Archive for category Albert Fish
Albert Fish
Posted by Martin in Albert Fish on August 31, 2012
Albert’s favourite 2012 Fringe shows were:
The Blues Brothers: Live (review)
The end of the set heralded a standing ovation from the audience and they remained on their feet for two encore tracks. I’ve never seen an audience dance like this one did. I’d rather see this group than almost any other. Take your Arctic Monkeys. Take your Coldplay, Killers and Snow Patrol and give me The Blues Brothers Live. I want to be in this gang.
Asher Treleaven: Troubadour (review)
Asher Treleaven’s years of circus and street performance combined with his honed stand-up skills give him an air of Jim Carrey crossed with Penn Jillette (of magic duo Penn and Teller), but despite this his style is certainly his own. There’s a surprising twist in the middle of the show which I won’t give away but this five minutes of pure skill and expertise is worth the price of the ticket alone.
Chris Corcoran And Elis James: The Committee Meeting (review)
The Committee Meeting is an hour of character comedy set in a small Welsh village. This was certainly one of my biggest surprises of the festival so far. This show is fantastic. They tread the line between surrealism and factual accuracy very well, featuring elements that probably aren’t far off these village establishments but keeping it strange enough to be entertaining throughout.
Dead Cat Bounce… Howl of the She-Leopard
Posted by Martin in 4 stars, Albert Fish, Dead Cat Bounce... Howl of the She-Leopard, Pleasance on August 9, 2012
COMEDY
★★★★
Dead Cat Bounce… Howl of the She-Leopard
Pleasance Courtyard
10.30pm (run ends 26th August)
This was easily my biggest surprise of the Fringe so far. (Backhanded compliment anyone…?) Dead Cat Bounce are the rock and roll stars of comedy. Looking like a 90s Spinal Tap they take to the stage and perform a series of hysterically well written songs, they clearly have the musical skill to back it up as well.
Without wanting to say too much about the set list, the Kayaking track has gone straight on my iPod with more from their back catalogue to follow. This show was an absolute treat and the best comedy rock bank with glittering trousers that I’ve seen in a long time.
It’s often said that the end of a song is an automatic applause cue, which is true. You don’t always get cheers though and Dead Cat Bounce got them in abundance. The perfect way to round off a day at the Fringe.
NB – Midget line gets joke of the night. Classic.
AF
Axis Of Awesome: Cry Yourself A River
Posted by Martin in 4 stars, Albert Fish, Axis Of Awesome: Cry Yourself A River, Pleasance on August 9, 2012
COMEDY
★★★★
Axis Of Awesome: Cry Yourself A River
Pleasance Courtyard
6pm (run ends 19th August)
Axis Of Awesome clearly have an extensive UK fan base already, filling this somewhat cavernous venue, even on a Tuesday night. You can see why. It’s knock-about fun with musical skills from Jordan (looking like a less-homeless Zach Galifianakis), Lee (a skinny Derren Brown) and Benny (Sean Lock on a distant hill).
Some songs are more catchy than others with their opening number about cult TV show ‘Game Of Thrones’, the dance music/dubstep section and the hit that got them where they are today ‘4 Chords’ really standing out. The audience participation section seems a little random but leads to a good running joke so can be forgiven. Their juxtaposition of the Joseph Kony movement and pizza division is delightful.
An enjoyable show, made all the better by their self-awareness. Particularly convenient as it’s slightly earlier than others (6pm) so easy to fit into a schedule. Catch it if you can.
AF
The Blues Brothers: Live
Posted by Martin in 5 stars, Albert Fish, C Venues, Music, The Blues Brothers: Live on August 9, 2012
MUSIC
★★★★★
The Blues Brothers: Live
C Venues – C eca
9:45pm (run ends 27th August)
This show works. Completely. Utterly.
Let’s start with its stars, Jake and Elwood Blues – The Blues Brothers. Jake’s voice is fantastic, he sounds and moves just like John Belushi and has the comedy element of the role down to a tee. Elwood’s dancing is perfect. It has just the right amount of caricature of Dan Ackroyd to work. The attention to detail is great right down to his white socks and while his accent slips occasionally his vocal talents more than make up for it. I’ve never seen anyone attempt the track ‘Rubber Biscuit’ before but he nails it and his harmonica playing is electrifying!
They both look very relaxed in the roles and clearly know the show inside out.
