Author: RuthEJWest

REVIEW: Ubu Roix | No Exit Theatre Collective

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews, Theatre

Aug 6-30 | On Demand | Fringe Player | Get Tickets

Ubu Roix is a perfect example of Theatre of the Absurd. It was written in the late 1800s to challenge the cultural standards and conventions of the era.

So, what better time to adapt it than when Trump’s just had 4 years presidency, the UK is still stuck in its conservative political nightmare and, oh yeah, the entire globe’s been closed for 2 years because of coronavirus?!? Pretty absurdist world right?

Another Fringe performance filmed with green screen via zoom but for some reason all the delay, glitches and pixelation just reiterates the bizarre setting being established as backgrounds are replaced with scenery which looked like a child drew them, and the cast appear in all different shapes and sizes to add to the hilarity.

No Exit Theatre Collective throws in constant references to modern pop and meme culture in order to update the play and complement our current affairs and worldwide news.

It is also some of the most perfect casting for Papa Ubu I have ever seen with Chris Gibson giving a side-splitting performance!

Basically, if Alfred Jarry was alive now struggling through this pandemic with Zoom as his only outlet for performance, I’m pretty sure this is exactly how he would have done it!

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • Discovering a way to use resources and assets you have at your disposal and adapting or manipulating them to work for your selected material has proved the best way to create work during the pandemic. For example, Ubu Roix used doctored Spongebob Squarepants slides to narrate the action. Seems pretty random, but so is the script! It has a jarring effect to jerk you out of reality and remind you that what you’re watching may be just plain bizarre, but it still has a point to make.
  • Find your people! One of the main reasons this show works so well is because of the cast both in how well they all appear to get on and are on board with the sheer haphazard retelling of this tale. So, if you’ve got a great team alongside you, chances are the work you make will be great too.

REVIEW: Sugar | Mabel Thomas

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews, Theatre

Aug 6-30 | On Demand | Online@theSpaceUK | Get Tickets

 

A new writing, from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate Mabel Thomas, spanning a decade of a young girl’s escapades through puberty as she attempts to understand what it is to be empowered as a woman.

Is female empowerment the act of taking control over men? Is it found in ignoring silly, immature, little boys? Or do you need to one-up men to find the ultimate strength as a woman? And will this journey truly lead to happiness?

There’s a lot of good theatre in this show. Mabel Thomas gives an impassioned performance on a topic which is clearly very important to her. The way the piece is edited is uniquely original giving it a mockumentary, monologue feel. And the aesthetic created is perfect to universally reflect a young girl’s bedroom and could be taken from any point in the characters teenage years.

A great show for premiering at the Fringe and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

 

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • Write about what inspires you! Especially if you’re an actor. This will make it easy for you to relate and adapt to the material and generally provide a strong and believable performance.
  • If you’re stuck in your bedroom, don’t be afraid to make theatre in your bedroom. It was most definitely the perfect setting for Sugar and I imagine if it toured into venues the bedroom would be recreated for the stage, so pretty much a win all round!

REVIEW: FunBox: Back to the Fringe | DH Promotions

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews, Theatre

Aug 11-15 | 10.30am | Multistory | Get Tickets

 

As the only live children’s show I could find at the Edinburgh Fringe this year which is catering to kids from age 0+ I booked this primarily for my friend’s 9-month-old baby knowing very little about it, and the thing I learnt is that Funbox are an utter delight.

I’m reliably informed by my Scottish friends that FunBox bring back all the memories and nostalgia of The Singing Kettle which (for those of you as uninformed in Scottish Children’s entertainment as myself) are a folk band who have a BAFTA for Best Children’s Television Show and had multiple successful theatre tours around the whole of Scotland.

Filled with sing-a-long songs, jokes for both grownups and kids and flamboyant characters this show really caters to every age, which you could see from the active engagement of all the children present.

Whether it was the bright colours of larger-than-life Bonzo the dog mesmerising the bairns, the hilarious audience interaction enchanting the older kids or the ridicule of Dominic Cummings for the adults, this show is the epitome of fun for all the family.

