festival
COMEDY REVIEW
2000 Years Down The Drain: From Jesus Christ To Jerry Spfinger
****
Think along the lines of Whose Line Is It Anyway? performed by five hyperactive American comedians with a grip on the concept of irony and you've got a pretty good idea of what Boom Chicago are all about.
Starting by whipping the audience into a frenzy by their sacrilegious version of The Jerry Springer Show, they proceed to provide an hour and fifteen minutes of fast, furious improvisational songs and sketches. All of which are based on sensible and downright silly suggestions from the audience.
The only downside is that they choose to travel well worn comedy paths: Star Wars, the EU and Bill Clinton’s penchant for interns. Apart from that it's tremendous fun. (Dawn Kofie)
I 2000 Years Down The Drain From Jesus Christ To Jerry Springer (Fringe) Boom Chicago, Gilded Balloon (Venue 36) 226 215 7, until 30 Aug, 8. 30pm, £9 (£8).
THEATRE REVIEW D.A.R.E. ***
The threat posed to the disabled (indeed, to social diversity) by genetic research is a debate normally consigned to the graveyard slot of television ethics programmes. D.A.R.E. means to boot audiences out of their complacency regarding this and other issues. Although the production’s Jason And The Argonauts structure is distracting, the actors‘ relentless horror stories combine with worrying news flashes to successfully challenge and shock. Difficult questions are also raised about the very nature of disability. D.A.R.E. is angry, raw and about as comforting as a steel wool cardie, but it's invigorating to see something deliberately provocative amongst all the inoffensive whimsy of the Fringe. (Allan Radcliffe)
I D.A.R. E. (Fringe) Theatre Workshop (Venue 20) 226 5425, until 29 Aug (not 22—23) times vary. E 7 (£4).
45x. ‘.‘ v: a..-
COMEDY REVIEW Judith Lucy - The Show ****
Caustic. Bitter. Hilarious. A high profile comedian in her Aussie homeland, Lucy cuts the crap and says it how it is. In her second Edinburgh season she harks back to her stand-up roots and rips the guts out of glamour mags, relatives, men and the fashion industry.
Somehow Lucy manages to stay incredibly likeable during her tirade that even covers the 'time that she paid for sex'. Her humour is self- deprecating at times which remarkably, works in her favour, getting the audience onside.
A feminist to the bone, her sexy and real humour is refreshing. A brilliant one woman show. (Tracy Griffen)
I Judith Lucy - The Show (Fringe) Judith Lucy, Gilded Balloon ll (Venue 36) 226 2751, until 30 Aug, 9.30pm, £8 (E 7).
COMEDY REVIEW
Paul Tonkinson
*‘k‘k
He‘s tall, he's gangly and he makes strange facial contortions not seen since the untimely demise of Les Dawson. Armed with these natural gifts, Paul Tonkinson has the verbal and physical movement to capture and hold down an audience.
Putting his crazy dope smoking days behind him, but all the same fondly reminiscing about late night visits to the local garage bombed out of his mind, Tonkinson's stand-up material now revolves around the joys of married life and the wonder of childbirth. Childless, single people in the audience are not left out in the cold though, as his irrational observations spread far and wide. (Catherine Bromley)
I Paul Tonkinson (Fringe) Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550, until 30 Aug, 9.20pm, £9/£8 (£8/£ 7).
STAR RATINGS
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Grin up north: Paul Tonkinson;
food for the mind food for the body
food for thought
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HIGH RJCCS, TOUQOSS, EDINBURGH T: 0|3l 229 6886 F2013l 229 6896 htth/www.why.co.uk whereto@why.co.uk
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19—26 Aug 1999 III! I181 55