Grace, skill and added flair
whether you’re looking for genuine talent or just a great night out with your pals.
Chelsea Angell provides the first moment of beauty with ing about this routine that just goes that extra step. In short, it’s pure Casus, as we’ve seen before in the company’s shows, Knee Deep and Driftwood.
What lets this show down a little is the central conceit – in that there isn’t one. Circus usually needs a unique selling point these days, and the concept here is two men living together in domestic bliss/strife, which, in this part of the world at least, is just normal life – and treating it otherwise kind of defeats the point. So the USP is gone, and we’re left with great acrobatics and aerial work, but little else to chew on. KELLY APTER
Until 26 August. Today 3:10pm. her gorgeous hula-hoop act. No matter what body part she’s looping them round, the hoops dazzle at speed. Garry Starr follows, touting a very different flavour of the coming storm, as society turns on itself. Their fine characterisation holds up memorably in this intriguing experimental drama.
TIM CORNWELL
Until 27 August. Tomorrow 3pm. thespace on North Bridge (Venue 36)
JJJ
In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, “gayface” is when straight actors play gay roles, particularly if their performance is over-reliant on stereotypes and their acceptance of the role effectively “steals” it from a gay actor – blackface for the LGBT community.
Hal (Chet Wilson) is a bigbuilt gay man auditioning for the lead role in a gay romance. According to straight co-star Jason (Ethan Cockrill) though, the director, Carmen (Amity Hanson, in one of two roles), only likes to cast straight men in gay roles, so Hal must act straight if he wants the part.
It’s a comedy of manners with sitcom-style humour
– at one point, two gay characters literally leap into a closet to hide. For the most entertainment. With the grandiose claim he’s here “to save theatre”, he tackles a few genres: physical theatre, Shakespeare, romantic comedy, each more ludicrous than the last.
Christopher Thomas of Barely Methodical Troupe has just minutes to convince us of his prowess on the Cyr wheel, and makes every second count. That such a heavy implement looks feather-light in his hands is testament to his considerable skill.
Then it’s back to chaos unimaginable with the inimitable Mr Fish, whose hilarious routine involving a tall unicycle, water, juggling knives and lots of audience interaction is a joy to behold.
Kali Retallack’s sumptuous aerial work has the crowd in raptures, before Harris himself closes the show with a witty Game of Thronesinspired two-hander acrobatic routine. And a great night was had by all. KELLY APTER
Until 25 August. Today 10pm.
part, the cast sells this broad farce with warmth and good humour. Wilson is effortlessly charismatic, Cockrill enjoyably lunkheaded, but Hanson’s Carmen is a weak link, a one-note caricature who’s clearly the work of a vengeful playwright. Still, Gayface is big-hearted, fun and has interesting things to say on both gay casting and body-size bias within the arts – Hal’s stature is as much of an issue as his sexuality. NIKI BOYLE
Until 25 August. Today 4:05pm. Greenside @ Nicolson Square (Venue 209)
JJ
Rachel (Imogen Halsey) makes a midnight call on her friend Adam (Michael Dahl Rasmussen) when she feels her life is becoming a mess. Sadly, both characters are self-centred and unsympathetic, a fact only exacerbated by this being a musical – a genre that lives on “me, me, me” soliloquising. The songs are not particularly memorable either, although Halsey’s singing voice is phenomenal. NIKI BOYLE
Until 18 August. Today 5:15pm. Greenside @ Royal Terrace (Venue 231)
JJJ
Canadian dancer and choreographer Éowyn Emerald has made a name for herself on the Fringe, providing some much-needed quality contemporary dance in a festival where there is surprisingly little.
Formerly based in the US, but now relocated to Scotland, Emerald still comes up with the goods, but things feel a little different this year. The eight works performed in quick succession are all carved from the same piece of rock – and while that’s somewhat inevitable when Emerald is the choreographer of all of them – a little more diversity would be welcome.
The confined space at Greenside does no dancer any favours either, but there is still much to enjoy here, watching four able dancers who partner up beautifully. Chase Hamilton, in particular, delivers movement with a muscular grace and emotional integrity that’s hard to take your eyes off. When he and Emerald come together in a passionate duet, there’s real intensity.
All four dancers give their all, however, with Katie Armstrong and Jack Anderson also providing heartfelt movement and technical proficiency. Despite the drawbacks, Emerald and co still remain a worthy hour of your time.
KELLY APTER
Until 25 August. Today 1:50pm.
Shenanigans Theatre Company pitches this blackly comic sci-fi halfway between Her and Black Mirror, but neglects to ape their success in focusing on a single story. There’s a strong start
– a wonderfully awkward Apple-style tech presentation, complete with feelgood buzzwords and palpable anti-chemistry between the two leads – but from there the story splits into four separate parts, none of them developed enough to stand up. NIKI BOYLE
Until 25 August. Tomorrow 3pm.