Hello! A few people have asked me for Fringe recommendations this year, and rather than let the extortionate amount of time and money I’ve spent on shows go to waste, I’ve jotted down all my thoughts here. Reviews are roughly ordered from best to worst, forgive their brevity, feel free to share or quote me (performers: you can say I’m a journalist and it’s technically true! though opinions are not those of my employer etc etc). Also, to head off the inevitable question as to why bother publishing bad reviews: because these shows are asking for people’s money and punters deserve to be warned off bad shows.
One thing worth noting: the overwhelming theme of this year’s Fringe (or my Fringe, at least) is climate change. More specifically, the climate emergency. It’s the direct focus of tons of shows, and lurks in the background of many more. I’ve never seen an issue hit the public consciousness quite as dramatically as this: it offers a bit of hope about the future.
Anyway, here are some reviews.
Best Show: Until The Flood ★★★★★
A one-woman play about the killing of Michael Brown, inspired by real life interviews — and every bit as powerful as that sounds. A proper emotional gut punch: terrifying, moving, and hopeful at the same time. Transferring to London in the autumn so see it there if you can’t see it here.
Best Comedy: Catherine Cohen ★★★★½
Possibly the most joke-packed show I’ve ever seen — my jaw genuinely hurt by the end. A relentless hour of very funny, self aware humour, with excellent songs and an instantly likeable performer. Phenomenal.
Most Enjoyable: Daniel Kitson: Shenanigan ★★★★½
Don’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun. The first night, so it was super, super unpolished — but Kitson is so good that he turned what would have been a disaster in anyone else’s hands into a consistently hilarious night. And the underlying show is pretty good too — hard to assess because the writing and pacing isn’t nailed down yet, but it’s a slowly unfolding story of a breakup and what that does to someone. Want to watch it again if it gets a London run — think there’s the potential for something fantastic in there.
Most Impressive: Are we not drawn onward to new erA ★★★★½
This is possibly the most skillful show I’ve ever seen. The play, like the title, is a palindrome. And that means the actors speak and act backwards. As in, they learnt the entire script backwards. “Yrros” instead of “sorry”. I cannot begin to comprehend the amount of work this must have taken, it’s unbelievable that they pulled it off perfectly, and it has a hard-hitting point about climate change and our future. Genuinely incredible.
Ahir Shah: Dots ★★★★½
I originally gave this 4 but I’ve bumped it up after thinking about it for a day. I can’t really fault it — emotionally powerful, really interesting stuff to say, and very, very funny. Hearing a brown comic talk about mental health was unbelievably refreshing.
Jamie Loftus: Boss, Whom is Girl ★★★★
Satirical take on the Sheryl Sandberg et al girl boss movement. Starts with a joke about Sandberg’s dead husband, to give you an idea of the bleak take on late stage capitalism you’re getting here. It’s veryfunny. Relies too heavily on audience participation (and we had terrible participants), but when Jamie’s in control it’s really, really strong.
Phil Wang: Philly Philly Wang Wang ★★★★
Wang is not only very funny, he’s really smart! Solid one liners mix well with well thought out philosophical interludes — and the whole thing is satisfying, thought provoking and uniquely funny.
Moon: We Cannot Get Out ★★★½