Author: Suzanne O'Brien
Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet
★★★★☆ Radical and inventive
Matthew Bourne’s radical reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet for his New Adventures company, creates a ballet about the powerless and the powerful which highlights the madness of young love and the crazy things it forces us to do.
Mark Twain’s The Stolen White Elephant
★★★☆☆ Absurd
Performed by Andy Dickinson, this version of Mark Twain’s absurd short story The Stolen White Elephant changes the original setting of New Jersey to Manchester. It’s amusing, satirical and totally bizarre.
Traditional Tales of Scotland
★★★★☆ Magical
With a basic set consisting of a table and chair and no special effects or lights, Traditional Tales of Scotland at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, is a simple and relaxed hour of storytelling.
Plague, Poo n’ Punishment
★★★★☆ Heaps of fun
Set in an ancient courtroom, Edinburgh Storytellers’ Plague, Poo n’ Punishment is a comedy show filled with stories of Edinburgh’s gory history that is enjoyable for both children and adults.
The Real William Shakespeare… As Told by Christopher Marlowe
★★★★☆ Full of imagination
There are many debates and conspiracy theories surrounding Shakespeare’s life and work. The Real William Shakespeare… as Told by Christopher Marlowe, from Matchmaker Theatre Productions, pitches into one of those thought-provoking theories with great humour, music and lively performances.
The Grand Old Opera House Hotel
★★★★☆ Marvellous mayhem
Isobel McArthur strikes again with The Grand Old Opera House Hotel, a wonderfully written fusion of farce and opera running the full length of the fringe.
What Girls Are Made Of
★★★★★ Exhilarating
Cora Bissett is nothing short of incredible in her gig-theatre show What Girls Are Made Of. It is full-throttle, high energy and, at points, it really does feel like you are front row at a gig.
Wee Seals and Selkies
★★★★☆ Gentle storytelling
Based on two of her popular books, Janis Mackay’s Wee Seals and Selkies at the Scottish Storytelling Centre is a sweet 50-minute show that includes magical Scottish tales of nature and friendship.
Help Yourself
★★★★☆ Sharp and witty
Dynamic collaborators Jess Brodie and Victoria Bianchi play expert hosts in Help Yourself, from Musselburgh-based Emma Ruse Productions running at Summerhall’s demonstration room for the full Fringe.
Protest
★★★☆☆ Girl power
Hannah Lavery’s Protest at the Studio as part of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival proves that, to bring change, all you need is a voice and a little imagination.
