Articles by Stewart McLaren

The Ugly Duckling

With an impressive variety of theatre tricks up their sleeve, Le Petite Artist recreate the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale.

Haggis Haggis Haggis

A likeable, if hardly groundbreaking, hour of Scottish storytelling comes in this lightweight appraisal for our national dish, haggis.

Milk Presents: Self Service

Suitably advertised as a punk-style voyage, this is a raucous hour of cabaret, humour and profound insights into the connotations of the word ‘queer’.

Once Upon a Nightmare

Occasionally the odd masterpiece arrives at the Free Fringe; such is the case with this gloriously atmospheric fantasy adventure tale.

City Of the Blind

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
Online at www.DavidLeddy.com (with Traverse Theatre)
31st Aug, 2014

An innovative experience premieres at the festival this year in the form of David Leddy’s political thriller, City of the Blind.

Hunter and Johnny

Theatre company d’Animate presents this amusing look into the friendship between Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and the late Gonzo journalist, Hunter S.

Antiquithon

Any fans of the macabre would do themselves a favour by coming along to this gloriously depraved oddity tucked away at the French Institute.

The Shambles

The comedy troupe from York returns to the festival once again with their fun, if rather forgettable, hour of hit-and-miss improvised routines.

The Importance of Being Earnest as Performed by Three F*cking Queens and a Duck

Out Cast Theatre return to the festival this year with their typically camp Carry On-style comedy.

The Colour Ham

This show has rightfully picked up a bit of a cult following over the past few years and on the night I was in the audience it was completely sold out.

Murder, She Didn't Write

A delightfully eccentric murder mystery is created within the hour as audience members choose the title, location, victim and murderer.

The Sagas of Noggin the Nog

A refreshingly creative and atmospheric adaptation of the old school television show Noggin the Nog arrives at the festival this year to provide entertainment for families.

Waiting for Hitchcock

A rather offbeat hour is presented by Finnish magician, Robert Jagerhorn.

Divallusion with Christina Bianco and Velma Celli

Christina Bianco has become a bit of a YouTube sensation on our shores with her fantastic renditions of female singers.

Glenn Cosby: Food Junkie

Variety is the spice of life and the Fringe certainly has a lot of it.

Iain Stirling: Everything

At the final moments of this stand-up, it becomes apparent that this could very well be the transitional period that a reliable Fringe stalwart gives the performance that should fi…

Joseph Morpurgo: Odessa

Joseph Morpurgo’s epic, sprawling opus opens with a montage of a VHS recorded presentation of early ‘80s TV adverts and news reports from the city of Odessa, Texas.

Gein's Family Giftshop: Volume 1

First of all, let’s get it out of the way, DO NOT go to this show with your mother.

MenSWEAR Collection: Spunk

Set almost entirely in one small flat, Spunk is the tale of James, a young wheelchair-bound gay man who is in desperate need of a sexual encounter.

Jay Foreman's Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children (and Other Funny Stories)

Comedian Jay Foreman provides a devilishly cheeky hour of songs, poems and comedy for children of all ages in this excellent mid afternoon show in the Green.

RIVERRUN

Riverrun is an adaptation of the final chapter of James Joyce’s controversial novel Finnegans Wake, a book that’s been cited as one of the most difficult novels of the twentiet…

The Boy and the Bunnet

Big Sky productions have returned to the festival with this distinctively Scottish storytelling performance for families.

Aliens Love Underpants

Big Wooden Horse Theatre has made a successful adaptation of the popular children’s book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort.

Pekka and Strangebone's Comedy Showpiece

WTF?: An acronym that perfectly sums up this completely bonkers comedic showcase.

After the Apocalypse

There’s social unrest in the North, disease in the South.

Tea at Five

Tea at Five is a wonderfully detailed, informative and enjoyable monologue that delves into the career of the late, great Katharine Hepburn; the memorably boisterous, hard skinned …

Jim Campbell: Stupid Animals

Campbell’s witty set consists of taking a closer look at the stupidity of the human race and how it compares to the animal kingdom.

Mat Ricardo: Showman

There are those of us who stand in awe and wonder at the street performers on the Mile and those of us who tut and move on, unimpressed by the same old tricks that we’ve seen per…

Inside

Once in a while, amidst the jugglers, glee clubs and stand-up routines of the festival that you dodge or indulge, you may come across a piece of theatre that instantly knocks you o…

Farce Noir Presents... The Big Sheep

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
5th Aug, 2013

This delightfully daft and silly send-up of ‘50s film noir is gleefully performed in one of the oddest venue spaces I’ve come across.

