Edinburgh - Part Two

Wednesday 17^th August

Went to see the Scottish Parliament building which is very striking.  Viewed the World Press Photo exhibition and cried.  This is really turning into a very emotional week!

Saw Ten Plagues at Traverse with Marc Almond.  One man’s journey through a city in crisis.  I found the severe operatic style of music a hurdle to enjoying this show.  Marc Almond performed amazingly, he was vulnerable, if a bit two dimensional but he sang his heart out, it was a very brave performance.  Loved the rousing end with the extra voices.  Great set, the traverse is a wonderful performance space.

Jane introduced me to the Forest Fringe, which offers various forms of performance for free. They are housed in a ramshackle building with a café, some of the acts are from Bristol which was nice to see.  Both Jane and I took part in Hinterland, a poem that you play.  In order to receive your first canto you have to go into Edinburgh and have a conversation with a stranger, you phone in your answers and then are set the next challenge.  I only go to do my first poem but it was good fun and a great way to get chatting to people.  We also took part in a show!  This was Comedian Dies, again at Forest Fringe, an interactive play for fourteen people.  Each time the stage resets, you get to play a different person in the room: a drunk, a heckler, barman or even the comedian!  All you have to do is follow the instructions.  This was a bit scary, involved dressing up, improvisation but bloody good fun.

Saw Tim Key at Pleasance.   I enjoyed the show, not belly laughs but a slick, professional and confident performance.

Retired to bed very tired with a blister!

Thursday 18^th August

Saw an exhibition of work by Elizabeth Blackadder at the National Gallery, lovely paintings.

Release at Pleasance.  Story of three people newly released from prison and on probation.  Great acting and very physical.

2401 Objects by Analogue at Pleasance.  Play about ‘HM’, a man who has lost his short term memory.  Analogue use high tech multimedia in their performances which is refreshing.  Nicely told story.

Paul Foot at Underbelly.  Why do we have to sit in the front row?  This guy is frankly weird, quirky, manic but funny.  Cross between Dudley Moore and Frankie Howerd with a mullet hair cut.