Edinburgh Blues

Another year. Another festival. Another month of debauchery, drinking and shows. The Royal Mile is no doubt still littered by thousands of now redundant flyers, my liver hurts and my eyelids are heavy. But it is of - course as ever, entirely necessary to divulge the details of some wonderful theatre from this year’s Fringe. I'll keep it brief, just like shows at Edinburgh, short and sweet is best.

'Blackout' by ThickSkin Theatre

For me, blackout was completely mesmerising to watch, it was wonderful to see such commitment and investment on stage, not only was the piece moving because of its foundation in real life, but because of the truthfulness with which it was presented - everything that happened on stage - movement, word, image was executed and performed with such perfect precision that the piece moved me, both personally and artistically. It was beautiful to watch. A piece of theatre which married movement, word, music, and film together to create a sensory feast. Visually challenging, innovative and engaging theatre, definitely worth getting up early for.

David Leddy's 'Sub Rosa'

It's rare to find theatre which has changed you in some way - changed the way you feel - even if it is only for the next few hours - and that's what I feel Sub Rosa did - it changed my mood, the way I conducted myself afterwards and I continued to replay the story in my head (I'm even doing it now) long after. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of theatre (and wasn't disappointed after David Leddy's wonderful 'White Tea' from last year) and yet I suppose 'enjoyed' is probably the wrong word to use, for the subject matter was anything but enjoyable. For me, 'Sub Rosa' was engaging, dynamic, dark, witty and grotesque. I found myself utterly drawn into the macabre story of Rosa, completely immersed within the sinister and almost claustrophobic walls of the Masonic Lodge in which the performance took place. Part of me wanted to run away, yet my morbid curiosity kept me completely engaged with the story. The superb acting, and wonderful script painted images so beautifully that I found there was nothing I wasn't able to see happening right in front of me - everything was there for me to witness. This was a piece of theatre that I felt completely suspended all reality; the perfect marriage text, music, lighting, space, and set - establishing an uneasy atmosphere, a sensory feast which plunged me into the world of the characters. I left the Masonic Lodge feeling thoroughly chilled (and not because it was a cold Edinburgh night)

'Bunny' by Jack Thorne. Nabokov Theatre
Despite the fact that the lead (and only) role of Katie was played by my good friend Rosie Wyatt, this was a show I found myself recommending throughout the festival regardless of my prior connection to the wonderful Miss Wyatt. 'Bunny' was incredibly engaging, dynamic and thought provoking - a piece of theatre which not only caught, and held my attention for a full hour (a feat, for any one women show), but which also left me feeling in some way uneasy, aware, not only of the cultural struggles prevalent in an area like Luton (where half my family grew up), but of the struggles of coming of age - the insecurities, questions and changes which I think in some way all young women face - I certainly found myself able to identify and relate on many levels to Katie. The superb writing, acting and direction combined, created a piece of theatre I completely believed in, witty, subtle, political and completely natural.

'The Terrible Infants' by Les Enfants Terribles

This show is already a firm fringe favourite having received rave reviews during its 2005 run at the festival and subsequent shows during the following 5 years. However, it wasn't until this year, when I for once vowed to come to the festival ready and prepared with a list of must see shows (imagine days spent scouring the 1000 or so pages of my Edfringe Guide), that I managed to see it. Luckily the show didn't disappoint, deliciously dark, it surprised, excited and left me feeling uneasy all at the same time. Presented with such sinister commitment I found it was impossible not to be drawn into the macabre little stories presented to me on stage (think Tim Burton's 'The Melancholy Death of the Oyster boy, and other stories'). The inspirational and original use of music, dramatic and aesthetic not only created a wonderful feast for the senses but established an atmosphere which created real depth to the theatre, completely consuming its audience. Unfortunately, in order to accommodate the product of such a successful show the piece was performed in 'The Grand', The Pleasance's largest space, and in my opinion would have flourished far better in a small intimate theatre where the audience would have really been surrounded and immersed into the thrillingly terrifying world of the Terrible Infants. Nevertheless, I still gobbled up the sinister tales performed in the show like a greedy little child. How fitting.

'Speechless'. Shared Experience

Another piece of theatre with friends in, but incredible regardless. Speechless was truly compelling, a dynamic and engaging production which completely drew me into the world of the piece. Mesmerising performances and perfect direction - I was able to completely connect with the internal struggles of each of the characters, giving the production such depth that I felt truly moved by the story. Perhaps because it was based on real events and perhaps not, either way, it was a pleasure to watch. Intensely compelling theatre.

'Hott Mess' by Ella Hickson

Ella Hickson is probably one of my favourite young playwrights. Having seen her play 'Precious Little Talent' last year, I was eager to jump at the chance to see her newest piece, performed site specifically in one of Edinburgh's west - end nightclubs, and I was far from disappointed. In 'Hot Mess', Hickson explored love on a whole new plain, innovative and inspiring, the story and subject matter made for a unique and moving production. The characters of the play were formed and performed with heartbreaking dexterity, absolute truth and wonderful wit, and as a result truly connected with me. It was a pleasure to watch a play which, for me really uncovered the dark nature and form that love can take and explored what it means to love and be loved with complete honesty. Intelligent and truly thought provoking theatre, love can be dangerous, yet another success from Hickson.

The Uber Hate Gang' by Horizon - Arts

I found the entire production, absolutely captivating and completely arresting. It moved me to tears. It was wonderful to see a piece of theatre which really challenged an audience's pre-conceptions and pushed the boundaries artistically. Both the acting and direction was superb, the characters were played with such raw truth that as an audience member you felt absolutely trapped within their world. Frighteningly brilliant breath taking theatre, the kind whic

h provokes a response far beyond mediocrity and embodies everything that new theatre should be trying to do to its audiences I left Underbelly feeling uneasy, angry and dumbstruck.

So there you have it. Just a selection. I should mention 'Operation Greenfield' by Little Bulb theatre company, a beautifully epic, mesmerising piece of theatre, 'Freefall' by Dublin Corn Exchange, boundary pushing, engaging original theatre, and 'Sex Idiot' by Bryonny Kimmings, tantalising, ticklish, original and awkward - another three favourites, which absolutely deserve mentions of the highest order from my fringe review and I should absolutely thank 'Belt up Theatre' for the hours of entertainment they provided me with - nothing compare to 'The House Above'. Special mentions go to 'The Mussel Inn' probably the best thing about Rose Street, 'Hula' probably the best cheese on toast and 'Armstrongs' possibly the easiest vintage shop to spend money in. Whenever you want to feel full GO to the Mosque Kitchen - a genius idea. Now I need to go and wean myself of Kopparberg Pear Cider, nurse my bank balance and contemplate how I'm going to make it through another year until Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011