Gumshoe!

I was the silliest of geese and accidently double-booked two shows. I reached out to Christian Dart to apologise for having to miss Gumshoe! I had already been to see his other show, "Bad Clowns: Long Live The King", and I was really looking forward to seeing him do a solo show. He very kindly sent me a filmed version of the show to watch, so I will be writing a review of that instead!

The show opens like a classic noir film, the titular character laying dead whilst a voice over tells us how, like any good noir story, we need to start at the beginning and come back to the end again.

Dart immediately jumps into action with his energetic charm! The audience creates what case he will solve, deciding the victim and the suspect as well. The rest is up to ole Gumshoe to solve! The audience is then brought through a wacky 1940's New York filled with shootouts, car chases, and romance.

The laughs simply don't stop in this amazing solo effort. Dart knows how to work a crowd and takes advantage of any comedic opportunity that comes his way. Even as Gumshoe becomes trigger happy or insults you right to your face, you just can't help but love him!

I'm bursting to tell you the ending of the show because it's actually quite clever, but, alas, SPOILERS!!!

I am utterly gutted that I can't make it for a live performance, but I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to at least see a filmed version. Even in the recording, I can see how amazing this show is, and so I am over the moon to award "Gumshoe!" a Fantastic Fringe Award!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Gumshoe!" can be seen at Gilded Balloon Appleton Tower throughout the fringe!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and, most of all, I hope you have a fantastic fringe! 😁

Love,

Tony x

Ironing Board Man

Ironing Board Man is one of those ideas that really makes you think "fringe." It is a play where, out of 11 perfomers, only one is human, and the rest are ironing boards.

Set in the city of Crease, it plays out as an action movie where the hero of the city, "Jeremy Irons," is called upon to save the day.

Every other character is an ironing board in a costume, and we see them become everything from love interests, villians, and babies being birthed before our very eyes.

The play is fun, but I found myself getting a little tired of the constant voice-over changes, various bits from action films being played out, feeling like the play seemed to be one long-winded skit.

The show could be great if it was tightened a little and if Jeremy Irons had some more speaking lines. However, it did still have its high points, one being when a member of the audience became a wild lion that Jeremy Irons battles with, another being a lightsaber battle with one of the ironing boards, also some stellar ironing board dancing.

I found myself wanting a little more from this show, but it was still a fun time with a lot of laughs, and the audience enjoyed it greatly. 

☆☆☆

I hope you all find a wacky show to see at fringe, and I hope you have a fantastic fringe!

Love,

Tony x

And Then The Rodeo Burned Down

Xhloe and Natasha are practically the darlings of Fringe. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, they won Fringe First Awards [a three in a row feat that I believe has never been accomplished before]!

They are back this year at The Space on Niddry Street with all three of their previous shows in an ever-changing rotation that includes at least two shows a day.

I came to "And Then The Rodeo Burned Down" with a lot of high expectations. They seemed to have it all: the rave reviews, the awards, the front cover feature of The List! Having already been let down with some award-winning shows this fringe season, I was cautious about whether or not I would enjoy it.

I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY!

From the moment they stepped onstage, you could tell these two understood stage presence. The discipline, talent, and physical control that these two performers have is just simply mind-blowing. I have seen a lot of shows where actors are supposed to perform in sync and you can always find moments where they falter just a smidge. However, Xhloe and Natasha have achieved perfection in this play, even the smallest of their movements in perfection synchronisation. 

The story itself starts off simple. A rodeo clown wants to be a cowboy and is suddenly being followed about by his sentient shadow. We are told that the rodeo is the best place in the world and the happiest place in the world, yet we are slowly shown that the reality is very different. There is a hierarchy in the rodeo, from the shit shovel boys to the cowboys. No one thinks of anyone below them on the chain, either wanting to climb to the top or doing whatever they can to keep others from joining them in their place. Notably during the show, there is also a touching moment where we get the perspective of a rodeo bull, a moment that brought me to genuine tears.

The play snaps about 3/4 of the way through, switching to the actors trying to figure out the ending rather than playing on as usual, saying they can't afford to keep the lights on. It becomes a panicked, choreographed mess, the two actors picking fights with one another over the tiniest of things, knowing the rodeo needs to be burned down but being unable to decide who will be the one to do it.

It's reflective of the American Dream, how, when closely examined, it is not all its cracked up to be. It needs to be fixed, but who will do it? How will they do it? Will we ever get a clear idea or will we forever be stuck in an ever changing conversation of ideas, bickering, and no action?