Come and turn the key to open the FunBox and see what you might find!

 

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • This show is traditional children’s entertainment at its absolute best. Kevin Macleod essentially gives a masterclass in the art form so if you want to understand how to entertain children of all ages you should take inspiration from this show.
  • Funbox has created a brilliant show format that can be easily updated for new tours with new material whilst maintaining the general structure of the production. This basically means once you’ve come up with your first show the research and development is all in place for all future performances. It’s a clever bit of construction. The audience also becomes familiar with the format and keeps coming back for more!

REVIEW: Blind Mirth presents Sex with Me! | Blind Mirth

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Comedy, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews

Aug 11-14 | 16.05 | theSpace @ Surgeons Hall | Get Tickets

 

If you haven’t seen some improvisational comedy in Edinburgh, then you haven’t done the fringe properly! And what better way to watch than with these improv fringe veterans, Blind Mirth from St Andrews University!

First half improv games, to get you in the swing of exactly what their company is about, second half fully improv-ed play there is something for any fringe goer to enjoy.

Highlights include a police interview in which our suspect must guess the crime, location, and accomplice from her interrogator’s conversation, a Mock the Week staple inspired from scenes we’d like to see, like which prime ministers are the worst at their job, or why sex with Blind Mirth is like a watermelon and an ask me anything (about sandwiches) machine.

Always very funny and featuring a couple of cast members with absolute stand out talent, this is completely worth your time this fringe!

Although their long-form storytelling was a little bit ropey the best thing about this performance by far is the fact that despite the difficulties of the last year they’re down here and their doing it and they’re having the best time! And their energy is completely contagious.

Today is your last day to see it, but I don’t doubt they’ll be back next year!

 

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • If you have any creative interests and you’re a university student, no matter what it is you’re taking, get involved! Go through your student union and see what groups are available to you. If there’s nothing catering exactly to what you want, then start your own society. Student Unions are separately funded to unis themselves and, if you have a compelling enough society idea, they have pots of money put aside especially for you to explore this! And it is relatively easy to establish. Whilst I was at uni myself and fellow students established two student theatre companies through our SU and created work we simply wouldn’t have had the option to if it was left to our own funding.

REVIEW: ABCd’airs | Anne Baquet, Claude Collet, Amandine Dehant, Anne Régnier

Posted RuthEJWest1 CommentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Music, Reviews

Aug 6-30 | On Demand | French Institute of Scotland Online | Fringe Player | Get Tickets

ABCd’airs (translating to the ABC of tunes) is a feast of different art forms all baked up into an innovative Fringe show. Classical Musical meets Theatrical Cabaret crossed with sketch comedy, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this performance.

Even with my limited knowledge of French (which this show is performed in) the astonishing women have such excellent comic timing and slapstick expression that I was still able to clearly understand and enjoy much of the action.

The highlight of this performance by far was the encore in which an A-Z of songs were performed in different genres, so you never knew what was coming next. Whoever decided to create a medley for the letter Y including The Beatles classics Yesterday and Yellow Submarine layering The Village People’s YMCA over the top deserves a medal!

Enthusiastic, inspirited and always energetic these women don’t let up for a second, constantly changing tacts to take the audience by surprise. You won’t regret viewing this show, but you will be exhausted just watching.

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • If you work in the music industry, think about showcasing different instruments. In many of the segments of ABC D’airs the double bass to pole position leading the music which is rarely seen. It adds a great vibe to the show and is a way to showcase underrepresented musicians.
  • Experimenting with the traditional form or nature of a creative endeavour is exactly what the fringe is about, so don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of your artform. You just might create some beauty.

REVIEW: My House | Without Exception Live Productions

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews, Theatre

Aug 6-30 | On Demand | Fringe Player | Get Tickets

In the same vein as the chicken and the egg I can’t help but wonder what came first: the house or the script. Because, well, DAMN! That is a fine house!

Set in, what I assume from the mass quantity of chick flicks I have seen, the mansion district of LA an incredible setting is established for the women of Hollywood throughout the ages and the men who have shaped their lives establishing them as empowered individuals.

