MERV's  SATURDAY  29th  SHOW
Where: Venue 17
When: 1.00pm - 2.30pm
Price: £12.00 (no concs)

CABARET

Kooky, french horn-playing, little Miss K from Massachusetts never imagined she’d become a 1950s-style blonde bombshell with shows in New York and Milan, and a residency at Ronnie Scott’s. With this wildly entertaining whirlwind of a show, vintage cabaret superstar Kai delivers her life story with cheeky charm, sassy, explosive vocals and original songs from her new album Hot Rockin’ Diva. Complete with a dash of exotica and a peppering of kitsch, join in with Kai’s infectious laughter and effortless joie-de-vivre at her Edinburgh debut.

COMEDY

Shazia Mirza: A Work in Progress

I will be trying out new material, never done material, some good material, and maybe some outstanding material. There will be jokes for all different levels. I will be differentiating for a mixed ability class, I wouldn’t want to discriminate against anybody and I wouldn’t want anyone to be offended. There will be anger, confusion, some laughter and mostly danger. No doubt someone will still walk away saying: 'I’m offended, well I think I am. If not, I am definitely offended on my husband’s behalf, and he’s offended on behalf of his accountant.'

THEATRE

ErictheFred

The story of a stage-weary trouper at the end of his tether. We are invited backstage into a magical realm where his memories and dreams become real. Witness these flickering visions as the old master fights for his sanity and ultimate liberation. Original film, music and puppetry seamlessly combine with live action to create an enchanting world of slapstick, tragedy and joy. 'A wild clown in a class of his own' (Times). 'Surreal unhinged quality which makes for comic greatness' (Guardian).

THEATRE

Two Sore Legs

Set in Belfast, Brenda Murphy's autobiographical play, tells the amazing story of her mother, Bridie who had six children to a married man who lived with his own family a few streets away. The play explores the consequences of this extraordinary family arrangement. From Bridie's carefree days as a Butlin's Redcoat to the explosive visits of the local Parish Priest wanting to take her young children away from her, Two Sore Legs is one of those rare stories that will leave you emotionally drained. In a spellbinding performance, Maria Connolly struts, weeps and explodes around the stage.

THEATRE

Pip Utton: Playing Maggie

Not merely a reflection on how to portray this lady but a live audience with Margaret Thatcher. Pip Utton is the Iron Lady! Saviour or witch? Love her or hate her? Not for Pip to decide, only to portray. She divided the nation like no other politician. Hear her philosophies, her inspiration and her logic. Known throughout the world for spellbinding portrayals of Adolf, Churchill, Dickens, Chaplin, Hancock and many others, Maggie is probably Pip’s greatest challenge yet. Pip not only becomes Margaret Thatcher but risks taking audience questions, and answering them as Maggie! www.pip-utton.co.uk

COMEDY

Nick Revell: Feminist Porno Jihadi

Returning to The Stand after last year’s Closet Optimist, Perrier Award nominee and Fringe veteran Nick Revell continues to mix satirical comedy with surreal storytelling, in a show which promises to be his finest to date. ‘An impressive, hefty hour of political comedy’ (LondonIsFunny.com). ‘An expert in delivering thought-provoking, political satire, combined with a strong delivery and great stage presence’ (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). ‘A master at work’ (Bruce Dessau).

MUSIC

Simply Soweto Encha

‘Ten-legged, ten-armed, five-headed creative beast’ (FringeReview.co.uk). ‘True sound sensation you don’t want to miss’ (ThePublicReviews.com). Simply Soweto Encha are a five-piece a cappella group combining gospel, soul, jazz, doo-wop, and r’n’b in both African and popular styles. In their shows, Simply Soweto Encha celebrate South African oral and dance traditions by performing Zulu, Xhosa, and Tswana songs full of rhythm and harmonies. Each Simply Soweto Encha production showcases the group's creativity in composing music that blends genres, cultures and languages.

HOST

MERVYN STUTTER

“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. Excellent…really, really good.”
The Observer

Kai Hoffman: From Geek to Goddess