Made In Edinburgh
The Man Who Planted Trees
★★★★★ Simply beautiful
The Puppet State Theatre production of The Man Who Planted Trees at the Scottish Storytelling Centre is a show for everyone – and one that has never been more relevant.
Tickbox
★★★★☆ Personal story
Lubna Kerr’s parents arrived in Glasgow from Pakistan in the 1960s and Tickbox, at Summerhall for the final two weeks of the fringe, tells their and her stories.
Barefoot in the Park
★★★☆☆ Diligent
The Edinburgh Makars return to the Hepburn Suite at the Royal Scots Club with Barefoot in the Park. Their production of Neil Simon’s comedy is solid and well crafted, but real comic punch comes inconsistently.
Cheeky Girls
★★★★☆ Unbounded promise
The Counterminers’ Cheeky Girls, at theSpace @ Niddry St for the Fringe’s final week, is a comic drama of almost unlimited potential.
Water Fruit Loops
★★★☆☆ Engaging
Theatre Paradok’s Water Fruit Loops, at theSpace @ Niddry Street for the final week of the fringe, goes over well-trodden ground in a likeable manner.
Floodgate
★★★★☆ Surprising
Theatre Paradok’s Floodgate, at theSpace @ Niddry Street for the last week of the Fringe, is a confrontationally challenging examination of the possible effects of climate change.
1902
★★★★☆ Explosive yet poignant
1902 by Saltire Sky is as slick and strong as ever as it returns home to Edinburgh for its fifth – and final – fringe with a full run at the Leith Arches.
Salamander
★★★☆☆ Great potential
Salamander, from Pretty Knickers Productions at Greenside @ Riddles Court, is inspired by true events that took place in Leith in the 1980s.
The Collie’s Shed
★★★☆☆ Moving Drama
Shelley Middler’s new play The Collie’s Shed, which she also directs, is based on the miners’ strikes of the 1980s and fits perfectly into the intimate space of Perth Theatre at theSpace on North Bridge.
Past Life
★★★☆☆ Strong comedy
Set in what initially appears to be the backstage area of a theatre, Past Life from Simply Surreal, at Greenside Riddles Court for the last week of the Fringe only, provides a glimpse into the life of a reality TV show host and, in a humorous way, reveals it to be a fairy miserable existence.
