Edinburgh 2025
Ordinary Decent Criminal
Sam and I have decided to put "Ordinary Decent Criminal" at the top of our Edinburgh 2025 blog journey because of the outstanding performance by the usually comic Mark Thomas, who in this play proved to be an outstanding actor. This single-handed play by Ed Edwards was specially written with Mark in mind to play the role, and what a great decision that was. Mark warned the audience before the performance began that his voice was failing him, and so we should lean in to hear him. What came next was a lesson in acting that all aspiring actors should study if they get the chance. Obviously, as a one-man show, Mark played the many characters without fault; the audience was in no doubt which character was in front of them at any particular moment. There was also no sign that Mark's voice was anything but perfect. In addition to his acting performance, Mark was also the stagehand moving large props from scene to scene and back again. Mark received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of his performance, and he was dripping with sweat. This may have been because he was feeling under the weather, but I think it was due to his energetic and enthralling acting. Mark then went home to perform an even more important role, looking after his mum!
This is a MUST MUST SEE play.
Mark Thomas and Me, I was shaking with excitement!
Bombshell
Sam and I are in Edinburgh again for the festivals running throughout August. One of the first shows we saw was Bombshell. As I am a beach ball and made of plastic, I am constantly aware that many think I am environmentally unfriendly. This could not be further from the truth; however, I do think there are too many single-use plastics made. I feel as much for the discarded bottles as they have feelings too, and would much prefer to be used many times rather than just once. Bombshell was the perfect first show to see in Edinburgh, although there was a serious message, the three women who invented and starred in the show had made it in a very entertaining burlesque style. I will not spoil the plot, just to say it is a very well-made and a must-see for the 2025 audiences.
Here I am with the Bombshell cast
Bob Dylan Under Cover
As Sam is a Bob Dylan fan, there was a tribute to him also at The Space, we went to see if it would live up to the great man himself. We were pleasantly surprised by the lead singer being a young woman with a great voice, who gave a spirited account of his work, explaining much of his life and music. The production was by Night Owl, who always get things just right.
Kiah Spurle, Lead Singer, Bob Dylan Under Cover
The Band, Bob Dylan Under Cover. Ross, Tim, Will, Max, Noah, and (spot the ball (me!)
The Blondie Story
The band also worked with another great, energetic singer called Rainbow, who did a performance of The Blondie Story, a joy to behold.
The beautiful singer Rainbow, AKA Blondie
I also found another member of the band who just wanted to play with me!
The band did say that I could become a member, but unfortunately, I decided not to join the group as the amount of energy required would leave me deflated.
The Space
Thanks to The Space team, who suggested our next show.
Nick and Julia, The Space team
Screaming Into The Void
This is my favourite play of the festival so far as I am a well known feminist, and Sam liked it too. The play is well written and the performance from each actor is also excellent, there are definite stars of the future within the cast. Sam and I agree if you want to see something good and stars before they become famous go see Screaming Into The Void. I did not even request a trial with this group as I know my acting skills would be a fraction of their talents.
The Cast, Arlene McKay, Eva Ellis, Abi Price and Marnie HornMark Watson. Before It Takes Over Us
As Sam holds Mark Watson as his favourite person, not just for his comic genius but for his genuine humanity, that was evidenced to Sam in 2011 when he chanced upon a couple of people in an abandoned part of the fringe, one was in a wheelchair hooked up to breathing equipment and the other was their helper. As Sam had six years of experience knowing what it was like as a carer for somone disabled he engaged in conversation as he sadly knew this would not be the normal experience for them. After being with them for fifteen minuites or so, who should walk around the corner but Mark Watson, he had obviously been told the person with breathing difficulties was a fan and had come out of his way to meet up with him. What mostly impressed Sam was the genuine intrest Mark had for his fan as he spent the next half hour with him, no press, no cameras, no fuss, just a genuine human connection.That said Mark is not just a great humanbeing, he is a great jester, his observations of the obserdities in life are hilarious, especially in his new show, "Before It Takes Over Us", where he focuses on the prevailing Ai revolution, but in Marks usual style wanders and goes off on tangents into other funny subjects, usually ones to do with his audience. Go see this beutiful Man, but if you can't get to one of his gigs, console youself with one of his many funny books.
