EdFringe 16
The Elephant Man
★★★☆☆ Effective:
There is a straightforward effectiveness to Fringe Management and Canny Creatures’ version of The Elephant Man at the Gilded Balloon that helps it overcome its comparative lack of inspiration.
Rose
★★★☆☆ Touching
Rose, by Scratch the Surface at Silk, is a well told, emotional piece showcasing the talents of a huge number of young performers.
Ne’er the Twain
★★★★☆ Funny:
Bold, fast-paced and verging on the hysterical at times, Saughtonhall Drama Group’s Ne’er The Twain is a tremendously enjoyable production.
Lest We Forget
★★★☆☆ Reflective:
There is a kernel of emotional and poetic truth to Lest We Forget, the latest offering from writer-director James Beagon and Aulos Productions in the Studio at St Augustines. However, its effect is dissipated in a reworking of familiar themes and a setting that fails to do justice to its ambition.
The Auld Alliance
✭✭✭✭✩ Entente Cordiale
Warmly funny and showing an unusual level of thought and care, The Auld Alliance from Edinburgh People’s Theatre is a multi-faceted production where the good hugely outweighs the bad.
Mairi Campbell: Pulse
✭✭✭✭✩ Compelling
Engaging, creative and deeply felt, Mairi Campbell: Pulse at Summerhall’s Old Lab is an involving and satisfying show.
Waves
★★★☆☆ Refreshing
A cheerful directness and generosity of spirit permeate Waves at the Old Lab in Summerhall. However, there is an underdeveloped feel at times that threatens to detract from its fresh and infectious atmosphere.
Jesus Christ Superstar
★★★★★ Divine
Tuneful, committed and utterly enthralling, Forth Children’s Theatre’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar features enough talent on and off stage to make any other Fringe productions green with envy.
Jailmates
★★★☆☆ Brimming with gems
Full of witty genius, but failing to make the most of its content, Dabster Productions’ Jailmates still guarantees an hour of laughs with brutally honest comedy.
If By Chance
★★★☆☆ Passionate
An exceptional cast is let down by lazy technical work at the New Town Theatre, where the Scottish Theatre and Music School’s If By Chance would be outstanding if it just got the time and resources it deserves.