The band are awesome, I’ve never seen a group work so hard. They add so much to the atmosphere (particularly the Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn look-a-like) and the backing singers are stunning. At the end of the ‘The Old Landmark’ I was very much out of breath, mainly because I’d forgotten to breathe throughout the whole song, I was that caught up in it. Not many people could pull off a James Brown impersonation but this guy nails it! The production is really good and the use of dialogue from the film between tracks is a great way to introduce them.
The end of the set heralded a standing ovation from the audience and they remained on their feet for two encore tracks. I’ve never seen an audience dance like this one did. I’d rather see this group than almost any other. Take your Arctic Monkeys. Take your Coldplay, Killers and Snow Patrol and give me The Blues Brothers Live. I want to be in this gang.
There’ll be no stopping them. They’re on a mission from God.
Hit it.
AF
David O’Doherty: Seize The David O’Doherty
Posted by Martin in 4 stars, Albert Fish, David O’Doherty: Seize The David O’Doherty, Pleasance on August 8, 2012
COMEDY
★★★★
David O’Doherty: Seize The David O’Doherty
Pleasance Courtyard
7:20pm (run ends 27th August)
This show is classic David O’Doherty, there are the contrived rhymes, the nods to nostalgia and a bit where he’s exasperated with something and ends up laying on the floor. While it’s nothing particularly new, he does these very well. It’s the ultimate in surreal whimsy. He has some catchy new songs and there’s a certain amount of skill in making a scripted show look this un-prepared.
The capacity crowd were very much ‘his’ audience, there didn’t seem to be many people who didn’t know what they were in for and he really delivered the goods for them.
If you’re already a fan then see the show, if you’ve never seen him before then see the show, if you don’t like him then question your outlook on life. Then see the show.
AF
The Yarn
Posted by Martin in 4 stars, Albert Fish, theSpace, Yarn (The) on August 8, 2012
THEATRE
★★★★
The Yarn
theSpace @ Venue 45
5.20pm (until the 11th August)
No good show contains an accordion. That’s the rule.
The cast of The Yarn take that rule and put a pitchfork through it. And then play some bloody good accordion music.
From the minute you walk into the space and are gently accosted by the locals you are in little England. This portrayal of village life shows off all the tradition and superstition that still goes on in the tiny hamlets of the English countryside. It’s a large cast for a Fringe show (15 if I counted correctly) and the period costume is perfectly done.
If I’m entirely honest I didn’t expect to see an elderly man giving birth but what is the Fringe if it’s not surprising. Some elements were darker than expected which gave a good contrast with the jovial parts of the show. The scene of ‘The Woman Who Died 5 Times’ reminded me of ‘Cell Block Tango’ from the musical Chicago, another unexpected treat.
I’m unsure if the cast are all professional or not, it certainly seems like they are. Maintaining the energy they put in for the full 70 minutes is no mean feat and is expertly handled. Gaynor La Rocca’s direction keeps the show flowing neatly through the 8 scenes.
An ideal show for visitors to the UK interested in gaining an insight to the history of the isle, it’s kind of like the first scene of the Olympic opening ceremony but with more acting panache. And less mime. Thank god there was less mime.
AF
Chris Dangerfield: Sex Tourist
Posted by andrealockes in 4 stars, Albert Fish, Chris Dangerfield: Sex Tourist, Free Fringe on August 8, 2012
★★★★Chris Dangerfield: Sex Tourist
The Hive
5:45pm (run ends 26thAugust)
Situated in a windowless underground space with a low curved ceiling painted in dark brown, this room looks more appropriate for Hitler’s suicide than a comedy performance. Sorry, that might upset someone. It’s like watching a show inside the shell of an armadillo (is that whimsical enough for you?). This odd environment does not however stop a triumphant performance from Chris Dangerfield.
Eight months ago Dangerfield went on a sex tour of Thailand, sampling every ware peddled by the prostitutes of this unique country. He relapsed from being an ex-drug addict to very much a current drug addict and lost about five days. There are not many performers that can still be likeable after a story about possibly shooting a child but Dangerfield somehow manages it.
The narrative does occasionally jump around a bit and sections of the story do seem to be missing, but that’s tramadol for you. In some ways an hour wasn’t enough as it’s hard to condense eight weeks of chaos and debauchery of this nature. I’d certainly like to know how he ended up waking up to find four TVs in his room all showing the same Japanese porn. Quite a technical feat when you’re delirious from an overdose. I can’t imagine the ‘masseuses’ were much help with this either.
