Hugh Simpson
Joe Hill: The Man Who Never Died
★★★★☆ Inspiring
Joe Hill: The Man Who Never Died, from The Joe Hill Project with Joey Shaw at C aurora, is an old-fashioned piece of political street theatre performed with clarity and focus.
The Sisters Fig
★★★★☆ Ludicrous
Porridge After Meat’s The Sisters Fig at the Assembly Roxy Snug Bar is almost impossible to describe and all the better for it.
The Last Laugh
★★★★☆ Nostalgic
Extraordinary re-creations of comedians past distinguish The Last Laugh, from Evolution Productions at Assembly George Square Studios.
The Signalman / M R James: Whistle and I’ll Come to you
Signalman: ★★★★☆ Thoroughly atmospheric
Whistle: ★★★☆☆ Spooky
Paragon Theatre Collective’s The Signalman and M R James: Whistle and I’ll Come to You from Blue Orange Arts are both fine examples of atmospherically spooky stage adaptations of classic short fiction.
What the F*ck Happened to Love and Hope?
★★★★☆ Devastating
What The F*ck Happened to Love and Hope? from wtfhappenedto at theSpace on the Mile for the Fringe’s last week, is raw in its emotional content. However, there is nothing undercooked about its writing, acting or directing.
The Gummy Bears’ Great War
★★★★☆ A lot to chew on
The Gummy Bears’ Great War at C alto is the kind of thing you traditionally expect to see at the Fringe; a seemingly crazy idea that actually works convincingly.
Chemo Savvy
★★★★☆ Uplifting
Chemo Savvy, from Gilded Balloon and Ryan Dewar at the National Museum Auditorium in the Fringe’s last week, is an exploration of life and death that ends up as far more cheery (and far more touching) than you have any right to expect.
Pippin
★★★★☆ Fulfilling
Edinburgh University Footlights’ Pippin, at Paradise in Augustines for the Fringe’s final week, has an infectious enthusiasm and energy that are impossible to resist.
The Kelpie, the Loch and the Water of Life
★★★☆☆ Radio fun
Arkle’s The Kelpie, the Loch and the Water of Life is an ideal mid-afternoon diversion for the last week of the Fringe.
Amy’s View
★★★☆☆ Slow-moving
The Makars’ production of Amy’s View, at the Royal Scots Club for the Fringe’s last week, is well staged and acted but never really ignites.