But it’s not quite as simple as that, something mysterious, something surreptitious, something supernatural lies afoot.

Filmed in such a manner that creates an (almost) seamless single-shot production the audience bears witness to a story spanning across the ages of Hollywood from the early silent movie days of Charlie Chaplin to the present day where we find a badass female film producer.

The costumes and makeup are incredibly detailed adding to the storytelling in a way that completely absorbs you into this piece which spans the decades.

A feminist driven narrative, with some powerful performances makes for an interesting piece of devised theatre in which we can appreciate the triumphs and tribulations of the underrepresented women of Hollywood.

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • Taking inspiration from the location and converting that space into an arts venue for your audience to explore adds another level to events and productions. I would love to know more about the research and development process of this piece, like who’s house is that? Is it an Air BnB? Can I come and stay? Without Expression Live Productions if you’re reading this then hit me up in the comments or drop me an email at info@theartsbusiness.com, I would seriously love to learn more!

REVIEW: Colour | Julia Krone

Posted RuthEJWest1 CommentPosted in Art, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews

Aug 9-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-30 | 10am-7pm | Number One Clarence Street | More Info

If you’ve wandered around Edinburgh this Fringe you might just have wondered where all the people are. Well, I have the answer… they’ve migrated to Stockbridge.

And in the hubbub of this wee town on the outskirts of Edinburgh is a brilliant new gallery: Number One Clarence Street. It’s run by a delightful husband and wife team, showcasing the works of Julia Krone.

As you enter this art space your eyes are accosted by colour, and lots of it. And along with this effervescence comes an overwhelming sense of positivity!

Of all the exhibitions I’ve been to this month this one encaptures the true heart and soul of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival both in its use of vibrant colours and unique patterns, even incorporating Summerhall Programme covers from 2019 into her collage work.

Such a welcoming environment and just an altogether special experience which kickstarted my fringe and reignited my festival fire.

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • This gallery isn’t just offering current paintings, prints and postcards. Julia Krone has transformed her latest canvases into printed fabrics, both available to buy by the metre and whipped up into the perfect statement throw cushions. Is there any way you could diversify your stock or merchandise? If you make more varied price points visitors are more likely to make a purchase. By placing such a high-quality product in between the price of greeting cards and prints, Number One Clarence Street has created feasible upselling opportunities.
  • Location can mean the difference between success and failure so by placing a gallery en route from Dundas Street (where all the private galleries in Edinburgh seem to be located) to Stockbridge, Number One Clarence Street have found the ideal place. If your business needs premises it is so important to do your research and pick the perfect location to suit it.

REVIEW: Gayatri the Royal Queen Consort of the Majapahit Kingdom | 7evenotes

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews, Theatre

Aug 6-30 | On Demand | Fringe Player | Get Tickets

A kingdom overturned, a nation on the brink of destruction, and a Princess on a mission to seek out the mysteries of her ancestory.

Having witnessed her parents rule destroyed Princess Gayatri sets out on a journey to preserve her father’s legacy and learn more about the world she will be destined to become a part of.

This fascinating production has been developed from the Nagarakertagama manuscript, a document that has aided historians in understanding past events in Indonesia with a focus on the Majapahit Kingdom. This text is so important it has been designated a ‘Memory of the World’ by UNESCO.

Mia Johannes has taken this and used it to create a beautiful musical tribute, seeped in the traditional form of Indonesian Opera and dance. By premiering this event at the Edinburgh Fringe she has (for me at least) immediately created an interest in exploring and preserving the historical legacies of Indonesia.

By filming this theatrical spectacle, she also takes the story to the next level using film techniques, like slomo dancing or overlaying the silhouette of the narrator which would either be incredibly difficult or simply not possible in the theatre.

A stunning story and artform which I’ve never really experienced but am now desperate to see more!