This is absurdism at it's finest. Xhloe and Natasha know their craft inside and out. This is meticulously thought-out, with years of research, training, and experience, all of which ooze of this performance.

They've both heard it from much bigger names than little ole tonylovesthefringe, but well done! They are both superstars and with performers like them having a genuine love of theatre, the drive to push boundaries, and the talent to mesmerise us, I can rest easy knowing that the future of theatre is safe.

It goes without saying that Xhloe and Natasha are well-deserving of a Fantastic Fringe Award [I know it's no fringe first, but its all I have!] and, of course, 5 stars!

I wish Xhloe and Natasha a fantastic career, and I wish all of you an absolutely fantastic fringe!

Love,

Tony x

The Tale of The Loneliest Whale

I haven't been to a children's theatre show since I was a child myself, so I was very curious to see how I would enjoy it as an adult. I am forever telling people to bring their children to children's theatre to give them appreciation for the arts, but I never really considered it from the parent's perspective, and that is what I set out to do today. 

It's a little tricky to find the venue, Underbelly's Clover theatre [you have to head to the back of McEwan Hall]. But once you get to the theatre, it is a standard black box theatre with a bare stage. I was very aware that I was the only adult in the audience who didn't have a child with them. It's almost like a show in and of itself to see little tiny humans sit down and not be completey aware of why they are here or what it is all about. The room was filled with whispers from adults telling little ones how they need to be quiet during the show and give a big clap at the end mixed with the excited outbursts of children who are just excited to be doing anything [ah, those were the days].

The show starts a little abruptly with performer Gemma Sharp entering from the back of the audience. However, I noticed how the shock of this entrance managed to bring a hush across the room, with not a single parent needing to shush their child for the start of the show.

The show was incredibly charming. I couldn't help but have a big smile on my face as I was being lovingly bombarded with facts about the ocean and all the beautiful creatures that live in it. The kids get into the show straight away, literaly jumping at the opportunity to answer the Sharp's questions.

When the Whale puppet was produced, you could literally feel the childhood wonder fill the room, mouths agape as the creature spoke to them and wiggled its tail.

The story is a timeless children's story, our protataganist is just a little bit different than everyone else, so decides to go off alone on a big journey to find someone who is like them. Along the way, they meet lots of creatures who just so happen to be a litle bit different too, helping them to realise that maybe it's not so strange to be who you are. Of course, there is a happy ending, but I shan't be spoiling anything.

The show is dripping in creativity. I was blown away by the use of an umbrella and fairy lights to replicate a jelly fish, the theatre suddenly becoming an ocean full of jellyfish as the audience sang and moved the jellyfish about. I also found myself becoming a child again when the moray eel puppet came out. My eyes widened, my jaw dropped, and I let out an audible, "Wooooowww!" I felt like a child again, and it reminded me of the magic of theatre.

I have a split rating for this show.

For an adult going along, this gets 4 stars from me. However, this is not a show intended for adults, this is children's theatre, and from the reactions I saw all around me, and from my inner child, this show gets 5 stars and a well-deserved Fantastic Fringe Award!

Go see this show, borrow a child from friend's and family if you need an excuse to go, and enjoy a wonderful hour of theatre.

☆☆☆☆☆

Most importantly though, no matter how big or small you are, have a fantastic fringe!

Love, 

Tony x

Bad Clowns: Long Live The King

The thrill [and sometimes the dread] of improv is that absolutely anything can happen.

I have always felt that improv is the ultimate definition of winging it. You go into a show with a basic understanding of what's supposed to happen, but the lines are on you and anyone else you are performing with. I have seen many an improv show fall flat on its face from jokes that were way too niche, performers having an off night, and terrible audience suggestions. BUT... when a troupe can get it right, it's a glorious night of electrifying entertainment.

Bad Clowns was thankfully the latter! Comprising of three perfomers: Christian Dart, Sam Walls, and John Bond, they play a prince, a private counsel, and a slop boy, respectively, who all compete to determine who will become the king. What ensues is utmost hilarity!

The mark of a great improv actor, to me, is the ability to roll with it if things go wrong! Given that it was a preview night at the fringe, I was expecting this to happen, but the way in which they handled issues was comedy gold. It's clear that this isn't their first time at the rodeo!

Their crowd working is second to none, and the audience particpation gags are at the expense of themselves rather than the audience member, which is honestly so refreshing. It makes it easier for the audience to laugh, which they really don't need help with at a show this fantastic! 

It's difficult to review an improv show because the very nature of it is to change each night, so I'll leave you with this:

I never thought I would so happily give a 5 star review and a Fantastic Fringe Award to a show that had an actor tell my wife to go f*ck herself!

