MERV's  THURSDAY  27th  SHOW
Where: Venue 17
When: 1.00pm - 2.30pm
Price: £11.00 / £10.00 concs

DANCE

‘Away from the dreary clouds and maddening crowds of Edinburgh, you can find a little slice of sizzling Spain. A whole fiesta of intoxicating sounds and thumping Mediterranean rhythms, Alba Flamenca bristles with authenticity and visceral power. Boasting some of the most technically challenging and sharply percussive flamenco I’ve seen, delivered with fiery conviction and breathless passion. Soaring from the moody to the sorrowful to the ecstatic, Alba Flamenca becomes an overwhelming and headily claustrophobic furnace of intense emotion.’ ***** (ThreeWeeks 2013).

COMEDY

Suzy Bennett - Gumption!

Suzy loves the escapism of the movies, but has realised she was playing the part of best friend in her own life instead of the leading lady. Now she’s rewriting her own story. Ditching the old script, killing off surplus characters and finally discovering that little thing called gumption! Funny Women Award winner. 'Suzy is my support act for a reason, she's a charm bomb' (Russell Kane). 'Razor sharp wit, clever, funny and engaging' (Terry Christian). 'Delightful company' (Metro). 'The panache of a young Dawn French' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Vibrant, gorgeous and extremely funny' (BBC).

THEATRE

Vagabonds: My Phil Lynott Odyssey

Rob Mountford, a man saddled with a mess of cultural identity is challenged by the statue of his hero - Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott - to tell that rockstar’s swashbuckling story. But as Rob does so, his own story takes over: a tale of confused Irish heritage and untimely death, a story as tragic and funny as life itself. Lynott is furious: surely this is his show. What makes a hero? How true are myths? Chris Larner (Fringe First winner) directs and co-writes this hilarious, philosophical, rock’n’roll one-man show.

COMEDY

zazU: A Fête Worse Than Death

Visit zazU! A land of opportunity and absolutely no mole infestation problems whatsoever. Last year, visitors to zazU had a lovely time ('I like the water' (Matt Berry)), and found that as well as a lovely holiday they also got a 'side splittingly funny' (Broadway Baby) character and narrative comedy show named one of List's Top Five Debuts 2014. Someone else said: **** (ThreeWeeks). Things have been escalating in the land of zazU, so this year they bring you a show which is even stranger, even more dangerous and ever more epic.

THEATRE

Raymondo

Raymondo and Sparky have been locked in the cellar underneath their house for six years. An accident involving a pigeon enables their escape. But do they have the requisite skills to survive a haphazard, cruel world? A story of brotherhood, loss, incarceration, survival, desire, and resilience. Siddons brings her dark, tender, and funny storytelling show about two brothers, accompanied by atmospheric live guitars score, loops and keys by Marcus Hamblett. ‘…untamed brilliant writing ... an outstanding storyteller’ **** (Fest).

COMEDY

Stuart Goldsmith: An Hour (Free Show)

All spit no polish, all show no pony, Goldsmith goes back to the source. ‘Not one single dull moment’ (Scotsman). ‘Sets up and knocks down gag after gag, garnering huge laughs’ (Chortle.co.uk). Multiple award-bridesmaid, podcast guru, invigorator. Creator of The Comedian's Comedian Podcast. ‘Not one single dull moment’ (Scotsman). ‘Consistently, dependably and utterly funny’ (ThreeWeeks). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).

MUSIC

Township Voices

The Dloko High School Choir from Umlazi Township, South Africa, return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, having performed sell-out shows in the Assembly Rooms in 2014, where it was not uncommon for the entire hall to be on their feet. As the choir give themselves to the music with complete openness, their unshakeable commitment to creating music, their astonishingly powerful, soul-soaring melodies and their infectious energy will leave you thoughtful and elated. Money raised from the choir’s tour will be ploughed back into projects that will improve the choir’s school and their local community.

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

Alba Flamenca