Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (Underbelly) ★★★1/2

Ursula is here to spill the tea on what really went on under the sea. Splash-landing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this down and dirty Disney parody is full of show-stopping songs, magical puppets and delightfully filthy humour. Elliotte Williams-N’Dure as Ursula. Photo credit: Underbelly. Following in the footsteps of Cruella and Elphaba, everyone’s favourite... Continue Reading →

August 22, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain (Roundabout @ Summerhall) ★★★

A poetic fable about an immigration system not dissimilar to the UK’s own, Sami Ibrahim’s A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain uses a fairytale premise to dissect the realities of the hostile environment. Utilising dreamy movement, storytelling and direct address, this story feels both other-worldly and pointedly terrestrial. Princess Khumalo & Sara Hazemi. Photo credit:... Continue Reading →

August 20, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: The Chosen Haram (Summerhall) ★★★★★

A dynamic exploration of faith, sexuality and addiction, Sadiq Ali's The Chosen Haram is a beautiful, affecting piece of physical theatre. Powerful, strong and sensual work that both challenges and entertains. Hauk Pattison and Sadiq Ali. Photo credit: Glen McCarty. Drawing on Ali’s personal experiences, and interviews with members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify... Continue Reading →

August 20, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: Dick (Greenside @ Infirmary Street) ★★

A combination of storytelling and film sequences, Dick shares Richard Stamp’s personal experiences of diagnosis, treatment and survival. A self-proclaimed tragi-comedy, the production is an informative and honest confrontation about how manhood is defined. Frank, unabashed and direct, Stamp chronicles his real-life ordeal when, in 2018, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of penile... Continue Reading →

August 18, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: Lizard Boy (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose) ★★★★★

First dates are always tough, but when you are a Lizard Boy they can be even more challenging. Venturing out for the first time in twenty years, sweet and socially awkward Trevor goes on an epic rollercoaster of self-discovery. With a thrilling original score and superb cast, this new rock musical is a true smash... Continue Reading →

August 18, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: Candy (Underbelly Bristo Square) ★★★★

When Will sees the woman of his dreams singing in the local club, he is overwhelmed by feelings of love, and of what could be. The catch? The siren is his best mate Billy performing in drag. A funny, touching monologue about the concepts of masculinity, sexuality and gender, Candy is both entertaining and thought-provoking.... Continue Reading →

August 18, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), (Underbelly) ★★★★★

When Rob Madge was 12, they attempted to stage a full-blown Disney parade in their living room. In this show, celebrating the joy of having a queer child and the loved ones who support them, Madge has the audience alternately rolling in the aisles and dabbing their eyes. Rob Madge. Photo credit: Mark Senior. Inviting... Continue Reading →

August 14, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: Beg For Me (Underbelly Bristo Square) ★★

Exploring the right-wing radicalisation of young, susceptible men, and the role of social and mainstream media in that process, Beg For Me is a timely piece that asks a number of interesting questions. As the audience enters, @R3alAm3rican99 is already ensconced in an armchair, watching a Richard Spencer video on his phone. The sound of... Continue Reading →

August 14, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: Hungry (Roundabout @ Summerhall) ★★★

When chef Lori meets Bex, who is waiting tables, a romantic clinch in a walk-in fridge marks the start of a tumultuous relationship. Exploring themes of class, queerness and cultural appropriation, Hungry is a thought-provoking play that leaves plenty to be digested. Melissa Lowe and Eleanor Sutton. Photo credit: The Other Richard. Eleanor Sutton and... Continue Reading →

August 10, 2022 0

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 Theatre Review: Rajesh & Naresh (Summerhall) ★★★

Feeling that something is missing from his life, British Asian banker Rajesh takes his mother’s advice and travels to India for the first time since childhood. Meanwhile Naresh, a socially-awkward cricket bat maker, is on the verge of giving up hope of meeting the man of his dreams. Bhramdeo Shannon Ramana and Madhav Vasantha. Photo... Continue Reading →

August 10, 2022 0