Articles by Thom Louis

EastEnd Cabaret: Notoriously Kinky

The musical duo that make up EastEnd Cabaret look like they could have been dragged straight from a Berlin drag bar.

Patrick Monahan - Hug Me I Feel Good

Review
★★★
Thom Louis
London Fringe
16th Apr, 2012

The entrance of Patrick Monahan is an explosive one; the comedian subverts self-introduction by making sure everyone is comfortable with his touchy-feely comedy.

3rd Ring Out: The Emergency

In a cargo crate at the end of Grassmarket, Metis Arts are rehearsing the future.

The Baby Diary

The Baby Diary, a new comic play by Emily Watson Howes first seen on BBC Online, seems to have a lot going for it at first.

The History Girls Present: A Summary of Things So Far

Review
★★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
24th Aug, 2012

The title of this show is a rather misleading one.

You Want Me To Do What?!

Review
★★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
18th Aug, 2011

In my opinion medical professionals should stop making musical one-woman shows at the Fringe.

Those Magnificent Men

It may not surprise you to learn that Those Magnificent Men shares a framing device with the film that shares half of its name.

Swedenborg, the Devil and Me

Review
★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
25th Aug, 2012

Gregory Akerman’s set is a slightly awkward one to review - nearly the entire thing is based around one terrible write up he received for one of his shows.

Steve Hall's Very Still Life

Steve Hall, part of the sketch comedy show We are Klang, is an appealing comic.

One Fine Day

A one-man show is a terrifying prospect for any actor.

Fascinating Aïda: Cheap Flights

If you know nothing of Fascinating Aïda, then you are the only one.

Slavery to Star Trek

The premise of Slavery to Star Trek is a strange one.

Arabian Nights

Oh the Arabian Nights, it is almost impossible to do anything this clichéd without filling it with belly dancers, turbans and fezzes.

Greek Myths for Kids

If I were choosing subject matter for a kids show, Greek Mythology wouldn’t be where I started; kids don’t have the best lot in these stories, being abandoned and even being se…

Gogol's 'The Portrait'

Attempting to adapt a Russian short story as strange as The Portrait was always going to be a difficult task for The Newbury Youth Theatre.

The Suitcase Royale in Zombatland

Watching The Suitcase Royale was a special experience.

Scientist Turned Comedian: Tim Lee

Review
★★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
10th Aug, 2012

Tim Lee’s stand-up show is based around the premise that he was about to become a scientist but then, after receiving his PhD, decided to become a comedian.

Double Act

Review
★★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
18th Aug, 2011

The comedy double act is as old as theatre itself.

Tiernan Douieb vs the World

Tiernan Douieb is an interesting comedian.

The Beta Males in... The Space Race

In a market saturated by sketch comedy, The Beta Males understand that something more is needed to entice the audience.

Darkness

Review
★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
12th Aug, 2011

The pedigree of Darkness was obvious, having been written by previous Fringe First winner Jonathan Lichtenstein.

BOBBY WINNER

Belt Up's Outland

The works of Lewis Carroll are some of most overused in all of the arts.

Some Small Love Story

Some Small Love Story, as the title may suggest, is a short, self-contained and in the end inconsequential story about love and loss, with some songs thrown in for good measure.

The Wheel

Review
★★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
14th Aug, 2011

The National Theatre of Scotland has one of the most recognisable names at the Fringe.

Nina Conti: Dolly Mixtures

As the title may suggest, comic ventriloquist Nina Conti’s new show Dolly Mixtures is a bit of a mixed bag; not in terms of the overall quality, which is excellent, nor in terms …

Nathan Cassidy: Fantastica!

Review
★★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
16th Aug, 2011

Nathan Cassidy’s Fantasica had an interesting premise.

Frisky & Mannish: Extra-Curricular Activities

The video that Frisky and Mannish play as the audience files in is marvellously appropriate; the pair are shown dominating BBC News 24, both as the stories and as the newsreaders.

Dust

Dust is a show with a message.

One Man Lord of the Rings

First, a confession: I am a Lord of the Rings film fanatic, nay zealot.

End of the Line

The last year has not been a good time to live in Ireland.

Appointment With The Wicker Man

The Loch Parry players have had a disaster: it is 24 hours until opening night and their lead of their upcoming musical extravaganza - The Wickerman - has disappeared.

Absolutely Amazing Adventures of the Singing Acupuncturist - Free

Review
★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
9th Aug, 2011

It isn’t often as a reviewer that you come across a show with absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Pretty When I'm Drunk

Review
★★
Thom Louis
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
27th Aug, 2012

Pretty When I’m Drunk is a problematic production; it is a play that tries so hard to be funny, and to its credit the script has potential when it’s not stuck in knob gag mode:…