14 AUG 2012 ISSUE #03

FRINGE FIRST WINNERSJUANA IN A MILLION AND CONTINUOUS GROWTH

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PLEASANCE FRINGE BY ANDY SMITH

Fringe First awards are one of the most prestigious accolades

to be awarded at the Fringe Festival. At the Pleasance we’re delighted that two of our shows, Juana in a Million and Continuous Growth, were both recognised in the first round of awards on Friday.

The award is given in order to celebrate the best new writing on the Fringe. Judged by a team of theatre critics from The Scotsman, they are presented weekly for the duration of the festival. To get an award in the first round means great things for these shows, and serves as a testament to their work.

Juana in a Million, a physically driven one woman play, follows a Mexican immigrant who moves to London in hope of finding a better life for herself. Written with inspiration from real-life accounts of immigrants, the show is a moving and beautiful piece of theatre, described by Sally Stott as being ‘tightly

crafted, joyfully physical storytelling’. The show tells a real and relevant story, and it is a great thing that this new writing has been recognised as it should be.

The writers of the show commented on their award, saying ‘We are thrilled and extremely honoured to have received a Fringe First. Juana in

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PLEASANCE FRINGE FIRST AWARDS

a Million is a play about millions of invisible people living amongst us. Their stories are unseen, unheard. We are hoping that this award will allow their stories - the story of Juana - to reach a wider audience’.

Also recognised as a Fringe First winner was Continuous Growth, here as part of the From Start to Finnish initiative. Along with another show, the highly acclaimed My Elevator Days, two Finnish scripts have been translated into English and then performed here at The Pleasance by Scottish theatre companies.

Continuous Growth takes the form of a biting satire in which we see the world economy brought down entirely by one man who is determined to succeed in his own business and the replacement of humans by machines. The play was recognised for its ‘wit and ingenuity’, an absurd comedy which questions the stability of the economy and how little it would take to topple it.

On winning the award, one of the playwrights, Esa Leskinen said ‘Finland is a country where theatre as an art form has a very deep tradition and Finnish playwriting has

experienced a strong renaissance in recent years. We are very proud to be able to open the way for more recognition of the quality of Finnish playwriting in international arenas’. The award will undoubtedly draw more people to the From Start to Finnish supported shows and give greater exposure to this fantastic piece of Finnish writing.

With the success of these shows in the first round of awards, we congratulate them and look forward to next week’s awards.

Both shows are on at the Pleasance Dome until the 27th August. Juana in a Million is at 4.15pm and Continuous Growth is at 12.10pm

WE ARE HOPING THIS AWARD WILL ALLOWTHEIR STORIES TO REACH A WIDER AUDEINCE

PLEASANCE AHOY DROPS ANCHOR

After a long journey sailing for 37 days, travelling 417 miles

with 9 pop-up comedy gigs on the riverbanks of Britain and a hell of a lot of rain, The Pleasance’s narrow boat has finally arrived here in Edinburgh! Show number 10, the grand finale was at the Edinburgh Quay. It took place on Sunday evening at Cargo, finally mooring at the biggest arts festival in the world. The crowds were greeted

by a host of comedy treats. The boat left London

on the 28th June and has sailed through the summer months (but not so summery weather) all the way to Scotland. As part of the Olympic festival, the journey was brought to an end in line with London’s Olympic closing ceremony.

The performance was a chance to catch a variety of Pleasance’s comedy pleasures, with a stellar line-up including The Boy With Tape on His Face, Chris Ramsey, Carl Donnelly,

Dan Nightingale, Joe Lycett, Daniel Simonsen and Andre Vincent.

It was a triumphant way to finish our naughtical Olympic celebration!

BY SOPHIE CHILVERS

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Gilbert and Sullivan: a British institution and an operatic standard.

But what happens when four singers and one pianist set out to perform all the works of Gilbert and Sullivan in one 60-minute slot at the Pleasance One? The answer is Gilbert and Sullivan In Brief(s), a rip-roaring romp through all (yes all, even the ones hardly anyone knows) of the operettas written by the inimitable duo around a hundred years ago.

The opening scene sees four actors given the challenge of performing all of the works within sixty minutes. What happens next? An hour of hilarious pastiche and fantastic singing in which we see the actors unravel as they bash out numbers from Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore and more. A highlight sees the cast perform a medley of every song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous operetta The Mikado, segueing between numbers and playing all characters... not seamlessly, but to do so would betray the style of the show. It could be described as hilariously chaotic.

The project, which has been compared to the

Reduced Shakespeare Company, aims to drastically abridge the original operettas to make them more digestible, and then serves them up as a fourteen-course dinner.

