Brian Ferguson’s diary
Fending off Fringe Fomo – that dreaded Fear Of Missing Out – has become a rising phenomenon in the social media age as shows generate a buzz after just a couple of performances.
The National Theatre of Scotland’s rip-roaring new comedy My Left /Right Foot – The Musical has undoubtedly been one of the early hits.
But after catching the disability-themed musical within a musical, inspired by Daniel Day-lewis’s Oscar-winning turn in My Left Foot, a terrible thought struck me: is Is this as good as the Fringe is going to get this year? Could I be a victim of FOPTS: Fear of Peaking Too Soon?
Amid the flurry of fourand five-star reviews for the production, about an amdram group’s ham-fisted efforts to embrace equality, it has won praise from Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice
Guy, who is winning new fans elsewhere on the Fringe with his bitingly witty take on living with cerebral palsy.
After checking out NTS’S musical, comic Lee Ridley recorded a video message declaring: “It had me laughing from start to finish. I could identify with a lot of the stuff in the show and it really hit home. It was nice to see somebody else take the mick out of it as well.”
Some Fringe shows rely on audience members to be a good sport more than others.
Natalie Palamides is certainly testing the nerves of ticket-holders to her Pleasance show, Nate, in which her male alter ego is prone to grappling with members of the audience after first asking their permission. Edinburgh’s new cycling hero Callum Skinner, who won silver at the Rio Olympics, told his Twitter followers how he “spent my Monday night being topless wrestled” by Palamides – as they fought over Welsh cycling star Elinor Barker, a gold medallist two years ago.
With Theresa May on a flying visit to Edinburgh during the Fringe, it is little wonder camera crews were jostling for positions at the cutting political satire Brexit – about a beleaguered new prime minister struggling to unite their party.
If the real-life PM is understandably wary of that production, she may seek solace elsewhere, with a choice of two shows inspired by the Iron Lady herself.
Mrs May may not be too comforted if she hears that new posters designs have been ordered for Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho after several of the original versions, featuring the late former PM’S image, were defaced.
I spent my Monday night being topless wrestled