I'm aware that my reports from the cultural front line that is Edinburgh in August fizzled out to no satisfactory conclusion.
Belatedly then, my final thoughts on this year's panoply of...of...of mixed quality will follow now:
Richard Herring - Hitler Moustache
Mr Herring is now a Fringe veteran. Funny to think then that I saw him when he was a callow youth in a basement venue one Sunday lunchtime and "was up" with a review from Oxford University. A fellow player in those days was the now rather better known Al Murray whose act consisted of a series of accurate but dull and tedious (and slightly worrying - how did he learn?) vocal imitations of "firearms of the world". And now, the AK47!
Anyway "Hitler Moustache" started as an exercise in experiencing life wearing said moustache but ended up as a show about claiming back the toothbrush "upper lip welcome mat" for comedy - after all, he argued, Charlie Chaplin had it first. The show included a non-jokey section as the comic expanded on the BNP's two seats in the European Parliament and how it was the apathy of those who did not vote, perhaps disenchanted with national politics, who handed it to them on a plate.
Thoughtful, funny stuff. Not as funny as he thinks he is, but a quality turn nonetheless.
Bridget Christie - My Daily Mail Hell
Bridget is actually Stewart Lee's wife. It isn't important if this reference means little to you. Her show was not, as many expected, an attack on her ex-employer where she had worked as the administrative assistant in the gossip column department. She shared juicy anectdotes about David (or was it Jonathan?) Dimbleby, Alison Pearson, Gene Wilder and a longer, very interesting one about the artist Jack Vettriano, among others.
In summary, it was a feel good hour in the company of an engaging woman who (she says) left school at 14 armed only with a strong westcountry accent and a dream of becoming an actress. Warm and witty.
Richard Herring and Andrew Collins - The Collings and Herrin Podcast
Yes, him again. This was a cheap, pre-lunchtime show in which these two friends recorded their popular podcast in front of a live audience. It was puerile, juvenile, coarse and unrehearsed. Some things worked and others didn't. I really enjoyed it. Whilst not courageous, they went out on a limb and it was good to watch them bouncing off of each other.
The Electric Cabaret
Sadly, my last show of the Fringe, and it left a nasty taste. I bought the tickets at the half-price booth and they still managed to diddle me! It started late and in a venue (a hotel) that ran out of beer, and was performed to an audience of mostly Southampton Uni students by...er Southampton Uni students. This was appallingly self congratulatory and nerdy. If you're that interested, please read my review at edfringe.com. I felt ripped off and we left after about ten minutes - we weren't alone in this.
First Class
A French company performed this two hander set in a post office. It was an avantgarde musical dance piece and had bags of brio. Something out of the ordinary.
Gavin Webster's Falderal
I thought initially that he had got his show's name wrong - surely its FOLDEROL? Well, as it turns out falderal is an acceptable variant and therefore perfectly OK. This was a late evening stand up act at that "fair on comedians" venue, The Stand. When I got in and found myself sat next to Jo Caulfield I thought I might be in for a fun hour - she wouldn't bother watching tripe would she? Sadly, this articulate (but not as clever as he thinks he is) Geordie only had twenty minutes of top notch material. He started strongly but gradually his star dimmed as it traversed the sixty minutes. Jo laughed like a drain at everything, but perhaps that's what one has to do when watching a fellow comic.
Knuckleball
A slightly preposterous story line did nothing to dull the intensity of the two young American actors who played out this steamy and eventually brutal play. So good were they that I genuinely feared for the wellbeing of the female actor at one point. I went along prepared to barely tolerate this play and emerged stunned.
I also saw some other shows, some free stuff and other bits and bobs, but this essentially marks the end of my Fringe reports for 2009.
Tips? You want tips?
1. Pre-book a few "bankers" before you go. The programme is available from mid-June and it means you'll see something that you like, guaranteed.
2. Go in the second week (it is a three or so week event). This way the shows will have mostly bedded in, Fringe fever won't have visited the performers yet (they often go down with the lurgy and have to deliver their final shows through rasping voices and Lemsips) and you'll get in to most things still - "London Weekend" comes at the last weekend and getting tickets then is a different story.
3. Loos - an important consideration. Temporary venues generally mean temporary porta loos. Yeuch! Try those venues which are usually churches or community centres, which are generally well maintained. No need to see a show there - just wander in. NB - This WON'T work in the pubs!
4. Try some "Five Pound Fringe" shows - these are professional shows but not usually household names. Worth a punt, which is what the Fringe should be about.
5. Try some "Free Fringe" shows - the two big players in this are "Laughing Horse" and "PBH". It will usually be a non-ticketed show in a pub's backroom. They are genuinely free although the pub banks on you buying a drink or two and a bucket is passed for the performers at the end - £1-£2 is the usual donation. The companies are often student shows or part time performers. Quality is hugely variable, but hey, it is a venture worth supporting because if you kiss enough frogs...
6. Accomodation - I can't say this to much...do the Fred Pontin thing and book early, book early, book early! The Edinburgh Festival is the single largest tourist attraction in the UK and at the time that it runs, the Military Tattoo is on too. Add to that the normal welter of summer visitors who've come to see one of the most beautiful and tourist friendly cities in Europe if not the world.
7. Diet - forget it! You'll eat junk and like it. Got it?! Actually, calling it all junk is unfair as there is some good low cost take away food out there. You will however eat on the hoof, at odd hours and in odd places. It is part of the whole experience and, after all, you are there for the culture not the cuisine aren't you? (Edinburgh has a plethora of first class restaurants, but they're pricey and full of luvvies at Fringe time, and dinner time is also showtime isn't it?).
So there you have it, in all of its ugly, raw, smelly, uncomfortable, beautiful, kaleidoscopic and life affirming glory. Go.
If most of it is comedy nowadays , what did the rest of it used to be ?
I can be a wee bit hard to please where comedy is concerned , and I doubt that I'd have much appreciated many of the shows you've reviewed .
However there must be a great atmosphere there , and it must be good just to soak that up , and engage in conversation in late night bars . . .
~ Martin .