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Camille O’Sullivan – Chameleon

Martin Miller — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:28:40 +0000

Hairline have long been champions of Camille O’Sullivan, being one of the finest singers you will ever hear. She takes the songs of the likes of Jaques Brel, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave and dramatically moulds them into her own gutsy, emotional interpretations. The results are spectacular and Camille more than deservers her five star rating she gets from practically every reviewer out there.
Chameleon is her latest show, many of the old set list highlights that have followed her for years are gone, such as ‘Kirsty MacColl’s ‘In these shoes,’ and Nick Caves’ ‘Are you the one’, and they have rather boldly been replaced with a more rocky sound which slowly settles into a fragile mood and only beings to really impress around the half way mark. As she delivers a stunning A Capella cover of Jacques Brel’s ‘The port of Amsterdam’. The new songs are all impeccably performed but lack the ferocious, playfulness of previous years. There is not many songs that comes even close to her version of Bowie’s ‘Rock and roll suicide’ which had the crowd stunned just last year.
New song choices aside, Chameleon feels far more like a theatrical show than ever before, and it’s all the better for it, creating a magical world using costume changes, a lit up swing and a beautiful and effective moment with her opening a suitcase laid flat on the floor, that lights up when open.
But something is seriously a miss tonight, this kitten seems to have had her claws cut. Sipping water instead of her trademark bottle of red she gives a decent if unspectacular performance. With her fiery temper only showing in a flash when an someone in the crowd boos her and she challenges him for it, demanding the crowd stop clapping while she hunts out the culprit. It looks like things are about to explode, but then she bursts into tears sobbing through her final song. Thankfully the audience are behind her and give her a loud, thunderous standing ovation which of course she deserves.
Camille O’Sullivan is one of the most awe inspiring singers you will ever, ever see. But this is one of her weaker shows that doesn’t quite impress as it should. However even Camille on a bad night can still knock out the competition.

4/5

The Dog-Eared Collective’s ‘Joyride’

Martin Miller — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:30:50 +0000

‘The Dog Eared Collective’ thrilled last year with their bonkers sketch show. While there may have been some completely out there characters and the odd baffling moment, their warm, silly comedy always beamed through, pulling jokes from the most unlikely moments.
Now they have returned with a brand new show: ‘Joyride’. They have removed a loose theme in place of random sketches involving morris-dancing combat, bob sleighs and a great running gag involving a bird tormenting an unsuspecting tourist. Some of the more bizarre elements seem to have been toned down which does make them more accessible to a wider audience but while the weirdness dips, maybe so too does what made them so special in the first place.
Make no mistake these comedians are very funny. Full of frantic energy, they have the audience giggling throughout, having too much fun to care that some of the jokes are too obvious for their own good. A few scenes don’t quite pay off like you would hope, such as the bird scene itself. It’s amusing but really needs more.
Despite this there is still plenty of fun to be had, the sketches come thick and fast, the characters are wonderful and you cant help but get behind them in a fit of giggles.

4/5

Grimm Tales of the Unexpected

Sandi Hunter — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:30:21 +0000

If you fancy a light-hearted show of entrancing fairytales, this performance is definitely not for you! You would do well to take note of all the signs telling you that the content is sinister and shocking… It truly is. If you want to see something dark and twisted, which will test your preconceptions and leave you feeling completely disturbed, then this is the perfect place to spend an hour.
The production takes three of the Brothers Grimm’s fairytales, namely The Pied Piper of Hamlyn, Hansel and Gretel, and Sleeping Beauty, and brings them straight into the present world. Then, they are given an unexpected, menacing twist which culminates in a shocking show, covering such topics as abuse, cannibalism and sexual assault. Yet, even though the stories are disturbing, there are lighter moments and innuendos throughout, that have you chuckling occasionally, making this an unusual show.
The actors do a fantastic job at achieving their aims. Since they are all dressed head to toe in black, have no sets and use absolutely minimal props, you realise how hard they have had to work to create the feelings of unease you feel during (and after) the show. The creative use of candles, high pitched child’s laughter, masks, and xylophone music all helps to create an eerie ambiance. The performers are experts at mime, and use their bodies as additional props. The actors (Dan Mehers, Phil Clynes, Lee Ward, Greg Williams and Hayley Fitton) are a brave troupe putting on a production of this nature, as the material is highly controversial. You know they have done a fantastic job though, when you have left the show, and you find that even though you are out in the sun again, you can still feel the chill of a lingering feeling of horror and unease.