The Great Mark Watson The Pleasance Edinburgh 2025
Delusions And Grandeur
As Sam is my manager, and I haven't had any work since being in the band "The Streets" last year, he said I should widen my experience and maybe go down the classical music route, as I found it too exhausting when auditioning for "The Blondie Story". Sam said Karen Hall is a highly acclaimed cellist, and I should go and see her in the Red Lecture Theatre at The Summer Hall to see if her act was right for me.
I did not know what to expect, as I had never heard classical music, being only two years old. It was a beautiful experience as I heard the wonderful music as Karen played. I was surprised when Karen told her story and performed her jesting. It blew me away how talented she was, one of those people who can do anything they wish to put their hand to. I loved talking with her after her performance, as she is very interesting and intelligent; however, I don't think I will be joining her on stage, as her jester skills are much better than mine, and if I stretched as much as she did, I would go out of shape permanently, or even worse, burst!
I loved her act, and anyone who can see it should!
The Beautiful Jester Cellist Karen Hall
David Elms Describes a Room
Because Sam is a fan of Laura Marling and Tim Key, YouTube had suggested he would like the short film "Regular"; this was one of those unusual times that YouTube had been totally right in its assumption. Sam thought Regular was a masterpiece, and so delved deeper to find it had been written and directed by David Elms, someone Sam had never heard of before. Keen to see if Mr Elms had any more work Sam could enjoy, he found that he would be doing a show in Edinburgh at the Pleasance Baby Grand venue. "David Elms Describes a Room" was the title of the show, and on the face of it, not a very enticing title, but Sam insisted that if David Elms could write and direct "Regular", we should go see it, so we did. I have to admit that Sam was right in his assumption that the softly spoken Mr Elms is a true genius in the way he has created something totally unique and very enjoyable. I will not say what happens, but it is joyous to behold, and if you have a chance to see it, you must!
Exhausted Paint (The Death of Van Gogh)
As the Edinburgh Festival is a celebration of the arts, Sam thought it would be good if I was educated about one of the greatest painters of all time, namely Vincent Van Gogh, as there was a show celebrating his life and death at The Surgeon's Hall called Exhausted Paint. This one-man show, written by Justin Maxwell and performed by Drew Stroud, was emotional and educational at the same time. Sam said it was like watching a young Kevin Costner playing Vincent. Drew even goes to the extreme by taking bites out of a raw potato in one scene.
If you are a fan of Vincent Van Gogh or Kevin Costner, you should see this show.
Drew Stroud plays Vincent
Eggs And Baskets
Watching "Exhausted Paint" was enjoyable but also sad, as we know Vincent comes to a tragic end. Sam and I decided that the next show we should see should lift our spirits, so we decided to see a three-hander by Bethany Agaoglu called "Eggs and Baskets". The play is about two girls who are trying to keep boys out of their lives with varying levels of success. All the actors here are great performers: Bethany Agaoglu, Nell Sternberg, and Jordan Wilks. My standout performance was by Jordan, who was tasked with playing five different male characters, something he managed to achieve faultlessly.
Cast: Jordan Wilks, Bethany Agaoglu, and Little Nell Sternberg.
Ghosted!
As Sam and I were taking in the sights of Edinburgh, we were accosted by a small leprechaun on The Royal Mile, who said she had a ghost story to tell us. Intrigued, we went to see the musical Ghosted at The Space on Niddry Street. This magical performance seemed to have a much bigger cast than the reality of four; each member had extraordinary vocal and acting capabilities. The music was supplied by a three-piece band, which also seemed bigger in number than it was. If you only see one musical while you are in Edinburgh this August, make it this one; you won't be disappointed.
The cast of Ghosted! The musical.
Sang Tsau
While we were in the same venue, we noticed there was a Taiwanese dance group show, and Sam thought it would be good for me to widen my repertoire to dance, and I would love to give it a try. Sang Tsau is the name of the dance, and it tells the story of sending the gods back to heaven. This was a magical experience; the young dancers had been dancing since they were children, and it showed in the delicacy and intricacy of their performance. Sam, as someone who has danced in a variety of styles for over 34 years, was particularly impressed with the way they could keep in sync even when they were not facing each other. If you get the chance to see this beautiful human communication, you should see it straight away; it will lift your soul and be an experience you will not forget.
