KITE at Edinburgh 2005

Aug '05: Finally the old boy returns home; just got back Saturday morning from the Edinburgh Fringe 2005.  Here are some notes about what I got to see plus general notes about the experience.

Dead End: A tramp tells his story as a prostitute and a pimp hover nearby.  Reality is blurred as we discover the secret.  An intriguiging hook, an interesting story.  At the cost of ruining friendships and future possibilities, I have to say I did not like the direction of this play. I really could not stomach the pimp character, not because he was crude or arrogant but simply because the character seemed a bit of a prat and in that also appeared to represent the voyeuristic audience. I'm not keen on particular audience members myself but now I know what it's like to feel insulted I'll try something else when writing in future. The set was lovely, worked well. Main actor was fab. However the female actor seemed to be directed in a way that just didn't make sense. One moment she's disgusted and terrified, the next, she's happily picking up roaches off the floor and "mucking in". Her reactions to the main character lacked continuity and realism. Then there's the ending. WHY? What did it symbolise? It was totally lost on me. Plus the final line, what happened to continuity? It made me feel like the line was delivered in a particular way because the director assumed that the audience wouldn't understand French. I think we would have "got" it, even if we weren't able to translate the actual sentence. I'm really sorry if a whole load of things just went totally over my ignorant head, but there's no point, imho, putting on a production just for literary elite: this is the fringe, is it not? Still I note that this production is already set to go on tour, good luck with it all, I hope this is all just a bad night's misinterpretation. [ more ]

Pramface:  The only thing that lets this play down for me is the bloodsucking journalist character, which I think has been done enough. For those who like watching these sorts of people get their come-uppance, you will love this play! One actor plays have to work hard to keep the audience's attention and this does well but I became slightly tired with the bitching three quarters of the way through. Thankfully things picked up again and proceedings actually got quite edgy! Although the ending was in my opinion uneccessary in terms of visual gratification, I hope to see this actor in action again, she deserves a lot of credit! [ more ]

Belle and the Beautful Knight:  A pair of orphans.  A dark secret.  Then her first boyfriend threatens to break their bond and shatter all illusions.  Three guys chatting on stage - but before you know it, the play has ended!  The pace never lets up and hooks you from the get go.  I loved this play and was in tears at the end.  All they had to say was "New Wave French Cinema"!  Heart rending. [ more ]

Spliced:  There's nothing to think about here, it's sole entertainment with clever homages to the cinema.  My only complaint was that I felt the Star Wars segment was far too long and the Kill Bill episode seemed sloppy.  Again, I saw this at the previews so I'm sure it'll be alright on the night. [ more ]

Lost Property:  Imagine everything that is lost is indeed found and stored. Everything. Imagine if you could ask for anything you've ever lost... What would you ask for? This production was quite simply the highlight of my visit to Edinburgh. The quote on the flyer calls it the "future of theatre" and while this is slightly unkind to any company that has already incorporated physical performance into theatre, the truth remains. I feel audiences want a little something more than a couple of guys chatting on the stage. Tangled Feet Company have achieved the perfect balance: not too much dance, charming dialogue, issues raised for the audience to ponder and a twisting story with some humour thrown in for good measure, not to mention a different ending every night! Glorious!!! I cannot stress enough that you should see this! I was initially actually put off by the childish look of the actors on the flyer and had to be dragged in by a mate... and what a fool did I look like. An amazing show ***** I think I'll start looking to write with physical theatre in mind now!!! [ more ]

Ubu:  Song and slapstick keep the audience on their toes in this excellent political satire!  Updated with references for 2005!  A classic lesson of greed, pulling the audience in to particpate, including throwing tomatoes and the chance to win a tenner!  Genius! [ more ]

Sally Swallows and the rise of Londondinium: I'm fairly confident this trash will appear on Channel 5 at some point.  It is the lowest brow comedy you will ever see.  Utterly vacant, bizarre and hilarious all at the same time!! [ more ]

Marat/Sade: The play's point has not been lost in this production.  It seemed to me that the student cast all seemed to be vying for spotlight but then again, they're all meant to be asylum inmates...

Volpone: Sex Lies & Videotape: Student productions are a bit of a hit and miss affair, this one, my friend informs me, is a miss... 

Zoo Story: Great stuff... Only two actors, one pretty much doing all the talking, but with such energy you're never left snoozing.  A good ramble about humans, big cities and loneliness.  Well, he only ended up winning the Stage award for best actor!

First of all, going during previews has its pros and cons.  The pros are cheap seats and if you bump into the right people, you might even get some comps.  The cons are simply that some actors are fresh onto the stage and haven't settled into their roles.  That goes for technicians and the equipment itself too!

But then there's the opportunity to network.  You'll often find the whole crew in the bar afterwards and of course down the mile flyering like crazy.  Talk to them and you'll learn from their experience, all the obstacles they came across and all the people that helped out.  I'll be describing these in more detail on the guide page.