Articles by Stuart Mckenzie

1919-2019 Art Blakey’s Centennial: Valery Ponomarev Quintet

In an interview with Art Blakey in 1987, the renowned drummer took a moment to ponder his brief yet momentous time on Earth: “Truth is stranger than fiction, and people are afrai…

Is God a Psychopath?

In the bowels of The Stand’s New Town Theatre, an audience sweats in the clamminess of an overheated, cramped studio.

A Pessimist's Guide to Being Happy

If Dr.

John Pendal: Monster

Known better for his kink-based comedy, John Pendal returns this year to the Fringe with a different angle to a similar style he employs, one that combines his witty sexual quips w…

Umbrella Man

In a bar in Cambodia, a young Scottish tour guide is telling stories to travellers.

The Katet Plays Stevie Wonder

When The Jazz Bar springs to mind, it is impossible not to think of the late legend Bill Kyle.

Robert Graham 1874's Scotch Whisky and Artisan Food Experience

You first descend into a low-ceilinged basement.

Roast Battle Edinburgh

Roast Battle features a rotating lineup that changes daily, with a general showcase of at least four or five pairs of comedians taking to the stage to rip sizeable chunks out of th…

Falling With Style 2018

Technical issues hampered the comic on more than one occasion, and one occasion too long to forget.

Snowflake It 'Til You Make It

There is something very reminiscent of Bill Murray in Matt Duwell: the optimistic sarcasm is the overlying note in his voice; he produces easy crowd-pleasing material, imbued with …

Blackout

I’ll begin by noting that this particular viewing was unfortunately tarnished by a very inconsiderate audience, where both latecomers and six mid-show phone calls bombarded the f…

Andrew Maxwell: Shake a Leg

Area 51, Brexit, holding midfielders and bouncy castles.

Paul Mayhew-Archer: Incurable Optimist

To say that Paul Mayhew-Archer is not afraid to poke fun at himself would be the understatement of the last decade.

Shit-Faced Showtime: Oliver With a Twist

With success in the likes of Shitfaced Shakespeare and Shitfaced Showtime, Magnificent Bastard Productions return to the Fringe with their take on Lionel Bart’s 1960 musical.

The Tinder Tales

Produced by Connie Stride and co-directed by Emily Ashbrook and Elizabeth Bailey, The Tinder Tales excels in making genuine experiences appear visceral.

Labels

The superfluous orations of Joe Sellman-Leava see his one-man act deliver strong discourse aimed at unboxing the confines that social tags put upon our species.

I'm Always the Bridesmaid

Halfway through David Tsonos’ tedious and rambling show, a former boyfriend, one of the many trotted out as a manifested recollection from the trio of bridesmaids, appears before…

Escaping Trump's America

I’ll start off by saying that the lack of an audience on this particular viewing did not afford much opportunity to the performers.

Curse of the Mummy

To fully appreciate Curse of the Mummy, one cannot take it seriously as a musical or a drama, which may have been a source of contention amongst some audience members on the night …

Henry Ginsberg: Molesting the Corpse of Traditional Masculinity Since 1987

Henry Ginsberg spent most of his adult life envious of his male friends scoring on the weekend.

Sunil Patel: Titan

It did not take long for Sunil Patel to win me over.

Kai Humphries: Punch-Drunk

Kai Humphries delivers in style a Fringe spectacle with amusing stories of his hometown Blyth and of his life which led him into the world of comedy, aided a poignant slideshow.

Micky Bartlett: Typical

Belfast comic Micky Bartlett is here to deliver a message.

American Lates

An endearing display that demonstrates both exceptional vocal and instrumental talents.

Grandad Died

A grandad may have passed on, but he wasn’t the only thing that died on stage.

Astonish Me! – The Jazz Rite of Spring

Igor Stravinsky once said ‘what gives the artist real prestige is his imitators.

Foxtrot

Playwright Anthony Maskell’s Fringe debut is as student as they come.

Love Me Tinder Cabaret

A short and sweet performance that makes use of popular romantic tracks to tackle the trials and troubles of online dating and the accompanying creeps who come with the app, Love M…

Nick Revell: Gluten-Free Christ; Seven Easy Steps to Mindfulness, Weight-Loss, Eternal Beauty, Spiritual Detox, Untold Riches, and Dealing with Disappointment

There is no doubt that Nick Revell is an amusing and witty comic whose capabilities are evident from both long line of positive past reviews and his catalogue on YouTube.

Aaaaargh! It's 101 Naughty Jokes in 30 Minutes – Free Show

If you find it in your heart to forgive the failings of Masai Graham’s previous show, Aaaaah! It’s 101 Clean Jokes in 30 Minutes, and stuck around for the follow-up, you�…

Grumble: Sex Clown Saves the World

Kate Bush may well have adopted a new receptacle in the form of a skimpy harlequin from down under.

