Ponderings on PR #8: Edinburgh and happiness

Considering my new career path and the many questions it throws up, especially among journalist/theatre friends, I thought it might be an idea to write a string of articles about PR – as people always seem to have questions! And yes, this is also a bit of shameless self-promotion… 😉 6 months (or so) after … Continue reading →

Edinburgh Fringe 2010 Mini-Preview: The Wake

These are mini-previews for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010: click on the show title to get ticket bookings through the Edinburgh Fringe website, and on the company to go to their website (if they have one). If you have any recommendations or would like a mini-preview, please comment or email chris.hislop@gmail.com. THE WAKE / Misshapen … Continue reading →

Edinburgh Fringe 2010 Mini-Preview: Guest Who?

These are mini-previews for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010: click on the show title to get ticket bookings through the Edinburgh Fringe website, and on the company to go to their website (if they have one). If you have any recommendations or would like a mini-preview, please comment or email chris.hislop@gmail.com. GUEST WHO? / The … Continue reading →

Edinburgh Fringe 2010 Mini-Preview: Lorca is Dead

These are mini-previews for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010: click on the show title to get ticket bookings through the Edinburgh Fringe website, and on the company to go to their website (if they have one). If you have any recommendations or would like a mini-preview, please comment or email chris.hislop@gmail.com. BELT UP’S ‘LORCA IS … Continue reading →

Edinburgh Fringe 2010 Mini-Preview: Dan Antopolski

These are mini-previews for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010: click on the show title to get ticket bookings through the Edinburgh Fringe website, and on the company to go to their website (if they have one). If you have any recommendations or would like a mini-preview, please comment or email chris.hislop@gmail.com. DAN ANTOPOLSKI – TURN … Continue reading →

Edinburgh Fringe 2010 Mini-Preview: Daniel Rigby

These are mini-previews for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010: click on the show title to get ticket bookings through the Edinburgh Fringe website, and on the company to go to their website (if they have one). If you have any recommendations or would like a mini-preview, please comment or email chris.hislop@gmail.com. DANIEL RIGBY: AFTERBIRTH / … Continue reading →

Edinburgh 2010 Mini-Preview: Dildon’t

These are mini-previews for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010: click on the show title to get ticket bookings through the Edinburgh Fringe website, and on the company to go to their website (if they have one). If you have any recommendations or would like a mini-preview, please comment or email chris.hislop@gmail.com. DILDON’T / Casual Violence! … Continue reading →

Progress report… and Edinburgh!

Whenever I start doing a lot, this blog always seems to be the first thing to suffer: that, compiled with that general it’s-too-hot-to-do-anything summer lethargy, means it has been far too long. I wish I had more to report on the writing projects: the sitcom I was hoping to write is still with the producers, … Continue reading →

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Showing my age with that title, I reckon… So, yes, I’m back. If you didn’t know I was gone, don’t worry, it was my honeymoon, I didn’t advertise extensively where I was going to be: wanted a bit of piece and quiet with the missus. Enough of that, though: the world is busy, and there’s … Continue reading →

Brighton sans fringe

Well, here we are again: the Brighton Festival and Fringe are now totally and utterly finished, all stragglers have completed their runs, and theatre in Brighton is settling down again into the regular routine. Now, I don’t want to spend much time dwelling on this year’s Festival and Fringe (I think I’ve already said enough … Continue reading →

The Fringe is in recession!

Oops, was I not supposed to say it out loud? If we squeeze our eyes as shut as we can, plug our fingers in our ears and tell it to go away, will it? No, of course not: the Fringe is now in recession, ladies and gentlemen! Don’t believe the lies you’ll be told: numbers … Continue reading →

fringe

[bon mot] is a new type of article: a rumination on a word, based around etymology, trivial knowledge and the like; a collection of bon mots. As the Brighton Fringe begins (in shrouded circumstances) tonight, and I’ve started receiving those Edinburgh phone calls (Can you help me with this venue? Are you still selling ads … Continue reading →

What the fringe?

It has hit that time of year again, where all of the thesps start to make their Fringe plans. The actors start casting their eyes for audition notices, wanting to see what bonanza they’ll be involved with, while the directors and producers should already be in the process of organising the next big spiel, especially … Continue reading →

Return of the Blog

Good lord, it’s been ages. To all of you readers out there, my apologies for the yawning abyss that has been this blog for the past few months. Despite all promises made, of blogs to be written and tales to be told, I still haven’t delivered. This changes today.   I want to start by … Continue reading →

The Regina Monologues (***)

LOW DOWN Robert Inston is known for his historical women, and this performance is another in his portrayals of female historical figures. Nicely performed, Inston instantly captures a character and situation, and his delivery is perfect for the small performance space at the Merchant’s Hall. Unfortunately, the performance is of a much higher standard than … Continue reading →

Superclump (****)

The GRV (venue details) 6 – 30 Aug (not 19), 2:40pm (3:40pm) The comedy sketch show is one of the least-well-respected of the comedy show formats, yet one of the most popular. It’s rare to come across a sketch show that doesn’t follow the tried-and-tested format: a collection of up-and-coming comedians perform in a collection … Continue reading →

Alexis Dubus: A R*ddy Brief History of Swearing (***)

Downstairs at the Tron (venue details) 6 – 30 Aug (not 19), 6:20pm (7:20pm) We all love to swear, there’s no denying it. As an expression of passion, anger or vehemence, there is nothing better – but I’m supposed to keep this review “clean”, otherwise I’d be both cursing and passionately supporting Alexis Dubus in … Continue reading →

Ritter, Dene, Voss (****)

LOW DOWN Ritter, Dene, Voss presents a challenge to both performers and audience members. It is a convoluted and difficult plot, lightly sketched and played more for character than for story, and is by a largely cult playwright (outside of German-speaking countries). The effort required to create and perform this piece, as well as for … Continue reading →

Brendon Burns: Comedy Good Yeah Silly Side C**t (****)

Pleasance Courtyard (venue details) 28, 29 Aug, 10:30pm (11:30pm) An Aussie comic with much to prove, Brendon Burns seemingly drags controversy in his wake, especially following the recent Guardian tirade against ‘offensive’ comedy. This is a man known for his on-stage outbursts and ‘difficult’ material, his controversial outspokenness and his foul mouth. However, Brendon Burns … Continue reading →

Reginald D Hunter: The Only Apple in the Garden of Eden and Niggas (****1/2)

Udderbelly’s Pasture (venue details) 16 – 30 Aug, 10:00pm (11:00pm) Reginald D Hunter is in danger of becoming a comedy icon: famous for his panel show appearances, as well as his sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival, it is fascinating to see what sort of crowds he attracts. There are clearly people present who have … Continue reading →