Talking to writer, Ray Cullom, it is obvious that he wanted to bring Gilbert and Sullivan out to a wider audience, saying ‘G & S has been put into a case, where it is trotted out occasionally, and I think there is opportunity to give new license to it’. The works have a lot more potential for comedy than some may think, Ray emphasising that ‘at the time it was written, it was very smart political satire’, adding that ‘with the show, we’re trying to make it easier for people to get into’.

This could be the perfect introduction to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan for opera-virgins and people who don’t know their Major Generals from their Pirate Kings. So if you like musicals, this collection of Victorian operettas is where musical comedies originated from, in an accessible and entertaining show.

Gilbert and Sullivan in Brief(s) is on at 4.30pm at the Pleasance Courtyard, until the 27th August

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@JOELYCETT: JUST SAW TWO PEOPLE HAVING SEX UP AGAINST ONE OF MY POSTERS AT

THE FRINGE. NOT SURE WHAT TO FEEL.

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THE TARTAN RIBBON COMEDY BENEFITBY SOPHIE CHILVERS

After supporting Waverley Care for 21 years, the 2012

Tartan Ribbon Comedy Benefit promises to be the biggest event yet. Previous years line-ups have included comedy heavy-weights such as MICHAEL MCINTYRE, STEPHEN K AMOS, RUSSELL HOWARD and JASON BYRNE.

Waverley Care have been offering vital support to those living with HIV and Hepatitis C since 1989, developing their services, creating awareness and reducing the stigma that surrounds these conditions. Through working with The Pleasance the two charities have been able to use comedy not only to raise money, but equally to spread the word and create

awareness.We spoke to Karen

Docwra from Waverley care, who first approached The Pleasance way back in 1992 when she knocked on founder Christopher Richardson’s door, ‘A lucky knock, if ever there was one’. She told us about the special relationship between these charities and how it has grown over the years. Organisations such as Waverley Care have meant that drug treatments for such conditions have ‘made an enormous difference and our focus is now on helping people to fulfil their potential and to lead long and healthy lives’.

Karen emphasised the problem of the stigma attached to having both HIV and Hepatitis C, stating that

this ’is now an important part of our work and we’re grateful that The Pleasance helps us to do this by supporting us with our Laffoffstigma campaign each year’.

After raising almost £6000 in ticket sales last year, Waverley Care hope that after this year’s 21st Comedy Benefit the total raised through the shows will have topped the quarter of a million pound mark. So far we have a superb line-up that includes TIM VINE, DAVID O’DOHERTY, AXIS OF AWESOME, JARRED CHRISTMAS, THE BLANKS, HAL CRUTTENDEN, ANDRE VINCENT and still many more to be announced! So make sure you come along for a night of pure entertainment and as Karen mentioned ‘that warm fuzzy feeling which comes from helping to make the world a better place!’

The Tartan Ribbon Comedy Benefit is on the 14th August, at the Pleasance Courtyard at 8pm

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TEN MINUTES TO CURTAIN: THE BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW

Why are you excited to be at the fringe?It’s like a cross between the Olympics of comedy and a big bubbling cauldron of protozoic performative fungus, being stirred by a drunk scotsman in a kilt made of twenty pound notes. What’s not to like? I’ve been coming here for 18 years now (which when it was 10 years sounded pretty cool, but now it’s 18 it begs the question “why didn’t you do anything else with your life?”), and I’ve seen it grow steadily more corporate and branded, but also more innovative, more creative and much much younger.

Can you explain the title of your show?The show’s called Prick for reasons that will become... go f*ck yourself.It’s about selfishness, and I wanted a title which suggested that but also made clear it’s predominantly a comedy show not a show “about” something. Another starting point for my show was my own needy and desperate desire for approval, and so it seemed like a good joke at my own expense/good therapy to have to have pictures of my face with the word prick underneath it, plastered all over Edinburgh.

What made you get into stand-up comedy?See desire for approval above. I used to come up to Edinburgh as a street-performer back in the heady days of free cash, boozy circus and the love of massive groups of strangers. This is too much fun, I thought, and apparently it was. So I decided to swap it all for a life of relative poverty, motorway-driving, and the mild regard of nerve-shreddingly small groups of strangers. I take it back. I take it all back. Can I go home now? I used to like the juggling. Who are your inspirations?On the circuit I started at the same time as Sarah Millican (whose drive astounded me) and Jimmy McGhie (who’s a lazy house cat but very funny). Alun Cochrane was a mate before I got into stand-up, and his love of language and hatred of cliché and enjoyment was very inspiring.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?I’m not easily embarrassed. Even on the open spot circuit when 4 people come to see you, to me that was way easier than

starting to absolutely no-one on the West Piazza of Covent Garden at 9.40am on a Sunday, and dragging a crowd into existence out of thin air. Having said that I did Set-List the other night, where you have to improvise a comedy set on topics you get given there and then, and the stuff on “Sexy Babies” was pretty embarrassing. No it wasn’t, they definitely laughed, so screw that – I love sexy babies, and I’m not ashamed, you hear me?

