Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dance, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review: The Sensemaker, Women’s Move, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

Have you ever been on hold? The irritating music. The repetitive recorded voice. The infuriation. But when we reach the end and someone answers, aren’t we polite.

The Sensemaker is a predominantly multimedia, choreographed piece, responding to sound and music, with repetitive, but also different gestures and movement throughout.

We are there to question what is happening, and what would we do for the right opportunity. Some parts of the performance are comical – the performer continues to smile but her eyes and her glances away insist she is nothing but happy – a relatable response to being on hold; and others are unfathomable. Would you really do THAT if you were asked? If your opportunity depended on it?

While the piece is simple, there is a sense of Sci-Fi to it. The recorded voice and the reactions are relatable to anyone who has been stuck on hold. But the responses that are required e.g. ‘Clap 6 times for English.’ ‘Crouch down and take one step to the right …(for analyses)…’. e.t.c is demanding and unusual, making this process the performer goes through feel all too much like a potential future reality.

It feels funny but it also feels dark and unnerving – reaching some points when you really question what she is working for and whether it is worth it. But who are we to question when we may be in the same predicament and willingly do the same things.

With almost 99% pure movement with sound and music queues, The Sensemaker is a really interesting piece; being able to bring something so deep across with only the minimal is quite a feat and a very clever response.

The Sensemaker is good fun, but also dark. It throws up a lot of questions about ourselves, our World and the Future. And watching something very ‘mime’ orientated was a breath of fresh air through the Fringe.

Festivals, Uncategorized

Review : Retirement Tour, Andrew White, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (2 / 5)

This may be an odd title for a 19 year old to name his show.
Why would you retire comedy at such a young age?

Andrew White opens up to us, and becomes vulnerable before
our eyes with the truth about his title. After a bad gig, admitting he was not
right for that audience and of which was due to a booking mistake, White
explains to us through honesty and comedy about how this has rocked him,
leaving him to consider whether comedy is for him or whether a stint in
University is more sensible.

We learn a lot about White – his personal life, his ever
changing fight with his own confidence and we see him battle with this on stage
as he produces his acceptance letter to do communications at Cardiff
University.

At first this reveal of the letter and his sub sequential
decision to pursue comedy instead, seems very premature into the proceedings
and feels as if he has already revealed his trump card. But this continues onto
a series of ever changing decisions, revealing more and more letters, said to
be his acceptance. This is a fun approach, and feels as if we are contemplating
the decision with him.

White does seem a little nervous on stage. Understandably,
stand-up comedy and at the fringe where there is much competition is a tough
business and again, we forgive the lack of confidence but will him to continue.
Unfortunately this therefore makes his delivery feel more of a TED talk than a
comedy set, but we are interested none the less, with comical interludes.

Andrew White: Retirement Tour is an interesting comedy set – we follow him on his battling life decisions and feel honoured to go through this sequence with him. With some great jokes involved, White could go a long way with a little more confidence in his delivery. 

Festivals, Uncategorized

Review: Here Comes Your Man, Matt Hoss, Edinburgh Fringe Festival,By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (2 / 5)

Do you recognise the title? Here Comes Your Man comes from a
famous Pixie’s song to which our comedian for the night thought was all about
love. Yet he has a sore realisation that it is about a murderous homeless
person.

So how does he turn this around? Matt Hoss the hopeless
romantic bears his soul to us for comedy, telling us about his relationship
fails and his hopes for the future.

Matt Hoss is a rapid speaker and at times it we lose the
train of thought slightly. This can only be put down to nerves, which we
appreciate and are happy to stick with for a funny man.

You cannot help but feel for Hoss – we have all been there,
and it being rare for a man to feel so much and to be romantic – any lady would
be happy to have him. But his tales are not unusual, but the way he has twisted
it and to create a show from it, is.

To turn this into comedy for our enjoyment is brave; he is comical, lovable and fun to be in a room with.

With a little more confidence, Matt Hoss could go far. He is worth checking out for all those who have loved and lost, and need that pick me up!

Festivals, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review: Bumper Blyton, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

No matter what age, we all grew up with lashings of ginger
beer, while slapping our raised knee. Not one person does not know about Enid
Blyton and her wonderful tales.

But what happens when you take the Blyton theme and
improvise?
A whole lot of fun.

Bumper Blyton, an improv group, interact with us and let us
take control. We give our suggestions and they help to influence how the team
bring the story to us. Each time is different, each joke is different and so
each show is unique.

