Venue 33, Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance One,
3rd-24th Aug (not 15, 22), 1.30pm-3.00pm
"A vibrant, stimulating showcase of talent."
FRIDAY 26th AUGUST 2022
Pleasance One, Venue 33
12.40pm-2.10pm
Tickets: £15.00
TODAY'S SHOWS
The Village and The Road
Theatre (music, storytelling)
A personal and collective story about rural depopulation, told through storytelling, live music and theatre. Tom Pow draws on his travels for this emotive journey exploring abandonment of the countryside, refugee crises and the great thinning of the natural world, whilst The Galloway Agreement musicians draw on their wide experience of European musical traditions, enlarging the emotional landscape and driving the narrative. ‘All human life is here, and if we cannot easily express what has been lost in the decline of rural places, we surely know it’s gone.’ (Patrick Laurie). Part of MadeInScotlandShowcase.com.
Kevin Quantum: Dark Matter
Cabaret and Variety (magic, comedy)
Magician Kevin Quantum, trained by Penn & Teller, presents a fast-paced, jaw-dropping show, that guarantees to blow your mind. In a fraction of a second go from belly laughing to intense confusion and lose yourself in mystery. Be transfixed, shocked and properly entertained, once again, on a night out where stranger things will happen right before your eyes. Complete sell-out, Edinburgh Fringe 2021. Best Magic, Adelaide Fringe 2018. Scottish Comedy Awards 2018 winner and 2019 nominee. 'Master Illusionist' ***** (Advertiser, Adelaide). 'Astonishing' ***** (Edinburgh Evening News). 'Epic stunts. Genuinely impressive magic' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).
Fritz and Matlock
Theatre (new writing, drama)
In a Sheffield basement, two men try to bury the bodies of their past to find a hopeful future. With no way out, will Fritz make it to his wedding? Will Matlock get away with murder? Or will the police finally raid the marijuana grow in the attic? A new dark comedy with a fresh take on men’s mental health, the care system and addiction. 2021 Offie nominees for Lead Performances and Most Promising New Playwrights. 'Reminiscent of the works of Beckett and Pinter' ***** (TheReviewsHub.com). **** (Stage).
Fladam's Musical Comedy Hootennany!
Cabaret and Variety
Fladam (Florence Poskitt and Adam Sowter) are ‘the most amazing hilarious musical comedy duo’ (Harry Whittaker, BBC Radio York). Their heartfelt and humorous songs tackle the topical with witty wordplay, rollicking piano and a dash of the Carry On! Mixing classic British comedy traditions with catchy tunes, the duo’s weekly radio appearances have won acclaim (their Witty Corona Ditty was recently included in the British Library). New yet nostalgic, this modern-day Morecambe and Wise entertain ‘with squelchy faces as ripe for comedy as Thora Hird or Victoria Wood’ (York Press).
Silkworm
Theatre (contemporary, drama)
Written by Vlad Butucea, directed by Mojisola Elufowoju. The story of two women living in a Glasgow tower block, seeking asylum from the UK Home Office on the basis of their sexual orientation, and waiting to hear the result of their case. How do they prove their claim? A witty, intimate and intense study of two vulnerable, strong women as they seek the words to navigate their way through a savage system. World premiere. Assembly ART Award winner 2022.
Paul Sinha: One Sinha Lifetime
Comedy (stand-up)
In January 2020, Paul embarked on a national tour, his most ambitious show combining stand-up, music, hula-hooping and tales of romantic validation and neurological degeneration. As it turned out 2020 proved to be the wrong year to embark on a national tour. For everyone. Undeterred, Paul returns, with the difficult second post-diagnosis album. Expect jokes and surprises. Paul has a story to tell. And an absolute banger of a title. 'The stories are told with a constant light-touch wit... Parkinson’s hasn’t robbed him of his ability to do stand-up, it’s enhanced it' **** (Chortle.co.uk).
Two Hearts: We're Pregnant and the Baby is Music
Comedy (music, stand-up)
New Zealand's only popstars return with new catchy AF comedy pop music. And guess what? They’re expecting... you to enjoy the show. After selling out shows in NZ and the UK, Two Hearts are ready to spend all their money on this overambitious spectacular with sexy jams, hot dancers, and even hotter lights (don't touch the lights). Starring members of Fringe hit Snort, Laura Daniel (Taskmaster NZ) and Joseph Moore. 'This generation’s Flight of the Conchords, but with bite' ***** (NZEntertainmentPodcast.com). 'Don’t miss this five-star hour of explosive joy' ***** (DIVA).
Mervyn Stutter
Host and Compere
Mervyn has been in the entertainment industry since 1974. He started in theatre where he acted, wrote scripts, songs, and directed for around 14 years. In the 1980s, he became the 'regular topical song bloke' on the BBC TV's first ever daytime show, 'Open Air', fronted by a thin Irishman called Eamonn Holmes. Over the years he has performed weekly topical songs on many TV current affairs programmes and more of the same on radio. In the late 1980s, he took his comedy songs onto the Comedy Circuit and then touring theatres. Merv's first Edinburgh Fringe was in 1986 and he has been every year since. 'Pick of the Fringe' started life as 'Have you seen anything good?', a show to help answer the perennial Fringe-goer question. The title was changed to 'Pick of the Fringe' in 1994 and it he has built it up into one of the must-see Fringe shows.
“Mervyn Stutter is very, very good as compere of this chat show, for to make such a showcase work requires skill, talent and quick reactions. Stutter works the crowd like the showman he is.”
THE OBSERVER