Prick is on at 7.30pm, 1-27 August at the Courtyard

STUART GOLDSMITH

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STRIKEOUTDANIELLE WARD STRIKES OUT

London vs Edinburgh(The Mayor of London is Boris Johnson! FFS)

Theatre vs ComedyPoetry vs Prose

Radio vs TV Spiderman vs Batman

(No contest. I love Batman)Dome vs Courtyard

Dogs vs Cats(I recently got a Cocker Spaniel puppy)

Bob Dylan vs Bob Marley“Supper” vs “Tea”

(Born in Nottingham. I’d be lynched by my family if I ever used the term “Supper”)

FOR1DEALS AND OFFERS2

Cut out and present to the Box Office for

2-for-1 tickets* for:

Country Boy’s Struggle

14:35 15th August

Pleasance Courtyard Pleasance Two

*first 20 tickets only

‘Brilliant and inspiring’

- Aloe Blacc

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HORROR SHOW

After 350 years of Punch and Judy, this production

presents a life size version of the well-known puppets; replaced by actors, the puppets are ‘given flesh and blood’. The show consists of all of the faces you remember from the traditional show including the squabbling Mr and Mrs Punch, their screaming baby, the dog, the clown, the constable and many more. Katharine Armitage, who adapted Punch and Judy for the stage told us how not only did she use four of the original scripts from the 1800’s as inspiration, but equally asked ‘people about their memories of seeing it as children’. Be warned though, this might not be exactly how you remember the show as a child.

In a chilling rendition Giles Roberts plays the part of the disturbed Mr Punch. His movements around the stage and unnerving smile have the audience hooked, as regardless of his villainous behaviour he becomes a surprisingly endearing character. Mentally unstable and

unable to comprehend the rules of society, Mr Punch one-by-one murders any character that gets in his way, but has he met his match with the devil?

Just two others make up the entire cast, as they cleverly swap and change between

the other characters. Dark comedy resonates throughout the show often creating a nervous kind of laughter from the audience; though seemingly innocent the show takes some surprising turns, making it just as much a horror as a comedy. As writer

BY SOPHIE CHILVERS

PUNCH & JUDY PHOTOS BY IDIL SUKAN

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THE HORROR CREEPS UP ON YOU AND CATCHES YOU WHILST

YOU’RE STILL LAUGHING

@EDGAMBLECOMEDY: SPECIAL OFFER TODAY - IF YOU GO TO THE PLEASANCE DOME BOX OFFICE AND SHOW YOUR

GENITALS, YOU GET REMOVED FROM THE PLEASANCE ISSUE 3.indd 8 8/11/2012 9:16:02 PM

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Armitage suggests, ‘the horror creeps up on you and catches you whilst you’re still laughing’, and it certainly does.

In their first year at the Fringe, Theatre of the Damned bring their terrifying show As Ye Sow. Described by writer Stewart Pringle as ‘a modern day ghost story about a very old man with a very dark secret’, this production is a serious horror. Like Punch and Judy, it is influenced by literature of the past, with the classic ghost stories

of Montague Rhodes James being of major inspiration. Entwined within these old ghost stories is a personal tale of dementia motivated by the writer’s experience of his Grandfather having the condition. In relation to this Pringle told us how ‘Dementia is about the most terrifying thing I can think of’.

Horror may not be the most common form of theatre at the Fringe, but this play is certainly not to be missed. The unique performance ‘seeks to

scare the hell out of its audiences and also to tell a sort of bittersweet family drama’. Entangled with moments of satirical humour, the mysterious life of this old man unfolds. The atmosphere quickly changes throughout the show, keeping you in suspense, making it a challenge not to flinch.

Punch and Judy is on at the Pleasance Courtyard at 12.45pm, 1-27th August. You can see As Ye Sow in the Pleasance Dome at MIdday, 1-27th August.

PUNCH & JUDY PHOTOS BY IDIL SUKAN

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YOU’VE GOT TO BE KID-DINGCHILDREN’S THEATRE AT THE PLEASANCE

The Fringe is famous for many reasons, one of which is the

massive variety of shows presenting a bucket-load of different styles of performance. In keeping with this, 2012 sees a whole host of shows made and produced for children at The Pleasance.