Nicole Cassandra Smit
Singer Nicole Cassandra Smit is very hard to put into words; just one comes to mind: PERFECTION!
At her gig, Sam was spellbound by her soulful voice and bought her CD to ensure he could hear her forever.
Nicole and her accompanying guitarist, Dave
2 Guys, 3 Drams
As we had both enjoyed Nicole, we decided to see another group from the same production company, named 2 Guys, 3 Drams. Although in a different style of music, this time, Blues, the quality was still there, Felipe Schrieberg playing the strings, and Paul Archibald playing drums, suitcase, and washboard. Not only quality musicians, but they are also very knowledgeable about all things Whisky. This show left us with a warm feeling inside, maybe it was the quality whisky they gave us, but I think it was really the quality music, thanks, Guys.
The Lounge Suite
The lounge suite featuring singer/performer Estar and pianist Kiki is a cabaret that is both entertaining and emotional as Estar sings about key points in her life, funny but with some pathos.
Yellow
As Sam said, my forey into show business has not been successful so far, so maybe I should find out what politics is like, as everyone that meets me tends to like me, I should get the popular vote. We decided to see the Belgian theatre group who were performing a play about the unseen political movers and shakers. Although the play was very well written and brilliantly performed, it put me off politics altogether. I am glad they showed me what politics is really like. Lifelike and really funny, a must-see.
Belgian theatre group (Cross-Gartered Players) performs the brilliant play Yellow.
Pip Utton is King Lear (By William Shakespeare)
As we knew, a friend of ours, the legendary Pip Utton, was performing King Lear at the Baby Grand in the Pleasance Courtyard, we couldn't wait to see him perform again, as last year he did an emotional interpretation of Shakespeare, bringing him to life before our eyes. We were spellbound by Pip's single-handed performance of King Lear; the turmoil he was in was real. If you get the chance to see Pip performing anywhere, you must see at least one performance, but beware, you will be hooked and want to see all his work.
Pip Utton AKA King Lear
A Bad Taste Show
After the sad tale of King Lear, we needed some comedy and thought a sketch show would be the ideal thing. A Bad Taste Show was on at the Surgeons' Hall; this four-piece team is fast and furious, sketch after sketch after sketch, and all done with quality timing.
The "A Bad Taste Show" Crew
Elon Musk Lost in Space
As we were still in the mood to laugh and had been recommended by many people, the comic play "Elon Musk Lost in Space", we went and were not disappointed. This was a very funny take on recent events as Elon leaves Earth for Mars. Impressive timing and acting by this duo.
Elon Musk Lost in Space by Perfectly Normal Theatre
Royal Pigeon Mail
As I have an aversion to Pigeons, Sam thought it would be good for me to see a performance by the University of York Drama Society (Dramasoc), called "Royal Pigeon Mail", so that I could face my fears. Although this was a student production, it was far from amateurish. The props were basic, as is often the case with many Fringe shows, as they must be removed as soon as the show ends to make way for the next one. However, the performances by the three student actors were outstanding, showcasing their abilities in performing this comedic play with great skill and timing.
Sam was right, and by the end of the show, I even liked having a pigeon perch on me.
Three great performances from the Dramasoc actors and the Pigeon
Use Your Words!
Sam came up with the great idea that I could become a mime artist, as I don't talk. There was a mime act from America, consisting of Karen Eleanor Wight, the mime, and Rodney Umble on sound effects. The show was called "Use Your Words", which was ironic as no words were used during the show. Karen played a new mother who went through the trials and tribulations of bringing up a baby, then a toddler, then a child. The show was tremendous and gave a true representation of how hard it is to become a parent. Karen did offer me a role when we met after the show, but I had to decline, as Sam did not want to move to America, and I did not want to go without my manager.
Karen & Me
Going
As a friend of ours knows, I am an environmentalist, they suggested that I see the play "Going" by the theatre group "Studio B Productions". This play had everything I wanted: an environmentally positive plot, original music and songs, brilliantly acted with comedy and tragedy intertwined. If you get the chance to see Going at a theatre near you, it is a must-see.
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