Fringe Benefits
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh, August 2005
Every August, without fail, Scotland’s capital finds itself overran by a swarming horde of bright-eyed thesps, failed comedians, perennial drunkards and, of course, American tourists, all drawn like hungry (but cultured) moths to that most famous of flames, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Whether you’re a young political type keen for a ‘hilarious’ bout of comedic Bush-bashing, or a New Age sort hoping to catch some Armenian folk-dance, the Fringe always provides something to satisfy even the strangest of whims. This year proved no exception.
In amongst all the big names and neon lights could be found the usual smattering of student playwrights, pouting burlesque divas and ‘physical theatre’ enthusiasts (all too many of them) - all bustling for that elusive place in the spotlight. As ever, the theatrical community of Oxford was well represented, and in several different fields to boot.
Those amusing chaps from the Oxford Revue took their routine boldly to the stage at the Smirnoff Underbelly, and proved to be a rather classier act than their grimly-named venue would suggest. The company offered an array of finely observed character sketches, among whom figures such as the Public School Hip-Hop Fan and the Human Guide Dog generated the most laughter, and produced a slick, fluent performance that elevated them far above most of the festival’s other sketch show troupes.
Oxford-based Cookie Jar Productions took their inventive production of Catch 22 to the Fringe, and were warmly received throughout their month-long run. Fresh from the success of Kiss of the Spider Woman and American Buffalo at the OFS last year, director Ben White retained a masterful control over the frenetic action on stage.
Among a versatile cast, all of whom took on multiple roles, Tom Eyre-Maunsell stood out as the despairing pilot Yossarian, powerless to escape the insane workings of the US military. Of course, the Fringe also hosted that favourite of many a college ball, Out Of The Blue. Oxford’s premier allmale a capella outfit added to their growing nationwide reputation, with their ‘International Men of Mystery’ show proving a hit with audiences.
Drifting smoothly between 1920s barbershop standards and more contemporary covers, the singers moulded a polished, pacy, wide-ranging set that show-cased their impressive vocal talent • and they even got a few laughs along the way. After four hazy, colourful, drinkfuelled weeks, the Fringe finally ground to a halt. There’s only so many flyers one can hold in two hands, after all and returning to Oxford beckons.
After a month spent dodging jugglers, acrobats and transvestites on the Royal Mile, it was time to kiss goodbye to the Edinburgh circus once more and get back to the real world. Until next summer, anyway.
5th Oct 2005