Children’s theatre is a great performance platform which has more power to teach and deliver a strong message. One shining example of this is The Machine, presented by Little Cauliflower Theatre Company. An engaging and entertaining piece

Director of The Pleasance, Anthony Alderson’s sons enjoying the machine

of theatre, The Machine is designed for children, underlined by a message about the environment.

The two performers in the show, William Aubrey-Jones and Peter John-Morton, take the audience on a journey across deserts, desserts (chocolate pie being the favourite), jungles and lochs to get to Edinburgh. On arrival they need the audience’s help to fix the Machine, as without it

there would be no grass, no plants and no flowers. The performance is highly interactive for the kids in the audience, but there are plenty of jokes which are great for parents as well – the farcical, silly and slapstick humour appealing to all members of the audience, no matter what age.

Organiser of the Kidzone Candida Alderson saw The Machine and said ‘This is a fantastic show

Theatre is an opportunity for us all to come together

BY ANDY SMITH

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for any age - totally interactive, bonkers and fun! My kids loved it! If you want to see something different with your children - this is the show to see!’

The kids at the performance got really involved with the show, and it was truly heartening to see them so engaged with where the performance was going, and the story that was being told.

A slightly different breed of children’s performance comes in the form of The I Hate Children Children’s Show, in which magician Paul and musician John perform in a hilarious and no-nonsense style. Determined not to

pander to the stereotype of children’s theatre, I Hate Children hits the nail on the head with a balance between enchanting the young audience with magic and entertaining the older audience with carefully placed sarcasm and wit.

Chatting to Paul and John about the show, they spoke about the importance of children’s and family theatre, saying ‘in the digital age, entertainment and even schools are becoming more and more in a box, your entertainment is very isolated. Theatre is an opportunity for us to all come together and have a joint, shared experience. That is something that’s

very special’.The Kidzone this year

has huge amounts on offer for kids of all ages all throughout the festival. There’s puppetry, arts, crafts and loads of things to keep kids occupied and entertained.

With the Kidzone bigger than ever at The Pleasance this year, and an abundance of family-friendly theatre in the programme, there’s been no better time to take the kids to see a show.

The Machine is on at 10.25am and the I Hate Children Children’s Show is on at 12.15pm, both at the Courtyard until the 27th August

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COUNTRYBOY’S STRUGGLE PRESENTS

EDINBURGH 2012 (SO FAR...)

From the flyerers saying‘You really really got to come and see my show!’

To the‘Ah mate, I’m pissed wait, where we gotta go?’

Sunshine, ‘too hot’,Rainfall ‘it’s getting Brrrrrr’

It’s all happening right now in Edinburgh;

Or ‘Edin- berg’ as I heard an American sayBristo Square pedestrian way,Next to music Mexican’s played

To soundtrack a next excellent dayWe ‘knock ‘em alive’ in this overground maze

Sights and sounds to over amaze like light bulbsThat hold the power to make moths go ‘wow!’,

‘Have I been drinking too much or is that an upside down purple cow!?!’Bomber planes overhead, ‘are we now dead?’‘No well alive, good vibe’ increase the smile

Until it’s more permanent than a ‘Tattoo’ and longer than a ‘Royal mile’Inner child excited by the distilled Edinburgh essence

Ecstatic to be here all month in the Courtyard at The Pleasance.

Two years in development, hard work yeah we’ve been on thatUp in Edinburgh thanks to Manchester’s Contact

I’m the writer and performer. ‘Yes Edinburgh! I’m Maxwell GoldenOver 40 characters and a fast, fun, moving story I’m now holding’

In the Pleasance Courtyard where Hip Hop Theatre’s by the doubleCheck out Othello The Remix and CountryBoy’s Struggle!

CountryBoy’s Struggle is running until 27th August, Pleasance 2, Pleasance Courtyard TRANSLUNAR PARADISE

PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

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PLEASANCE PICTURE SHOWHIGHLIGHTS OF ALL THE PLEASANCE HAS TO OFFER CAPTURED BY OUR RESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHER IDIL SUKANEDINBURGH 2012 (SO FAR...)

From the flyerers saying‘You really really got to come and see my show!’

To the‘Ah mate, I’m pissed wait, where we gotta go?’