Dangerfield’s performance certainly has a feel of Russell Brand, their similar history might explain this and I don’t believe it’s intentional. The easiest comparison for the show would be with the film The Hangover but the fact that this story is true makes it all the more enjoyable. It’s certainly not a fancy show and he doesn’t dance around the more graphic areas of his tale but even if you aren’t strong of stomach, see this show. With its depth of emotion, fantastic set-ups and cast of drug addicts and prostitutes I’d have to say THIS really is ‘the greatest story ever told’. Yes, I am saying what you think I am.
AF
Comic Strip
Posted by andrealockes in 3 stars, Albert Fish, Assembly Venues, Comic Strip on August 7, 2012
★★★
Comic Strip
Assembly George Square
10:40pm (run ends 26thAugust)
Comic Strip is a one-hour race through six acts, three comedians and three burlesque performers, set in the magnificent Elegance ‘tent’ at George Square.
Compere Asher Treleaven does a great job of introducing the crowd to a style of show many were unfamiliar with. Possibly with good reason as both the comics and audience struggled to concentrate after the stunning burlesque acts.
The particular show featured comics Rob Beckett, Chris Ramsay and Felicity Ward. All performed well given unusual nature of following a naked lady with headliner Ward standing out as the most competent. The burlesque acts Kitty Bang Bang and Gypsy Wood were both fantastic and really played the crowd. The front row of teenage boys who were clearly there for one thing alone were pandered to much to the enjoyment of the rest of the room.
A great show and a good way to sample three comics before choosing to see their shows. The addition of the burlesque makes it slightly easier watching than some of the other mixed-bill shows that are comedy heavy.
AF
Chris McCausland: Not Blind Enough
Posted by Martin in 4 stars, Albert Fish, Chris McCausland: Not Blind Enough, Pleasance on August 6, 2012
COMEDY
★★★★Chris McCausland: Not Blind Enough
Pleasance Courtyard
4:30pm (run ends 26thAugust)
Chris McCausland presents an hour of high quality stand-up, through an act that has clearly been honed by years on the circuit.
He has a great turn of phrase and is very affable on stage. His analysis of his first gig is great and he has stand-out sections in his bits on MI5 and Reginald D Hunter. In a year when every act seems to have some Olympics related material, it’s great to see someone with a very new angle which makes up a large chunk of this show. Even if you’re as sick of hearing about the running and jumping as I am, this certainly won’t add to your pain.
A very solid performance with a strong awareness of the art of comedy. He mentions that he wasn’t planning on coming to the Fringe this year, I’m very glad he did.
AF
Chris Corcoran And Elis James: The Committee Meeting
Posted by andrealockes in 5 stars, Albert Fish, Chris Corcoran And Elis James: The Committee Meeting, Underbelly on August 6, 2012
★★★★★
Chris Corcoran And Elis James: The Committee Meeting
Underbelly
1:30pm (run ends 27th August)
The Committee Meeting is an hour of character comedy set in a small Welsh village. This was certainly one of my biggest surprises of the festival so far. This show is fantastic.
We are initially introduced to The Chairman (Chris Corcoran) who engages in some lively banter with the audience. His performance certainly has the air of Rob Brydon about it but he is thoroughly engaging and gets the show moving. Elis James plays two characters with skill and his Aretha Franklin bit is a joy.
They tread the line between surrealism and factual accuracy very well, featuring elements that probably aren’t far off these village establishments but keeping it strange enough to be entertaining throughout.
There is extensive audience participation in the show but this is expertly handled and they keep the narrative moving. Their occasional nods to the fact that this is a scripted show only enhance the enjoyment. There was a very diverse audience in on Saturday, from a group of teenage boys to a party of pensioners, they were all part of the show and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy it – not many shows can offer this. An hour of good fun and great performances. This is what the Fringe is about.
AF
Adam Larter: Happy New Year
Posted by andrealockes in 1 star, Adam Larter: Happy New Year, Albert Fish, Free Fringe on August 5, 2012
★
Adam Larter: Happy New Year
Captain Taylor’s Coffee House
1:15pm (run ends 26thAugust)
Adam Larter presents an hour of surreal/absurdist comedy based around a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Unfortunately it doesn’t feel like an hour. As Adam coerces the audience into joining in his ‘performance’ and dances about the room making noises it feels far more like an extended kidnapping in which the hostages play along in the vague hope of one day escaping this hell. There’s certainly no risk of Stockholm syndrome in this ordeal.
