Leah MacRae : My Big Fat Fabulous Diary, Multistory, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 As if the castle backdrop and sparkling sunshine weren't enough, here's MacRae bursting on to the stage to a bit of raucous pop, resplendent in tight fitting pink tartan suit and big grin.  While the framework of the show is hung around entries from her childhood 'diary', that structure is simply a vehicle for her big personality.  Stories, jokes and songs, interacting with the audience, being herself.  It's very funny at times, and, not having heard her before, her singing voice is a big and very pleasant surprise.  A fun and resolutely silly way to spend an hour.

Drever, McCusker, Woomble, Brunton Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 The trio reunited, and accompanied by McCuskers Irish cousin on harmonium, fiddle and vocals.  They looked delighted to be back together, back in front of a live audience, and joked about their lack of practice time.  You wouldn't have known...

They mostly stuck to weel kent material from their magnificent album Before The Ruin, but each had a chance to perform some of their own solo work too.  Drever on his own sang a couple of songs from his own recent albums, McCusker played a few tunes with his cousin, and Drever joined them to add his accompaniment, while Woomble sang a song from his first solo album.

Great music, plenty of laughs, lots of self deprecating humour.  McCusker is a good storyteller, Woomble laid back, Drever sharp.  A wonderful gig.

Fara, Old College Quad, Edinburgh International Festival

 Back to the giant poly tunnel and slick organisation of the EIF.  Fara are three Orcadian fiddlers with a West of Scotland keyboard player, playing mostly their own compositions.  Their joy at being in front of a live audience again was clear the moment they came on stage and that exuberance continued into the music.  There were plenty of quieter moments, but it was the fast rousing stuff that brought everyone together, with clever arrangements and the virtuosity spread across the band.  Add in Jeanna Leslie's lilting vocals, and harmonies from the sweetness of Catriona Price and instinctive musicality of Kristen Harvey, and the songs were always a pleasure.  Pianist Rory matheson had his moment too, when the others walked off stage and left him to play a gorgeously soft Gaelic melody.

Rousing tunes to end the night brought the audience to their feet and wide grins all round.  Wonderful.

Viva Your Vulva, Walking Tour, Edinburgh Fringe

 An hour and more on the streets of the Old Town in the company of comedian, physio and fanny guru Elaine Miller, aka Gusset Grippers.  Combining her wealth of knowledge about the female anatomy, with her evangelism for pelvic health and natural comedy ability.  It qualifies as a module for some medical qualifications, so the content is evidence based and graphically factual, but never heavy handed.  How could it be when the final stops include Elaine donning an apron to which she gradually sticks on the parts forming the human vulva, including a generous helping of minge fringe.  It certainly gets looks from passers-by.  

Fortunately the weather was kind on the night we went, although sometimes traffic, and noisy tourists, made it hard to hear her words, so her choice of stopping points isn't always perfect.  But environment apart this is a show that's both educational and entertaining, indeed hilarious at times, and worth anyone's time.

The Afternoon Show, Infirmary Street & High School Yards, BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals

 Back to the BBC gazebo, for a live two hour show hosted by Nicola Meighan.  Jay Lafferty was again the warm up act.  And turned out to be the highlight of the afternoon...

Meighan is very professional and competent, but lacking the sparkle and wit that makes you feel you're in safe hands. The list of guests did little to add to the proceedings, despite the Fringe bringing so much talent to the city at the moment.  A couple of what were effectively tribute acts to Dolly Parton and Frank Sinatra; and electronic music composer who had decided to leave the only recording of his latest work buried in a hole in Orkney; actor turned stand-up Joe Thomas (the only one in the line up I was familiar with) being surprisingly inarticulate; and Gary Clark on music he's written for an upcoming TV series.  The star turn turned out to be Sacred Paws, a young Glasgow-based rock band who performed a couple of good rowdy numbers, and were also the most interesting interviewees.

Old people's radio...

Breaking the News, Infirmary Street & High School Yards, BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals

 This year the BBC have decamped from heriots and moved to a much smaller location in the grounds of a university building at the foot of Infirmary Street.  There is a covered area, under a big, clear plastic, gazebo, with socially distanced seating and waiting service from the bar/cafe.  Plus a few picnic benches to the side, uncovered, and viewing the big screen rather than the stage.  It felt very safe and generally well organised, and appropriate to where we are now.

Audience warm up was provided by local stand-up Jay Lafferty, who did an excellent job of interacting with her chosen targets and telling some entertaining stories.  And she didn't forget to deliver her bit of admin, explaining what was expected of the audience during the show.

Out came host Des Clarke to announce his guests, and what a great line up of Scottish comedy talent he had for this show.  Stuart Mitchell, Elaine Malcolmson, Farmer Jim Smith, and Janey Godley.  Des introduces topical stories from the previous week, in a variety of formats, and invites the panellists to identify the story and give their take on events.  Stories covered included the lifting of the majority of covid regulations in the country, the UN report of climate change and the impending COP26, and the reopening of highland bothies.  Plus views on how this year's much reduced fringe was working out.  

Almost two hours passed before the end was declared, and I was left wondering if enough of the  material recorded would be clean enough for a twenty eight minute radio show!  One recurring theme was shagging Daphne Broon in various bothies, and that certainly wouldn't be making it out for wider consumption!  

Whatever the end product sounds like, the live show is much, much funnier, and all the panellists were excellent.  Especially Smith whose dry countryside take on the world was always unusual and hilarious.  BtN doesn't always have such a stellar group of guests, but the format guarantees plenty of laughs and it's well worth getting along to a recording if the opportunity arises. 

The Jellyman's Daughter, Assembly George Square Gardens, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 Outdoors, uncovered, open to the elements.  Not so much the musicians, who, with all their electrical gear, have rudimentary cover over the stage, but the unprotected audience.  The weather leading up to the gig was concerning, with frequent showers.  We walked in the screened off area to see staff frantically wielding big blue rolls of paper towel, wiping away at drip-laden seats and tables.  Fortunately the showers stayed away for the duration, allowing proper enjoyment of an excellent act.

Duo Emily and Graham were again accompanied by banjoist Jamie Francis, playing a mix of  fasmiliar material and some songs which will be on their next album.  The joy at having a live audience to perform to was immediately apparent - as was their rustiness in talking to one!  But they soon settled into the routine and the singing and musicianship were still as good as ever. It sounds as Emily's voice may have improved over the last year.  And Graham's imaginiative cello accompaniment and solos still surprise and delight.

Great to see them back in action, and not get wet in the process.