Articles by Ian Billings

Les Dawson: Flying High

With a forensic talent for pinpointing the precise foibles, flaws and faults of a character and an uncanny capacity for evoking their vocal DNA, Jon Culshaw gives new life to one o…

I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical

Alexander S.

Out of the Blue

For the last eighteen years Out of the Blue has built a vibrant reputation as one of the finest acapella groups at Edinburgh.

The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen

The happiest show in Edinburgh! Those of you familiar with the noble Baron and his far-fetched tales of daring do (riding half a horse, flying to the moon on a cannon ball etc) wil…

Flanders and Swann: At the Drop of a Hippopotamus

A piano, a music stand, a garden hose plus two finely dressed English fellows - and you have the main ingredients of this stiff-upper-lipped-tribute band.

Doug Segal: I Know What You're Thinking - Free

Doug Segal delivers a perplexing array of mind-blowing, mind-reading tricks modulating gradually to a standing ovation climax.

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum

A strong old Broadyway warhorse,A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum originally opened with Zero Mostel in the lead followed by Frankie Howerd in the UK.

Bespoke Magic - On the Fringe of Reality

I may be wrong - and do tell me if you know how it’s done - but I think I may have just seen the best, simplest, most perplexing and gob-stoppingly awesome trick I’ve ever seen.

Tim Vine - Punslinger

Tim Vine gallops onto stage to a hearty yee-har of approval from a punloving posse corraled in the Pleasance 1.

Chris Ramsey: Offermation

Chris Ramsey bounds onto the stage undaunted by the damp crowd and trails of water across his venue and immediately engages the crowd with a vibrant and glowing confidence.

Jabberwocky

And hast thou slain the air-conditioner?A valiant troupe of young players take on not only Carroll’s epic rhyme but a ludicrous space and some pretty dishevelled costumes and d…

Inventions Going Bang

Smoke rings, remote control candle snuffers, fizzy IRN-BRU and the world’s first steam engine are worth the entrance fee alone.

Roy Walker - Goodbye Mr. Chips

A monolithic unblinking TV screen sits quietly upstage setting the tone of safe, snug reliability - and that’s what we get but with the added twinkling charm of a man whose act has…

Circus Oz - 30th Birthday Bash

Circus Oz bounds on to the stage showing no sign of slowing after 30 years of hoops, balls and ropes.

Plague! The Musical

This is fast-moving musical treatment of the bubonic plague of London performed by a bouyant cast of young actor/singers, but the strong and vibrant performances all round are let …

Simon Callow - A Festival Dickens. Dr. Marigold and Mr.Chops - The Dwarf.

Callow has a strong and long relationship with Dickens including a hugely successful performance as the author himself in The Mystery of Charles Dickens, and appearing as the m…

The Aluminum Show

A high-octane thundering spectacular neatly wrapped in BacoFoil.

Danny Bhoy - By the Way

This is consumate top-class stand-up comedy from Danny Bhoy.

Will and Greg - A Sketch Show

A sterling selection of inspired nonsense.

The King's Got Donkey's Ears!

In the perfect setting of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, sixty or so children of varying ages and sizes sat enraptured by the accomplished storytelling and puppetry of the Theat…

Potted Pirates

Despite almost drowning amidst a tidal wave of props, costumes and word-play Dan and Jeff emerge from the blue-briny with a blistering hour of high-ranking kids comedy.

Hurry Up and Wait

There’s nothing more exhilarating than to find yourself amongst a gurglesome, gleeful group of giggling kids, as I recently did at C aquila.

Caesar Twins

Two stunning blonde acrobats vaulting, twisting, lunging and splashing their way through a a perfectly structured set of jaw-dropping skills and inspiration.

The Man Who Planted Trees

The Man Who Planted Trees is a consummate piece of children’s theatre.

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