Written & Directed by Seón Simpson and Gina Donnelly ★★★★ Previously a part of Summerhall’s online Fringe in 2021, SeónSimpson and Gina Donnelly’s production makes an in-person appearance – and by Jesus, was this worth the wait. Uncompromising, unapologetic, and unfiltered, Two Fingers Up grabs audiences by the unmentionables and shakes their understanding (or lack) of sex, pleasure, … Continue reading Two Fingers Up – Summerhall
Written by Frances Poet Directed by Gareth Nicholls ★★★★ Pain is a difficult thing to communicate. It manifests in a myriad of intricate and contorting ways – emotional, mental and physical. Still is Frances Poet's effort to capture varying experiences of it. Gaynor, a housebound mother confined by chronic pain, is awaiting the birth of her … Continue reading Still – Traverse Theatre
★★★★ Digital theatre has presented itself as a suitable alternative to the in-person performance. Streaming cinema has long been an acceptable option. But there’s something about live spoken word: a distinctiveness that digital shows haven’t quite been able to capture. Perhaps it’s down to misery loving company? Thankfully, in-person spoken word is back. Edinburgh-based collective … Continue reading Loud Poets – Scottish Storytelling Centre
Directed by Sally Lyall Music & Lyrics by The Proclaimers ★★★ Far from Leith, atop the makeshift MultiStory outdoor Fringe venue underneath the Castle, the sun conceals itself behind a typically grey Edinburgh skyline. But if there’s one theatrical group that can coax the sunshine out, it’s Edinburgh’s grassroots Captivate Theatre. The company return to … Continue reading Sunshine on Leith – Multistory
Written by Mamoru Iriguchi Dramaturg by Lou Brodie ★★★★ Even going to school in the early 2000s, sex education left a lot to be desired. It divided us between those who identified as boys and as girls and left us with barely any more information than we had when we went in. On reflection, something … Continue reading Sex Education Xplorers (S.E.X) – Summerhall
Written & Directed by Terrence Turner ★★★★★ One-woman show Dishonour, written and directed by Terrence Turner, presents audiences with an under-discussed issue: female genital mutilation (FGM). The nature in which tradition is shackled to systemic abuse is remarkable, and the discourse surrounding it as complex as imaginable. Dishonour handles these complexities by telling multiple stories; there's the tale … Continue reading Dishonour – Fringe OnDemand
Written & Directed by Cara Johnston Produced by The Miles Sisters: Courtney & Cara ★★★★★ As Rome burned, Nero played the fiddle. As the Capitol rioted, Trump engorged on hate. But when the Place de la Bastille was stormed, and Paris was on the brink of revolution, Marie Antoinette performed. One final performance, a fitting … Continue reading The Little Glass Slipper as Performed by the Queen of France and her Friends.
Written by Donald Smith ★★★ The relationship between Scotland and Number 10 is, well, you know. No matter where audiences’ land on the Independence argument, the historical union has had its advantages, disadvantages and tremendous shortfalls. And the position of an advisor to the Prime Minister is an honour, apparently, and by no means an … Continue reading The Laird Strikes Back – Scottish Storytelling Centre
Written and Performed by Paul Aitchison ★★★ Lights, camera, MAGIC. And well, there’s undoubtedly a fair whack of the latter taking place this evening, and why wouldn’t there be? For tonight, the lucky residents of Edinburgh are here to judge the most prestigious prize within the magical community. So, stuff the Magic Circle, say no … Continue reading Could It Be Magic? – Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Written & Directed by Seón Simpson and Gina Donnelly ★★★★ What do you remember of sex education and puberty? Or at least, what can you remember that you haven’t blotted out? For many we were given the archaic and established believes that our parents and grandparents were told; of how to act, what to shave … Continue reading Two Fingers Up – Summerhall
