Tag: edinburgh festival

REVIEW: Rohan Sharma: Mad Dog 

Published on by Claire McArthurLeave a comment

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

a fantastically polished debut show, packed with content and hilarity,

Rohan Sharma is in a state of disconnection. In this fast-paced multimedia-laced debut, we’re taken on a whistlestop tour through areas of his internal conflict with unexpected and hilarious results. 


The self-proclaimed Mad Dog sets the scene early with a quick quiz to determine if a crowd member is racist, before diving into his material. We whip through topics such as British food, sex appeal of money, Madame Tussauds, and an intriguing politician his mother encountered in Beaconsfield – Colonel Gaddaffi. We also have Dan the tech, chipping in with his own brand of comedy on occasion, and the founding of a new investment opportunity, as well as the perils of oppression vs privilege, and the thorny topic of finding love. The gags come thick and fast, accompanied by copious laughter, and the PowerPoint use is fresh and fun, without being overused.


This is a well-crafted show, and the pace is kept up throughout – there’s some lovely visual gags, particularly where Rohan’s called out for some ‘emotional truths’ by Dan, and the series of apologies that follows, which skewer some of the comedy show tropes. Not all of the punchlines land quite as Rohan expects, but there’s a general good natured fun to it all that it all works anyway. Similarly, at times the backing music felt a touch too loud, but might just be my seat on the night.      


What really elevates this show above what could be just a good fun hour, is Rohan addressing the fact that he’s not focusing on topics that he would be expected to focus on for a ‘successful’ Fringe show – there’s a lack of trauma or racism he’s encountered. He’s authentic to his own self and what matters to him – namely finding love, and a mild obsession with that aforementioned dictator. I won’t include any  spoilers about what these entail, but there are delightful curveballs and looping callbacks peppered throughout, in a highly satisfying way.   

This is a fantastically polished debut show, packed with content and hilarity, and sure to cement Rohan as a comedian to keep an eye on in the months and years to come. 

Rohan Sharma: Mad Dog runs until 24 August, at 19:10 at Pleasance Courtyard, Below. Tickets can be bought from: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/rohan-sharma-mad-dog

REVIEW: Swiping Right

Published on by reviewsbymeganLeave a comment

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Swiping Right explores whether romantic relationships can bridge opposing political views, blending recorded interviews and theatrical storytelling.

Is it possible to date someone who has opposing political views? This is the question that underlines Sophie Anna Veelenturf’s Swiping Right, a show that pulls on her dating experiences with right-wing men. As a staunch leftist, Sophie Anna begins to wonder why she is drawn to men with right-wing views and whether relationships can last in those polarizing circumstances. 

The project began with interviewing her exes about their time together, before she moved on to a wider range of interviewees. In Swiping Right, Sophie Anna’s interviews are played to the audience as she re-enacts each scene interspersed with moments of breaking the fourth wall and chanting political slogans.

Swiping Right is underlined by a really interesting concept with well-executed interviews that highlight her strong journalistic instincts. Sadly, the conversations with her ex-boyfriends, which were the main focus of the piece, did not provide as much depth as the other interviewees who gave some fascinating insights that brought up intersecting areas of discussion such as race and class. 

The transitions between scenes worked well, especially with the mixture of costumes and props, and Sophie Anna gave a convincing performance. This was a well thought out premise with some truly captivating moments. With tighter editing, this show could reach incredible heights.

Swiping Right is at the Edinburgh Fringe until 24th August at ZOO Southside. Buy your tickets here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/swiping-right

REVIEW: Spy Movie: The Play! 

Published on by nebularis85Leave a comment

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Unmissable, laugh a minute and silly hilarity from start to finish.


Norwhich theatre company present Spy movie: the play! running at Edinburgh Fringe Above at pleasance courtyard. This is one show which is absolutely not to be missed. The quick wit and immersive comedy is exceptional from start to finish. The plot follows Jane Blonde and Ian Flemish as they save the world from impending doom and all is executed as a play on a low budget cleverly replacing CGI with, in one word, genius solutions to stage craft and stunt doubles with multi-rolling which is also brilliantly achieved by the highly talented cast. 

The approach of intentional mistakes weaved through the plot makes it a laugh out loud performance and is a supremely funny farce with cleverly integrated one liners and puns throughout. The set uses exceptionally creative approaches to present a low budget James bond parody where shop bought props and cue cards are only some of the pure hilarity we experience all the way through. 

Matthew Howell (Mr Hugs/Albert) breaks the fourth wall from the start warming up the audience as they enter and setting the scene for what will be an exciting and comedic afternoon. If you are looking to escape to a place of simple tech and comedy at it’s most playful then Spy movie: the play! is the show for you. Don’t miss out!

Spy movie: the play! runs 30th July- 25th August

Get your tickets here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/spy-movie-the-play

REVIEW: Baby in The Mirror

Published on by Ella ThornburnLeave a comment

Rating: 5 out of 5.

A stunning debut – Baby In The Mirror is an absolute must see representing queer parenting with exceptional heart

On stage representation is a privilege not afforded to everyone, but SecondAdolence’s stunning debut performance gifts this experience to queer couples navigating the complexities of parenthood. Baby In The Mirror opens strikingly with overlapping phone call conversations, offering insights into the concerns and relationships of the central couple Lena (Marie Sophie) and Joey (Zoe West). Sophie and West generate impressive synergy, crafting a tight performance while easily evoking their characters’ established intimate relationship. 

Masterful writing feeds us snippets of a backstory in which Lena and Joey explored IVF, opening compassionate conversations on the difficulty of hormone treatment, of how experiencing absent fathers in childhood complicates interacting with anonymous sperm donors, of what to call yourself if not ‘mum’ and ‘dad’. Despite their loving relationship, communication barriers cause continual friction- a theme explored extremely sensitively and realistically throughout.

