THEATRE
UNICORNS, ALMOST
Army@ The Fringe in association with Summerhall (V210)
August 2nd to 25th (not 5,12,19) 13.15
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
THEATRE
UNICORNS, ALMOST
Army@ The Fringe in association with Summerhall (V210)
August 2nd to 25th (not 5,12,19) 13.15
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
THEATRE
COLLAPSIBLE
Assembly Roxy (V139)
July 31st to August 25th (not 14, 21) 13.20
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
THEATRE
A PARTNERSHIP
Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (V24)
July 31st to August 26th (not 12th) 14.45
⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)
THEATRE.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
theSpace @ Venue 45 10.10 am
August 19th to 22nd.
⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)
THEATRE
I LOST MY VIRGINITY TO CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE IN B-FLAT MINOR
Pleasance Courtyard (V33)
July 31st to August 26th
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
THEATRE
PREFER NOT TO SAY
Paradise in the Vault V29
August 3rd to 25th (not 11. 18)
⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)
Comedy
Darius Davies: Persian of Interest
Just the Tonic
⭐⭐ (2 stars)
Davies, the millennial, presents us with a kaleidoscopic view of modern living. Indeed, we live in uncertain times, with fake news, the corruption of technology, the ‘me-too’ movement, AI, internet dating and dick pics penetrating modern life. But it is nice to be reminded (yet again) of the overt dishonesty surrounding us, albeit through subaltern eyes and through the medium of comedy – way to soften the blow of depressing modernity, Davies!
Slight flippancy aside, it is true that Davies truly has a lot to say. There is nothing quite like exposing the conspiracies of life that characterise these uncertain times than to pose as a female on Tinder for laughs and divulge details of your conversation with an unknowing stranger (Tez). The man only wants to ‘suck your [imaginary] bobs’, Davies (or should I say,
Daria – your Tinder alter ego). Tez is clearly as displaced and misguided by these times as you are – as are we all.
Indeed, we are all subjected to this fine pricking that life gives to all seven billion of us – but I came out of this comedy show half-bored, half-depressed. Sure, Davies offers some social commentary, but at this point, he’s beating a dead horse. Nothing uplifting emerges at the end of this show. Later, I retreat home in solemnity, to return to the isolation and unsympathetic recoil offered in this technological apocalypse.
By Joshua Kaye
Comedy
Phil Nichol: Too Much
Monkey Barrel Comedy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)
Despite the docile (yet, mellow) audience, Nichol’s exceptional ability as a storyteller bestows the atmosphere with a pleasing humility that appeals to old and young; new and returning fans.
This intimate setting, at the Monkey Barrel, was the perfect location for his comedic repertoire. Picture this: You enter to see a cheerful Phil swaggering around the stage, with his guitar in hand and a greeting. You are in a safe place. The music is warm and fulfilling, and the discreet lighting allows you to drink in said music: a melodic osmosis.
But this osmosis extends beyond that of melody. Indeed, this give-and-take relationship between Nichol and his audience naturally develops during the show. Between his larger-than-life interactive anecdotes about strict religious upbringing, drugs, marathon running, taking the piss out of Scottish people, and prison, there is sage-old wisdom in this man. A humbling quality delivered between his highly-animated performance through his commentary about ageing and his obvious reverence for his elders.
The real meaning of his performance is realised at those moments of self-effacement. The fact is, growing older is a mixed bag of complexity. Complexity upon complexity, of growing insight, amid constant learning, and growing vulnerability. Too Much is happening with-in and with-out us, while we go through the motions of life. If for an hour, you can devote your time to learning from this man through laughter and tears, you will be rewarded. Phil Nichol has a heart of gold.
By Joshua Kaye
THEATRE
SECTION 28: THE LEGACY OF A HOMOPHOBIC LAW
theSpace on the Mile (V39)
August 19th to 24th 20.20
⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)
Comedy
David McIver: Teleport
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth – Cinema Room
12:20 (ends 25th August)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
An important note – this wasn’t really stand-up. It was a solo show that contained comedy throughout. In ‘Teleport’, David McIver was trying to re-create a roleplay, online game whilst simultaneously tackling what’s it’s like to be a teenager and coping with illness in the family. It’s very funny but suddenly takes a serious, making you realise that the moments that you had originally laughed at are perhaps the most heart-breaking.
David McIver’s show is interactive; he takes you on a quest and shows you the different parts of a roleplaying game so that even if you are not familiar with the concept, you will be by the end of the show. The audience becomes part of the show and if you like audience participation, this show is full of it. He’s charming, incredibly approachable and generally really friendly which is why you want to be part of the show, you want him to tell you a Death Story or reveal your future. He had to change quickly between the different characters that you meet along the way and brought them all to life, as each of them were distinct and unique in their own way.
It is essentially a sarcastic and snarky commentary that makes fun of all of the tropes that exist in role playing games. He intersperses these comments with unasked remarks that you would think a teenager would say. This is partly to remind us of his age but also as a way to hide what the show is really about, something that is told gradually and permeates throughout the show and is hinted at but you aren’t aware of where it is going or how important it is until the very end. You don’t expect it a show about online role-playing games like World of Warcraft to have a deeper meaning, but this one does and that’s what makes it so interesting to watch,
His use of sound is very clever since the cues have to be very precise in order for it all to work. The best part of his audio was the use of Siri – or something along the lines of a computer reader – in order to act as a stand in for his mother. At first you accept his explanation for why it sounds so robotic and you think it’s all part of the joke, or just a clever way for him to have a conversation with an unseen character.
It’s hard for me to write this review mainly because it’s a very difficult show to sum up or describe it in such a way that does it justice without completely giving everything away. I enjoyed it very much, but I can’t imagine how much time, effort, energy and emotion it took in order to perfect this play and to reveal so much about such a hard time in a way that is light – hearted and that will attract audiences. You can’t help but being moved by his story whilst simultaneously being entertained, which is a very odd feeling. We all have our coping mechanisms – some healthier than others – and it was incredibly brave of David McIver to share his. It’s a hard sell but definitely worth going to see. Bring tissues – you will need them for all of the laughter.
Katerina Partolina Schwartz (Twitter: @katpschwartz)