EDINBURGH COMES TO YOU
SUFFERING FROM FRINGE FOMO? DON’T WORRY, ASHLEY DAVIES SHARES HER PICK OF THIS YEAR’S BEST LIVESTREAMS
THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe is back, this year in hybrid form, with plenty of shows being made available online, as well as in the flesh. So don’t worry if you can’t make it along in person as there is a huge amount to see from wherever you are.
Some shows – such as most of those in the Shedinburgh line-up – can only be livestreamed, and this is part of a drive to make everyone feel a sense of togetherness as they all watch at the same time. Others are available to view whenever you fancy it.
These are some of the highlights, but it’s worth checking the website for more – and a few of the venues will be putting a few of their live shows online at the end of the month.
THEATRE THE SAVIOUR
In this award-winning Landmark Productions play, Maire wakes up in a wonderful mood on her 67th birthday. There’s a new man in her life, but not everyone is happy. Fringe First winner Deidre Kinahan’s new show explores the changing shape of social, political and religious life in Ireland, as well as grappling with how trauma affects us and how we forgive.
Until August 30, Assembly Showcatcher, assemblyfestival.com
A WIRE APART
Using dance, aerial acrobatics, tight-wire walking and original music, this modern love story from the brilliant Paper Doll Militia is about two lost individuals who need to find themselves, and each other, in a tangled world of wires. Along the way we ask whether instant connectivity helps or hinder our ability to form meaningful relationships. Livestream, until Aug 29, Summerhall online, summerhall.co.uk
IMELANIA
Using Melania Trump as an avatar of what an ‘acceptable’ foreign woman is, this is a playful exploration of borders, belonging and what it’s like being foreign in post-Brexit Britain. The Varjack-Lowry production is set within a landscape of social distancing and social media, and is an audio-visual experience to be enjoyed on your phone and desktop.
Until August 26, Summerhall online, summerhall.co.uk
COMEDY HARRY HILL’S NOISE
This livestreamed show w is part of all-online Shedinburgh – which comes under the Traverse Theatre umbrella – and is beautifully described in the programme blurb. ‘In In this special livestreamed ed edition of Harry Hill’s antidote to podcasts, Harry is in a shed and at some point he’ll make a noise,’ it reads. ‘After Harry has made his noise he will not be making any further noises. ses What will his noise be and when will he make it?’ Clear? Livestream, tomorrow, shedinburgh.com
JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS: IT IS BETTER
During lockdown this master of absurd comedy teamed up with composer John Chamber and Monkey Barrel records to make his first ever comedy album, and this is a theatrical reimagining of a show that would have celebrated its release. If it’s anything like his past work it’ll involve props, inventive movement and cleverly constructed flights of fancy. Livestream, Aug 17, shedinburgh.com
DANCE OPIA
Choreographer Johanna Nuutinen’s new piece of work dives into questions about the effects that environmental stimuli have on our spatial orientation, and how we picture images when they’re generated by sensory organs other than our eyes. Expect fascinating visual design in this show that’s part of the From Start to Finnish strand. Sunday to August 28, Zoo TV, zootv. live/dancebase
BOYS DON’T DANCE
This show is created by Takao Baba and is something you can get your whole family involved with. Three
dancers and a musician create their own dance styles from movements created in video games and on TikTok, and you get to join in and try them out yourself.
Wed to August 20, Zoo TV, zootv.live
CABARET/VARIETY 13 FRUITCAKES
‘More’ Zimin, a well-known drag artist in Korea, is among the stars of this fantastic-looking multimedia extravaganza about a mysterious drag queen, Orlando, who inspires people to fight oppression by telling them stories about 13 important LGBTQ+ figures and the impact they had on the world. Los Angeles Laptop Collective is in charge of the electronic music to help you feel the full vibe.
On demand, until August 30, Assembly Showcatcher, assemblyfestival.com
IMMERSIVE
KNOT: THE TRILOGY
Darkfield, the clever folks behind captivating, immersive digital shows such as Séance and Flight, return with a three-part show audio experience that you need to listen to on headphones (via their app) in three specific places: a park bench, a car and in a room at home. You’ll need to engage with all episodes to complete the story.
On demand, until August 29, summerhall.co.uk