Jason Byrne is Propped Up

The varied and chancing comedy of Jason Byrne sees his fringe expose arrive as largely hit and miss.

Head Sets

Rondo comedy show Head Sets features a rotating line up daily, so you cannot be certain of what to expect.

John Pendal: International Man of Leather

If you think you have seen and done it all, try John Pendal on for size.

Aaaaah! It's 101 Clean Jokes in 30 Minutes – Free Show

Masai Graham has assembled an act so far from risky that it is bubble wrapped in woefully predictable innuendos, presumably to retain its innocence.

Ed Patrick: Junior Optimist

Ed Patrick arrives with fresh comedy that, though tepid in parts, is generally pleasing as the Oxford comic delves into his past to reveal some highly amusing anecdotes relating to…

Bridges: Mary McCarthy

There is no doubt that Mary McCarthy is a talented pianist whose style of play reflects years of expertise.

Is This Poetry?

Is this poetry? Yes.

Afro-Latin Funk from Poción de Fe

The overriding resonance of Ponción de Fe can only be described as dynamic.

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered: James Lambeth Sings Rodgers and Hart!

There is only one bar in Edinburgh that is fit for a man possessing such talent like James Lambeth: the Jazz Bar.

Americana Nights

Flagstaff returns to the Fringe this year with a rusty, broken bottle blues feel that takes you down south and out west.

Jazz Bar Music

Jazz Bar Music is an event which shows off the musical skills of several different performers, making each night different.

Best of the Fest

This comedy showcase features a rotating lineup that changes daily, and is available both during the day and at midnight.

Ivy Paige: Filthy Rich

Hips, tits and glamour galore.

Islands

From Fine Mess Theatre comes Kyle Ross’ play Islands, an insight into upper-middle class marriage which typifies the lifestyle of the ‘rah’.

Cabaret Nova

A blend of music and comedy, Cabaret Nova exhibits some of the Fringe’s up and coming stars.

Alex Williamson: That Guy from the Internet

Alex Williamson possesses the confidence and charisma necessary for performing for large crowds, a man who grasps the essence of comedy with a promising career ahead of him.

Sunshine on Leith

Of course there would have to be a torrential downpour on the day I viewed Sunshine on Leith, sadly only adhering to the typical fickleness of Scottish weather that betrayed the na…

Fringe Film Festival

C’s Fringe Film Festival is a smorgasbord of productions shuffled neatly into one come-and-go styled theatre.

Begin the Beguine: James Lambeth Sings Cole Porter!

James Lambeth returns to the Fringe for the third year running with companions Steve Hamilton on piano and Mario Caribe on the double bass.

Sid Wick Has No Friends

Review
★★
Stuart Mckenzie
Edinburgh Fringe
Opium
15th Aug, 2014

Sid Wick sports a variety of wigs and props to aid his free fringe comedy show.

Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival - Painting and Decorating Demonstration

Nevin of Edinburgh and MacKay Decorators Perth Ltd.

Oh, Lady Be Good

Dressed for the part, Melissa Western welcomes you in a friendly and feisty manner as she takes you through a journey into the realms of jazz and the great female vocalists of a no…

Rocky Horror Night

Frankenstein celebrates its 13th year of The Rocky Horror Picture Show party.

What Does The Title Matter Anyway?

Clive Anderson hosts one of the best improv shows on the Fringe with a troupe of seasoned professionals at his side.

To Chekhov With Love: Afterplay and The White Peacock (Two One-Act Plays)

From the critically acclaimed SU Drama company comes a double play performance that combines Brien Friel’s Afterplay and an original piece named The White Peacock.

Michael Fabbri: Oversharing

Michael Fabbri delivers an evening of too much information that lives up to his title.

Friday I'm in Love

The poptacular London band started thirty minutes late for their three and half hour set, most likely due to technical difficulties or the arrangement of the room.

Good Morning, Campers

‘I do say, give us another!’ is the tragic cry of mediocrity from an improv show that is several decades too late for salvation.

Men With Nectar Points

Free fringe festival comedy Men With Nectar Points starts off the night with Phil Mitchell’s look-alike Jethro Bradley with a pair of tights over his head warming up t…

Richard Tyrone Jones: What the F*ck is This?

In the bowels of Banshee Labyrinth lurk the most unlikely of creatures, and none more terrifying nor outlandish as Richard Tyrone.

The Stand Late Show

If you’ve ever watched anything by John Robertson before you’ll know just how zany and energetic he can be, which is the perfect reason why he makes a great host for The Stand …

99 Club Stand-up Selection - Cowgate - Free

Luke Benson hosts 99 Club’s pick of the Fringe with a free hour of comedy that shows off the talents (and faults) at this year’s festival.