4/5

Mark Allen’s Go Slow

Sandi Hunter — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:30:16 +0000

On entering the venue, you might find Mark Allen sitting doing a crossword and asking audience members to help him by suggesting alternative words. This creates a relaxed vibe and good rapport right from the start. Once everyone is settled in, Mark gives a background to his show. Apparently a couple of months ago he found that he had started living at a ridiculously hectic pace, and decided to see what would happen if he slowed down for one month.
This is an extremely funny account of what happens when you decide to live life slowly, switch off your mobile phone, abandon Facebook and email, and use buses instead of tubes. The audience falls about laughing at the reaction of Mark’s friends (who can no longer email him to invite him out – now having to try and reach him on his home land-line), family, and poor wife, as they are subjected to his new way life, the way it used to be less than two decades ago. Not only is this an entertaining show, it makes a person wonder how much has actually changed in such a short space of time, and how accustomed people have become to the fast pace of the electronic age.
Is it even possible to live slowly anymore? Go see Mark’s Go Slow and you will find out in this entertaining hour (and a half).

4/5

Mary Queen of Scots: The Last Letter

Sandi Hunter — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:20:20 +0000

The Storytelling Centre is a wonderful venue. The seats are spacious, the isles wide enough to make for sufficient leg room, and they offer a great view of the stage. On taking one’s seat and settling in, you notice that the only props on stage are a desk and chair on the right, and a small chair on the left. The production starts with Mary Stuart, sitting at the desk, writing a letter. It soon becomes apparent from her monologue, that this is Wednesday, 8 February 1587, her last night of captivity, and, unable to sleep, she is writing a letter to the brother of her first husband, Henry III of France. In reality, Mary did write a letter of this nature to Henry III at 2am on this same date, with only six hours to live. Knowing this is sobering, it draws one in to her story immediately, as, for the next 50 minutes, you listen with near desperation to the emotions and dramas of her tragic life.
While listening to her recalling the exciting and disastrous situations that she had to face in her lifetime, the audience is taken through a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Her major life events cover the excitement of her teen marriage to best friend Frances of France, to his ill-fated and catastrophic death and her move to Scotland. Her marriage to the notorious and syphilis riddled Lord Darnley, right through her life to her capture and imprisonment by her own cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Moved to retell the events of her life, while writing this last letter, the audience is shown the brutality of the situations she found herself in.
Actress Anna Hepburn is superb as the highly spirited, passionate and spontaneous monarch. Her excellent portrayal of the varying emotions experienced by Mary, and her well-timed movement around the stage keep the audience rapt. This is a brave and extremely challenging production, but one well worth seeing if you are a fan of theatre and history.

4/5

Arj Barker – Let Me Do the Talking

Martin Miller — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:25:08 +0000

Arj Barker won the Perrier Award way back in 1997, but at only thirty six he has come a long, long way. Performing to huge audience numbers in gigs all over the world, he is now on his third DVD release of stand-up shows. His popularity no doubt put into the stratosphere by starring in a little show called, ‘Flight of the Conchords’. While his name might not ring any bells he is instantly recognisable as the scene-stealing laid back Dave from the pawn shop.
Mixing dead beat delivery with gentle surrealism he gives a very funny hour of stand up. Right from the off he has the audience roaring with laughter as his jokes link back to each other, ranting about the Death Star in Star Wars and berating NASA for shooting things at the moon. It is the simple, throw away comments about letter fonts and his views on climate change that keep the audience grinning from ear to ear.
His jokes are tight, his delivery spot on and he’s just so effortlessly laid back as he recounts a very funny, gloriously odd hour of stand up that has the audience in the palm of his hands from start to finish.

4/5

Celia Pacquola – Flying Solos

Adrian G. Velazquez — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:15:34 +0000

Celia Pacquola doesn’t know how to play the piano. That hasn’t stopped her from wanting to learn a 22-second piano solo that features half way through 1982’s ‘I’m So Excited’ by The Pointer Sisters. She has been practicing, and she wants to play it live at the end of the show, but she isn’t too sure she’ll be able to do it. Will she?
With the idea of trying new things, making oneself a better person, and living life as a series of ’solo’ moments, Pacquola digs into her past, and finds jokes in the most mundane of situations. It is to her advantage that Pacquola herself feels so full of life and joy – an infectious quality indeed that stands her in good stead throughout her solo show.
Her school years and bad dancing moments are mentioned to hilarious effect, but Pacquola isn’t scared of getting personal and dark, as she discusses seeing her life flash before her eyes during a horrendous plane trip, when she thought she was going to die. She is equally genuine when talking about her mother, and how she one day woke up and realised she needed to do something for herself, or she would never be happy.
Pacquola’s observations might not be laugh out loud funny, but her incredible persona and delivery makes her truly memorable. Is she able to rise to the occasion and play that solo-piano? You just have to go and see. She is well worth it.

