5th - 26th August 2023 (not 17th, 21st, 23rd),
12.40pm - 2.10pm
"A vibrant, stimulating showcase of talent."
MONDAY 15th AUGUST 2022
Pleasance One, Venue 33
12.40pm-2.10pm
Tickets: £15.00
TODAY'S SHOWS
Caste-ing
Theatre (music, new writing)
Caste-ing explores the experiences of three black actresses using beatboxing, rap, song and spoken word. An entertaining and rhythmic showcase of the realities, structures and pressures of the acting industry, and how black women navigate these situations. We watch them as they attempt to maintain their sense of self, their faith, friendships and of course, careers. How can they remain true to their values in an industry seemingly intent on pitting them against each other? What do they do when the pressures become too much?
Jim Daly: Football and Fatherhood
Comedy (stand-up, solo show)
Debut show from award-winning (and he will prove it) internet comedy sensation, Jim Daly (50+ million views). Jokes, songs and stories on his two biggest two loves: his two-year-old daughter and football. He negotiates the first year of being a new dad with the help of his love of the beautiful game and one of its most noteworthy and loved players, Ireland legend Tony Cascarino. Featured on JOE.co.uk, Amazon Prime, Yahoo Sport, BT Sport, and Blank Podcast. 'Very funny' (Daily Mirror).
Black is the Color of My Voice
Theatre (music, solo show)
Direct from sell-out shows, an extensive UK tour and London season, Fringe First award winner Apphia Campbell returns in her stunning solo show inspired by the life of Nina Simone. 'Campbell may wear Simone's trademark head wrap but her performance goes beyond impersonation' **** (Times). 'Apphia Campbell is nothing short of sensational... she will make you cheer for her, smile with her and then sting your eyes with tears' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'A compelling and heartbreaking story, punctuated with bursts of song' **** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine).
The Mistake
Theatre (new writing, historical)
1942. On an abandoned squash court, a dazzling scientific experiment takes place that three years later will destroy a city and change the world forever. This compelling new play by Michael Mears (‘One exceptional man’ (Observer)) explores the events surrounding the catastrophic "mistake" that launched our nuclear age. Through the lives of a brilliant Hungarian scientist, a daring American pilot and a devoted Japanese daughter. Partly using verbatim testimonies, this powerful drama confronts the dangers that arise when humans dare to unlock the awesome power of nature. Preview audience reviews: ‘Superbly written’, 'Very powerful’, ‘Deeply moving and engaging.’
Pear
Comedy (sketch show)
You have a one in 250 chance of being an identical twin, so for Hugo and Patrick McPherson, they started life by being a bit unusual. And that's not all: 6'8", benders of the truth, and standing at 6'7", these enormous twins now launch their debut show, Pear. A riotous, absurd and hilarious collection of sketch comedy and wacky characters. There was originally cultural commentary; it got cut for time. But it was as brave as much as it is now not in the show. An unapologetically original hour of comedy.
The Tiger Lillies: One Penny Opera
Music
They're back! After years away touring the world, the Olivier Award-winning godfathers of alternative cabaret celebrate their 30th anniversary with a triumphant return to the Fringe. Based on the seminal 18th-century Beggar's Opera, the band present a new song cycle swarming with highwaymen, thieves, jailers, pimps and prostitutes – a world of greed, crime, poverty and inequality. Expect immense beauty and outrageous comedy from the Grammy-nominated, street-opera trio. 'The execution is impeccable throughout. Phenomenal' ***** (Guardian). 'Extraordinary, seek out a ticket for this glorious show' ***** (Scotsman).
Ballet Freedom
Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus (contemporary, international)
Spectacular world renowned ballet company journey from Kyiv. Freedom Ballet celebrate their 20th anniversary in Edinburgh with 14 incredible dancers. An outstanding dance collective. Their intimate, sensual ballet is astonishing. This adaptation of their hit show Boudoir is about the moment of life, when knowing yourself, your love and your loss, you can truly see yourself in the mirror. Credits include performing with Franco Dragone, legendary director of Cirque de Soleil, and sharing the stage with Dita Von Teese, Queen of Burlesque Cabaret. Sold out tours in more than 30 countries with over 5,000 performances.
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