Yours, Isabel

This skilfully structured piece of theatre has clearly been a labour of love for writer/actress Christy Hall.

Anil Desai...

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
10th Aug, 2011

Anil Desai is.

Outward Bound

Review
★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
5th Aug, 2012

Opening night can be a daunting time, not only for the performers and directors, but also for the technical teams.

Shopping and F***ing

Mark Ravenhill’s Shopping and F***ing is one of the most controversial British plays of the 90s due to its brutal sexual violence and dark humour.

The Lady Boys of Bangkok - Fur Coats and French Knickers Tour

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
7th Aug, 2011

Somewhere in this show there is a turning point.

The Boy with the Cuckoo Clock Heart

A richly textured atmosphere enlivens this bittersweet tale of a young boy who has a very unusual means of keeping his heart ticking.

Myrtle Chops

Ever wondered what the puppets on CBBC get up to after 7pm? This refreshingly outrageous hodgepodge of cautionary tales might just provide the answer.

The Big Bite Size Breakfast

There’s no better way to start a busy day at the Fringe than with coffee, a croissant, a strawberry and a host of well performed, highly amusing short plays.

The Blanks' Big Break

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
7th Aug, 2012

This comedy a cappella troupe is fast becoming one of the biggest sellers of this year’s festival.

Simon Callow in Tuesday at Tescos

There is definitely a reason why Simon Callow has his name at the beginning of the title of this beautifully performed monologue.

Sammy J and Randy: Ricketts Lane

There is a nice relaxed humour and performance style that resonates throughout this show.

Craig Hill - Jock's Trap!

Hill’s show is very much one of a comedian totally comfortable with his surroundings and happy enough to coast on what he does best, insulting his audience.

Frisky and Mannish: Pop Centre Plus

A fast-paced, energetic and downright hilarious show that immediately had me finding a space within my schedule to come watch again.

Time / Dropper and Driftwood

Time/Dropper, choreographed and performed by Jose Agudo, is a raw, visceral and masculine performance evoking a sense of distorted tension.

Will Gracie - In the Closet

Review
★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
18th Aug, 2011

Will Gracie’s hideously self-indulgent cabaret act is a test of patience for any audience member who sits through the entire achingly unfunny 50 minutes.

Pretending Things Are a C*ck

Review
★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
13th Aug, 2012

Looking at people’s holiday pictures can be a downright dull experience.

4 Poofs and a Piano - Business as Usual

Behind the cheap gloss, sexual innuendos and hyper-kinetic jazz hands there is a whiff of melancholy to this instantly likable quartet.

Briefs

A bit of a sleeper hit at last year’s festival, Briefs returns bigger, glitzier and filthier at the Udderbelly this summer.

Sex, Lies and Eurovision

Review
★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
10th Aug, 2011

This is the tale of Neil (Grant Campbell) and how, as the dreaded forty grows ever closer, he decides to reform his old band in another bid for Eurovision glory.

Mr Braithwaite Has a New Boy

Review
★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
22nd Aug, 2012

This droll play follows the life of an elderly gay man and the relationship he develops with a male prostitute.

Strip Search

Review
★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
18th Aug, 2011

Now I’ll be the first to admit, sometimes seeing a beautiful person performing on stage can lift your overall enjoyment of a show.

The Jabberwocky

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
13th Aug, 2012

Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem provides the inspiration for this enjoyable children’s show.

Andrew Doyle: Whatever It Takes

Doyle is certainly not a comedian to shy away from controversial matters.

Not So Grimm Fairy Tales

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
15th Aug, 2011

Some might consider it cruel, but I’m of the opinion that children’s stories benefit from that added sprinkle of fear.

Superjohn

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
22nd Aug, 2012

Superjohn is a fast moving, visually creative show which follows the story of a young boy awaiting an operation in hospital.

Deborah Frances-White: Cult Following

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
13th Aug, 2012

Deborah Frances-White certainly has a market cornered in this year’s festival.

Funny Women

Review
★★★
Stewart McLaren
Edinburgh Fringe
14th Aug, 2011

Funny Women is a very respectable and enjoyable competition, highlighting the best up-and-coming female comedy acts from around the UK.

Molly Wobbly’s Tit Factory

Paul Boyd’s big, bold and brash musical is a tour-de-force of bad taste hilarity and is probably the campest thing you will see at the festival this year.

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