Pick of the Fringe 2010 at a glance

Published on Sunday 11 July 2010 16:58

A STAGGERING 2453 shows. That's how many productions are set to descend on the Capital next month, as the 64th Edinburgh Festival Fringe swings into action. Theatre, comedy, musicals and cabaret. Famous names, amateurs and up and coming stars. There's something for everyone on the Fringe.

The one thing that there isn't however, is quality control. Anyone can pay their money, don a wig and greasepaint and enjoy the smell of the crowd - even if that crowd consists of just one man and his dog. So how can you guarantee value for money in these financially stressed times? Well, you could play safe and just see the names you know and trust... but even then the Fringe can be hit or miss. So here, to help you decide, is my pick of this year's Fringe offerings. Just remember, it's all a matter of taste.

HOT TICKET 2010: REEL TO REAL

Tipped to be the hit show of the 2010 Fringe. Two siblings compete for their family fortune by embarking on an epic quest devised by their father who must decide who should inherit his movie empire. Racing against time, our wannabe millionaires dash around the globe, travelling to exotic locations while recreating famous musical numbers from the golden era of movies. Reel To Real marries clips from classic Warner and MGM movie musicals with live performers and the greatest songs of Broadway, all bound together in an original story. Featuring New York, New York, Anything You Can Do, Putting On The Ritz, Some Enchanted Evening, Hit Da Road Jack, Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, Singin In The Rain and many more. One day you'll see this show touring the A list venues, catch it at the Fringe before everyone else.

Pleasance, Courtyard, 4-30 August, 6pm, 9-15, 0131-226 0000

CABARET: BUSTING OUT

First there was Puppetry Of The Penis, then came The Vagina Monologues. Now there's Busting Out! - a topless celebration of the female bosom. First seen at last year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Busting Out! is a 75-minute cabaret with songs, sketches and audience participation, that has been called "a graphic and raucously funny celebration of the female body". Be warned, during the show, brave male audience members are taken on to the stage, dressed in a bra and then challenged to remove it.

Assembly Rooms, George Street, 5-30 August, 6.50-16, 0131-226 0000

THEATRE: AN EVENING WITH ELSIE PARSONS

Ex-Emmerdale star Lorriane Chase stars in this thrilling two-hander. Is there such a thing as living proof of the dead? An established psychic medium introduces his protege. Invoking their various spirit guides - famous and anonymous - they bring messages from the dead and lessons for the living in an evening of mystical entertainment. Usually. This night things don't quite go as planned. Unexpected visitors from across the great divide bring memories of events long buried and a reckoning is demanded.

The Dome, George Street, 7-28 August, 8pm, 6-10, 0131-226 0000

UNIQUE: FESTIVAL IN THE SKY

Dare you dine while hanging more than 100ft over Princes Street Gardens? Festival In The Sky, undoubtedly the most unique experience in the Fringe programme, offers breathtaking views of the Castle and Princes Street whilst suspended in the world class Dinner In The Sky Restaurant. You'll be strapped into you seat before you and your fellow diners - and the dining table - are hoisted into the air. Just make sure you don't need a comfort break before you strap in.

West Princes Street Gardens, 2-31 August, various times, 32.50-52.50, 0131-226 0000

MUSICAL: FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE

The Wire's Lester Freeman, Clarke Peters, who wrote the book of Five Guys Named Moe, will play the pivotal role of Nomax in this 20th anniversary production of the smash hit West End and Broadway musical, which follows broke and newly single Nomax as Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, No Moe, and Little Moe) emerge from his 1930s-style radio in an attempt to cajole and comfort him. Blasting out hit songs from jazz legend Louis Jordan.

Underbelly, Pasture, 4-29 August, 5.15pm, 10-17.50, 0131-2267 0000

MUSICAL CABARET: FRISKY AND MANNISH - THE COLLEGE YEARS

After storming the Fringe last year with their School Of Pop (back for one night only on 12 August at the big purple cow), Laura Corcoran and Matthew Jones return with The College Years. Cue a thesis on collision theory, covering great pairings such as Freddie Mercury and 'what's-her-face operabitch.' Will it win them another five star review?

Underbelly, Cowgate, 5-29 August, 9pm, 6-12.50, 0131-226 0000

THEATRE: UP 'N' UNDER

TV celebrity Abi Titmuss stars in the 25th anniversary production of John Godber's Olivier Award-winning comedy. Titmuss is the gym instructor attempting to kick an unruly bunch of amateur rugby league misfits into touch.

