So much happens!
Last year, I lost nanny midway through August on the 18th.
One week later, I was beginning to fall in love for the first time.
One year on and I've just moved into my first apartment.
One week later, I was beginning to fall in love for the first time.
One year on and I've just moved into my first apartment.
Big things happen in August.
Including the Fringe - a classic piece of Edinburgh culture.
Including the Fringe - a classic piece of Edinburgh culture.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs from the beginning until the end of August every year and it's been especially good for its 70th Anniversary.
The main shows I've seen and loved are below:
Racing Minds - Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised
This show was as brilliant as it was funny and inspired me to book tickets to the actors' individual shows as well (I'll get onto them in a bit). This show invites the audience into Grandpa's house where he struggles to remember some key details about a story he wants to tell his grandchildren aaaand this is where the audience comes in.
Bamberwill (Daniel Nils Roberts) goes out into the audience to collect three vital pieces of information: A character's name, the place it happened and a secret the character has.
The final key part needed is the title which, once again comes from the audience.
Bamberwill (Daniel Nils Roberts) goes out into the audience to collect three vital pieces of information: A character's name, the place it happened and a secret the character has.
The final key part needed is the title which, once again comes from the audience.
The first time I saw it (I saw it twice more on my two days off work) the show was set in Scotland and Penelope (Tom Skelton) had quite the journey whilst looking fabulous as she was, in fact, a style icon.
The actors' quick-thinking and comedic chemistry leaves you laughing and wishing you could see it again - if only they recorded all of their shows.
Thankfully, they have a podcast which you can subscribe to: www.racingminds.co.uk/wireless
And a website! http://racingminds.co.uk/
Tom Skelton - Blind Man's Bluff
So funny I've booked myself a ticket to see it on the last day of the fringe!
This show gives you a 'mad comedy history of blindness' including famous people with visual impairments while the basis of it is set in an optometrist's office.
I was actually pulled up for this one and... Forgot my name briefly.
The actor in me has definitely vanished.
I was so embarrassed! Tom was hilarious while also making you think and I loved how he got audience members involved in the show. My friend loved it too - partially because she enjoyed laughing at me but the joke's on her because I got a round of applause... From an elderly lady sitting behind me (still counts).
I was actually pulled up for this one and... Forgot my name briefly.
The actor in me has definitely vanished.
I was so embarrassed! Tom was hilarious while also making you think and I loved how he got audience members involved in the show. My friend loved it too - partially because she enjoyed laughing at me but the joke's on her because I got a round of applause... From an elderly lady sitting behind me (still counts).
I can't wait to see this show again and what the future holds for Tom.
Daniel Nils Roberts - The Causeway
I liked this more than I expected to as I wasn't quite sure what to make of it when I read the description. Daniel was funny, kept me thinking and I loved the historic elements it had in it as I'm a big History lover. We even had some great audience participation which made it even funnier.
As the end of the fringe draws nearer, I'm beginning to forget how many shows I've seen but this show, like the other Racing Minds shows I got to see, will definitely stay in my head as one of the best ones.
I only wish I could have seen it more than once.
I only wish I could have seen it more than once.
Chris Turner - What A Time To Be Alive
Chris ended up being a little bit of a wildcard for me as I didn't know what to expect with this show.
When I saw it, however, I was floored by his level of talent. His improvised rap skills are incredible and I was blown away by the quality of the rap he created using words the audience had written down on pieces of paper we were handed as we walked in.
When I saw it, however, I was floored by his level of talent. His improvised rap skills are incredible and I was blown away by the quality of the rap he created using words the audience had written down on pieces of paper we were handed as we walked in.
I watched his Yorkshire Tea advert a couple of days after I saw the show and I was stunned.
This show is different from Tom's and some of the others Racing Minds are doing as it doesn't involve sketches. What it does involve is amazing stand-up and a rap by one of the best rappers I've ever witnessed (I am not a fan of rap but I could listen to his all day).
This show is different from Tom's and some of the others Racing Minds are doing as it doesn't involve sketches. What it does involve is amazing stand-up and a rap by one of the best rappers I've ever witnessed (I am not a fan of rap but I could listen to his all day).
Aaaand now for some shows that had nothing to do with Racing Minds (I know, I can't believe I saw anything else either)...
The Improv Musical
I saw this a couple of days after seeing the Racing Minds show and I wasn't sure if its layout would be similar or not.
In a way, it was as the audience were asked for characters' names and places but this time we had to vote.
The host of the show was incredible. He didn't get to be involved with the show too much but he played the drums a little on his seat thing (cannot remember what he was sitting on but it was rectangular and black).
As for the show itself, the characters chosen by the audience had to follow the plot of whatever we'd chosen and create a musical about it.
The songs were almost as good as Chris' improvised raps and I couldn't stop laughing at Mr Bean.
In a way, it was as the audience were asked for characters' names and places but this time we had to vote.
The host of the show was incredible. He didn't get to be involved with the show too much but he played the drums a little on his seat thing (cannot remember what he was sitting on but it was rectangular and black).
As for the show itself, the characters chosen by the audience had to follow the plot of whatever we'd chosen and create a musical about it.
The songs were almost as good as Chris' improvised raps and I couldn't stop laughing at Mr Bean.
I might have to see it next year.
2 Become 1
I'd heard lots of good things and booked this for a day I knew would be a little difficult for me personally speaking.
After seeing Racing Minds for the last time (I'm still heartbroken), I was even more excited to see this.
After seeing Racing Minds for the last time (I'm still heartbroken), I was even more excited to see this.
2 Become 1 centres around Jess who's recently had her heart broken by her perfect man (Me in December definitely cannot relate whatsoever...) so her friends decide to take her speed dating.
Oddly enough, this is not a perfect solution but the 90's hits they sing throughout the show and the audience participation when Mandy pulls a man onstage as her date leaves you laughing continuously.
They got a standing ovation and I hope they come back next year!
I haven't listed all of the shows I went to this year but these were my favourites.
I didn't meant to do a sort of '5 Best Things To See At The Fringe' thing but it's happened all on its own (Except I listed 6 things instead of 5 - Yup, I can count).
I didn't meant to do a sort of '5 Best Things To See At The Fringe' thing but it's happened all on its own (Except I listed 6 things instead of 5 - Yup, I can count).
This August has been pretty great compared to last year's whirlwind of heartbreak and new love. I wonder what next year will bring! Happy Fringing!
Jess
Jess
xoxo
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