12/8/10: Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin, Eirlys Bellin Unaccustomed As I Am, Axis of Awesome
I thought we'd have a quiet first full day at the Fringe, but alas it was never meant to be. Instead we took on one serious piece of theatre, some character comedy and some musical Fringe veterans.
Based on a rather charismatic sales pitch, we first plumped for the play 'Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin'. This play revolves around the inhabitants of no.92- namely, the house itself. Wall, Chimney and Floor have not seen Mrs Benjamin, their occupant, for a long time, and in desperation try to discover what may have happened to her. Ultimately, they discover a biscuit tin hidden in the microwave containing all of her memories, from wartime through her marriage and grandchildren, all reenacted with some rather lovely physical theatre and puppetry, and some comic moments from the dozy Wall and flirty Chimney. Without spoiling too much, there are some poignant, truly sad moments which even saw Pete wiping away a tear. But it's sad in a sort of nostalgic way, for times gone by, for attitudes to old people that seem to have gone by the wayside in favour of disdain and ostracising. The actors, it turned out, had researched their subject well, visiting eldery hospital patients and gathering their memories. It was marvellously done, a thought-provoking take on the stories our elderly friends and relatives have to tell. Comes highly recommended!
Next on the list was something a little more light- Eirlys Bellin of some renown in Channel 4 comedy circles, in a one-woman character show based around a fictional writer of a book on public speaking, 'as seen on QVC and Loose Women'. Much like last year's lady-in-a-Portakabin-character-comedy, she switched characters with some strategic costume, in this case different shoes, playing a 'trendy' mum, a Mexican cleaner delivering a eulogy, a misplaced middleclass lady at the Residents Association elections, and an unfortunate drunken bridesmaid at a wedding. Some good gags, and just the right length of show too. Standout moments were the tales of the Mexican's employer's bedroom habits, the trendy mum's extolling sex, drugs and rock'n'roll in fluffy slippers, and the life-size cardboard cutout crowdsurfing. A good way to escape the inevitable soggy downpour.
Finally, in a hilarious moment of non-planning, our achingly hip iPad declared it to be one day out on the calendar, and returning home to declare our evening done, the realisation dawned that in half an hour we were supposed to be at the Teviot for Axis of Awesome. D'oh. Fortunately we made it literally as they were locking the doors! And, as with last year, they did not disappoint. All-new songs, like Sexual Harassment, Can You Hear The Fucking Music In My Car, Why Don't We Do Cool Shit With Lasers and a lovely generic boyband love song, plus some genius riffing on Hotel California and MGMT on the kazoo. Please please PLEASE, sell your own internal organs to get tickets. I predict these guys are gonna need a bigger venue next year, plus they're also doing a late show tonight, tomorrow and Saturday with special stand-up guests. I was so goddamn excited, I got their new CD, Infinity Rock Explosion, and I got it signed. I might have fangirled all over their faces a little bit. And I got to see Benny the keyboardist in the flesh. See my glee! :D
zomgbbqeleventyscribbles!
Fringe Refreshments of the Day: Swift half of cider at the Pleasance Courtyard, and dinner at Mamma's in the Grassmarket. Gluten-haters should note it was the first pizzeria in town to offer gluten-free bases, and they're awesome for a takeaway slice as well as sitting in. I recommend the Fireball topping with the spicy tomato base sauce, and the dense chocolate cheesecake of death.
Roll on tomorrow's Fringe randomness! Oh, and here's the famous 4 Chord Song to keep you going...
Based on a rather charismatic sales pitch, we first plumped for the play 'Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin'. This play revolves around the inhabitants of no.92- namely, the house itself. Wall, Chimney and Floor have not seen Mrs Benjamin, their occupant, for a long time, and in desperation try to discover what may have happened to her. Ultimately, they discover a biscuit tin hidden in the microwave containing all of her memories, from wartime through her marriage and grandchildren, all reenacted with some rather lovely physical theatre and puppetry, and some comic moments from the dozy Wall and flirty Chimney. Without spoiling too much, there are some poignant, truly sad moments which even saw Pete wiping away a tear. But it's sad in a sort of nostalgic way, for times gone by, for attitudes to old people that seem to have gone by the wayside in favour of disdain and ostracising. The actors, it turned out, had researched their subject well, visiting eldery hospital patients and gathering their memories. It was marvellously done, a thought-provoking take on the stories our elderly friends and relatives have to tell. Comes highly recommended!
Next on the list was something a little more light- Eirlys Bellin of some renown in Channel 4 comedy circles, in a one-woman character show based around a fictional writer of a book on public speaking, 'as seen on QVC and Loose Women'. Much like last year's lady-in-a-Portakabin-character-comedy, she switched characters with some strategic costume, in this case different shoes, playing a 'trendy' mum, a Mexican cleaner delivering a eulogy, a misplaced middleclass lady at the Residents Association elections, and an unfortunate drunken bridesmaid at a wedding. Some good gags, and just the right length of show too. Standout moments were the tales of the Mexican's employer's bedroom habits, the trendy mum's extolling sex, drugs and rock'n'roll in fluffy slippers, and the life-size cardboard cutout crowdsurfing. A good way to escape the inevitable soggy downpour.
Finally, in a hilarious moment of non-planning, our achingly hip iPad declared it to be one day out on the calendar, and returning home to declare our evening done, the realisation dawned that in half an hour we were supposed to be at the Teviot for Axis of Awesome. D'oh. Fortunately we made it literally as they were locking the doors! And, as with last year, they did not disappoint. All-new songs, like Sexual Harassment, Can You Hear The Fucking Music In My Car, Why Don't We Do Cool Shit With Lasers and a lovely generic boyband love song, plus some genius riffing on Hotel California and MGMT on the kazoo. Please please PLEASE, sell your own internal organs to get tickets. I predict these guys are gonna need a bigger venue next year, plus they're also doing a late show tonight, tomorrow and Saturday with special stand-up guests. I was so goddamn excited, I got their new CD, Infinity Rock Explosion, and I got it signed. I might have fangirled all over their faces a little bit. And I got to see Benny the keyboardist in the flesh. See my glee! :D
zomgbbqeleventyscribbles!
Fringe Refreshments of the Day: Swift half of cider at the Pleasance Courtyard, and dinner at Mamma's in the Grassmarket. Gluten-haters should note it was the first pizzeria in town to offer gluten-free bases, and they're awesome for a takeaway slice as well as sitting in. I recommend the Fireball topping with the spicy tomato base sauce, and the dense chocolate cheesecake of death.
Roll on tomorrow's Fringe randomness! Oh, and here's the famous 4 Chord Song to keep you going...