I recently returned from my first Edinburgh Fringe, and aside from the hellish cold I caught, I had a fantastic time. Here’s five hits from the 2016 line up.
STAND UP
Marcel Lucont’s Whine List
Marcel Lucont is the French alter ego of British comedian Alexis Dubus, who’s served up some sublime humour in his new show. As part of his ‘whine list’, Lucont asks his audience to discuss their worst experiences at work, abroad, and in the bedroom.
Arrogant, deadpan and condescending, his conversational style has revealed some extraordinary anecdotes. At the show I saw, one woman listed her worst sexual encounter simply as “Brian.” The evening also includes selected vintage whines from previous nights, like the story of a woman who cancelled her wedding when she thought saw the ghost of her future self in the church.
SKETCH COMEDY
Static
This free sketch show was made all the better for me by the fact I had no idea what I was getting into. I wandered into Staticwhen I was looking to fill a gap in my busy Fringe schedule, and it ended up being the best thing I saw that day. Anna Jeong Brophy and Emily Lloyd Saini deliver a fresh, original sketch show and have wonderful chemistry as performers. Without spoiling the show’s contents, Static’s highlights include an extraordinary and bizarre sketch called Sad Peter, and the choice deployment of 2011’s Titanium.
Laughing Horse @ Southside Social, 6:15pm.
THEATRE
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons
I’ve been meaning to see Walrus Theatre’s Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons ever since its wildly successful run in 2015. Now I’ve finally gotten around to it, I’m ashamed that I took so long; it’s fantastic in that depressing, I-will-never-create-something-this-well-written kind of a way. Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is the story of Oliver and Bernadette, both before and after the instigation of the Hush Law, which limits speech to 140 words a day. Funny, sweet, and sad in equal measure.
Roundabout @ Summerhall, 12:10pm.
CABARET
Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Game Shows
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Game Shows, and I can now assure you that it’s entirely deserved. The sequel to 2015’s Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Soho, this new extravaganza from the Iron Lady herself splits the audience into strivers and skivers who compete for victory. You’re invited to symbolically destroy the NHS, spin the Wheel of Misfortune, and build your own inflammatory Sun headlines, all between 80s musical numbers and visits from Maggie’s political rivals.
Assembly George Square Gardens: Piccolo, 9:00pm & 1:15am.
MISC
The MMORPG Show
If you’re looking for something silly, nerdy, and fun to do with your evening, you’d be hard pressed to find anything more suitable than the MMORPG show (ma-mor-puh-guh, if you’re wondering). Three members of the audience are invited to take part in an open world fantasy RPG, hosted by quick-witted DM Paul Flannery. Whether your quest succeeds or fails, you’re guaranteed a unique night of entertainment. It also features the most impressive D20 I’ve ever seen.
Bethan Ackerley 