It’s like an annual Christmas revue as performed by the residents of an asylum for the mentally ill. If all you need to be entertained is vague noise, bright colours and shapes then this show might have something to offer you. If you require any sense of content or purpose then stay away.
Having said this, there are some twinkles of hope, his banter with the audience was occasionally passable and the odd throw-away line was good, however these were too few and far between, even for a free show. Larter has the potential to be a good comedy performer but needs a lot of direction before then. There are a few moments which are similar to Doctor Brown (Underbelly) but unfortunately lack his affability or sense of comic timing.
I checked the time at one point as it felt like this show had over run. Unfortunately we were twenty-two minutes in.
AF
Bullet Catch
Posted by andrealockes in 3 stars, Albert Fish, Bullet Catch, Traverse Theatre on August 5, 2012
★★★
Bullet Catch
Traverse Theatre
Various times (run ends 26th August)
It’s very hard to tell what genre this show is intended to be. Is it theatre with tricks, or a magic show with a strong narrative? In order to try and make this review as clear and useful as possible, I will consider both elements separately.
The magic in the show is nothing particularly new. Most, if not all the effects are shop bought and with the exception of the finale are all things I, and many others, will have seen before. However this doesn’t necessarily matter if they are performed in a way that is unique to this show. Occasionally they are. There is particularly novel use of the ‘lights from finger tips’ effect.
One part of the show I do have to take issue with is the revealing of the method behind a popular effect the world over. This is very unfair considering the production did not create this illusion and is ruining it for other performers. It is an interesting device theatrically as the audience have the choice whether to look or not as the reveal is made, they should however have created their own method if they wanted to do this.
Looking at this as a play presents a new set of issues. Stylistically it is somewhat confusing as the set and costume has a turn-of-the-century feel but the performance and weapon used are very much more modern. I cannot see any benefit in them having intentionally juxtaposed these ideas. One audience volunteer is onstage for most of the show (the selection process for this explains what will be required of you and only willing volunteers are used). They are given a long coat to wear which is a great way of making them blend in with the production design and the use of them to advance the narrative is fantastic.
The finale of the show is an attempt at the bullet catch itself. There were a few issues with this. Throughout the production the gun is treated as though it is loaded with live rounds, the volunteer from the audience is instructed to keep his finger off the trigger and keep it pointed at the floor at all times. This suspense-building tactic was somewhat dampened when the gun jammed and the performer tried to sort it while pointing the gun into the faces of the front row for about 30 seconds. This was an unfortunate incident but should have been dealt with in character and within the set-up of the show.
Had this been the end it would be easy to say that ‘we know it’s not a real bullet’ but a philosophical note in the final monologue really adds poignancy and really turns this into a piece of theatre.
Should you see this show? If you’re looking for original drama and have a passing interest in magic, then certainly. If you’re looking for magic then there are better options on offer at the Fringe from a technical point of view however they might not be as unique as this.
AF
Andrew Maxwell: That’s The Spirit
Posted by andrealockes in 1 star, Albert Fish, Andrew Maxwell: That’s The Spirit, Assembly Venues, Comedy on August 4, 2012
★Andrew Maxwell: That’s The Spirit
Assembly George Square
9:05pm (run ends 27th August)
Having seen stand-up Andrew Maxwell I can rest easy in my bed tonight for I know that should Dara O Brian ever be tragically killed, we have the ultimate tribute act in Maxwell. Now of course, he wouldn’t have Dara’s skill or natural rapport with the audience but we would all have to do our best to overlook this. Ignoring the obvious similarities in accent, Maxwell has a similar style and rhythm and approaches many topics from a similar angle.
He occasionally has some great lines but a lot of his material is somewhat unimaginative and his first five minutes was irrelevant to anyone not up to date with Scottish politics. He has a tendency to amble around the stage somewhat unnecessarily, adding nothing to his ‘performance’. He does have this ground breaking bit where he compares the Olympics, wait for it, to a school sports day. Instant classic. How does he come up with this stuff?
As you can tell by now, it wasn’t my thing. While it was certainly competent, the show lacked imagination and that extra spark you expect from someone who can sell this many seats at the fringe.
It’s important I note that I could well be wrong about all this. Most of the sold out crowd were lapping up every word and the roar as he finished was impressive. They clearly loved it. Unfortunately popularity is not an appropriate measurement for talent.
