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Post by firefingers on Jun 7, 2017 14:15:20 GMT
So today officially launches the line up for Edinburgh Fringe, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-40186237Anyone planning on going up this year? Any fringe hits returning that we should look out for? Any board member putting on a autobiographical one man play with music about custard they've written? |
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Post by michalnowicki on Jun 7, 2017 14:46:09 GMT
I live in Edinburgh and I always find the Fringe programme so overwhelming, that I rarely make plans. Sometimes I just go to see a random show, because I was given a leaflet. If I were to recommend anything, I would highly recommend this man: tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/colin-cloud-dare if "mind-reading" is your thing. |
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Post by zsazsa on Jun 7, 2017 16:29:37 GMT
I've just had a look through the programme and so far not a lot is grabbing my attention. On my list of shows that I plan to see are the RCS's production of 'Into The Woods' and their 2 original musicals, Ordinary Days (I loved the song Audra McDonald sang from this in her concert) and It Should Have Been You.
I shall wait and see the reviews for further recommendations.
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Post by Mr Snow on Jun 7, 2017 21:48:19 GMT
Just wondering how people plan?
For me
Go through every page in Fringe and Festival Catelogues
Make lists of 'intersting ' options.
Do this on large A3 sheets showing what time of day they are on at. Divide into comedy/music/play/whatever
Solicit opinions of one or two others attending.
Make my plans.
Book
Its all very time consuming.
Is there an app that would help?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 22:32:18 GMT
I used to do that! But on A4 because I have very small writing. And I didn't divide into categories.
But my last visit was in 2001. The whole thing is too expensive now, and I also can't cope with seeing loads of stuff one after another.
And many of the shows that I'd gravitate towards (small-scale theatre at the Traverse and Summerhall, etc.) can be seen later in London or on UK tour.
However, I still envy people who go! And think I may return one year, or more, before I die.
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Post by theatremadness on Jun 7, 2017 23:15:23 GMT
However, I still envy people who go! And think I may return one year, or more, before I die. And what about after you die, please? |
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Post by boybooshka on Jun 8, 2017 7:08:56 GMT
This is the first year we aren't going since 2010. Had a quick look at the programme and nothing screams out at me.
Our usual planning involves a thorough trawl through the programme highlighting everything that we are interested in then transferring that onto a spreadsheet. We then narrow down and narrow down, then make a timetable. Edmin, it's a fine art lol.
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Post by duncan on Jun 8, 2017 7:13:13 GMT
I just pick random shows, far more enjoyable than seeing "names". I'll be avoiding the comedy shows this year though.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 9:52:27 GMT
I've never been! the whole thing has as Honoured Guest points out become prohibitively expensive. I did work on some projects connected to the shows Wales is sending up, and thankfully all are doing previews down here first so I at least get to see them!
I tell myself one day I will either a) blag myself a trip through work of some kind b) actually get organised, save money and book accommodation in advance.
Alas this year is not the year.
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Post by duncan on Jun 8, 2017 10:54:51 GMT
Its not expensive - there are plenty of free fringe shows, you could be there for 2 weeks and never pay for a show and there is plenty of accommodation that isn't that expensive so long as you are willing to put the time into looking for it or are willing to stay outside of Edinburgh itself and commute.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 10:57:15 GMT
You still have to be able to afford a 2 week holiday, including transport to Edinburgh (on a daily basis as well if you're taking a cheaper outside-the-city option), and my biggest expenditure on holidays is invariably food, even when I'm staying in self-catering. I expect you can do Edinburgh on a frugal budget, but not everyone has that frugal budget available to them in the first place.  I can't do Edinburgh, the FOMO would kill me. |
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Post by duncan on Jun 8, 2017 11:08:25 GMT
It doesn't have to be for 2 weeks though, that was to say you could be here for that long and never pay for a show. People can come for a weekend or an extra couple of days - its all about planning in terms of travel costs and accommodation. Even food doesn't have to be that expensive, we have the Tesco meal deal up here as well  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 11:11:12 GMT
duncan I seem to have riled you on every post today haha! I'm WELL versed on doing a holiday on the cheap, believe me. But for me the a) sheer logistics of it (and the fact that for the past 5 years my work contracts have ended in June/July which mean I spend August either job hunting or starting a new job) means it's just a logistical nightmare. And for me, frankly I'd prefer to use the 'holiday pot' of time and money elsewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 11:26:16 GMT
In the past, 20 to 30 years ago, I'd go for between 4 and 7 days and see at least four shows a day and it works out to cost more per show (with travel, accommodation and food) than it would if I saw them in London (travelling on a budget from Cardiff and being able to spare the extra time it would take).
