Reading Time: 2 minutesThis production of Carmen comes to the Edinburgh International Festival direct from Opéra-Comique – the Parisian opera house where it all began, brought to the stage by conductor Louis Langrée and director Andreas Homoki.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteRaul Kohli’s show weaves a narrative around what it means to be British, and how this fits with our multicultural society of today. Son of a Hindu Indian and a Sikh Singaporean, he was raised in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and Geordie deadpan humour is apparent in abundance.
Reading Time: 2 minutesFrom the beginning, the audience were rapt as James could not only guess cards picked by audience members, but also described the fascinating underlying psychology, about why people tend to pick the cards that they do. I have no doubt that attendees will be trying this on friends and family, showing off that new-found knowledge at parties to come. Neatly balancing crowdwork with few audience members (and a keen eye to spot those with a lesser imagination, shall we say) with elements that the whole crowd can enjoy, and engagement was very high.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteLou Taylor starts her show with the best day of her life. And it’s a corker. Over the course of an hour, we’re brought into her inner confidences, with a combination of stories and short films, covering topics from unorthodox childhood career plans, eyebrow disasters, early relationships and the effect of 90s media on all of the above. We flip back and forth between the past and now, comparing generational differences and disappointing sexual encounters.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn a show laced with his trademark multimedia elements, Ted takes us on a meticulously planned journey through his formative years, self-discovery and family relationships. After studying Netflix specials, he knows what makes up a “normal” comedy performance, and over the course of an hour, we tick those off in a charmingly comedic way, whilst maintaining the heart of his message. More tender moments are handled with a deftness of touch, and carefully balanced against the next laugh (of which there were many). Again, he had the data to prove the laughs are there.
Reading Time: 3 minutes“Where to Begin” is a new type of Opening Event for Edinburgh International Festival, designed to tell the story of the creative power of Edinburgh, and encourage the audience to join the festivities - “a ritual to ignite your Festival”.
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn the cavernous Assembly Roxy, Wes Peden brought a juggling spectacle to life. Based on an childhood love of rollercoasters, and their pretzel shapes, we were presented with an hour of energetic movement and extraordinary skill in his ultra-modern pop-punk homage.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe air inside La Belle Angele on Friday night was already thick from the smoke machine before anyone comes near the stage. Blue lights from the back of the stage setting the scene for the double bill of Redfish Blues and Jensen Interceptors.
Reading Time: 2 minutesFull Fat are a trio of musicians, originally founded in Aberdeen, but have been a presence in the Edinburgh music scene for the last few years.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThis performance by Niki King interlaced songs celebrating Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington with some from her own album “The Everlasting Energy of Love”.