EDitorial ± 13-Aug-2018
Edinburgh Fringe 2018
Email arrived saying "Just wondering if you fancied a day at the festival named for you: Ed Fest?" That was in June 2017. It's taken until this long for the stars to align and, entirely thanks to friend Adam (see Latitude 2016), I am now returned from my first Edinburgh Fringe. Flippin' 'eck.
How I wish I was in Ed-in-bu-rgh, sung MES (RIP) some years back. I hadn't been there since the early 1990s to take in a Heart of Midlothian UEFA Cup game. Half-seven on Saturday morning, we set off from a Hopkins home past Penrith, Carlisle and Gretna to hit the north. Park and ride with une famille de Lille and there we were in central Southside by 11am, tickets in hand.
In our final year at Exeter, Adam and me shared a hall of residence with Richard, Andy, Adam, Gary, plus many others including one Joanne Rowling. Where better, then, for a spot of brunch at the cafe where JK penned her first Potter book? Into Elephant & Bagels off Nicolson Square for savoury goodness. Only later did I discover that this isn't the place. Caff taking all the credit is The Elephant House. Oh well, we tried. Showtime!
(11:50)
The OS Map Fan Club
at theSpaceTriplex
Solo show by the delightful Helen Wood about her love of the paper Ordnance
though not the double-sided version. Funny photos, a bracing walk around
Tetbury taking in Prince Charles and Poldark, flag-waving, sweets and quiz
questions for the men. Props to
the props. Full of Reithian values in that we were educated, informed and
entertained. Super start plus a free badge on the way out.
(13:30)
Fred MacAulay in Conversation
at Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Underestimated the pulling power of this one and found ourselves towards the
front of a mahoosive queue for a midsize theatre that rapidly filled up. Out
came Mr. Mac himself, genial and chocka with anecdotes, then first guest
Sally-Anne Hayward, up and coming self-styled comedienne-ess. Sofa then
crammed with two stars of Scot Squad (me neither), Chris Forbes and Jack
Docherty. That's Mr. George from Absolutely! Big laughs.
(14:50)
Wil Greenway: Either Side of Everything
at Underbelly, Bristo Square
Took my takeaway tea into the sultry subterranean depths of the curiously named
Dexter venue for an hour of storytelling from Aussie Wil, heartily
recommended by Daniel Kitson. A child in bed, a beetle in flight and a dog
called Rhubard. Classic Margo. Felt myself welling up but manfully clung on.
(17:40)
Showmanship
at C Royale
Enough with the funnies, it's time for some the-a-tre. Lucy Roslyn portrays
a circus oracle who may or may not have the gift. Sat on the front row and
tried to hold her eye when she looked my way. Wasn't easy and made for an
intense hour. Relieved to get back out on the pavement and breath.
(20:20)
John Kearns: Don't Worry They're Here
at Pleasance Dome
After time out on the grass of Nicolson Square Gardens to enjoy takeaway
delights from Palmyra, over to the packed Pleasance to queue for some
Show & Tell. Another fella picked out by Kitson, an odd character takes
to the stage, all teeth and hairpiece. The favourite was Thistlecrack but he
bet on Many Clouds with tragic consequences taking in a creme egg, triplets
and a £100 massage voucher. Loved it.
...and still missed Rob Auton, Nish Kumar and Limmy.
Found a return bus, avoided the boy racers assembling in the P&R and once again over to the driver for the long return journey. Cheers, Adam, and thanks for all the biscuits!