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • Preserving traditions and legacies can be a great starting point for creating work. By taking documents like these in the UK, protecting local stories and traditions that may otherwise be forgotten is a sure-fire way to create funding eligibility, whether through The Arts Council, Heritage funding, local councils or other smaller funding bodies.
  • When filming theatre is the only option the producer has thought about how to best optimise the new platform to enhance the performance, like how in post-production the princess is the only character seen in colour is an element that would not be achievable in such a simple way in a traditional theatre setting but redirects the focus of the action on film.

REVIEW: Dishonour | Mimi Ndiweni

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews, Theatre

Aug 6-30 | On Demand | Fringe Player | Get Tickets

 

A one-woman show exploring the realities of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the present-day UK.

I need to begin by saying WOW! Mimi Ndiweni performs this show superbly taking on the roles of all characters within the production. Each character is clearly distinguished with their own nuances, accents and postures in a way that allows the narrative to flow seamlessly engrossing the audience into the action.

From the 5-year-old girl who is blissfully unaware of the dark truth’s of the world, to her father who outwardly campaigns against female circumcision, to his mother who has grown up unwavering in the beliefs and customs of her tribal culture, each one is well rounded and believable.

Terrence Turner’s storytelling is so compelling as we switch from a radio interview in which the father is openly campaigning against the practice of FGM to the kidnap of his daughter to have the ritual performed on her.

I would love to see a sequel exploring the aftermath of the event discussing the cultural divide between the characters and creating a clearer understanding of all viewpoints.

A must watch, but not an easy watch.

 

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • If you find yourself a remarkable performer like Mimi Ndiweni to play all the roles in a script like this one, it can be more powerful a statement than having a full cast. Not only is it more cost-effective but from a design aesthetic it works leaving audience gripped to every word of the narrative.
  • The minimalist staging choices, for example, using limited props, instead miming items with well-timed sound effects mean this show can be taken anywhere, into any venue with a small team making it not only cheap to tour but more accessible to smaller communities who need to be educated in FGM.
  • FGM is still practised today worldwide but I’ll be the first to admit I know very little about it. Shows like this one are so important and can be used to inform and create a wider understanding of important topics. When creating work from scratch you may want to think about if there are any causes you are passionate about and would like to raise awareness for, taking this show as inspiration.

 

REVIEW: Arthur J Peabody | Amanda Dempsey-Laughlin

Posted RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Reviews, Theatre

Aug 6-30 | On Demand | Fringe Player | Get Tickets

A young girl admires a bird perched on her window wondering what his story might be… until he begins to talk.

Join legendary bird Arthur J Peabody as he tells the tales of his adventures in the circus, his flights around the world and just how he ended up at this small farmhouse in Canada.

Clearly created from zoom with the use of green screen and multiscreen to recreate locations from Arthur’s travels it worked well with simple animation techniques used to explain more elaborate plot points.

The show is led by talking bird Arthur, confidently played by Arthur Baxter wearing a phenomenally, elaborate magpie costume designed by Laura Vradenburg.

Something has to be said about the bravery and commitment of a man in his home office set up for a hard day’s work dressed as a bird! In the battle to create productions during covid, I defy anyone not to picture this and smile!

An original children’s play told simply but effectively.

The one thing I would consider is lowering the age range to allow for families to watch all together. It is more suited for the 4-8 age group.

The Arts Business Top Tips:

  • It doesn’t matter where you or your team are in the world, using basic, mainstream technology you can bring them together completely online to tell a story together. Long may these types of performances continue post the pandemic.
  • Amanda Dempsey-Laughlin uses classic storytelling techniques to tailor this show for family viewing. If you’re creating shows for children keep in mind the rule of three, whether that be three separate stories in one (like we see here) or the importance of a beginning, middle and end.
  • If ever in doubt, stick in a minute of a dancing bird at the end! Hilarious! Including outtakes can or a credit sequence reminds audiences they are watching theatre and make them feel as though they’re a bigger part of the action.
  • This show used extras to add depth to certain scenes, for example, a sleeping passenger in the back of a train carriage waking up at various shocks in the dialogue. I loved this! Such a nice touch and a great way to evoke in the viewer how it may be performed in a theatre in the future.