'It's like the Royal Variety Show of the Fringe'
5th-26th August 2023
(not 17th, or 21st [30th Charity Gala Show Day])
12.40pm-2.10pm
(90 mins)
"A vibrant, stimulating showcase of talent."
MERVYN STUTTER'S SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARDS
SUNDAY 28th AUGUST 2022
Pleasance One, Venue 33
12.40pm-2.10pm
Tickets: £15.00
TODAY'S SHOWS
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.’
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.
The Tiger Lillies: One Penny Opera
Music (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).
Made in India/Britain
Theatre (deaf led, storytelling)
Since leaving home in Birmingham, Rinkoo Barpaga has been determined to find somewhere to settle. Along the way he's encountered racism, discrimination and has begun asking himself: 'Where do I belong?' Join him as he delves deep into past experiences in order to discover his true self and a place he can finally call home. Performed by Rinkoo in British Sign Language, with live voiceover provided by an actor. Supported by the Pleasance's Generate Fund. Directed by Tyrone Huggins.
Taiwan Season: See You
Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus (dance)
Lai Hung-Chung is one of Taiwan’s most talked about young choreographers. This scintillating production for Hung Dance justifies the acclaim. It is a non-stop feast of intensely expressive motion and sensations inspired by ideas about loss, longing, confrontation and evasion. Watching the dancers’ bodies is like reading their minds. The difficulty that resolutely modern people have in connecting may be their strongest connection. The entire effect is both feverishly intimate and yet somehow coolly detached, qualities enhanced by handsomely sculpted lighting and the textured pulsations of an original and rhythmically varied sound score.
Aurie Styla: Green
Comedy (stand-up, solo show)
It has been an interesting couple of years, with a global pandemic showing us a different perspective on life and its meaning. To Aurie, it means looking at his own hilarious outlet and his way of dealing with change, and finally going Green (his real last name). Question is, what does being Green actually mean? Get your belly laughs finding out. As seen on: Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club (ITV), Don't Hate The Playaz (ITV2) and Mo Gilligan's Black British and Funny (Channel 4).
SK Shlomo: Breathe: The Play That Becomes a Rave
Theatre (music, solo show)
In aid of the suicide charity CALM, and sound-tracked live with songs from his upcoming second album, the acclaimed beatboxer is back with Breathe: a breathtakingly theatrical display of bravery and virtuosic performance, recreating the impromptu rave in his living room that not only saved his life but transformed a sleepy village community. 'A Play That Turns into a Rave? Yes Please!' (Felix, Basement Jaxx). 'A riot of noise and light… SK Shlomo is a treat to watch' (Scotsman). 'A one-human music festival' (Times).
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
