EDINBURGH FRINGE
FORGOTTEN VOICES // The Grand – Pleasance Courtyard // 1:30pm
Taken from the Imperial War Museum’s oral testimonies of the veterans of World War One, Forgotten Voices is a series of vivid and deeply moving accounts of battle and its terrible aftermath. Based on the best-selling book, poignant tributes for the centenary commemoration of WW1 are read by guest artists, including our own James Fleet between 20th-25th August.
CLOWN SLUT // Dario’s Restaurant // 2nd – 23rd August // 12:15pm
Written by and starring our very own Joanna Griffin, Clown Slut is a stand-up theatre piece following one girl’s journey through the confusion and mayhem of growing up. Taking a tongue-in-cheek look at how to be a woman- from clueless adolescence through to slut-dropping Uni students and the tragic office party, Clown Slut asks if shaking out to MC Hammer might make us happier than marriage, mortgages and all that stuff. Receiving 5 stars from Public Reviews, Joanna will make sure you’re laughing all the way through.
I KILLED RASPUTIN // George Square Theatre // 1st – 24th August // 3:35pm
A new play by Richard Herring, I Killed Rasputin focuses on American journalist EM Halliday as he visits the aged Russian Prince and conspirator in the murder of Rasputin, Felix Yusupov, improbably still alive in 1967. The former richest man in Russia, now reduced to making money from his tall tale, is haunted by the “Mad Monk”, who even 50 years on refuses to die. The brilliant Joanna Griffin also stars in this zany production as Herring swaps his comedic hat for his dramatic one.
ANDY DE LA TOUR STAND-UP OR DIE IN NEW YORK // Gilded Balloon //1st – 25th August // 5pm
After a twenty year pause from stand-up, our own Andy de la Tour went to New York to rediscover his comedy roots. This is the story of what happened. Andy was last in Edinburgh 30 years ago with Rik Mayall and Ben Elton. Now he’s back, older but not much wiser! ‘Andy de la Tour deserves a noble place in the history of stand-up’ (Chortle.co.uk).
LOVE TO LOVE TO LOVE YOU // Royal Overseas League Club // 16th – 21st August
Love to Love to Love You takes the scandalous 19th century Viennese play La Ronde and resets its themes of sex, satisfaction and loneliness into a modern, fast paced and hedonistic city. Drawing upon our culture of excess, the action of the play Is condensed to a single day and night, during a modern carnival of contemporary art. Starring our own Lotte Rice, Love to Love to Love You is on a short run so make sure to catch it whilst you can.
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL THEATRE
MINETTI // Royal Lyceum Theatre // 16th – 18th August // 8pm
Part of the Edinburgh International Festival and in collaboration with two of the world’s great dramatic institutions- RADA and The Juilliard School – Minetti focuses on a long-forgotten actor as he arrives in great spirits to discuss his comeback as King Lear with a theatre director. While he waits patiently in the hotel lobby, Minetti’s obsessive personality reveals itself in a series of strange encounters with other guests. Featuring performances from John Nettleton and Deidre Doone, director Tom Cairns is all set to bring Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed masterpiece to life.
JAMES I & JAMES II // Festival Theatre // 10th – 21st August // Various times
Three new plays about James I, II and III are being premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival and our very own Christopher Shutt has designed the sound for the first two. Written by Rona Munro and directed by Laurie Sansom, James I: The Key Will Keep The Lock and James II: Day of the Innocents are a new cycle of history plays, bringing to life the three generations of Stewart Kings who ruled Scotland in the tumultuous fifteenth century. This will be atmospheric drama at its best.