Admiring La Stupenda Dr Daniel Somerville - I wish I’d had someone like him to explain opera to me as a kid. Part dissertation lecture, part physical performance and sort of really about his mother, it starts almost apologetically awkward and finishes in heartwarming style. Worth a look.

Peak Fringe moments so far: truly moving sad clown baton twirling; quick change drag made from a duvet and a mattress cover; Agadoo to the tune of Perfect and of course the glittery avocado costume. What were your “only at fringe” moments this week?

Pop Lab Frisky & Mannish - it’s my first year seeing them perform, but I got a taste at the Edinburgh Festivals Magazine launch party. So glad I went for the full show as well! Clever mashups, style swaps and songs to the tune of another, with sparkly outfits, smoke and some strobe-ish lighting.

It’s so easy to forget all those (often volunteer) folks almost invisible behind the scenes making all this happen so we have a place to learn and share our creative work. Thank You!

Boulder Half a String - so many different disciplines come together to make this work. The craftsmanship of the set and puppets, the music, the seamless blend of projected animation and live performance, the beautiful narrative singing. Whatever you expect, it’s so much more.

The Happiness Project Creative Electric//H funny, touching, brutally and hilariously relatable. Asked directly what makes me happy when I arrived, audience encouraged to hug each other at the end. Anyone who lives online and is maybe safe and lonely there should see this.

Since U Been Gone @TheTeddyLamb - it’s about grief, love, sex, gender and memories. It’s also an openly intimate examination of how all those things contribute to growing up, becoming themself- she should have been there for this. Bittersweetly funny, well worth a look.

The Green Knight Dr Debbie Cannon Scottish Poetry Library - master-crafted pure & simple storytelling in the perfect setting - all the more so for the perfectly timed natural sound effects of a sudden thunderstorm just beyond the open window. Utterly enthralled.

The Up Late offering from Shake4Break - comedy remix of Hamlet making some subtle and not so subtle points about how poorly written the women are. feat. Interpretive Dance play within the play, sex-doll Ophelia and the audience left to answer The Question. Good silly fun.

Week one done. Back on Monday - over & out.

Quintessence Emily Carding Our robot overlords (I mean protectors) have been programmed with the complete works of Shakespeare to guide them in their quest to ensure humans survive and thrive. Perfectly timed minimal tech lets masterful storytelling shine. Well worth a look!

Before I get into talking about what I saw there, @GreenHouse_BI is an amazing 0-waste, 0 mains electricity venue, accessible (if a bit out of the way), in-the-round space with a single row of seats, uniquely suited to intimate bare-bones storytelling and visual performance.

Symbiosis @GreenHouse_BI - beautifully fluid dance to spoken word poetry woven mospheric music tells a story of life, love, grief and the connection to natural spaces that make it all bearable. Perfect for the venue, this is a true respite from the bustle in town. Treat yourself!

FAWK Nuworks Theatre Paradise Green - Faaaaawking delightful tale featuring recognisable characters and driven by Shakespeare quotes, with wonderful costumes! Highly recommend for families who don’t mind a bit of “language” and enjoy an obvious creepy villain.

2ELFth Night Alan-a-Doyle - 12th night by 2 people in an hour, feat. Audience participation, possibly recognisable tunes, several cups of water and of course, stripy yellow socks. Fast paced without losing the sweeter beats of the play, highly entertaining & worth a look!

A Shadow of Doubt Time Will Tell Theatre co 🍊 Paradise Green - a serious, poignant look at dementia from the different perspectives of partners, family, carers and patients. Carefully and lovingly handled, and the provided tea bag is much appreciated for afterwards! Worth a look.

Limbo: The 12 RCS Musical Theatre Bring tissues. And a friend. And a teddy. A jury of friends and family decides whether a recently dead drug addict will be given a second chance at life - the company don’t shy away from tackling a tough subject with frank honesty (and great songs!)

Sex Education Summerhall - A single tweet? It’s a queer solo show about sex and everything he can’t tell his mum. It’s also about a life shaped by porn, metaphorical rabbits and literal cucumber sandwiches. Go see it, then call your mum. CW porn, rape. Might ruin Mad World ;)

More Fool You (part 1) Windfall Theatre Collective UK - the jester to Henry VIII is a cross dressing time traveller... but this is serious theatre very well done, with a premise that could easily be slapstick. It works beautifully and I look forward to catching part 2! (Alternating days in rep)

Romeo & Juliet Curious Pheasant Theatre - very little editing of language is needed for this adaptation, every beat takes on a darker or more desperate tone.. and like so many queer stories in the real world, it ends abruptly. Tough themes to watch but expertly done. Go see this.