Articles by Tristram Fane Saunders

Alexis Dubus Verses The World

“I’ve done absolutely no flyering for this show,” says Alexis Dubus, “so I have no idea why you’re here.

Til Debt Us Do Part

For many, the Edinburgh Fringe is a joyous escape from reality.

The C/D Borderline

“It is not possible to obtain any As or Bs in this paper,” drones the teacher’s pre-recorded voice.

A Lizard Goes a Long Way

Raising a laugh and a lump in the throat all at once is a good trick – possibly the best.

Sage Francis and B Dolan Present: Strange Speech, Famous Development

You can tell a lot about a show from its audience.

Marcel Lucont's Whine List

Marcel Lucont is one of the great comic characters of the new millenium; a soft-spoken Gallic egotist with bare feet beneath his blue suit, and a large glass of pinot noir permanen…

10 Films With My Dad

Some stand-up shows boil like Vesuvius – scorching hot, wild, unpredictable and slightly terrifying.

Peter Buckley Hill and Some Comedians XVI

This is the show that started the Free Fringe, hosted by the man who started it.

Totally Tom

Totally Tom are a slick and ambitious duo.

Luath Book Banter at Henderson's

First, a warning: This event has been slightly mis-advertised.

Camille O’Sullivan: Changeling

Go and watch Camille O’Sullivan.

Adele's Heart

Adele’s Heart is an immensely powerful new play by renowned Italian playwright Giampiero Rappa that is unafraid to tackle large and difficult issues.

Lisa Scott Sings Blues and Jazz

Lisa Scott was introduced by her venue manager as having ‘been here for many, many a Fringe’, and Scott is indeed showing her age as a performer.

Rob Auton: The Yellow Show

Yesterday I watched a man in a yellow coat talking about his favourite colour for an hour.

Jay Foreman's Mixtape

Simultaneously endearing and unsettling, Jay Foreman is an extremely talented comic songwriter who is becoming progressively better.

Nick Page: My Glorious Hypothetical Life As a Eunuch

This is frighteningly honest stuff.

An Eggcellent Adventure

To the side, a three-piece band play smooth jazz-pop.

Birth Order

Rachel Anderson needs to find a more balanced middle ground for her material.

I Am a Moon

‘I Am A Moon’ was inventive, memorable, well-acted and hopelessly crippled by technical difficulties.

Crab House - A Bloody Cabaret

Musicals bring me out in a rash.

All in the Timing

If one ignores the grating scene-change muzak, this was a rather good production – four short comic plays from David Ives’ All In The Timing, plus another from Mere Mortals.

Lord of the Flies

This is a decently acted production of Lord of the Flies staged by Beacon Theatre Group, an amateur company of schoolchildren.

Hamlet and Other Theatrical Nightmares

This show is an odd mix, performed by the American High School Theatre Festival.

Davey Connor, Lucy Beaumont and Ed Patrick - The Big Comedy Showcase Show

When your lineup is three unheard-of comedians, and your venue is the Gilded Balloon’s tiny “Wee Room”, calling your show ‘The Big Comedy Showcase’ is actually a pretty s…

This Arthur's Seat Belongs to Lionel Richie

Come and watch a decent comedian in a spectacular location.

Dearly Departed

It takes a special show to make the journey to the Church Hill Theatre worthwhile.

Dave McNeill: Canoe Ride 3000

Dave McNeill oozes conviction.

Josh Widdicombe: The Further Adventures of...

Josh Widdicombe has an immediately likeable stage presence, engaging the audience from the outset.

Marek Larwood - Typecast

This is a loud and silly show.

Mark Watson's Edinborolympics

Last night’s Edinborolympics was a beautiful, glorious shambles.

Computer Programmer Extraordinaire

Review
★
Tristram Fane Saunders
Edinburgh Fringe
13th Aug, 2012

Raph Shirley is not funny.

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