Sunshine, ‘too hot’,Rainfall ‘it’s getting Brrrrrr’

It’s all happening right now in Edinburgh;

Or ‘Edin- berg’ as I heard an American sayBristo Square pedestrian way,Next to music Mexican’s played

To soundtrack a next excellent dayWe ‘knock ‘em alive’ in this overground maze

Sights and sounds to over amaze like light bulbsThat hold the power to make moths go ‘wow!’,

‘Have I been drinking too much or is that an upside down purple cow!?!’Bomber planes overhead, ‘are we now dead?’‘No well alive, good vibe’ increase the smile

Until it’s more permanent than a ‘Tattoo’ and longer than a ‘Royal mile’Inner child excited by the distilled Edinburgh essence

Ecstatic to be here all month in the Courtyard at The Pleasance.

Two years in development, hard work yeah we’ve been on thatUp in Edinburgh thanks to Manchester’s Contact

I’m the writer and performer. ‘Yes Edinburgh! I’m Maxwell GoldenOver 40 characters and a fast, fun, moving story I’m now holding’

In the Pleasance Courtyard where Hip Hop Theatre’s by the doubleCheck out Othello The Remix and CountryBoy’s Struggle!

CountryBoy’s Struggle is running until 27th August, Pleasance 2, Pleasance Courtyard TRANSLUNAR PARADISE

ABI TEDDER (ANYTHING BUT)PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

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PAPPY’S BY IDIL SUKAN

A N D R E W O ’ N E I L L A N D J A M E S A C A S T E RSo last issue we heard

what James Acaster thought of the vibrant Andrew O’Neill. Now it’s Andrew’s turn to express his opinion in our Stand Up Show Down.

In his ninth consecutive year at the fringe, Andrew has become quite the expert at performing here. This year he was nominated for an award at the Adelaide Fringe in March and we’ll

have to wait and see what Edinburgh brings for him this summer.

After seeing James Acaster’s show Prompt, Andrew had this to say

This is a delightful show, showing James’ easy command of an audience, his poetic turn of phrase and genuinely original world-view. He

picks apart the casual misogyny of the blokey bloke, presents a comprehensive study of bread and exhibits the correct use of the word nonplussed. Highly recommended!

Andrew’s show Easily Distracted is running 1-26th August, 8.15pm, Pleasance Courtyard

VS

STAND-UP SHOW DOWN

ROUND 2!

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SHARRON MATTHEWS SUPERSTAR

A N D R E W O ’ N E I L L A N D J A M E S A C A S T E R

Sharron Matthews Superstar...yah, I said...someone has to! If you waitaround too long for someone ELSE to call you a superstar then you willprobably go to your grave without an awesome last name. And THAT justsucks ass. SO! Just your run of the mill Superstar.

COMEDY CABARET ROCK STAR, singer, actress, writer, producer, TV star, film actress, sometimes a psychic (Too much? Not enough?). I have one plant that I have kept alive for 10 years. THAT is effing talent. (Have had three fish that have died tragically. Just FYI)

What has a Canadian gal gotta do to sell her entertainment?! EVERYTHING! After 2 years on a national TV show and many movies (Mean Girls, Hairspray...and such) I am still hawking my crap in my home country! Best way to reach the people and dominate the world? EDINBURGH, baby!

Yes. I am from Canada. The birth place of Celine Dion and...um...and um...Alanis...does anyone know who she is anymore? I love Canada, I DO! Born in a steel town called Hamilton...but I came out wearing tap shoes...how uncomfortable for my mother, huh?

In a gold sequined dress, a pair of Duchess of Cambridge (says my gay pals) high heals (yes, “heels” spelled “heals” because I think ‘shoe beauty’ heals the world) with a microphone in my hand and spanks around my ass and mid section. THAT is how I do it, baby.

Sharron Matthews Superstar: Gold is on until the 27th August at the Pleasance Courtyard at 3.40pm

Who? What?

Where?Why?

How?SHOW DOWN

THE STAR OF GOLD BEARS ALL

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HOW TO BOOK:ONLINE ATwww.pleasance.co.ukON THE PHONE

0131 556 6550

Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance, EH8 9TJ (9am-midnight)

Pleasance Dome, 1 Bristo Square, EH8 9AL (10am-1.30am)

OR

IN PERSON AT THE BOX OFFICE

/thepleasance

@ThePleasance

/ThePleasanceTV

FIND US ONLINE:

PLEASANCE COMEDY PODCASTYOU CAN FIND THE

BY FOLLOWING THE QR CODE

The Pleasance Theatre Trust Ltd is a registered Charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1050944. And in Scotland SC043227.

Edited by Sophie Chilvers & Andy SmithEdited by Sophie Chilvers & Andy Smith

14 AUG 2012 ISSUE #03

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