Top Picks: Theatre, Music, Kids and Access

Fest Mag / Fest


THEATRE PICKS

Lead Critic Matt Trueman gives the gen on the festival’s top theatrical events.

Chase Scenes

Summerhall, 1-26 August, not 6, 13, 20, 2:25pm

A collage of high-speed chases, women running from men: Ming Hon’s low-fi, DIY reconstruction of famous film pursuits sounds like exactly the sort of acute, oddball piece that thrives at the Fringe. A comic, accusatory cultural critique, it should ask why violence against women is such a recurring trope in art.

Status

Summerhall, 1-26 August, not 2, 13, 7:55pm

It’s quite the Edinburgh collaboration: four-time Fringe First-winner Chris Thorpe and Rachel Chavkin, director of the TEAM. Status has been brewing for a while, but it’ll be served up right on time. A reflection on what it means to reject your nationality – the sort of scab Thorpe picks better than anyone.

Square Go

Roundabout @ Summerhall, 1-26 August, not 2, 7, 14, 21, 8:20pm

Local boys Kieran Hurley and Gary McNair team up to look at likely lads in this new show about early-onset toxic masculinity. Or are they going head-to-head? Square Go is the story of a schoolyard fist fight, as two boys battle it out for playground supremacy. This could be a knockout.

Big Aftermath of a Small Disclosure

Summerhall, 1-26 August, not 13, 20, 2:50pm

A split couple forms the core of Magne van den Berg’s play – one wants to go, the other to stay. If that feels potent, the combo of Purni Morell’s translation and Actors Touring Company’s reputation makes this a must-see. Even the smallest of disclosures can send shockwaves. Expect Big Aftermath to do much the same.

MUSICAL PICKS

The festivals are bursting with musicals, operas and special concerts – we’ve picked out a handful of gems from this year’s programmes.

Jan Tait and the Bear 

Summerhall, 8–16 Aug, not 10, 11, 12, times vary

Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase (celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, FYI), this is a new opera from Scottish/Canadian composer Emily Doolitte. It’s a funny, folklore-infused tale of a Shetlander transported to Norway, and is absolutely not stuffy opera. For ages 8 and above.

Pussy Riot: Riot Days 

Summerhall, 10-19 Aug, 7pm

You don’t need us to tell you that this will be an unforgettable gig. Some things you might not know: it’s based on the book about what happened to the irreverent Russian punk collective after they displeased Vladimir Putin with a protest concert in a cathedral in 2012; and as such, though it’s listed in the music programme, Pussy Riot themselves consider this show a work of theatre. Buckle up.

Kids Picks

It’s never easy keeping little ones entertained during the Fringe. Let Fest find the best for the toughest of critics.

Woogie Boogie

Ages 3+, Summerhall, 2–26 Aug, not 13, 20, 10am

South Korean Brush Theatre have become a bit of a Fringe institution over the past four years. They present vivid and imaginative works for young audiences, including this colourful work about a boy and a turtle on a sea adventure. They have a second show, The Little Musician, part of the Korean Season.

Accessible Picks

While disabled access at the Fringe is still not perfect, it has come a long way. Here are some top shows from companies that champion or incorporate access in their work.

The Flop

Summerhall, 3-26 Aug, not 13, 20, 4:55pm. BSL performances on 17 + 18 Aug.

Inclusive theatre company Hijinx, who had a hit with puppetry show Meet Fred at last year’s Fringe, are back with this collaboration with clowning supremos Spymonkey. Telling the true story of a 17th-century aristocrat who can’t get it up, The Flop is guaranteed to shatter any preconceptions audiences might harbour about the work of disabled artists.