Bad Clowns are the real deal! Please, please, please go see their show and bring your friends. Hell, bring your enemies too, maybe you'll become best friends for introducing them to such an amazing show.

☆☆☆☆☆

As the song from the show [that I also can't get out of my head] says "Long live the king!" and long live you having a fantastic time at fringe!

Love,

Tony x

I Kissed Batman

Going to the fringe is such a mixed bag. So many shows, so many venues, so many different price points. It would be amiss to assume the cheap tickets are for shows of a lower quality, as some of the best shows I’ve seen have been on the budget-friendly side.

"I Kissed Batman" was no exception to that!

The show opens up on boyfriends Damien and Tim trying on their couples costume. They are discussing the idea of going public with their relationship whilst also getting into playful arguments about whether or not Batman and Robin were gay symbols or a father and son relationship. Tim and Damien are heading to a Halloween party hosted by Damien's rugby team mates, along with their friends and Damien’s twin sister. The whole gang knows about the relationship except for Damien's twin, Steph. Although the entire friend group are very open and welcoming to LGBTQIA+ community, with two members already being out and open, Damien has trouble being honest and telling his sister, despite multiple opportunities to do so.

I really appreciated this storyline as we have seen the afraid to come out to bigoted and homophobic family member stories, and I felt it was interesting to see a different version of that story. It was a really effective juxtaposition to the banter and laughs we get throughout the show.

Overall, "I Kissed Batman" is a really fun comedy filled with nerdy pop culture references and a lot of heart. The hijinks that ensue at the party had me in stiches with laughter, each character’s storyline funnier than the last! I can’t tell too much more without spoiling some major plot points, but what I can say is that this show is worth going to see. Top notch performances, solid direction, and overall just a really fun story!

☆☆☆☆

Running in Just The Fancy Room at Just the Tonic at The Caves until August 11th. Catch a ticket if you can and go with friends. But, most importantly, have a fantastic fringe! 😁

Love,

Tony x

It's Gonna Blow!

When thinking about Pompeii, I'm not sure if the first thing that jumps to my mind is comedy, but I'm willing to take a chance on anything!

Taking place at The Pleasance Dome, "It's Gonna Blow!" begins whilst waiting in line, a town crier coming over to us to ask us if we want anything to be brought up in the public forum. Slowly but surely, more characters begin to arrive and interact with us.

It was hilarious and very reminiscent of Monty Python, so I was already in a great mood when I was heading in to take my seat. At the door is a townsperson wearing a very familiar protest orange that warns us that the volcano is going to blow and that we need to band together.

The production doesn't shy away from the fact that, yes, they will be dealing with an ending that is historically accurate, the volcano will blow and we will all die. How cheery.

The play starts out strong. We are introduced to a multiude of characters in the city, the four actors playing numerous characters. It is such a fun and refreshing take to make what is considered to be a tragedy and try to humanise it, watching as the characters come to a public forum to complain about trivial things, like neighbours emptying their bins in to their neighbours bins, etc.

We get a sense that something is being hidden by the mayor of Pompeii, as we do with all political figures, but it's quickly brushed aside as the religious heads and dodgy "scientists" come to calm the masses. With it being a public forum, it's hard for the matter of political corruption to be taken seriously when matters of pub openings and mime nuisance are discussed in the same breath, but this is not meant to be a serious play. The audience is a part of the show from the moment they lined up at the doors, but they become even more involved with audience members being brought on stage multiple times with side-splitting results.

The show, however, takes a bit of a downturn about 25 minutes in. I found a little bit of the spark was lost, and the confinement of the setting suffocated the show. It just started to feel a little repetitive with yet another crazy character coming in to do another crazy thing with another silly pun. It also felt a little confusing when we were asked about three different times to leave only to be told be sat back down, not knowing if we should have left as part of the show or not. I found myself falling out of the reality of the show each time they did it.

The show, however, does pick back up at the end for what I felt was a strong finish!

Overall, I had an enjoyable time, but I feel the show needs to run a little and fix its issues in the middle. The cast are incredibly talented, the script is hilarious; it just needs a little bit of tweaking to make it a great show. I still think you should give this show a go if it intrigues you. I fully take into account that the show I saw was a preview, and if you were to see the show next week, it could be vastly different to what I experienced.

☆☆☆

I think it's a show worth taking a chance on, and if it comes back next year, I would be more than willing to go again and see how it has developed. I wish them the best of luck for their run, but more importantly, I wish for you all to have a fantastic fringe!

Love, 

Tony x