EdFringe 2015
Touch
✭✭✩✩✩ A touch lacking:
Touch, a co-production between Ciaran Myers and Edinburgh-based Asylon Theatre at the New Town Theatre, treats difficult themes sensitively and tactfully. Unfortunately, this is at the expense of dramatic impact.
That Deadly Noir Magic
✭✭✭✩✩ More deadly than magic:
Dani Iannarelli’s love letter to film noir and jazz combines film clips, music and a noirish plot. The outcome is too confused to be a success, although parts of the performance are very enjoyable indeed.
The Missing Hancocks: Live in Edinburgh
✭✭✭✭✩ Timeless comedy:
At first glance, The Missing Hancocks is a strange idea for a Fringe show – a recreation of the recording of 1950s radio programmes. All that matters, however, is that the result is two separate and extremely enjoyable shows.
Horseplay – The Troy Musical
✭✭✭✩✩ Epic comedy:
Rough-hewn but sparkling with energy and invention, there’s neigh-doot that Napier University Drama Society’s world premier of Horseplay The Troy Musical is a real hoot.
Sunshine on Leith
✭✭✭✭✩ Joyful
Young critics scheme review:
Captivate Theatre reprise their take on Sunshine on Leith, Stephen Greenhorn’s feel-good jukebox musical, based on the songs of the Proclaimers.
Shakespeare in the Garden – Cheer Up, Hamlet
✭✭✭✭✩ Family fun
Young critics scheme review:
Educational, side-splitting and with just the right amount of ridiculous, Shakespeare in the Garden – Cheer Up, Hamlet is perfect for parents who want their children to be discreetly educated but without their enjoyment being compromised.
The Garden
★★★★☆ Insightful dystopia:
Truth permeates The Garden, Zinnie and John Harris’ semi-opera, commissioned by Aberdeen’s sound Festival and playing off-site at the Traverse.
The Year of the Hare
✭✭✭✩✩ Emotional rollercoaster
Young critic scheme review:
Creative, absorbing, and very wacky, the Finnish Ryhmateatteri Ensemble’s version of Arto Paasilinna’s popular book, originally published in 1975, certainly leaves an impact.
Little Shop of Horrors
✭✭✭✭✭ Fabulous
Young critics scheme review:
Fast-paced, funny and moving, the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group brings to life Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s cult classic Little Shop of Horrors.
Peter Pan on Dinosaur Island – Junior review
✭✭✭✩✩ Lots of dinosaurs
Junior review by Cora Dibdin:
Peter Pan on Dinosaur Island was a play. It wasn’t the usual story of Peter Pan.