FESTIVAL THEATRE | Hitlist THEATRE HITLIST
Penny Arcade
Gareth K Vile rounds up the best theatre in week three of the festival
THE ENCOUNTER Simon McBurney shows the possibilities of high technology in a journey deep into the Amazon and then back to the very beginning of time itself. A remarkable solo show. See review, page 75. EICC, 473 2000, until 23 Aug, 7.30pm, £32.
LE GATEAU CHOCOLAT The big man of cabaret tells his life story in music and anecdote, ranging from miserable school days to his majestic musical triumphs. A celebration of talent, resilience and holding tight to dreams and ambitions. See review, page 87. Assembly Hall, 623 3030, until 30 Aug, 4.50pm, £11–£12 (£10–£11).
BRUCE Further evidence that puppetry can bridge the gap between serious issues and theatrical fun: exquisite moves from a pair of puppeteers who take their hero into outer-space, and beyond. See review, page 77. Underbelly, 0844 545 8252, until 30 Aug, 3.15pm, £11.50–£12.50 (£10.50–£11.50).
MY NAME IS . . . Tamasha’s sensitive work of verbatim theatre looks at the real life case of a teenager torn between two cultures. Refusing to condemn and respecting the opinions of both Islamic faith and secular Scottish mother, this is a gentle, yet moving story of the hard side of multiculturalism. See review, page 87. Northern Stage at Summerhall, 560 1581, until 30 Aug, 7.25pm, £14 (£11).
8252, until 30 Aug (not 24), 8.50pm, £10–£12 (£9–£11).
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
JESUS, QUEEN OF HEAVEN PUDDLES PITY PARTY
For a work that is primarily a study of personal theology – elegantly performed by the playwright Jo Clifford – Jesus, Queen of Heaven is a charming and dynamic hour. See review, page 84. Summerhall, 560 1581, until 30 Aug (not 24, 25), 10.45am, £12 (£10). More compassionate than pitiful, Puddles rescues songs from sentimentality and the clown from its reputation as nightmarish in a charming hour of song, mime and audience participation. See review, page 83. Assembly George Square Gardens, 623 3030, until 31 Aug (not 25), 7.25pm, £13–£14 (£12–£13).
PENNY ARCADE: LONGING
LASTS LONGER TAR BABY
Penny Arcade gives a crash-course in cultural resistance, mocking gentrification and flying the freak flag high. Part sermon, with a funky live DJ providing the beats, Longing is a chance to see a legend in full flow. Underbelly Cowgate, 0844 545 Raging attack on racism from America: a passionate and angry cry against lazy assumptions and the oppression that is accepted as normal behaviour. See review, page 84. Gilded Baloon, 622 6552, until 31 Aug (not 26), 12pm, £9–£10 (£7–£8).
TRANS SCRIPTS A remarkable example of verbatim theatre that gives voice to the often ignored. See review, page 88. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 31 Aug, 3pm, £7.50–£10 (£6.50–£9).
RAZ The perfect start to a night out: Jim Cartwright’s scathing commentary on the excesses of youth culture is performed by his son. Walking down the Cowgate after seeing this solo show is to find the character come to life in the faces of the young men trawling around the clubs in search of a hedonistic nirvana. See review, page 85. Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 31 Aug (not 24), 4pm, £12.50–£13.50 (£11.50– £12.50).
SEE IT - BEFORE WE GET SUED!
WEDNESDAY 5TH - MONDAY 31ST AUGUST 7.00PM
0131 556 6550 | PLEASANCE ONE WhenBlairHadBushAndBunga.com
74 THE LIST FESTIVAL 20–31 Aug 2015