Churchill's Urinal, EICC, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Rosie Holt has built up a huge online following in recent years with her sharp parody videos of a Tory MP character.  Good satire walks hands in hand wirth reality and perhaps her biggest tribute is from the huge number of people fooled into thinking she was the real thing.

This play takes that original format, and twists the character into a Labour MP who becomes the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer (with apologies to Rachel Reeves!), and picks up on a real life fact and plays with the idea that it could turn into a viral incident.  In the Chancellor's en suite is urinal, a symbol of the patriarchy she'd prefer to do without.  But there's a problem. Churchill used to piss there so would it be an insult to national hero if it were to be removed?

The story is leaked, an interview ends badly, and immediately the media turns on her, along with the full propaganda force of the far right's social media, whipping up a frenzy of fake 'patriotism'. A Chancellor under siege. And a talking urinal, as the old war leader speaks from both grave and porcelain, along with a few other voices. Is there a strategy to turn things around?

The basic premise is sound enough, but this isn't sharp satire I had hoped for. Although sprinkled with contemporary references, there's an old fashioned feel to the script, descending into farce at times. Some of the humour seems laboured (pun intended), it's rarely hilarious.

It's certainly not all bad though. There's an effective attack on the hagiographical mythologising of WC, who truly was a racist alcoholic, and an effective demonstration of the power of social media to blow everything out of perspective. Plus a few decent jokes, especially the one about Fabricant. Holt's performance is energetic, and engages with her audience, but tends towards the chaotic at times. There's excellent support from Michael Lambourne as the vocal urinal and other voices.

Maybe it was the expectation of something akin to her viral hits that left me feeling disappointed, but I was left with the impression that a solid ten to fifteen minute sketch had been stretched a bit too far...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Le Vent du Nord, Queens Hall, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

More of the same, thank you very much! We saw LVdN in January (yes we love them that much!) and this was, I'm happy to report, more of the same. The same energy, musicianship, high quality vocal harmonies, and pleasure in each other's company. While most of the numbers are foot tapping and spirit rousing, they can also provide moments of musical beauty, times to pause and take stock. And their intros combine information with humour.

A distillation of the sights and sounds of pure joy.

Cathy, Traverse, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Tommy is dead. He was husband, father and grandfather. But he was also the family peacemaker, and with his influence gone they are free to fracture apart, driven by grief. Cathy misses her man and takes it out on those around her. The daughter she's never really liked. The granddaughter heading for single motherhood. And her well meaning but ineffectual son in law. She's no time for vague concepts like 'trauma', or sharing . She's too busy correcting people.

It takes happenstance, and connection from an unexpected place, to change direction, to begin healing. Realising that sharing grief is beneficial, and the empathy to see how other people suffer as much as oneself. In this sense Cathy has a fairly predictable redemptive story arc, with a cosy ending. But it's a bittersweet ride to get there. And very, very funny. There are sharp lines, digs at sectarianism, generation gaps and a suitably traumatic event to bring people together.

At the centre of it all is Elaine C Smith's Cathy, sharp edged and brittle, with a soft centre, and a wonderful comic performance, backed up by a strong cast. If you don't expect anything revelatory this is a laugh out loud hour with some uplifting emotional moments. You come out feeling better about yourself, and that's always nice, isn't it?

Big Bite-Size Breakfast Menu One, Pleasance Two, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

DYING STARS

Two people in a field in the dark.  He's trying to find a supernova in the telescope.  She's brought the hobnobs.  Two friends interested in astonomy.  Or is one of them for another reason?  Some men can be a bit slow to catch on.  Vary funny.

BORE

A girl sits reading in a pub.  She sees a couple come in and sit near her, and it seems that not all is well between them.  But their conversation is interrupted by an unwanted visitor.  Can Greg get rid of him and save the situation?  Or is he too boring?  A laugh out loud look at social awkwardness.  And the bookreader gets the punchline...  

HERE SHE COMES

It's almost time for the bride to go down the aisle, so it's natural that she's nervous.  Her brother and stepfather both help and hinder, and the wedding adviser keeps butting in.  There are laughs, but sadness too.  A bittersweet little drama.

STARDUST

 A woman calling roadside asssistance finds the AI chatbot to be a bit oversensitive, and unwilling to provide the help she needs.  A humourous comment on the way AI is taking over so many aspects of life. 

NARRATIVELY SPEAKING

What would we sound like if we spoke like caharcters in a novel, complete with thoughts and asides and descriptions?   Could we handle that level of honesty?  Three women find their speech conventions challenged when one of them decides to revolt.  A comedy that plays on the boudaries between life and fiction.

And that's another look at the Bite-SizeBreakfasts for another Fringe.  Some new faces in the cast, and plenty of exceelent writing.  Lots of laughs, and some subjects to ponder.  It remains a must see for us, and one of the most reliably entertaining shows.  If you only have time to see one of thier shows this year, I'd recommend Menu 1.

See you next year guys!

Daniel Petrie and Valeria Vulpe, The Caves, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Petrie is a likeable Glaswegian, if a little nervous on this occasion. Some good observational comedy derived from his own life, and generally enjoyable, but no big laughs in there.

Moldovan Vulpe is a class act. Her slow dead pan delivery belies excellent timing, and her punchlines often come out left field. Or she'll leave the audience to fill them in for themselves, which is often funnier. I found myself wishing for a lot longer than her allocated half hour.

I wouldn't normally blame an audience for a flat atmosphere, as it's up to the performer to adapt. But in this case I did feel Vulpe deserved better. You get the best rewards from her humour if you're prepared to put in a bit of effort yourself, which most seemed unable to do. If you love comedians who make you think different, and bring in a dose of the unexpected, then Vulpe is waiting for you.

Richard Herring RHLSTP, The Stand at W Edinburgh, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 A recording of Richard Herring's regular podcast, with stand up and actor Amy Matthews as guest.  Herring is a perpetually amusng, self deprecating host, relaxed and confident in his craft.  He asked questions about her life and career, and delved into his 'emergency questions' list, such as had she seen a ghost (sort of but not really!).  It's not an uproarius hour, but always entertaining and a pleasant way to pass the time (other than the shock of the bar prices...!).

In Conversation With... John Davidson, Stand 3, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 In conversation with? The host provided the odd lead in, but mostly this was John in full flow. And none the worse for that, as he’s a good speaker.

For those unaware, Davidson has tourette syndrome. He already had some fame in Scotland through a series of documentaries, dating back to his teenage years, about living with the condition. But achieved international recognition last year when a biographical film (and book) about his life was launched I Swear became a major hit, the lead man got best actor at the BAFTAs, and John (unfortunately) ticking during the ceremony ended up bringing even greater public attention to the difficulties he and others face in society.

So the conversation (cum monologue!) began with the film, his involvement (near constant), the aftermath and what it has meant to him (he gets recognised everywhere). And how the impact has been far greater than he or the film makers had ever anticipated. He talked about his activism, improving life for people (especially children) with tourettes on both a societal and individual level. Meeting Queenie to receive his honour. Meeting a childhood hero, Warwick Davies. Places he’s been, resistance met. There was a short audience Q&A session at the end, mostly reflecting how much he is admired and the breadth of his impact, even beyond he tourettes world. Also allowing him to explain why he didn’t tic at all during his talking, or not until someone mentioned it. Focus on a task prevents it happening.

The hour flew by. Entertaining, enlightening, inspiring.