4/5

Gemma Goggin: Get Laid or Die Trying

Adrian G. Velazquez — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:25:23 +0000

Sex. Might as well get it out in the open: Gemma Goggin is interested in talking to you about sex. She likes it, she enjoys it, and she isn’t afraid to let her views on it be known.
If you are expecting a whole hour where a woman slags off men in favour of the female form and psyche, you couldn’t be more wrong. Gemma appears on stage, with her soft self-deprecating humour, ready to share her past experiences with men, dating, and life in general. Though she may sometimes be too-honest and explicit for some, she is not crass or blunt, but instead extremely funny, charming and sexy about it all.
Her Kama Sutra section, though (where she provides visual aids with blow-up dolls to demonstrate five of the book’s positions) does seem a bit gimmicky and unnecessary, stalling the flow of the otherwise laugh-a-minute show. But this is soon forgiven when Goggin gets back on track to talk about internet dating, past encounters and sexual preferences.
Goggin’s delivery is the winning asset in the show. Her honesty is refreshing, and there is no bitterness in her words. This is someone just like you and me, someone we can relate to (she generates many a knowing nod and giggle), who isn’t afraid to talk about a subject we all, in reality, love to practice and discuss. That she does it with such glee and joy – and has the auditorium constantly laughing with her – is a bonus.

4/5

Andrew Bird: The Unlikely Lad

Adrian G. Velazquez — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:30:27 +0000

Andrew Bird doesn’t care anymore if he is liked or not. He has spent all his life trying to be accepted by all, mainly since he feels he has nothing to give, being your average white, straight male Brit. The thing is, Bird doesn’t fit under that category. He doesn’t see the fun in watching a woman parking a car (since he himself acknowledges that he can’t park either), and he actually enjoys ironing. Throughout the whole hour, Bird humorously highlights those traits that defy the lad label, but it’s one he struggles to shake thanks to ‘a face that looks like it reads Nuts magazine’.
If this all seems to lack originality on paper (and let’s be honest, his flier doesn’t do him justice either), the truth is that Bird is extremely funny. He is hilarious in fact, carrying the whole show without any tumbleweed moments, the audience laughing at his every word or gesture.
His honesty is a breath of fresh air after the troops of male comedians who over-exaggerate stories in search of punchlines, or think comedy is insulting the audience and swearing every two seconds. Bird doesn’t need any of those gimmicks because he is a natural comedian. He is also very good with the audience, effortlessly charming and engaging.
Even when his material fades a little towards the end, he still manages to keep us on side by poking fun at his marriage and own clumsy attempts – despite everything – to be liked. Highlights include what happens when his wife sneezes while he’s inside her; failed attempts to impress the in-laws (not related to the previous gag); and hilarious attempts to atone for a joke involving a swastika.
Bird shouldn’t worry about being liked. It is obvious that he is loved by his audience.

4/5

Mike Keat: The Lyin’ Bitch and The Wardrobe

Martin Miller — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:20:21 +0000

Mike Keat is that special rarity: a comedian performing in Edinburgh who IS actually from Edinburgh. Not that you would recognise him, as he is usually drenched in fake tan, comedy wigs and talking in a faux accent playing the lead singer in, ‘The Cuban Brothers’.
This is his first solo show and anticipation is high. The show combines stand-up with comedy sketches, video sequences and some cracking true life stories. If you can ignore some jokes and sayings he has lifted whole-sale from his other act, there is a lot of fun to be had. Keat reveals himself to be not just a great singer/dancer, but also a terrific comedian.
His characters have lots of comedic potential and have the audience loudly laughing. Though it’s interesting to note that the moment when the show really takes off involve his fellow band mates who come up on stage and show their spectacular dance moves, re-enacting a break-dancing tournament from his youth, complete with a giant slipper on his head.
Keat is charming to watch and his entirely true long story about drunken nights out with David Hasslehoff just have to be heard to be believed.
He delivers a frantic, silly hour of comedy that doesn’t come close to the comedic gold of his other act, but will have you grinning long after the show has finished.

4/5