The Big Bite Sized Breakfast Show, Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh Fringe

Well, this was a civilised way to begin a day's Fringing.  Fresh strawberries brought to us as we queued to get in, coffee and croissant on the way to our seats.  If all shows did this.... I'd be a stone heavier by the end of the month.

The Big Bite Size Breakfast is running three different 'menus', each of five or six playlets, rotating on consecutive days.  Today we saw Menu Two, five short dramas shoe horned into an hour.  Six actors multi tasked the roles, all highly competent, with Owen Bleach the standout performer.

All five were very funny and enjoyable.  And there was some thought provoking  seriousness underlying the humour.  We got existential musings on people's perceptions of purpose in life, through to the corruption of professional integrity when emotion compromises judgement.  Even a chance for some audience participation when we got to select which problems some of the characters would have to face up to.

With such short scripts it's important to establish character and setting immediately and there was never a moment of confusion as each new situation was revealed.  It's a notable achievement that each one managed to convey some small message about life.  If time and budget allow we will be back for another menu before August is out.

The Big Bite Size Breakfast show is in the Pleasance Dome at 10.30 and runs until the 31st.