The Duncan Brothers: Blood Sword 4****

There’s a visual gag at the start of this show involving a household appliance which is utterly silly and entirely emblematic of the show. It tells you exactly what you’re in for, and the rest of the show doesn’t disappoint. … Read More

Alex Franklin: I Must Reach the Summit, Please God I Must Reach the Summit 2.5**

Alex Franklin presents an anarchic and raucous submission in support of their desperate desire to become the best comedian at the Fringe, if not in the world. They would love, they tells us, nothing more than for a member of … Read More

Charlie Vero-Martin: Picnic 4****

Any show which starts with the amiable distribution of chocolate fingers is on to a winner. Ms Vero-Martin was also handing out badges and generally being lovely to the audience; excellent techniques in place of traditional crowd work for bringing … Read More

Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine 3.5****

Clementine, spinster of this parish, has been given an ultimatum: marry before her next birthday, or risk being confined to the asylum. This period piece (all the periods. Medieval to 1920s, and some contemporary bits too) is her tale of … Read More

The Ugly Animal Preservation Society 4****

The Ugly Animal Preservation Society is an actual thing, and is reaching its ten year anniversary, facts, along with many others (such as that kakapos smell good) that I learned during this entertaining and informative show.

Despite being nominally about … Read More

Rocket Girl – 4 ****

The cast, in ‘NASA’ boiler suits, ask the younger audience members to draw what they want to be when they grow up.

Then the lights dim, and with a few simple props and a puppet, we’re transported back to 1969, … Read More

The Grand Scheme of Things – 4****

A new play, written and performed by Nic McQuillan and Flora Marston, about the world beyond #me-too and entitled masculinity. When we enter the venue, Flo is already on stage, sitting in front of her laptop. Nic appears and the … Read More

America Is Hard To See – Life Jacket Theatre Co – 4****

Travis Russ’ play is not afraid to confront difficult subjects. Based on interviews with residents of Miracle Village, a haven for convicted sex offenders in Florida, we are introduced to 3 residents, Chad, Thomas and Chris. Chad (Harry Waller) is … Read More

She Sells Sea Shells – Scandal and Gallows – 5*****

This was fringe theatre at its very best. Scandal and Gallows Theatre Company bring the life story of the 19th Century palaeontologist Mary Anning to Edinburgh and tell it in such a riveting way that I was gripped from … Read More

Like a Sturgeon – PBJ Management – 4****

Drag artist Ripley provides a political drama with a fabulous performance of lip-synced comedy, drag, politics and pop music. Ripley cleverly adapts lyrics to well known songs that fit in with the political news stories that are shown on a … Read More