AF
Barry Morgan’s World of Organs
Posted by andrealockes in 2012 Reviewers, 4 stars, Albert Fish, Barry Morgan's World of Organs, Comedy, Star ratings, Underbelly, Venue on August 4, 2012
★★★★
Barry Morgan’s World Of Organs
Underbelly
7:20pm (run ends 27th August)
Barry Morgan is a musician and salesman from Australia, in this show he gives us an in-depth look at the world of organs.
This show relies on two main tools, that of cheese and puns. You could say Barry Morgan peddles a very cheesy organ. His performance on the organ is dripping with cheese. G-organ-zola if you will.
Don’t think of this as a bad thing though, as he has these elements down to a fine art. He creates depth to the show as Morgan has genuine skill on the organ and his performance is fantastic. At no point does he drop his look of surprise and delight and seems to draw lashings of pleasure from playing his instrument.
There is an element of audience participation in the show which he handles expertly with the participants clearly enjoying their involvement as well as learning a lot more about Barry’s One Finger Method (for playing the organ).
The show also offers production values beyond most Fringe performances with multiple cameras, a full size organ and numerous costume changes. This can’t have been easy to organise. Organ-ise.
Organ.
The show is a triumph of character comedy with a broad appeal. See it. Enjoy It. Buy an organ.
AF
Asher Treleaven: Troubadour
Posted by andrealockes in 5 stars, Albert Fish, Asher Treleaven: Troubadour, Comedy, Gilded Balloon, Star ratings on August 4, 2012
★★★★★
Asher Treleaven: Troubadour
Gilded Balloon
4:30pm (run ends 26th August)
There’s a little known tradition at the Fringe that one show a year must take its structure from a 1980s self-help book by a Maltese author. This year it’s Asher Treleaven presenting an hour based around the six thinking hats of Edward De Bono.
The topic of the show is Asher’s life, essentially asking the question ‘is his life so far interesting enough to fill an hour?’ Luckily for everyone involved, it certainly is. In his thirty something years Treleaven has been to more places and done more things than many do in a lifetime. He opens his narrative with a poem (don’t judge him on this, it’s actually good) which briefly outlines the myriad of experiences he’s had. Should these be true then there could be plenty more autobiographical hours to come.
His years of circus and street performance combined with his honed stand-up skills give him an air of Jim Carrey crossed with Penn Jillette (of magic duo Penn and Teller), but despite this his style is certainly his own. His Cirque Du Soleil joke is wonderful and I’d love to see more in that style. There’s a surprising twist in the middle of the show which I won’t give away but this five minutes of pure skill and expertise is worth the price of the ticket alone.
He closes the show by inviting the audience to simply ‘do what makes you happy’. If you have any interest in following this mantra, book your tickets now, you’ll certainly be happy you did.
AF
Alfie Moore: I Predicted a Riot
Posted by andrealockes in 3 stars, Albert Fish, Alfie Moore: I Predicted a Riot, Comedy, Pleasance, Star ratings on August 3, 2012
★★★
Alfie Moore: I Predicted a Riot
Pleasance Courtyard
9.50pm (run ends 27th August)
Serving police officer Alfie Moore presents an entertaining and endearing hour based around the 2011 summer riots. While the word ‘endearing’ might seem like something of a cop out, this is very much how Alfie comes across. He clearly has a love for both policing and comedy and, judging by his stories, does both jobs well.
Many of his punchlines come out of nowhere and his jokes are very technically proficient. He possesses the delivery and style of a traditional Northern comic but has a way with words beyond many of his peers. It’s rare to describe a white supremacist joke as whimsical but Alfie makes the Ku Klux Klan come across as a novelty. Perhaps owing to his need to be impartial and withdrawn in his day job, some of his material could do with more feeling and passion. However the lack of this does not detract from the fact that this is a very interesting and enlightening show.
At the start he promises that the show is mainly true stories. This could be why the show isn’t as funny as it could be, particularly when coupled with his evident skill. Having tied himself to this premise it’s possibly harder to take the narrative in the funniest direction when recounting an accurate tale of some quite horrific events. In some ways he’d handcuffed himself artistically. (Pun thought of during the show, considered for a while, and regrettably included in this final draft.)
Overall very much worth seeing, particularly if you have any interest in policing, rioting or the use of portacabins as a venue for theatrical events. Not hysterically funny, but certainly enjoyable and enlightening.
AF