Playfully labelled as ‘Enid Blyton for Grown Ups’ – it sure
is! There are jokes that are only for the adults, and at times even flummox the
performers themselves; this is not a bad thing. One thing I think is brilliant
is when performers in these types of performances quite obviously enjoy what
they do and find it as funny and exciting as the audience. And it is clear they
do. This makes us laugh even more and feel included and part of the group.

Improv is a clever performance technique and so to come up
with an interesting and mysterious story on the spot, keeping to character is impressive.

Bumper Blyton is lashing of fun, a slap on the knee of enjoyment and a show we all feel included in. If you want a break from the festival to sit back, laugh and enjoy something new each time, ensure you check them out.

Festivals, Literature, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review: The Grandmother’s Grimm, Some Kind Of Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

In an underground tunnel, it seems like the perfect place to
set the creation and editing process of the famous Grimm Fairy tales, we all
know and love.

However, there is a twist to this tale. The Grandmother’s Grimm
takes a keen look into the women behind these stories; ahead of her time, Frau
Hassenpflug helps the Grimm brothers to edit the horror out of the original
tales, while realising how the females behind these stories are the ones being
edited out. As we delve into their editorial process, we see the championing of
women, at a time that the patriarchy was at full force.

This small cast need little else than their talent and
enthusiasm to bring this tale to us – doubling up as the farcical characters in
the fairy tales, they use little items to help bring the magic across, and this
works well, triggering our own imagination.

The character’s of the Grimm brothers, Frau H and the house
maid are well established and with fierce and conflicting personalities of
their own – keeping to the ‘Victorian’ era that it is set, they continue the
customs and attitudes of the time, filling their language and physicality with
this, yet there is a modern take when Mrs H and the house maid are challenging
the stereotypes and becoming just as involved and as important as the men.

The Grandmother’s Grimm is intelligent, interesting and intriguing – a really enjoyable and unusual production.   

Dance, Festivals, Music, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review: The Populars, Volcano Theatre Company, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

If there is any time for a production around Brexit, then
this is it.

But this is Volcano Theatre Company – do not expect it to be
as simple as a Brexit play.

In what looks like a village hall at Summerhall, there are
no chairs, no ‘basic theatre staging’; nothing is quintessential about this
production.

Firstly, it is AMAZING how this small group of performers
keep going. Edinburgh is unusually hot at the moment, and to then essentially dance
full stop, in character, no where to hide, for probably 15 minutes is a feat in
itself.

Volcano are well known (and gosh don’t I know it from my
training days with them as a student) for their physicality, and so there is no
fear in this when they battle over tables, ‘claiming space’ and almost throw
one another around the room. They each have a ‘character’ but there’s also an
honesty about them – we get to know them, their personalities, with the
opportunity to ad lib and interact with us alone and as a group, and from this
we get the impression of their personalities. Of course, this may just be very
good acting, but still, we enjoy getting to know them, laughing with them, dancing
with them and all the absurdities in between.

The ‘choones’ are EXCELLENT- A brilliant choice of music; it
lets us get involved, as music is a powerful tool when everyone knows the song.
And these are eclectic in themselves, with diverse nationalities and drag us
into one era, while the performers question the future; we are left in a state
of every changing existence.

The Populars is high energised fun, full of important questions, great music and intense choreography.

Festivals, Music, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review : 99 First World Problems, Andy Quirk and Anna J, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

In the tiny upstairs room of a lovely bar, Sofi’s, we are
introduced to Andy Quirk and his partner in crime, Anna J. Dressed in what
could be described as street/ ‘chav’ gear, the two entertain us through comedy
in the form of songs addressing some of the 99 problems of the World.

These musical interludes tap into different genres of music –
rap, house, punk pop, 80’s and are all entertaining, addressing Bags for Life,
waiting in a queue and the meal deal; and while funny, they are also true to
life, making our interaction easy and the connection to the narratives true to
life.

The relationship of Andy Quirk and Anna J is on point – they
interact well with us and with each other, making the show flow and with room
to add ad libs, going with the flow and making the show catered to us.

The music is fun, recognisable and also clever in how they
in put the lyrics to the beat. For every song, we have a chance to be involved
so rather than being sung / rapped at, we have the chance to join in and sing
our hearts out to relatable content.

99 First World Problems is fun, funny and quite a nice break out of the main hustle and bustle of busy Royal Mile. If you want a laid back, enjoyable show you can get involved with, then this is it.

Festivals, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review: How To Save A Life, Glass Half Full Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (5 / 5)

Whether this is a Ed Fringe common occurrence, my naive first
time attendee is unsure, but this year there is a ‘Death Season’. Many
productions have taken this theme and created theatre in response to the
stimulus. And also for some great causes.

