Enjoy the Fringe benefits of a fun day out in Edinburgh
I spend quite a lot of time on the road, and if
I’m driving on a quiet motorway I’ll often make or take a hands-free phone call. I can’t say I feel it massively distracts me, but when I read that the Transport Select Committee is calling for a ban on hand-held devices in cars it certainly made me think. I never answer a call if I’m driving in a busy built-up area or one that’s unknown to me. Subconsciously I must somehow be aware that it’s not a good idea when I need to focus. There is apparently research showing people performed better in tests when drunk at the wheel than they did when using hands-free, which is hard to believe but troubling nonetheless. But before such a drastic decision is taken, we need to be sure of the facts.
After all, there are surely greater distractions than a hands-free phone – sat-nav being one of them, and quarrelling children in the back another. And it’s not like we can ban kids in cars... can we? I love the Fringe and for several years now I’ve wanted to take a week off to do loads of shows, meet up with different friends and really enjoy the whole festival vibe.
This year I’ve seen a variety of acts, from the circus to mind readers, comedians and musical theatre. I always go for a mix of those I’ve heard of and performers I knew nothing about because the premise of the Fringe is to showcase new talent.
A few years ago we booked mind-reader/magician Colin Cloud from Whitburn to perform at my mum’s 80th birthday party. He was brilliant so I always try to catch him at the Fringe. I’m glad I did,
email judy your thoughts at of women who would not care to pitch a tent on a cliff face. There are also a lot of women who are comfortable in a maternal role – it doesn’t mean we absolutely have to be like that, but is it wrong to show it?
Yes, we need to be careful about how we are portraying men and women, but I also think we’re in danger of taking things too far and over-complicating the whole issue.
Advertisers are, after all, trying to reach a target audience – and probably one that has been well researched.
In response, they come up with advertising designed to appeal to particular groups of people deemed to be the most likely to buy that product.
The vast majority of primary caregivers in this country are still women, and I can see the dilemma for businesses who are being told that, rather than showing people in real-life situations, they need to now do the opposite.
Advertisers, writers and performers now wrestle daily with what they can say and show without any risk of causing offence – and that’s becoming an impossible task. because, five years later, he’s on his final Fringe and about to embark on a long-term residency at The Mirage in Las Vegas. Impressive!
I also caught my friend, the political satirist Matt Forde, whose show is not only topical but also clever and funny. He does great Donald Trump and Boris Johnson impressions too.
Cirque Berserk is a thrilling circus experience with a modern twist. I also managed to catch up with Micky P Kerr – the comedian whose rather cheeky song about me got him through to the final of Britain’s Got Talent last year. I forgave him over prosecco.
Head to Edinburgh if you can. It’s a great day out.
judymurray@sundaypost.com