I was really interested in Lewys Holt when I heard about him, not least because most of his work falls into two genres that seem to me like an unusual combination: comedy and dance.
This year he's heading Fringe-wards with two different shows, playing alternately in one slot, one of which is definitely dance, the other of which is more at home in the theatre programme.
I spoke to Lewys, to find out more about both of the shows, his career, and what he expects from the future. Read the interview here.
Lewys Holt performs 'Phrases' and 'Footnotes' at Edinburgh Festival 2019 at Summerhall on alternate days from 31 Jul-25 Aug. Listing for Phrases here, listing for Footnotes here.
THREE PROMISING SKETCH COMEDY SHOWS>>
Moon: We Cannot Get Out | Pleasance Courtyard | 31 Jul-25 Aug (pictured)
I love great sketch shows and rarely let a Fringe go by without doing a Three To See sketch selection. When I chose which three to tip this time it was so hard, though, with so many great acts doing great things. But I did choose, and I chose well, and here they are. We begin with this pairing, who got a very positive critical response when they made their Edinburgh debut last year. Expect something rather immersive and rather dark, as the duo attempt to perform their show in a venue that is seemingly trying to kill them... listing here.
Children Of The Quorn(TM) | Just The Tonic at La Belle Angele | 1-25 Aug
My choosing of this one has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I am a sucker for horrible puns. Oh no, it's because I think this show, given this duo's previous form, is going to be really really good. They also clearly think their show is going to be really, really good, because they refer to themselves as "future Fringe legends". And to be fair, I am not sure I have ever seen or heard of a sketch show that incorporates a séance before, and you know what kind of urban myths séances can provoke, so maybe this will indeed prove legendary. Listing here.
Felix And The Scootermen: Self-Help Yourself Famous | Underbelly Bristo Square | 31 Jul-26 Aug
"A-list, pop-star celebrities Felix Scoot and Lee Delamere welcome you behind the velvet rope to a self-help masterclass on how to become as famous as they are! Drawing on their sizeable years in the music biz with chart-topping band Felix & The Scootermen, they'll teach you how to write the hits and play the fame game... and win... big!" If you think you recognise the pairing pictured in the edfringe listing for this, then there's a reason for that: one-time chart botherers The Hoosiers take a side-step into comedy with this satirical seminar that's destined to spiral out of control. Listing here.
Headed to Kennington's White Bear Theatre this week is a new play by James Martin Charlton, which is set in Renaissance-era Germany, and uses real historical people - in particular one of the most famous painters of the period Lucas Cranach - in its narrative.
I spoke to James, to find out more about 'Reformation', as well as his own history as a playwright. Read the interview here.
'Reformation' is on at the White Bear Theatre from 25 Jun-13 Jul, see the venue website here for more.
THREE SHORT RUNS>>
Off Season: Hard Copy | Camden People's Theatre | 29-30 Jun
A one act play, originally written in French by Isabelle Sorente, gets an English language premiere, as translated by Martin Goodman, presented by St Albans based group The Company Of Ten. It's about four office workers and the games they play at work to relieve their boredom. Things take a darker turn as the play explores the issue of bullying, and one woman finds herself victimised by the rest. See the venue website here for more.
Anna & Helen: Stuck In A Rat | The Bunker Theatre | 1 Jul (pictured)
"Ever found yourself stuck in a rat? Unpleasant, isn't it. Time marches on, but you're on the spot. Not even marching. Very still. Stagnating, even. Stuck in that rat. We've all been there". Anna O'Grady and Helen Cripps present this, their debut show, and it sounds rather intriguing. "The future is exciting, and it's still in front of you. If you've got the questions, they've got the answers". Maybe. Head this way for info.
Garrett Millerick: Smile | 2Northdown | 1 Jul
If you, like me, keep wanting to smash things or cry or lie face down on the floor every time you watch the news or look at Twitter or read a paper (does anyone actually do that anymore?) then perhaps going and seeing the excellent Garret Millerick delivering a set called 'Smile' will help. I mean, it's literally called 'Smile'. And it's also described as "a defiant battle cry against the gloom". So book your tickets here.
THREE LONGER RUNS>>
Grey | Ovalhouse | 27 Jun-13 Jul
"She is a strong, independent, black woman. She has a roof over her head. She has food in her fridge. She lives a good life. She's also a little bit sad, a lot of the time. She doesn't understand why". The brilliant Koko Brown performs the second part of her colour trilogy, a show blending spoken word and vocal looping which explores depression and black women's mental health. More information on it right about here.
Rust | Bush Theatre | 26 Jun-27 Jul
A play about the boundaries of love, trust and lust from Kenny Emson. "Nadia and Daniel have a secret. In fact they have quite a few. They've just signed on the dotted line for a studio flat. Under a pseudonym, naturally - Mr and Mrs White. After years of school pick-ups, TV takeaways, and the day to day drudgery of married life, this is their chance to wipe the slate clean. But as much as they try and redefine the rules, and themselves, the outside world is closing in". Details here.
Aesop's Fables | Unicorn Theatre | until 4 Aug (pictured)
I meant to talk about this children's show when it actually began, which was earlier in the month, but I am an idiot and noted it down in the wrong place on my list. And I say 'show' and 'it', but this is actually two shows, one version for ages 4-7 and one for ages 8-12. Obviously, though, they are united by the source of the content, which, you will no doubt have correctly deduced from the title, is Aesop's Fables: five per show, each one written by a different playwright. See this page here for more.
THREE FESTIVAL SHOWS>>
Chronicles Of Majnun Layla | Gate Theatre | 1-3 Jul
Palestinian actor and writer Amer Hlehel brings to life award winning Bahraini poet Qassim Haddad's telling of the classic tale of Majnun Layla, a story of love, passion, eroticism and unfulfilled desire, often described as the Arab 'Romeo And Juliet'. It's accompanied by live music performed by Kareem Samara and Rihab Azar, and is performed in English and Arabic with English Subtitles. It's part of the Shubbak Festival, which celebrates contemporary Arabic culture in all its forms. See the festival website here for all the events taking place as part of the festival, and this page here for this show.
The Basement Tapes | New Diorama Theatre | 27 Jun (pictured)
"Following her grandmother's death, a girl faces the overwhelming task of clearing out the basement.She discovers a series of mysterious tape recordings made by her Grandmother. As she hears these tapes for the first time, things start to unravel..." A Fringe first winning piece that really impressed our reviewer at the Edinburgh Festival of 2018, a dark mystery involving a family secret, which blends live performance with audio recordings. Part of the venue's Incoming Festival, which is why it's in this section. See this page here for more on this, and the venue website here for all the other Incoming shows.
The Noise Next Door: At Sea! | Underbelly Festival | 30 Jun
Speaking of edfringe, here's a troupe we first found and loved up in the Scottish capital a few years back now, and here they are with a fab family show, on as part of Underbelly Festival's residence at London's Southbank. "Join our crazy crew for an adventure on the high seas as we need your help to chase down the fearsome Captain Bloodbeard. The Noise Next Door will take your suggestions and transform them into jaw-dropping scenes and mind-blowing songs in the blink of an eye that are equal parts swash-buckling and side-splitting". More here.
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