When Duncan talks about free shows, I assume he's referring to the limited numbers of venues which present shows on a Pay-What-You-Like basis. I think you would have to be a pretty disgusting human being to see this as an invitation to glut yourself on two weeks of theatre and pay nothing. In any case, you'd be excluded from the vast majority of shows which have standard ticketing.
If you relish seeing huge numbers of shows in a limited time, with a very wide choice, in a city festival environment stuffed full of micro-venues (some very large!) and surrounded by what feels like the whole theatre world of practitioners, programmers and enthusiasts, then Edinburgh is for you! Most of the companies are sleeping three to a mattress in Duncan's outside toilet and the like, which are rented out for this purpose at exorbitant ratew for the month.
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Post by hussymare on Jun 8, 2017 12:38:49 GMT
Anything The Traverse offers is usually good. I'm going to Frogman and Meet Me At Dawn
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 12:39:08 GMT
I've never been! ]I tell myself one day I will either a) blag myself a trip through work of some kind b) actually get organised, save money and book accommodation in advance. Never been either. I think emicardiff and I were planning a joint trip when our "50 Shades" immersive show has its premiere, too. I'm writing next year's funding application as we speak.... |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 12:44:57 GMT
Excellent. Don't forget, neither of us do less than 4-star, 5 if it's more than a mile from the venue. I don't get out of bed for less than 5* and I don't do walking. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 13:40:25 GMT
The cast on the other hand are very willing to get INTO bed.
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Post by michalnowicki on Jun 8, 2017 13:55:48 GMT
The cast on the other hand are very willing to get INTO bed. And yet I was close to saying "I have a spare bedroom"... |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 13:57:29 GMT
The cast on the other hand are very willing to get INTO bed. And yet I was close to saying "I have a spare bedroom"... hahaha not ME the cast. Which I fear Monkey wants responsibility for. I'm fully housetrained (in a non 50 Shades way...)
BUT major question, what colour have you painted that spare room?
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Post by michalnowicki on Jun 8, 2017 14:07:13 GMT
And yet I was close to saying "I have a spare bedroom"... hahaha not ME the cast. Which I fear Monkey wants responsibility for. I'm fully housetrained (in a non 50 Shades way...)
BUT major question, what colour have you painted that spare room?
Haha, fair enough! I think we'll be painting 3 walls grey and we'll keep one wall white. But this is still to be decided! Once we repaint it we will put in on AirBnB to see if anyone fancies staying with us during the festival. |
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Post by synchrony on Jun 12, 2017 13:38:49 GMT
LOVE the fringe – I went for the first time in 2015 and realised I’d been wasting my summers all these years. I’ll be up for a week in August.
If wanting recommendations, I would suggest:
“All Quiet on the Western Front” (I saw this last year and it was excellent and is returning again).
“ Lula Del Ray” by Manual Cinema (I saw a different production by them last year which was really original and beautiful. Can’t say if this will be as good of course, but if you’re looking for something different....)
Both of these sold out last year so would probably need booking in advance.
Rebecca Vaughan and Pip Utton also do really good stuff.
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Post by synchrony on Jun 12, 2017 13:42:39 GMT
“The Road that Wasn’t there” might also be worth a look. They did “The Bookbinder” before, which was the best thing I saw in 2015 (it’s a children’s story, but really quite dark, gripping and beautiful). If this is anywhere near as good it’ll be excellent.
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Post by distantcousin on Jun 13, 2017 18:54:04 GMT
I'm going for the second year running. Bit disappointed with the plays and musicals compared to last year. Far too many new pieces and not enough fresh new interpretations of old stuff.
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Post by duncan on Jun 19, 2017 15:51:33 GMT
The Fringe should always be about new pieces and if it wants to stay fresh it needs to avoid rehashing old stuff - for example this year has Whose Line....again although without Paul Merton this year and some radio script readings of episodes of Dads Army.
That's the kind of dreadful filler that the fringe should be avoiding but I guess its what people will pay to see as its a name. Give me the new undiscovered show any day of the week, 48 weeks of the year you can see versions of Cats or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Edinburgh is for exploration, use it to aim for the second star on the right and to see what undiscovered countries you can accidentally fall into on the way.
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