Assembly, George Street, 5-30 August, 5.25pm, 10-19.50, 0131-226 0000

THEATRE: SHAKESPEARE - THE MAN FROM STRATFORD

In what has been described as a "magical tour de force," Simon Callow tracks down the real man behind William Shakespeare, the world's greatest writer, bringing to life both the man and the unforgettable characters - lovers, kings, soldiers and clowns - who have since conquered the world's stages in his plays.

Assembly, Assembly Hall, The Mound, 5-30 August, 2.30pm, 10-22, 0131-226 0000

INTERACTIVE: FAULTY TOWERS - THE DINING EXPERIENCE

They're back again. Join Basil, Sybil and Manuel, in two hours of hilarious interaction as they serve up a three-course meal. A sell-out in both 2008 and 2009, book early as it's "Spot on ... Brilliantly played ... Utterly delicious entertainment." The reason we gave it five stars on its Fringe debut in 2008.

B'est Restaurant, Drummond Street, 5-31 August, various times and prices, 0131-226 0000

COMEDY: CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

Michael Urie, of Ugly Betty fame, and George Wendt (Norm in Cheers), head the cast of this New York hit comedy in which superstar memoirs are acted out live on stage. Celebrity Autobiography will leave you asking, 'Did they actually write that?' You couldn't make it up.

Udderbelly, Pasture, 5-30 August, 7.25pm, 7-14.50, 0131-226 0000

STAND-UP: REGINALD D HUNTER - TROPHY NIGGA

Reginald D Hunter's uniquely non-secular approach to comedy led our reviewer to conclude that he is "consistently at his best delivering dry and unexpected observations."

Pleasance, Courtyard, 4-29 August, 8-16, 0131-226 0000

GAMESHOW: JIM BOWEN - NOTHING IN THIS GAME FOR TWO IN A BED

The Bullseye legend is back, This time at the Highlight club in the Omni Centre. With contestants chosen from the audience, the ex-headmaster and TV favourite will be hosting the game show Bullseye live on stage every night. 18+

Highlight, Omni Centre, 16-29 August, 7pm, 12-14, 0131-226 0000

STAND-UP: ALEX ZANE - JUST ONE MORE THING.

The star of Channel 4's Rude Tube and Balls Of Steel brings his brand new stand-up show to Edinburgh. He's come a long way from a childhood spent dressing like Columbo, he'll probably tell you about meeting Burt Reynolds, how to avoid witch hangings, bird strikes, his time at medical school and the day James Bond compared him to a plate.

Pleasance, Dome, 4-30 August, 10pm, 5-10.50, 0131-226 0000

MUSIC: BAROCKESTRA

Enjoy your favourite classical pieces played by a rock band. Barockestra gives you dynamic rock interpretations of familiar classical hits from the past masters - Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and others. Barockestra brings together five rock musicians, a male virtuoso, stunning female opera soprano and four beautiful ballet dancers, choreographed by Deena Payne (Emmerdale's Viv). Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news. (See picture Page 3)

New Town Theatre, George Street, 5-29 August, 10.10pm, 7.50-12, 0131-226 0000

STAND-UP: DANIEL SLOSS - MY GENERATION

Fresh from filming his debut series for the BBC, Scotland's 19-year-old comic prodigy and typical half-man-half-Xbox, hormone-ridden teenager, returns to the Fringe.

Pleasance, Dome, 4-30 August, 6.40pm, 6.50-11.50, 0131-226 0000

MUSIC: CAMILLE O'SULLIVAN - CHAMELEON

'Raunchy and dangerously fragile,' that's how we described the dark, chameleon-like, award-winning Irish singer Camille O'Sullivan when we discovered her way back in 2004. That Fringe debut seems like a lifetime ago, but the 'chameleon' tag still fits, so much so that it's the name of her new show for 2010, which explores songs by Nick Cave, Radiohead, David Bowie, Brel and Tom Waits.

Assembly, George Street, 5-30 August, 10.25pm, 10-18.50, 0131-226 0000

STAND-UP: JACK WHITEHALL - LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

People say you learn from your mistakes. Ex-Big Brother presenter Jack Whitehall reckons that's b*ll?*ks and that we stumble through life making the same mistakes over and over again. We just get slightly better at dealing with the fallout.

Pleasance, Courtyard, 4-29 August, 7.15pm, 10-11.50, 0131-226 0000

STAND-UP: CAROLINE RHEA

Caroline Rhea, you might recognise her as Aunt Hilda from Sabrina The Teenage Witch, is also a stand-up comedian. This year she has decidede to bring her fresh, funny and spontaneous show to Edinburgh. Rhea's other credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm and Man In The Moon.

Gilded Balloon, Teviot, 6-25 August, 9.30pm, 10-15, 0131-226 0000