Miss Glory Pearl: The Naked Stand-Up

‘These are my tits,’ says the woman on stage wearing nothing but a pair of black high heels and a red pillbox hat, ‘Feel free to look at them.

Scotland's Pick of the Fringe

Review
★★★★
Stuart Mckenzie
Edinburgh Fringe
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn
9th Aug, 2014

Gus Lymburn hosts Scotland’s Pick of The Fringe in this hour long comedy romp that is funny, witty and refreshingly original.

An Elephant in the Room

If Dr.

Zelda- The Last Flapper by William Luce

William Luce’s 1984 play comes to life in this rendition by the Thespis Studio that is made vivid by the solo acting of Loana Pavelescu.

The Height of the Eiffel Tower

A pregnant 16-year-old who drinks too much; a gullible, ditsy hand model; a rambling geek with poor social skills; a meathead with too many STDs.

How to Disappear Completely

The first impression I got of Itai Erdal was of a man far too self-absorbed, verging upon vanity instead of showmanship; a man who proclaims he has travelled far and wide to some o…

Ryan Coffey Live and Loud

Ned Kelly look-alike Ryan Coffey arrives in the burgh with vocal looping and a Fender Stratocaster to deliver some songs about relationships.

Sex with Animals

For the second year running, Sex With Animals hits the Fringe in an outrageously hilarious fashion with solo star Ryan Good taking to the stage in a lion onesie.

John Hastings - Adventure

Canadian standup John Hastings peddles an incredibly original show that could easily be a contender for Fringe Festival Awards.

Steen Raskopoulos: I'm Wearing Two Suits Because I Mean Business

Steen Raskopoulos turns up to the Fringe in style.

The Wild Wood of Widdershin

Review
★★★
Stuart Mckenzie
Edinburgh Fringe
20th Aug, 2013

From the Crafty Moon Theatre company comes the tale of two sisters named Alizon and Jennet, caught in a relationship culminating in hedonism, jealousy and betrayal.

Schubert at Teatime

The Rothko Quartet meets the critically acclaimed Yelian He in a professional performance of some of Schubert’s best known works.

Paul Gilbody

Equipped with his electro-acoustic guitar, Paul Gilbody promises for a magical evening of hearty tunes and ripping beats to drive home a funky Fringe show full of imagination.

Classical Accordion at the Fringe

Paul Chamberlain, professional accordionist and accomplished musician in the field of classical music, brings a fresh performance to the Fringe Festival with his accordion music, a…

McDaniel and Callaghan

Review
★★
Stuart Mckenzie
Edinburgh Fringe
12th Aug, 2013

Paul McDaniel and David Callaghan’s free show hits the Fringe in a less than impressive style with a low quality humour that does little in the way of entertainment.

The Voices of Lions

For the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Fringe’s epicentre, Iain Donald provides a truly remarkable performance with The Voices of Lions, a choir group of studen…

Dan Willis: The Walking Dead

Review
★★★
Stuart Mckenzie
Edinburgh Fringe
7th Aug, 2013

You’ve just received the news that the capital has been struck by a horde of flesh-eating limb draggers, with the power to infect and eradicate the human race from existence.

Frank Sanazi's 'Das Vegas Night II'

I probably should have guessed from the name, but there was nothing that could have prepared me for what Frank Sanazi’s musical comedy had in store.

Free Money Magic Show

Ian Saville, a self-professed ‘socialist magician’, takes you through the history of money and communism by the medium of magic in a free show that pulls off some rather exquis…

Meal Ticket

The Mockingbirds Theatre Company serves up a delicious performance in the form of Meal Ticket, a play which examines the problems with perfectionism and informality within high soc…

Adam Strauss: The Mushroom Cure

When an uncertain young American was experiencing the fallout of the sixties in the form of psilocybin, he learned one very valuable lesson he would not forget in a hurry: buckle y…

Tanyalee Davis - Big Trouble in Little 'Gina

Review
★★
Stuart Mckenzie
Edinburgh Fringe
12th Aug, 2013

If you are over 35 or simply want to hear how middle-aged life is a going to be a blood-stained nightmare, then this is the show for you; for anyone else, sit tight for an uncomfor…

Best of Scottish Comedian of the Year

As the name would suggest, this is great Scottish comedy at its best.

Matt Okine: Being Black & Chicken & S#%t

Born Australian, with Ghanaian heritage, Matt Okine does a great job at poking fun of racial stereotypes and racial epithets within society, drawing upon a wide range of topics for…

The Inventor and The Escort

In the midst of a New York snow storm, a working girl named Julia is drinking an icy margarita on a makeshift beach in her two-piece, whilst shy Jeffrey, an inventor of some bizarr…