FRINGE FEVER

As I mentioned in this post, I went to Edinburgh Fringe festival for a grand total of 24 hours. It was hectic and lively, with eccentric performers lining the streets and seemingly every building in the city dedicated to a show. There was a plethora of hair colours and artsy outfits, plenty of them double-take worthy. It was a vivid and memorable experience.




I saw two shows.

The first: When You Improv On A Star. An improvised Disney-style musical by the Cambridge Impronauts. I'll admit, the primary reason for me seeing the Impronauts was because my brother Jack was a cast member. Bias aside, each comedy show I've seen by the group has had me crying with laughter (not an easy accomplishment with myself) and this edition did not disappoint. I was brought to a mining community on the moon, with a robot villain of Margaret Thatcher (who was determined to stop strikes). The Impronauts have a humility which puts their audience at ease and off the cuff one-liners you just can't manufacture. It is perhaps the collaborative nature of the show that sets it apart. While Jack's run has finished, the show is still going on, so if you're going to Fringe, it's on at the Gilded Balloon, Billiard room until August 29th. Buy tickets HERE.



The second: Showstopper. A professional improv group take suggestions from the audience and unveil a seemingly flawless West-End style musical bringing these suggestions to life. The show I watched was set in Paul Hollywood's pantry, with some heated office politics and seamless songs about shoe pastry. Also very cool.

My first Fringe experience was short but sweet, and I'll definitely be back.

-LEXI


1 comment