Post by kz on Aug 26, 2023 22:40:15 GMT
Busy few days to end the Fringe for me.
Thursday:
Dusk: A Love Bite Story- Twilight parody musical. Some very funny caricatures and strong singing from the cast but about 45 minutes longer than it needed to be as most of the jokes had already been made. I also struggled with the endless scene changes carrying tables in and out.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation- This was a strange one for me. Some funny moments with the cast improvising around the suggested murder weapon. Then the audience were asked to question the actors (as their characters) and it suddenly felt very serious. Talented cast none the less.
God Catcher- a really lovely musical drawing on Greek mythology. Great performances, really nice score and a surprisingly interesting story. The dialogue slightly less strong (I think someone else mentioned this could be sung through and I completely agree). A highly enjoyable hour.
Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder- I saw this last year and thought it was even stronger this year. The lighting and expanded band elevate what was an already great musical. Fantastic performances from the whole cast. We had a show stop for a slightly scary medical emergency a few seats away from me, but it was well managed by all involved and the show ended on a high.
Dan Tiernan- very, very funny comedian. I laughed till I cried.
Friday:
Sunday in the Park with George- This was a Sondheim show I had never seen so I really didn't know what to expect aside from a few of the songs. This was such a strong production. I didn't get cast names but particular credit to the actors playing George and Dot/Marie. They definitely did justice to a complex score. The show itself was interesting. Similar to Into the Woods, the first act alone could have been a complete show but good to hear Children and Art in Act 2. A great morning of theatre.
What Does Stuff Do?- juggling with some physics/maths. I wondered if the performer was maybe impacted by nerves as the front row was made up of people he clearly knew (perhaps also performers?) and the juggling wasn't quite as strong as when I saw him at Best of the Fest. There was also a typical Fringe moment of watching audience members trying and failing to blow up a malfunctioning paddling pool! That said, the audience was fully invested and desperate for the performer to succeed. Definitely a talented man with some really interesting juggling/physics insights.
Palindrome- stevejohnson678 I'm wondering if we were perhaps both there? I enjoyed the music for this one and agree, there were some great performances. I just didn't feel there was enough to the plot. It might benefit from a longer running time to expand on the plot points. The couple next to me actually got the giggles when the post office plot was resolved as it was so simple. The cast mentioned they were taking the show to London next although not sure where/what they're involved in.
Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe- a mixed bill of comedians. Despite being really poorly attended, this was actually a very enjoyable hour.
Pirates of Penzance- Gilbert and Sulliven at its best. Extremely silly and great fun. Strong performances from all the leads. The actress playing Mabel had lost her voice through the week so sang for the first time on the run, having had someone sing in her part, but she was really excellent despite having been unwell.
Saturday:
Lena- I really loved this. It captured the darkness of her life story and the despair of the family perfectly. Hard hitting and emotional, with exceptional performances from the small cast, particularly Erin Armstrong. stevejohnson678 Goodness me, I can't imagine the emotion of having her father in the audience. That must have been very special for all involved.
Tom Crosbie: Actions Speak Louder than Nerds- a fantastic hour of Rubiks cubes, feats of memory and warm audience interaction. A highly supportive crowd watching an incredibly talented man who appears to be genuinely lovely too.
Showstopper- Isabel Klein's one woman show. A very funny performance demonstrating her acting talents to great comedic effect. Incredibly quick witted- I'm not sure even she was prepared to be presented with a brand new fancy blank journal in the segment where the audience are "encouraged" to seek autographs. Another show where the audience and atmosphere were a key part of the show and a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all involved.
Final show tomorrow for me. Although I'm not sure I like how busy the city becomes and the hours in highly uncomfortable venues, I absolutely love the opportunity to have a month of solid theatre. Very special indeed.
Thursday:
Dusk: A Love Bite Story- Twilight parody musical. Some very funny caricatures and strong singing from the cast but about 45 minutes longer than it needed to be as most of the jokes had already been made. I also struggled with the endless scene changes carrying tables in and out.
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation- This was a strange one for me. Some funny moments with the cast improvising around the suggested murder weapon. Then the audience were asked to question the actors (as their characters) and it suddenly felt very serious. Talented cast none the less.
God Catcher- a really lovely musical drawing on Greek mythology. Great performances, really nice score and a surprisingly interesting story. The dialogue slightly less strong (I think someone else mentioned this could be sung through and I completely agree). A highly enjoyable hour.
Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder- I saw this last year and thought it was even stronger this year. The lighting and expanded band elevate what was an already great musical. Fantastic performances from the whole cast. We had a show stop for a slightly scary medical emergency a few seats away from me, but it was well managed by all involved and the show ended on a high.
Dan Tiernan- very, very funny comedian. I laughed till I cried.
Friday:
Sunday in the Park with George- This was a Sondheim show I had never seen so I really didn't know what to expect aside from a few of the songs. This was such a strong production. I didn't get cast names but particular credit to the actors playing George and Dot/Marie. They definitely did justice to a complex score. The show itself was interesting. Similar to Into the Woods, the first act alone could have been a complete show but good to hear Children and Art in Act 2. A great morning of theatre.
What Does Stuff Do?- juggling with some physics/maths. I wondered if the performer was maybe impacted by nerves as the front row was made up of people he clearly knew (perhaps also performers?) and the juggling wasn't quite as strong as when I saw him at Best of the Fest. There was also a typical Fringe moment of watching audience members trying and failing to blow up a malfunctioning paddling pool! That said, the audience was fully invested and desperate for the performer to succeed. Definitely a talented man with some really interesting juggling/physics insights.
Palindrome- stevejohnson678 I'm wondering if we were perhaps both there? I enjoyed the music for this one and agree, there were some great performances. I just didn't feel there was enough to the plot. It might benefit from a longer running time to expand on the plot points. The couple next to me actually got the giggles when the post office plot was resolved as it was so simple. The cast mentioned they were taking the show to London next although not sure where/what they're involved in.
Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe- a mixed bill of comedians. Despite being really poorly attended, this was actually a very enjoyable hour.
Pirates of Penzance- Gilbert and Sulliven at its best. Extremely silly and great fun. Strong performances from all the leads. The actress playing Mabel had lost her voice through the week so sang for the first time on the run, having had someone sing in her part, but she was really excellent despite having been unwell.
Saturday:
Lena- I really loved this. It captured the darkness of her life story and the despair of the family perfectly. Hard hitting and emotional, with exceptional performances from the small cast, particularly Erin Armstrong. stevejohnson678 Goodness me, I can't imagine the emotion of having her father in the audience. That must have been very special for all involved.
Tom Crosbie: Actions Speak Louder than Nerds- a fantastic hour of Rubiks cubes, feats of memory and warm audience interaction. A highly supportive crowd watching an incredibly talented man who appears to be genuinely lovely too.
Showstopper- Isabel Klein's one woman show. A very funny performance demonstrating her acting talents to great comedic effect. Incredibly quick witted- I'm not sure even she was prepared to be presented with a brand new fancy blank journal in the segment where the audience are "encouraged" to seek autographs. Another show where the audience and atmosphere were a key part of the show and a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all involved.
Final show tomorrow for me. Although I'm not sure I like how busy the city becomes and the hours in highly uncomfortable venues, I absolutely love the opportunity to have a month of solid theatre. Very special indeed.