Once again, Jo Caruana spent August standing in line as one of the 2,183,591 ticket holders at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She shares her highlights from the world’s biggest arts event.
As an arts journalist, I try to make it a point to visit the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, held annually in August.
After all, this is the place to meet other critics, network with writers, view new work and, most importantly, scout for productions or production teams who I believe will be worth watching in the year/s to come.
This August was no different. Having received my festival brochure back in July, I had earmarked the shows I wanted to see and sorted my tickets.
Thankfully, aside from the odd dud, the offering was very good – there were 49,497 performances of 3,193 shows in 299 venues across the Scottish capital; and let’s just say there was something for everyone.
So, in between the street performers on stilts, the hectic cobbled streets packed with tourists, and the obligatory bagpipe performance (or 20), Fringe 2014 proved to be another of my cultural highlights for this year – and here’s why.
Dr Longitude’s Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie
If I had been regulated to see just one event at the Fringe this year, I’d have hoped this would be it.
Marketed as a family show, I attended with another adult and we were bowled over – equally as awe-struck as the little children surrounding us – that’s for sure. Crafted by the award-winning Les Enfants Terrible, the story follows zany Dr Lonigtude on his extraordinary adventures, accompanied by live musicians and puppeteers (as well as a particularly-charming puppet I would have liked to adopt).
Produced in the Enfants’ trademark Vaudeville style, I was in tears and in stiches.
Ernest and the Pale Moon
This is another Les Enfant Terrible show (I promise I am not receiving commission).
Just like Dr Longitude’s Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie, Ernest and the Pale Moon highlights the fact that you should beg, borrow or steal to secure tickets to an Enfant show. Right now.
If I had been regulated to see just one event at the Fringe this year, I’d have hoped this would be it
Far, far darker than Longitude (this is a very adult show), Ernest is inspired by the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Alfred Hitchcock and it’s pretty terrifying. I physically jumped out of my seat several times, rather embarrassingly.
It tells the tale of Ernest, who spends his days watching the beautiful young woman who lives in the apartment block opposite, and it uses innovative techniques, captivating storytelling and spine-tingling suspense to keep its audience glued.
This ranks as one of the most visually-astonishing shows I have ever seen.
Lungs
This would be my pick of new writing at this year’s Fringe. Held within the dynamic Summer-hall @ Roundabout venue, and absolutely packed to the rafters on the day I attended, Lungs successfully touched a nerve.
The script follows two thirty-somethings from an argument in an Ikea showroom to the rest of their lives as they debate whether or not to have a baby.
Truth be told, in a time of overpopulation, erratic weather and political unrest, can they justify bringing new life into the world?
Well, it makes you think. Lungs is set to tour internationally in the coming year and I highly recommend it.
Play Dough
Ever wondered how to explain the world of finance and the recent economy crash to your children in a way they will understand? Ever wanted to see £10,000 in cold, hard cash?
Well, this show sorted out both of those things, and much more. Play Dough took a game-show approach and encouraged plenty of audience interaction, while incorporating a fantastically-acted script and a non-stop story.
The even better news? Never mind the kids, I finally understood the ins and outs of the financial crisis too!
Freak
Produced by the über up-and-coming Theatre 503 in London (which should be top of your list for venues next time you take a trip to the Old Smoke), Freak is the story of two ordinary women told from two bedrooms.
Expect dirty secrets, teenage dreams and provocative writing in this new play by Bruntwood Prize-winner Anna Jordan.
If you missed the Edinburgh version, try to see the London one at Theatre 503. It will be on until the end of September.
Tender Nepalm
This was the key Maltese export at the Fringe this year, and it went down a treat.
Produced by well-known local company Unifaun and wonderfully acted by Bettina Paris and Andre Agius, this show hit a similar note to its Malta run and received excellent feedback from audiences and critics alike.
While the story may not have been to everyone’s taste, this production rose above that to find the earth-shattering nuances in a heart-breaking tale. Tender Nepalm did Maltese theatre proud.
Chalk About
This show was physical theatre at its best and it helped that it was performed in the stunning surrounds of Summerhall, which was fast become my favourite Fringe venue.
It is a playful, funny and moving look at how we see ourselves and others, featuring dance, chat and lots of chalk.
It was devised and performed by Christine Devaney and Leandro Kees, and the result was both visually-strong and emotionally-uplifting.
Baby Wants Candy
My final choice may seem frivolous, but I’ll admit that I was among those giving it a heartfelt standing ovation after the final curtain.
Baby Wants Candy is an American export that has toured the world and makes a regular Edinburgh appearance.The pretence is simple: this is an all-improvised musical with a live band and plenty of made-up mayhem.
On the night I attended, we watched the totally-improvised production of Tinder in the Animal Kingdom, complete with ballads, a fully-formed script and huge, show-stopping numbers.
I was bent double from start to finish and this production certainly ended my 2014 Fringe on a high note. Commercial theatre at its best.