Glass Half Full Theatre’s How To Save A Life is no
different. It sees the story of  Melissa –
a young 20’s female, seemingly with her life all ready and raring to go, suddenly
finding out she has cancer. What follows is her journey, and those of her
boyfriend and best friend in wake of the news.

Melissa is such a loveable character. I kind of what to be
her. She loves glitter. She’s confident, fun, with amazing hair and a lovely
personality. It is no wonder she catches the eye of a handsome man who wants to
be with her forever and becomes best friends with a girl who is wild but
equally as loveable.

We get to know Melissa; we laugh and joke with her. We
associate ourselves with her, with her ideals and her life, and if we do not
have this already, we want it. We want to funny, beautiful personality of
Melissa, a caring and adorning partner, a best friend who is mad but would do
anything for you. So when we reach crisis point and the C word is issued, we
feel even more for Melissa; we feel her pain, her disbelief and her struggle.

Melissa was our constant character, and rightly so – this was
her story. And when we soon became her friends, privileged to live her life
with her, she makes you begin to think about your own life, your own loved ones
and your health and how important all of these are. Who would have thought such
a beautiful soul would lead such a tragic life!?

How To Save A Life is hilarious, but heart wrenching. Not many a production would reduce me to tears but as the lights come up, I find myself in a snotty, painful and wet mess, wishing this had not happened to Melissa. This is one of the best productions at this year’s Fringe – A Must See!

Festivals, Musical, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review: Fisherman’s Tails, 4Front Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

Most of us know the story of Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples.
But have you ever seen a nautical depiction of this tale?

Fisherman’s Tail combines essentially all of Jesus’s life
story into one hour, filled with fun, music and plenty of fish.

While normally, as an agnostic, I would not necessarily pick
a show linked to religion, I was pleasantly surprised and came out feeling
pretty entertained and uplifted.

It may be based on religious stories, but it ultimately is a
story of friendship, forgiveness and definitely enough fishing jokes and antics
for all the children in the audience.

The live music, played on string instruments and percussion
is joyful, folk-like and catchy. It has a tiny twist to make the story fun and
not like the stuffy bible speeches we had in British primary schools. It feels
like a new story and it feels exclusive to us.

The performers all work in harmony, with little dances,
great interaction and with fully formed character’s. The only criticism I would
give is when doubling up, for me there needed to be more distinction – a change
of hat, a different stance, just something over the top to bring that new
character to the forefront for us.

Fisherman’s Tail is for everyone, religious or not. It is good fun, interactive, and a heart warming production.

Circus, Festivals, Musical, Theatre, Uncategorized

Review: Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Roll On, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, By Hannah Goslin

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out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

At half 9 at night, the last thing you would be expecting to
see is a sock puppet show. I love a good puppet, but I equally love an usual
concept. Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre (SFSPT) sure are the unusual.

Opened to the world of adult puppetry and it becoming more
familiar a concept, we have all heard of the adult themed ‘Avenue Q’ and a few
years ago, ‘Hand to God’. Even cartoons have become more adult friendly,
opening up a whole new world in performing arts.

And while I hesitate to compare SFSPT to such shows (a joke
in the performance itself reflecting this), it is agreeable that this concept
Is not as unusual as it may once were. Yet I was still pleasantly surprised and
excited. 

Puppetry come comedy, the FSPT does not rely on humour alone
to get by. There is a theme, and it is ever changing (as we hear from its 15 or
so years of its presence). This round is Circus themed –with The Greatest
Showman being so prevalent in the last year, SFSPT draw upon this to create a
narrative, but feels free to go a little off course, ad lib where necessary and
it is all just as funny as the original plan. We are at times asked to use our
imagination, thinking of a sock puppet out of shot on a tightrope or completing
an another amazing feat.

They keep the information present – keeping to events and
news from the last year, even making jokes and making it clear that some of the
audience may find some too obscure, we cannot help but love it and definitely
feel included.

With only one man, two puppets, and maybe around 5
character’s, it is a feat of genius and skill at set and ‘costume’ changes with
one hand- a magical experience we all wish we knew the answer to. He manages to
give each character its own personality, even with their interaction with one
another being quick. Of course there are times when a Australian accent is
suddenly Scottish and he soon realises it. But this only adds to the humour –
there is no masking mistakes, only inclusion of them.

The narrative went a little off course and dark humoured,
but you know what, I was not mad at it. I was sufficiently entertained, laughed
my socks off (pardon the pun) and had a really interesting and splendid time.

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre is not exactly breaking theatrical boundaries, but my gosh was it a lot of fun. If you fancy something unusual, ridiculous (is a good way) and a good laugh, then this show is a total must.