Archive for 2024
The Pirates of Penzance
★★★☆☆ Piratical
The University of St. Andrews Gilbert & Sullivan Society brings one of their namesake’s most popular and enduring operettas to the Fringe with The Pirates of Penzance.
Through the Mud
★★★★☆ Emotionally resonant
A musical story of Black liberation, explored through the journeys of two generations of female activists in the United States, Apphia Campbell’s Through the Mud at Summerhall for the whole fringe, co-produced by Stellar Quines and Royal Lyceum Theatre, boldly and beautifully examines revolution.
Avenue Q
★★★★☆ Outrageous
Avenue Q, the Sesame Street parody for adults, filled with X-rated musical numbers, enjoys a skilful production from Sound Events Scotland at St Stephen’s Theatre, with a talented cast and some fun comedy moments.
The Last Laugh
★★★★☆ Nostalgic
Extraordinary re-creations of comedians past distinguish The Last Laugh, from Evolution Productions at Assembly George Square Studios.
No Place Called Home
★★★☆☆ Climate crisis drama
Whilst the production team and cast of No Place Called Home are predominantly students, ThirdCulture Productions are not a student led company. At a time when cuts to arts funding in Scotland are making the news again, it’s refreshing to see current and former students committing their immediate future to Edinburgh.
The Signalman / M R James: Whistle and I’ll Come to you
Signalman: ★★★★☆ Thoroughly atmospheric
Whistle: ★★★☆☆ Spooky
Paragon Theatre Collective’s The Signalman and M R James: Whistle and I’ll Come to You from Blue Orange Arts are both fine examples of atmospherically spooky stage adaptations of classic short fiction.
What the F*ck Happened to Love and Hope?
★★★★☆ Devastating
What The F*ck Happened to Love and Hope? from wtfhappenedto at theSpace on the Mile for the Fringe’s last week, is raw in its emotional content. However, there is nothing undercooked about its writing, acting or directing.
Hysterical
★★★★☆ Timely
A whirlwind time-travelling trawl through the history of five “mad” women and the history teacher who awakened their ghosts, koi collective’s Hysterical speaks truth to hysteria, and the many ways ordinary women have been maligned for stepping out of the narrowly defined boundaries society has erected for them.
Gaudi: God’s Architect
★★★☆☆ Fascinating
Gaudi: God’s Architect by AGAP (Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project) recounts the life of Antonio Gaudi, the eccentric Spanish architect now celebrated for his still unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, through the perspective of his strong religious belief.