The scene transitions thread together episodic, highly thoughtful snapshots of conversations with inventive flair, marrying lighting and creative choreography to guide us from day to day. Motif was utilised to beautifully emotive effect, exploring the cruel grasp of anxiety from childhood into adulthood and how it can impede and damage relationships. This was particularly effective at the play’s end, where ideas surrounding Lena’s relationship with her own mother, her body and her freedom powerfully culminated through moving use of physical theatre. 

A counterpoint to Lena’s battle with panic attacks and anxiety was Derek Mitchell’s reassuring presence as best friend and ‘spunkle’ Ollie. A real highlight of this story was its ability to consider every perspective thoroughly and compellingly, with each actor delivering truly stunning, openhearted and brave performances. I attended this show with my group of young queer friends and we were all moved to tears, cheering enthusiastically at a story that felt ours, at characters and experiences that are all too often absent from the stage. SecondAdolesence have crafted something exquisite- I urge you to go and see it! 

Fringe Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/baby-in-the-mirror 

LISTING INFORMATION: 

Venue: Summerhall Red Lecture Theatre 

Dates: 31 July – 25 August (not 11,18)

Time: 15:15, 60mins 

Ticket Prices: £17.00 (Concessions £14.00) 

Age restrictions: 16+ 

REVIEW: Rob Auton: CAN (An Hour-Long Story)

Published on by reviewsbymeganLeave a comment

Rating: 4 out of 5.

A captivating and surreal comedy about the heights of motivational speaking

Comedian Rob Auton returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with his new show CAN, the story of a man called CAN. In this comedy storytelling experience, CAN regales us with the tale of his rise to become the world’s leading motivational speaker. CAN’s career as a motivational speaker began small with postmen and kettlebells, moving through schools and workplaces, until he finally reaches the heights of a truly unforgettable weekend away to achieve world peace. 

Starting with a voice over from CAN’s parents, the surreal tone of the performance is established from the outset. This may be Rob’s first fictional character show, but it is still full of the dry wit and straight to the point humour that usually underpins his performances. In fact, this character gave him room to explore a whole new side to storytelling that paid off with a room that avidly followed the rise and fall of CAN.

This show covers the shared experiences of humanity using surreal anecdotes and simple observations that chime with the audience in a way that is truly unique. Rob’s pairing of sincerity and humour creates a show that is both poignant and laugh out loud funny. In the end, CAN achieved his goal at the Edinburgh Fringe, motivating and uplifting a grateful audience. 

Rob Auton: CAN (An Hour-Long Story) is at the Edinburgh Fringe until 24th August at Assembly Roxy, Upstairs. Buy your tickets here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/rob-auton-can-an-hour-long-story

In Conversation with DARKFIELD

Published on by Tabitha JamesLeave a comment

Tell us about DARKFIELD and the shows you’re bringing to Edinburgh

    DARKFIELD create innovative immersive 360 degree audio experiences at the forefront of technology and theatre. They employ detailed sets, complete darkness, binaural sound, sensory effects and shipping containers to situate each participant at the centre of intense evolving narratives.

    Our new show, ARCADE, which is being presented at Summerhall, uses the nostalgic 8-bit aesthetic of 1980’s video games to tell an interactive narrative exploring the evolving relationship between players and avatars. It is a choose-your-own-path experience in a completely dark shipping container, employing 360 degree binaural sound and sensory effects. Players guide their avatar through a world ravaged by endless war. There are many routes and many different outcomes.

    FLIGHT, which will be sited outside Pleasance Dome, takes place in absolute darkness inside a 40ft shipping container with an interior that exactly resembles an Airbus 320 economy cabin.  The story explores the Many-Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics, taking audience members through two worlds, two realities and two possible outcomes to their journey.  

    Who are the main character(s) in the show and what are they like?

    The main character in ARCADE is the avatar that the player guides through the story. They may meet Tar and/or Kim, the leaders of the two respective armies, as well as their respective cohorts. There are about 75 other characters in the world of the show. The main characters in FLIGHT are the Captain, the Cabin Crew and the other passengers on the plane with you. 

    How does it feel to be bringing ARCADE and FLIGHT to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

      We love coming to the Fringe. Edinburgh has been a great place to showcase our work and we’ve been every year since 2017, with the exception of Covid year 2020. We generally premiere a new show at Summerhall and for the last three years have also managed to open some of our other containers outside the Pleasance Dome. 

      Have you done the Fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the Fringe?

        Bringing a show to the Fringe is very expensive – the accommodation is very hard to come by and extortionate. If you have friends you can stay with, invite yourself. The Fringe is a bit of a monster that can swallow you up so it’s probably best to accept this, embrace the challenges and try and enjoy yourself. 

        What do you hope that audiences will take away from experiencing a DARKFIELD show?

          Our shows offer something different – they’re short and intense and audiences can fit them in between other shows they’re watching. They run at various times throughout the day, which helps when people’s schedules are full.

          We want our audiences to leave our containers excited and this year we’re particularly intrigued about how our audiences will respond to ARCADE. We hope they’re interested in the different journeys other audience members have been on, and are excited to hear all the conversations that follow the show. The show is constructed for multiple visits and we’re putting in place a discount scheme for those who want to give it more than one go. 

          What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh during August or what are you most looking forward to?

            I think if you can plan your visit, book the shows you like the look of, before you arrive you might have a better experience. Arriving unprepared can result in paralysis as there are so many things to see – which of course is what makes it so exciting. Make sure you leave space for the unexpected. Last year I randomly picked a show called Dark Noon by Fix+Foxy, and it was brilliant. I’m hoping to catch something as good again this year.