Listings: Mon 31 Jan – Sun 6 Feb 2022
What’s on Edinburgh’s stages this week…
A bit of a lull this week, with the theatre world seeming to take a big deep breath, hoping that the steps out of Covid restrictions continue to work.
In that vein, the two interesting local productions are online. First Jordan and Skinner are bringing back their Brief History of the Fragile Male Ego in an online format. It was a hit at the Fringe in 2019 and certainly impressed our Young Critic, Amy Quinn: ★★★★☆ Thought-provoking and will be available on demand.
Melanie Jordan in A Brief History of the Fragile Male Ego at EdFringe 2019. Pic: Jassy Earl.
The new piece is prism from Claire Wood, who is well known through her association with the Grads and who has written a couple of pieces for online for her company Production Lines. Claire is interviewed about this new piece here: Through a prism remotely.
The key aspect of prism is that this is live online theatre, which actively uses the Zoom format as part of the production. No on-demand pre-records here. So it should have all the rawness of live, in-person theatre, but will be there for you to experience in your own front room.
It is also properly interactive, with the audience taking key decisions in the progress of the play itself. Whether that is actively a positive thing remains to be seen, but the prospect is certainly an exciting one and the very idea of experimenting with form in this way is even more welcome.
Then, of course, there are the remaining shows in Manipulate. The opening weekend was something of a cracker and these remaining events look equally enticing.
Listings
Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site.
Assembly Roxy
2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU
A Brief History of the Fragile Male Ego – online
Sun 30 Jan – Sun 6 Feb 2022
On demand (Roxy Online).
Andrea has been giving her lecture but it’s not going well. Her previous events have been marred by protests and she’s hoping the open-minded audience will hear her out. Jordan & Skinner’s solo show cuts to the bone of the current conversation around gender politics and has been reworked as a performance for the screen. Book here.
The Improverts
Fri 4 Feb 2022
Evening: 9pm (Roxy Upstairs)
Edinburgh’s longest-running improvised comedy troupe return with their off-the-cuff evenings of comedy fun. Based entirely on audience suggestions, each show is unique, depending on lightning-fast wit, expert tech and a healthy dose of audience inspiration in a mix of short-form improv games. Book here.
The Ghosting of Rabbie Burns
Sat 5 Feb 2022
Evening: 7.30pm (Roxy Central)
Heartbroken author Emily Winters takes herself away to her aunt’s old cottage in Ayrshire to get over her cheating ex. As she celebrates Burns night alone (wishing that the right man would show up), she gets a visitation slightly different than what she had hoped for… Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Paul Carrack: GOOD and READY tour
Sunday 6 Feb 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Paul Carrack, one of the most revered voices in music and a figurehead of soulful pop for decades, will return to the delight his legions of admirers, performing 24 dates across the UK on the GOOD and READY tour 2022. Book here.
Online
On a screen in your own home
prism By cmfwood (Production Lines)
Wed 2 – Sat 5 February 2022
Evenings: 8pm. (Running time: 1 hour 20 mins)
See Æ preview: Through a Prism Remotely.
Where should five year-old Storm go to school? Mum wants her to come join her in LA; Dad wants her to live with him in Forres; and Mum’s PA thinks Storm should stay with her in Switzerland. But no one has asked Storm what she wants. Innovative interactive online performance with the audience acting as a children’s panel, deciding Storm’s future. Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
The Dolls: A Rerr Terr
Sunday 6 February 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Louise McCarthy and Gayle Telfer Stevens are “back in the overalls” as The Dolls, Scotland’s favourite cleaners. In this brand-new style of variety show for the new decade it’s just them – and their guest star comedians, singers, male dancers, magicians and maybe even a few surprises along the way! Book here.
Studio Theatre
The Studio, 22 Potterrow, EH8 9BL. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
Manipulate: Short & Sweet
Thurs 3 Feb 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Part of the Manipulate festival. Created by Eleanor Perry & Daniel Hay-Gordon, this thoroughly modern variety show mixes dance, drag, lip-syncing and satire. Brings a host of famous and infamous characters to life: Sid Vicious, Twiggy, Grace Jones, Rasputin, Edith Sitwell and everyone’s favourite avant-garde duo, John Cage & Elaine Paige. Includes a preview of new work inspired by Japanese Noh theatre, commissioned by the Noh Reimaged Festival. Book here.
Manipulate: (Le) Pain
Fri 4 February 2022
Evening: 8pm.
Part of the Manipulate festival. (le) Pain is about breadmaking, physical heroics, growing up queer in a boulangerie in the south of France, endings and new beginnings. It involves circus, dance, storytelling, Béarnaise folklore video, karaoke and laughter. Book here.
Summerhall
1 Summerhall Square, EH9 1PL
Manipulate: Dinner with… Plutot La Vie
Fri 4 February
Summerhall Gallery Bar: 6pm.
Join us for an anarchic artistic meal hosted by Tim Licata & Plutôt La Vie, who invite you to an evening of illusion where everything may not be what it seems… a mesmerising evening of intimate performance including song, spoken word and, of course, magic. Your meal, the entertainment and a glass of wine are included in the ticket price. Tickets and details.
ENDS
