Hugh Simpson
Lynn Faces
★★★☆☆ Original
Lynn Faces at Summerhall is the antidote to gig theatre. Laura Horton’s new play, co-commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, Norwich Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth, is a portrait of toxic relationships and real friendship with (intentionally) appalling music.
Antonio’s Revenge
★★☆☆☆ Unfathomable
Antonio’s Revenge is a definite oddity, not made any less strange by its staging by Edinburgh/New Zealand company Half Trick Theatre at C alto on even dates of the Fringe only.
A Knock on the Roof
★★★★☆ Politics of horror
A Knock on the Roof, Khawla Ibraheem’s play at the Traverse for piece by piece productions, is a chilling evocation of war and its human cost.
Malvolio’s Fantasy
★★★☆☆ Tentative
Zuzabella Productions’ Malvolio’s Fantasy at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall is an adaptation of Shakespeare that is at its best when it is furthest from its source.
Tom Greaves: FUDGEY
★★★★☆ Tragicomedy
Tom Greaves: FUDGEY at the Assembly Roxy is a funny, disturbing and at times deeply tragic piece, featuring convincing storytelling and wonderful physical comedy from Edinburgh-based writer/performer Greaves.
Untitled
★★★☆☆ Detached
Mon Espoir’s Untitled at theSpace @ Symposium Hall is an intriguingly uneven work. Its depiction of difficult emotions and the workings of memory is always interesting, if sometimes difficult to process.
The Ghost of White Hart Lane
★★★☆☆ Honest
Bruised Sky’s The Ghost of White Hart Lane at Underbelly Bristo Square is a well put together piece of footballing history with Edinburgh connections.
Brothers
★★★★☆ Heartfelt
Raised Voices’ Brothers, at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall for the last two weeks of the Fringe, has a praiseworthy emotional clarity.
Will Pickvance: Wonky
★★★★☆ Inviting
Will Pickvance: Wonky, at Summerhall Old Lab throughout the Fringe, is a charming, inventive and diverting show, guaranteed to cheer up even the most jaded Fringe-goer.
Murder! At the Cirque Du Banquet! The Terrible, Final Case of Detective Ace Dekkard
★★★☆☆ Chaotic
Dead Parrot Collective’s Murder! At the Cirque Du Banquet! The Terrible, Final Case of Detective Ace Dekkard, at Paradise in Augustines for the Fringe’s second week, is a cross-genre comedy romp that is a fitting late-night Fringe entertainment – defiantly silly and performed with gusto.
